GateWay Church of Visalia
The Day Before the Day
In Christ Pastor Lance Ainsworth March 14th & 17th, 2024
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction
John 16:16-33 NASB
16 “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” 17 Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.”
“What do you think this means?” – Disciples
16 “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” 17 Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.”
“What do you think this means?” – Disciples
19 Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.
In a little while – a time of pain
In a little while – a time of pain
21 Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
23 In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
Praying in Jesus’ name means our approach to God is based on His merit, not ours.
Praying in Jesus’ name means seeking to accomplish His will, not our own.
Praying in Jesus’ name means having the goal of glorifying God.
Praying in Jesus’ name means seeking to accomplish His will, not our own.
Praying in Jesus’ name means having the goal of glorifying God.
25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. 30 Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
Our faith is matured through trials.
Our faith is matured through trials.
32 Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
In Christ, we have:
A joy that cannot be taken away. (v. 22)
Access to the Father. (v. 23)
Peace the world can’t offer. (v. 33)
Victory over Satan. (v. 33)
The Day Before the Day
John 16:16-33, Pastor Lance Ainsworth
March 14th & 17th, 2024
In Christ
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: When do you feel the most joy?
Read Aloud: John 16:16-33
1. In Christ, we have joy that cannot be taken away. What is the difference between joy and happiness? Read James 1:2-4. What correlation do joy and trials have? How have trials matured your faith?
2. In Christ, we have access to the Father. What does it mean to be reconciled back to the Father? Why do we pray in Jesus' name? How does prayer change us?
3. In Christ, we have peace the world can’t offer. Is peace the absence of something or someone or the presence of something or someone? When do you feel the most at peace? Do you think if you were pulled out of your tribulation, would you have peace?
4. In Christ, we have victory over Satan. If Satan is defeated, why do we still face evil? Why did God not put an end to evil immediately after the resurrection? If we live between Christ's first and second coming, what is our goal as Christians? Why do we need courage to accomplish this?
John 16:16-33, Pastor Lance Ainsworth
March 14th & 17th, 2024
In Christ
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: When do you feel the most joy?
Read Aloud: John 16:16-33
1. In Christ, we have joy that cannot be taken away. What is the difference between joy and happiness? Read James 1:2-4. What correlation do joy and trials have? How have trials matured your faith?
2. In Christ, we have access to the Father. What does it mean to be reconciled back to the Father? Why do we pray in Jesus' name? How does prayer change us?
3. In Christ, we have peace the world can’t offer. Is peace the absence of something or someone or the presence of something or someone? When do you feel the most at peace? Do you think if you were pulled out of your tribulation, would you have peace?
4. In Christ, we have victory over Satan. If Satan is defeated, why do we still face evil? Why did God not put an end to evil immediately after the resurrection? If we live between Christ's first and second coming, what is our goal as Christians? Why do we need courage to accomplish this?