Sorrow Turned into Joy

 
Sorrow Turned Into Joy By Pastor Dan Kennedy © June 3, 2012 www.pastorkennedy.com ( There are also selected messages and poems, available on Amazon Kindle Books (Dan B. Kennedy) such as The Power of God - The Presence of the Holy Spirit. ) There is something more that we expect, than what we experience in this life. Every generation in the history of the world has longed for “something more”…something better than that which is found in this life. Why? Because every life has had its share of suffering, trials, oppression, fighting, pride, injustice, selfishness, gossip, carnality, sickness, loneliness, abuse, distress, sin, depression, separation, anxiety, sorrow, etc., etc.,… and always, always death – in every generation, every ethnic group, every tribe, every country, every family, and every person who has ever lived from the foundation of the world. There is something more that we expect, than what we experience in this life. This was certainly true for the Disciples who began following Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. What did the Disciples of Jesus expect Him to fulfill? The Disciples had Expectations from the Proclamation of the Old Testament Prophets Jewish history had taught the disciples that one day there would be a Messiah who would come and deliver them from the world’s oppression. That He would become the King of kings and Lord of lords. Isaiah 9:6 6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Jeremiah 23:5–6 5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’ Isaiah 32:1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. Daniel’s Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream in Daniel 2 gave sound prophetic understanding of the primary kingdoms of the world, concluding with Christ’s Kingdom - Jesus’ Disciples were well aware of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s sound interpretation. The Disciples were well aware of the dream that Daniel interpreted for King Nebuchadnezzar of the kingdoms of the world, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar as the head of gold, arms and chest of silver, thighs of bronze, legs of iron and feet of iron mixed with clay. A Rock was seen cut out of the mountain without hands, coming down the mountain and striking the massive statue in the feet which were made of iron mixed with clay, destroying the image, while the Rock itself filled the whole earth! This was their Messiah coming – to set up His Kingdom – His worldwide and Everlasting Government! (Daniel 2) Daniel’s Vision of the Son of Man and His Coming Kingdom was also a well known Messianic Prophecy Daniel 7:13–14 13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. They knew of the Angelic Proclamation to Mary concerning Jesus at His birth: Luke 1:31–33 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” The Proclamation to the Shepherds The Disciples knew of the proclamation of the angelic host glorifying and praising God in the Highest, surrounding the terrified shepherds while they were watching their flocks, the evening Jesus was born: Luke 2:10–11 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The Wise Men’s Question The Disciples knew of the Wise men coming to present their gifts to the King of the Jews: Matthew 2:1–2 2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” John the Baptist’s Declaration about Jesus Many of the Disciples were there when John the Baptist made his declaration about Jesus’ being the Son of God. Behold, the Lamb of God John 1:29–34 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” The Confirmation in the Disciples’ own Hearts of Christ’s Messiahship John 1:40–41 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). The Disciples were so convinced that Jesus was the Messiah and would set up His Kingdom…overthrowing the Roman Government of the day, that they bickered over who would have the “top spots” in the government! The Request of James and John Mark 10:35–41 35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. James and John even got their mother involved! Matthew 20:20–24 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. Jesus Promised His Disciples Responsible Positions in His Kingdom Matthew 19:27–28 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. The disciples thought this kingdom would be in their world right then…they couldn’t fathom the unseen world…the next world (nor can we)! The Coming King of Zion The Disciples were further convinced when Jesus fulfilled Zechariah’s word spoken of the coming King at the Triumphal Entry (John 12:12-19)! This was prophesied in Zechariah 9:9-17, a passage clearly announcing the coming of the King of Israel. Zechariah 9:9 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey…. The Disciples were still concerned with the establishment of Jesus’ earthly Kingdom, even following His death...and after spending 40 days among them following His resurrection! Just before Christ’s ascension, the Disciples asked Him the same Question! Acts 1:6–7 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” Back to our Text for today... Jesus Christ was going to His death in the John 16 passage we have as our text for today. He knew it…the disciples did not accept it. His Kingdom was not going to be when they expected it…His Kingdom would be coming at the season His Father had fixed by His own Authority. Jesus clearly foretold His coming crucifixion to His disciples (Matt. 16:21; 17:22–23), but they couldn’t comprehend it. Their mind was set on serving in His Kingdom – and they expected it to be during their earthly lifetime! • They were going to see Him suffer. • They were going to see Him die. • They were going to see Him buried. • They were going to have great sorrow. A Little While and You Will Not See Me; A Little While and You Will See Me Text today: John 16:16–33 Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy John 16:16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘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, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. I Have Overcome the World 25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” 29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Just as the Disciples could not understand the Eternal Kingdom that Jesus told them about…we can hardly comprehend it either! But we are continually reminded of the distress around us! The suffering, trials, oppression, fighting, pride, injustice, selfishness, gossip, carnality, sickness, loneliness, abuse, distress, sin, depression, separation, anxiety, sorrow…and always, always death. Jesus Christ’s Kingdom is not of this World - He told Pilate this Himself, just before His Crucifixion: John 18:33-37 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” The Eternal Kingdom of Christ is the Only Hope for Everlasting Peace This is the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the hope for all of us who hold the Bible, Old and New Testaments, as The Source of our understanding of Truth and the reality of things to come. This life is only a staging area, a platform from which one day, our spirit is catapulted into eternity…into an Eternal Kingdom! There is something more that we expect, than what we experience in this life. Jesus Christ’s Disciples could not comprehend it…and we have serious trouble comprehending it when our life is so cluttered with things of this world! There is going to be a time when there will be peace and justice, fullness and blessing – without the sorrow, tribulation, sin, stress and injustice of this world. We Hold On By Faith I will hold on to faith in what the Scripture teaches me as a Child of God (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). The Holy Spirit within, teaches me about Eternal Truths from the very Mind of God the Father and the Son (John 16:13-15), and I will be brought safely Home – to the fullness of Peace and Eternal Life, in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ! We trust in God, through His provision in His Eternal Son Jesus Christ, to bring us to His Eternal Home! Our Foundational Realizations and Beliefs: There is a Creator God who made me. I am accountable to Him. God has provided a way, through the Sacrifice of His Son and Transformation of New Birth by His Holy Spirit, to have a Personal and Eternal Relationship with Him! Our Eternal Dwelling is Not our Final Hope or Destination! 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:5 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 5 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. We may not fully understand or comprehend the realities, which are unseen, and which are eternal, but we, by faith, trust in God’s Word to guide us Safely Home. This will turn our Sorrow into Joy! http://www.pastorkennedy.comhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088DTIW2http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088DTIW2http://biblia.com/reference/Mt16.21http://biblia.com/reference/Mt17.22-23shapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4