Messages
Become Transformed from Sorrow into Joy (John 16:16-24)
Pastor Joe Sanders, May 27, 2012Part of the Become series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Most of us would agree that no matter when or where you live, or how much or how little possessions you own, this world is full of sorrow and trouble. In America, there's an entire sub culture and marketplace dedicated to help you escape the blues and doldrums and to be happy all the time. Self-help gurus have been peddling their methods for decades and recently many men who stand in pulpits have taken up their cry of happiness and peace and joy all the time- if you think right, give right, do right, live right. Many Christians' prayer lives revolve our "replacement" requests- replace this person, replace this job, replace this child, replace this broken thing, etc, for a new one. A better one. And THEN I'll be happy. Its all so fleeting and temporary and...cheap. Christ knew all about sorrow and helping those around us who are suffering. He talked about a joy that can't be taken away, a joy that comes from the sorrow. A sorrow that is transformed into joy!
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Become Helped by the Spirit | None | Become Peacefully Courageous » |
John 16:16-24
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. (ESV)