CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
March 26, 2023
It’s About Time to Go
John 16:16-33
We are two weeks from Easter. For the past four Sundays we
have seen how God told Isaiah what was going to happen when
the Savior comes to the world. That a Savior would come to
redeem His people. The Assyrians were the dominant nation at
the time of the message Isaiah delivered to God’s people.
However, soon the Babylonians would over run Israel and rule
over God’s people. During this time the Jewish people would
ask God to deliver them from the Babylonians. Isaiah gave
God’s message that in His time a deliverer would come.
As we move forward to see what is happening in chapter 16 of
John, we see Jesus’ ministry is about to come to an end. Jesus
had been sharing almost exclusively with God’s people, the
Jewish people, for three years now. Going from city to city
teaching from the mountain tops to the synagogues to
everyone who would listen. Jesus had assembled to help with
His mission 12 disciples. Jesus knows his time is drawing to a
close. Recently Jesus more and more was trying to prepare His
disciples for what was about to happen. The first verse we read
this morning has Jesus sending some strange mixed signals. He
tells his disciples, “In a little while you will see me no more, and
the after a while you will see me.” They immediately ask one
another what in the world is he saying and what does it mean.
Jesus then goes on to say they won’t see him, “Because I am
going to the Father.” The disciples clearly have no idea what is
about to happen to Jesus. Jesus then gives them another
glimpse of what is about to happen.
In verse 20 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth you will weep ad
mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief
will turn to joy.” This has to be the most confusing message
Jesus has ever given them. Things for the most part have been
going along pretty well and now all of a sudden is this message
that does not seem to make sense. Jesus tries to explain that
what is going to happen will turn out to be the best thing that
could possibly happen. Continuing with verse 22 Jesus says, “So
with you; no is your time of grief but I will see you again and
you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy.” What a
promise of hope.
While the disciples are confused by everything Jesus is saying to
them he is trying to help them understand what is about
tohappen, what must happen and it will all be good. He also
knows right now they do not understand but soon they will.
Jesus then goes on to explain just exactly who he is. In the 27 th
and 28 th verses Jesus explains, “No, the Father himself loves you
because you have loved me, and believed I have come from
God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am
leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
It seems like the disciples understand what Jesus is telling them
when we see what their response is in verse 30. They say, “Now
we can see that you know all things and you do not even need
to have anyone ask questions. This makes us believe that you
came from God.” Jesus is clearly feeling good about where the
disciples are as he knows it is about time to go. Jesus fully
understands that in spite of what they are saying they cannot
be truly prepared for what is about to happen.
In the account given by Luke we can see that Jesus even had
told his disciples in detail, what would happen to him. In Luke
18:31-33 he tells them what will happen including being
arrested, beaten, killed and the fact he would come back to life
again. Before these all come to pass Jesus warned them of one
more thing that they would do. In John 16:32 we read, “But a
time is coming and has come, when you will be scattered each
to his own home. You will leave me all along, yet I am not
alone, for my father, is with me.”
Jesus understands that his disciples will be scared and
disillusioned, doubt will set in in spite of what they had just said
to Jesus. Jesus is telling them it is okay. I understand and I am
going to be just fine. Jesus is also telling them all these things so
when these things happen, they will believe even stronger
about who Jesus is and that it is all part of God’s plan. Jesus
then closes out what he has been sharing with them these
incredible words of encouragement. In verse 33 Jesus says, “I
have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have
overcome the world.”
I cannot imagine what it was really like to be there and
experience everything the disciples had experienced. But when
Jesus first off warned them they would all scatter in different
directions when Jesus was arrested and put through what he
was about to go through, Jesus is assuring them it is going to be
alright. When Jesus then let them know, I love you so don’t get
down on yourself when this all happens because I knows things
in life get hard. Jesus is actually saying to them you should be
encouraged by the fact I understand, God understands. When
he states the obvious when he says, “In this world you will have
trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world,” that is a
message for all of us. God does not expect us to be perfect. God
knows we won’t always be able to do the “right thing”. His love
for us will always be there.
Jesus knew for a while it would seem like the end of the world
for his disciples. But just hang in there, help is on the way. That
is what God is saying to us as well. There maybe some dark
days we all will face, but hang in there I am there with you
always. Take heart I have and will always be there to help you
through every difficult moment you will face in life. Don’t give
up, don’t quit. I am there with you always. Take heart together,
we will overcome whatever you will face. Jesus is saying I have
won the victory for everyone who remains faithful and believes.
The disciples will soon ride a roller coaster of emotions. His
message is and always will be don’t give up, don’t lose heart.
We together will overcome every challenge Satan ad this world
throws at you.
Pastor Larry
Announcements:
Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study
March 28 12:00 Women’s Fellowship luncheon at East End Grill
(airport). Meet at church at 11:30 to carpool, if you want. Let
Carol or Kathy know if you are coming (carpool or going
yourself).
April newsletter deadline: March 28
Mowing sign up list is in the back. Thank you in advance to
those who sign up. So is a sign up sheet if you are interested in
starting Sunday School again.
Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for
your continued giving!
Donation Box: Camp Emmanuel
First Sundays: food donations for food banks
Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362
To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:
Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by
clicking link on left side of page.
District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook
Our pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon,
announcements, & calendar) and on facebook
Keep in Your Prayers
Todd Henricks; Tate Sawyer; Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry
Traxler; Michelle West; Michelle’s mom; Carolyn Hirsch; Eli
Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Joe Waltz; Doug Larrick; Ron &
Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina
Wilhelm; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz; Carl and Wilma
Cable; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Kim
Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo &
Darlene Hanaver; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren;
Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus;
healthcare workers and first responders; victims of disasters;
victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian
Brethren; Ukraine; Hope Welty Library; Florida; Puerto Rico;
Turkey/Syria earthquake
Military and Other Services and their families
Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers
District Prayer Calendar: Dixon congregation and the
Discipleship Ministries office of the denomination
Church of the Brethren vision statement:
Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live
and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus
Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To
move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and
equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.
Our Mission Statement:
Love God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost,
find peace.