Overcoming Tribulation: Jesus' Promise of Hope and Perseverance

Jesus told his disciples they would experience suffering and tribulation in the world.

He promised perfect peace and confidence in him to overcome the world's tribulation.

Jesus' followers will experience turmoil and persecution because of their relationship with him.

Jesus has overcome the world and its power to harm believers.

Music Music In the garden before Jesus was going to be arrested and nailed to the cross and become the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind, he told his disciples that they would experience suffering and tribulation in the world. In effect, he was telling them that their life in him would not be free from suffering. He told them there would be many encounters with turmoil and persecution that would come because of their relationship with him. One of the things that he said to them in John chapter 16 verse 33 is, I have spoken these things to you. And one of the main points or foundational markers here in Jesus' words is where he identifies the chief or cardinal conclusion of his revelation to his disciples. He says, I have told you these things so that in me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you will have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration. But be of good cheer, take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted. For I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you. Jesus says, These things I have spoken to you. This identifies the conclusion of Jesus' ultimate reason for his revelations about his departure as far as his immediate disciples were concerned. They thought that they might experience peace in their relationship with him. Prior to this conversation with Jesus, in John 14, verse 27, Jesus said, Peace I leave you. My own peace I now give to you and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed, and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled. Now going back to chapter 16, in verse 16, Jesus said, In me alludes back to the vine and the branches, which is figurative of personal intimacy which Jesus reveals in this chapter. He is telling his followers that their relationship with the world would result in turmoil and tribulation because of the opposition that would come against them from unbelievers. And we need to understand, however, that the proof that the peace that Jesus would give them would have the ability to overcome the turmoil that the world would create. It was in Jesus, please do not miss this, it was in Jesus Christ, that victory over the world by his death upon the cross, that he has overcome the world. It is probably most certain that the disciples did not understand immediately what Jesus was referring to. But look at the encouragement Jesus leaves with them when he said, Take courage or take heart. We read this in our opening scripture in John 16, verse 33, when he said, I have told you these things so that in me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you will have tribulation, trials, and distress and frustration. But be of good cheer. Take courage. Be confident, certain, undaunted. For I have overcome the world. I've deprived it of power to harm you, and I've conquered it for you. In other scriptures where he tells us to take courage are found in Matthew 9, verse 2. And behold, they brought him a man paralyzed, prostrated by illness, lying on a sleeping pad. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, Take courage, son. Your sins are forgiven and the penalty remitted. And dropping down to verse 22 of the same chapter, Jesus turned around and seeing her, he said, Take courage, daughter. Your faith has made you well. And at once the woman was restored to hell. In Mark chapter 6, verse 50, For they all saw him, and were agitated, troubled, and filled with fear and dread. But immediately he talked with them and said, Take heart. I am. Stop being alarmed and afraid. You see, Jesus was the greatest encourager ever, and precious Holy Spirit, whom he gives to his own redeemed children, continues his work and ministry in us today as we stay on this tried and true and holy path laid out for us in God's holy word. We can be very thankful that Jesus was not acting as a crowd pleaser like we see today in the politicians in our own nation. otherwise he would have used his almighty power to create favorable circumstances and promise prosperity, health and wealth for all those who would follow him. But we know that didn't happen dear listener. We know that this is not why God had sent his dearly beloved son to this earth. Instead as Jesus was ready to depart from this earth by way of horrible suffering and excruciating death upon the cross which was to be followed by his resurrection, he said to his followers while he was still with them, In the world you will have tribulation. John 16 verse 33 again So many times throughout the scriptures Jesus warns his followers about the fact that suffering is an inescapable reality in the life of a believer And many times throughout scripture, God alludes to his people as being precious jewels. In Malachi chapter 3 verse 17 The word says They shall be mine says the Lord of hosts In that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be my jewels My special possession My peculiar treasure I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him Also in Zechariah chapter 9 verse 16 And the Lord their God shall save them on that day as the flock of his people, for they shall be as the precious jewels of a crown lifted high over and shining glitteringly upon his land. I am reminded of a testimony that I read recently, which was written by a Christian who visited Amsterdam Holland a few years back, and had something wonderful in an analogy in reference to the Lord's precious jewels. He said, wheel, nothing else, being hard enough to polish the diamond. And this work is kept on for months and sometimes for several years before its work is finished on one diamond. And if a diamond is intended for a king, then the greater time and trouble are spent upon it. The Christian man reporting his story finishes by saying, Jesus calls his people his jewels to fit them for beautifying in his crown. They must be polished like diamonds, and he makes use of the trouble he sends to polish his jewels. You see, we need to understand, dear listener, this suffering was not going to be conditional. Jesus did not say, if we did not live totally in his presence, or if you disobey any of my commands, you will have tribulation. Jesus said emphatically that we would experience tribulation as followers of his. And one consolation that we have is that our Lord didn't say that our lives would be full or filled with tribulation upon tribulation. Hallelujah. But he did say we would have inevitable occasions of tribulation. There are some circumstances, you know, we just can't control in our lives. But there are others that we will not be able to manage. But it must be understood as well that there are tribulations that come as a direct result of disobedience with both the physical and the spiritual laws of God. It is important that we look at two parallel scriptures in order to understand the theme of our Lord in this message today, we need to see this connection between John 16, 33 and John 16, verse 1. Again, I'm going to read this because we've already read it several times, but we need to understand these things in laying the foundation. John 16, 33. I have told you these things, catch this, so that in me, You may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you will have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration. But be of good cheer. Take courage. Be confident, certain, undaunted. For I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm you. I have conquered it for you. Then comparing John chapter 16 verse 1. Jesus said, I have told you all these things. So that you should not be offended, taken unawares and falter, or be caused to stumble and fall away. I have told you to keep you from being scandalized and repelled. Now, our focus is on how both of these verses begin. Jesus says, I have told you these things. Then, what are the things that Jesus is referring to here? Well, if we look in John chapter 15 verses 18 through 27, we will see a summary of what Jesus warned us about. Again, John chapter 15 verses 18 through 27. Verse 18. If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you. If you belong to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world, no longer one with it, but I have chosen and selected you out of the world, the world hates and detests you. Remember, I have told you, a servant is not greater than his master, is not superior to him. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word and obeyed my teaching, they will also keep and obey yours. Verse 21. the works which no one else ever did they would not be guilty of sin But the fact is now they have both seen these works and have hated me and my Father But the word written in their law might be fulfilled. They hated me without cause. But the comforter, counselor, helper, advocate, intercessor, strengthener, standby comes, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes and proceeds from the Father, he himself will testify regarding me. Verse 27. But you will also testify and be my witnesses because you have been with me from the beginning. So here we read the encapsulation or the outline of what Jesus wants us to remember and heed as we face tribulations in this world. In verse 18 he said, If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you but the key word if the world hate you in verse 19 he said the world hates you and in verse 20 he said the world will also persecute you have you ever experienced unjust hatred or persecution of those in the world since you became a Christian well you learn quickly that being both hated and persecuted was not pleasant or enjoyable. I read a story called This Too Shall Pass By and thought it was very befitting to share with you at this point or juncture in our message today. It goes, What is your favorite scripture, someone asks an elderly woman. My favorite scripture is And it came to pass. When asked why she chose this one, She said, because it does not say, it came to stay. And the author goes on to say, everything is temporary. What will not be changed by the passing of time will be changed by the end of time. In biblical principle is that we are to look beyond any problem, suffering or persecution or confusion of this time and look to the future reward. Paul said, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. And that's in Romans chapter 8 verse 18. You know, we can live with present problems because of their temporal nature. Why bother to fuss and fume and stew over something that will be gone sooner or later? Instead, we need to concentrate all of our energy on what we can influence and attempt to make better in life for ourselves and those in our circle of influence. You see, it is so true, dear believer, when Jesus tells us to take heart and do not be discouraged when we have troubles or tribulation or persecutions, it is because these things will pass eventually. and the only way for these things to have been prevented would have been for Jesus to have established and imposed his salvation upon all of mankind but when we read in the holy book of life that salvation is for all the whomsoever's will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ we know that the day will come when the world will no longer be allowed to persecute Christians because God will establish his kingdom and all power and authority will be subject to him and to him alone. In 1 Corinthians 15, verses 24 through 28, the word declares, and after that, the end, the completion, when he delivers over the kingdom to God the Father after rendering inoperative and abolishing every other rule and authority and power. For Christ must be king and reign until he has put all of his enemies under his feet. Verse 26. The last enemy to be subdued and abolished is death. For he the father has put all things in subjection under Christ's feet. But when it says all things are put into subjection under him. It is evident that he himself is accepted who does the subjecting of all things under him. However, when everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the Father, who put all things under him, so that God may be all in all, be everything to everyone, supreme, the indwelling and controlling factor of life. It is to be understood that those now who fight against the kingdom of God will be fighting against those who do believe and have chosen Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Those who choose to serve Satan the devil will answer to their maker once they take their last breath on this earth. Their place in the world of eternal suffering will be forever and unbearable. But dear ones, while we live in this body which is mortal, there is no escape from death and the bodily deterioration which leads up to it. As believers, we have the warning in keeping with our responsibility to maintain the integrity of scripture. In Romans 6, verse 12, the word declares, Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal short-lived perishable bodies to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions. And in Corinthians chapter 15, beginning in verse 53, For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. Verse 54 when the perishable has been clothed with imperishable and the mortal with immortality then the saying that is written will come true Death has been swallowed up in victory The story goes there was an old farmer whose mule fell into a well After many unsuccessful attempts to haul the mule out of the hole, the farmer decided it was hopeless. With sadness, he instructed his boys to fill up several truckloads of dirt and just bury the old mule right in the well. Dutifully, the boys backed up the truck, filled with dirt, and shovel by shovel, they began to fill the well and bury the mule. The mule didn't take kindly to this action. The first shovel of dirt hit him square on the head. It went into his eyes and mouth and made him sneeze. Every shovelful after that hit him somewhere, causing the old mule to stomp around in the bottom of the well. Several truckloads of dirt later, the mule was still stomping and packing the dirt firmly underneath his feet. Little by little, that mule was lifting himself out of the hole. And sure enough, about mid-afternoon, that mule stepped out of the well and snorted at the whole business. There are different ways people have of dealing with problems life throws at them. Some are constant complainers. They do not handle setbacks very well. Some of them can't even handle normal events. Others are defeated at the slightest difficulties. Quite a few get confused and turned around and they don't know what to do. And then there are a few who are unconquerable. They are like the mule. Problems can hit them square on the head and they just stomp around enough until they actually use the problem to rise above it. Look at the great heroes of the Bible. They were men and women who could match the occasion. Moses was that kind of man. Surely Joseph, who rose from the bottom of the pit to be leader of Egypt, was that kind of a man. Could David have been anything other than the kind of man who rose above his faults and problems? Esther was surely the kind of woman who did not let problems paralyze her. On and on we could go, but you see the point. The author finishes. How is this all done? The reason such people could rise out of the wells of life is because they all had great faith in God. It is a childish attitude that says, If God loved me, he would take away all these problems. Not so. The opposite is really true. If God loves you, he will reveal himself to you through his word and give you the opportunity to let your faith lift you up. God wants us to learn how to do it. He wants us to work at it. And when you personally realize that and accept it, it will give you a power to deal with living you've never had before. Well, that's a wonderful analogy, dear believer in Jesus Christ. We need to individually and personally understand that tribulation and physical deterioration are a part of God's foreseen and expected future for this age and time. We see the signs of the times in our world today, which are orchestrated by evil masterminds who hate God and his children. But God's word tells us this should not take us by surprise, because he's given us advanced warning and notice in his word. And there are certain things in this life, such as sickness and suffering, persecution and death, which are all a part of life for us now as believers in Jesus Christ. God tells us that by these troubles and trials, they are meant to refine us as fine gold. Even though it is easier to be offended by persecution or tribulations that come, Jesus knows what he is doing on behalf of his redeemed people. He warns us to prepare us. Do not let this take us by surprise. Do not be offended. Otherwise, we would doubt our loving God and Father's benevolent providence in our lives. Jesus promises to give us inner peace. But we have our part, and that is to believe and do not doubt that he will do just that. This is truly a blessing, dear one. Someone once wrote, May we always have enough happiness to keep us sweet, enough sorrow to keep us human, enough faith to give us courage, enough wealth to meet our needs, enough trials to keep us strong, enough failure to keep us humble, enough friends to give us comfort, and enough determination to make each day a good one. how very true it is dear one with Christ's peace dwelling in our lives in these last days anyone can and will face suffering sickness, persecution and or even death in any circumstance remember and reiterating what Jesus said I have told you these things in John chapter 14 verse 25 and in John chapter 16 verse 1 and in John 16, verse 33, which I will finish with. John 16, verse 33. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you will have tribulation and trials, distress and frustration, but be of good cheer, take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted. For I have overcome the world, I have deprived it of power to harm you, and I have conquered it. Hallelujah!

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