John

[0:00] the words from my mind this evening as I hope the Lord will help me to speak from will be found in the gospel of John chapter 16 verse 22 and ye now therefore have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice and your joy no man taketh from you the 22nd verse in the 16th chapter of the gospel of John these words of our text was actually spoken by Christ they dropped from his holy lips into the ears and most probably into the hearts of those disciples because he had previously informed them that he would leave them as we have read this evening that he would leave them for a time saying

[1:51] I will see you again for the time was drawing very near for the Lord Jesus to enter into the garden from the garden to the cross and I have been amazed at times dear friends as I have tried to meditate a little upon this chapter and the previous chapters how Jesus was deeply concerned about his dear people his disciples that he was about to leave for a season and though carefully was not violence only a short time a matter of but a few days before the Lord Jesus should come into that most solemn place of suffering and to give his life for his dear people yet he seems so concerned about his disciples more than we read of him being concerned about Calvary and what does this manifest

[3:21] I believe this manifests love real love everlasting love a true love a true friendship to those dear disciples not for what he he had not forgotten Calvary oh no he was approaching it but the love in his heart toward these dear ones is about to leave for a season seem to be even greater than his suffering now that gives us a little idea of the love of the Father Son and Holy Spirit unto the Church of God you and I if we are in the covenant of grace and born of the Spirit I feel we can say that this chapter we have read would have been perhaps the last sermon or discourse or if you like a conversation a discourse of the Lord Jesus Christ for after he had spoken or preached this sermon he came to that place to bow before his

[4:53] Father and in prayer he said these words spake Jesus and lifted up his eyes to heaven and said Father the hour is come glorify thy Son that thy Son also may glorify thee well dear friends we can only just speak a little upon these things they are so deep but coming more direct to the words of our text and ye now therefore have a sorrow I think we can realize in some very small measure what the disciples found when Jesus said to them I was going to leave you for a time

[5:54] I think we can in respecting ourselves we've had one who has been a very near dear friend to us and then to hear that that one will be leaving us for a short period of time I think our heart would be somewhat in sorrow we've experienced it and so it was with those dear disciples they'd seen Jesus they'd walk with him communed with him saw his miracles he performed heard him preach the gospel and now he's leaving them for a season and Jesus knew it knew there what was in their hearts of sorrow as he said and ye now therefore have sorrow let me put it this way respecting sorrow sorrow you know is well grief yea trouble often causes sorrow and tracing it back

[7:17] I believe we can trace it even to the garden of Eden where Adam fell putting it in these words oh thou hideous monster sin what a curse is thou brought in all creations grown through thee pregnant cause of misery that's the sorrow sin will bring sorrow I speak carefully I desire to speak rightly in the name of God but wasn't it sin that caused Jesus to leave his disciples for a season it was not his own oh no he was holy pure perfect no sin in him none whatever but he took upon him sin he bore sin the sins of his people not the sins of the world

[8:31] I've heard it said that Jesus died for all I don't believe it I'll prove it just in two or three words in the following chapter in that wonderful prayer of the Lord Jesus he said I pray not for the world but for those whom thou hast given me sorrow and no man endured such grief and sorrow as Christ did I'll put it in the words of the poet what he endured no tongue can tell to save can I save our soul from death and from hell what that dear man went through we cannot begin to explain no man can the depth of sorrow and grief and bearing the sins of his church he knew the path he knew the experience and therefore he could sympathize with his dear people because he had sorrow from the manger to this moment of time

[9:52] I'm sure of that dear friends at least I am persuaded of it there was sorrow in his heart and in his heart from the days of childhood to the day of manhood and even to calvary you say why should there have been sorrow in his heart when so young in years because he lived in a world of sin he was holy we have a nature that can walk with it we have a nature within us that is of the spirit of the world but Christ never now something holy in a world of sin there was sorrow no doubt and ye now therefore have sorrow if a poor man or woman is convinced of sin which all the lord's people are in some measure

[11:00] I will not put up any standard I'm not saying everyone has got to be dealt with by God as the apostle poor far from it far from it but I'm sure of this we are brought in some measure to know that we are sinners if we have the grace of God in our heart I believe that's the commencement of the work it's the malady first and then the remedy the malady sin and then there's a remedy forgiveness one quickened into life under the light of the Holy Spirit will be brought to sow in some small measure what there is in the heart and it will not only cause sorrow but it will cause us to cry out that we have a heart to see for above all things and desperately all flows as I've said from one source to see this will bring sorrow within the heart and that sorrow will continue until we find the remedy pardon

[12:20] I can only just hint upon a few of these things this evening that bring sorrow into the heart that is the child of blood it was so with Job was it not oh if I knew where I might find him and some of you have tasted a little of his love and mercy and it may be this evening he's withdrawn from you and you're walking alone you may be in the dark yes sorrow filled your heart as I said it was with Job oh if I knew where I might find him you may come to the house of God with a longing spirit desiring for to meet him and to have a little true worship and yet he seems to withdraw you come in the dark you go in the dark you've got nothing it'll bring you into the death see now therefore have a sorrow sorrow maybe in your little prayer meetings if you gather together and the brethren try to pray and it may be one is brought into some darkness of soul and you feel you cannot put a sentence together in prayer a sorrow within their heart come to the house of God hoping there may be a word spoken in season but nothing oh the sorrow in heart is this the way friends to heaven yes yes the path of sorrow and this path alone that leads to the land where sorrow is unknown last words of this chapter in the world ye shall have tribulation the apostle

[14:29] Paul informs us in the acts through much tribulation we enter into the kingdom that's the path to heaven the path of sorrow and I won't hear this evening or more it may be you are journeying along in your pilgrimage you have been looking for a little light by none you long for his presence you mourn his absence you long for a word you get nothing your prayer is that he might give you a token for good but no darkness ye fearful saints fresh carried stake the clergy so much dread are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on thine head that the path is a path of sorrow the

[15:32] Lord sometimes leads his people into affliction and there they experience sorrow well if we had the time and ability we could speak of many in the holy scriptures that walk this path many of our forefathers and even some that some of us can remember the path they had to walk in the things of providence in poverty and in some cases wondering where the next meal would come from sorrow ye and ye now therefore have sorrow but as I said there's another side dear perhaps not only the malady but there's the remedy and we see in our texts the loving kindness and compassion that the

[16:47] Lord has to his people ye know therefore have sorrow that he says but his little word he seems to stand out somewhat to me but if he might say to his dear disciples of old just stop and consider just think it over though you're in sorrow but what follows I will see you again how kind the Lord Jesus was if I put it in simple words to those that he was about to leave them for a season I see you guy and he did he went to Calvary he gave his life he laid it down for his dear people he took it again speaking with all reverence we have dear friends a living

[17:54] God a living Christ a living saviour a living redeemer he laid it down but he took it up again I thought sometimes and I hope you'll understand as I speak thus you know Jesus was a king he had all power in one sense of the word not only to lay his life down he could escape the suffering he could have escaped death in one sense the word he had the power what overruled the power of love he had to walk in that power because his heart and soul was full of love to his dear people and he so willingly laid it down many thought in those days that he was well he was crucified that's true but he laid it down in the chapter of

[19:20] John speaking of the good shepherd and the sheep he says I lay down my life for the sheep he did and he took it again fulfilling the words of our text but I will see you again he manifested himself shall I say first I believe to a poor woman and I gathered a little comfort from that sometimes a poor woman a poor sinner a woman having at one time seven devils within yet he met her one of the first oh what a change there must have been in that woman's heart days possibly months

[20:21] I cannot say previously she was in yea dead in sin and shaped in iniquity and full of devils yet the Lord Jesus met with her gave her the new heart and the spiritual life and wrought love in her heart toward it and she was one of the first to get to the second and stooping down she came into the words of our text ye now have sorrow now have sorrow as she looked within the sepulcher and could not see the body of Christ where hast thou lain oh the love that must have been in her heart to make her way there and what sorrow and grief there must have been when she realized the body of Christ had been taken but he had risen forfilling the words that the promise that he gave to his disciples that

[21:28] I will see you again in that same day walking to Emmaus gay with those two disciples on the way to Emmaus Jesus fulfilled this word I will see you again their eyes was holding they did not know him they started to converse with him asking him if he had not heard of this Jesus one whom they had hoped would redeem Israel and such like who had been crucified when the Lord draws near to you dear friends it may be in prayer as you are walking along maybe conversing with another that fears God have you ever come to this experience the heart to be warmed under the influence of grace and the presence of

[22:37] God I will see you again where sweet when two can walk together two poor sinners who know their need of a savior walking along the road together and your heart is burned as you converse one to another on the things of God these two disciples on the way to Emmaus Jesus was there I will see your gain and we understand that same evening he entered into the temple where the disciples were most of them the door being closed because they feared the Jews but Jesus entered in he came just where they were I will see your gain John I see your gain Peter yes

[23:38] I will see you again though your hearts are full of sorrow but I will come and see you again as God ever broken a promise that he has given to his dear people never never will it may be tried some of you may have had a promise from God many many years ago and you are still waiting for the fulfillment of it he will in his own time it may be respecting your own never dying soul he may have given you a promise and yet it doesn't seem to be fulfilled a promise that he might cleanse you in that precious blood and founting that he is open but thus far you say I fear I haven't had the application the time of love will come when those shall clearly see not only that he shed his blood but thou poor soul will say for me

[24:39] I will see you again we understand that that disciple Thomas wasn't in the temple at that time and the other disciples told him that they had seen Jesus he could not believe them he would not believe them there is no doubt Thomas had a little sorrow in his heart there may have been a mingled feeling in his heart are they right or am I right have they seen Jesus or have they been deceived but he said I shall not believe it unless I thrust my hand into his side and see the plinths of the nails in his feet and in his hand

[25:45] Jesus knew all about it I will see you again and he came again as you know a little later not many days before he came and gave another visit peace I live with you he says but Thomas was there Thomas look here Thomas here I am come see these plinths see these marks of these nails in my hand in my feet thrust thy hand in my side I will see your game I see your game you see he fulfilled this even to Thomas though he had not seen him with the other disciples previously that he's fulfilling his word I'll see your game have

[26:48] I a poor soul here this evening may have been in the path of sorrow for many long days weeks months and years and in much darkness and it may be you had thought and believed that you had had a little visit that you had seen a little of this wonderful thought but the devil tells you today you have been deceived you read the question altogether you haven't even spiritual life is that so my dear friends if you have one visit from the Lord though you may have had years of darkness the word of our text stands good I will see your day have I one here been groping about it may be in the dark cannot lay hold of anything I haven't got a promise in the Lord much darkness has spread around your tent you may have been staggering like a drunken man at your wits end wondering where the scene would end in providence and respecting your never dying soul the promise is here though ye now have sorrow but I will see you again

[28:07] I will come again and give you another visit he is faithful to the events but I will see you again he gave those disciples another visit the last visit shall I say before he returned unto his father he gathered them together he lifted up his hand he blessed them I'll see you again yes this is the word the Lord could give could have given them as he rose up and ascended in the clouds to heaven to his father I'll see you again yes though I know leave thee but I'll see you again oh there's a sweetness in this text my friend sweetness in this few words realizing that they've come from the lips of

[29:17] Christ and it stands for all of his dear people in whatever stages of life I'll see you again the Lord gives his people a visit now and again I believe some of you have had a visit from him maybe here in this sanctuary we of course we cannot see him as those disciples did with their naked eye no he's in heaven but he can be viewed by faith and that's the mercy that's what God sings and he still saying to his dear people and ye know therefore have sorrow but I will see your gain he looks upon his church at all times we read in one of the psalms he never sleeps he never slumbers now he ever looking upon his dear people his church and if the church in a good exercise frame of mind

[30:42] I'm sure we're looking unto him and though we may have sorrow but he will be pleased to look and visit his people have you had a little visit have you seen him by faith these are vital things my friends these are matters of eternity and I believe if we have spiritual life and longing desires a real exercise frame of mind there will be this Jesus reveal thyself to me I believe I had one little view of him by faith a number of years ago it only lasted a few moments he was a calvary he was hanging upon that accursed tree but oh what he conveyed to me what he conveyed there was a mingled feeling of sorrow and of joy sorrow to see him suffering but joy to realize he was bearing the punishment due to me through the never ending eternity

[32:13] I'll see your gain I believe some of you can speak of such experiences having a little faith view of that dear man at calvary joy yes you'll be right in the text sorrow and yet there will be mingled with it that joy to behold the lamb of God then again but I will see you again those dear disciples and many others that believed on Jesus when he was here on earth now are in the forest of his presence sorrow here

[33:19] I believe I have repeated the words this evening the path of sorrow and this path alone that leads to the land where sorrow is unknown I will see you again and those dear disciples and all believers that were in Christ in those days saw him naturally now behold him their glorified spirits in heaven I will see you again yes they pass from this life into eternity but they see him and behold the land in his glory shall we do that oh sometimes I well I have to try and look within and I wonder if I have got the root of the matter within me whether I do really fear God the devil is ready to say you don't I had one sore temptation under

[34:24] Satan some years ago and some of you may have had similar experiences as we said today if you are a child of God the devil will not let you alone he will follow you even into the house of prayer he's been in the pulpit with me more than once I remembered under sore temptation the devil said to me well Jesus it is true that Jesus died it is true that he opened the fountain it is true that he shed his blood it is true that every poor sinner gets to heaven will have to be cleansed in that blood you know the devil knows scripture and he can speak it as it were into one's mind and heart he can and all how sorely tried I was he said well the fountain now is closed he said you think of all those who have passed through it and gone to heaven the fountain is dried up yes and all the temptation but my friends it wasn't that blessed fountain is still open and that blood of his still flows so freely unto

[35:44] Zion I will see your game never never mind the temptations of Satan he's a liar God is true Satan is mighty God is all mighty God's word will stand though you may be in the midst of sorrow and temptations severely tried but says God I will see your day and he will the day is coming dear friends when you and I will see him and not only us but all all eyes will be upon him as it were for he's coming again and in this there text is true

[36:49] I will see your game he's coming not to suffer bleed and die no the work has been finished accomplished yes the father is satisfied with the work of his dear son fully satisfied and he's made an open way to eternal glory for all of his dear people that he's coming again to gather them together I ask the question which side will you and I be the word of God tells us that he will gather his on his right hand and take them to death with this word come oh blessed gospel is full of invitation it welcomes four sinners not only to his footstool but at last into the mansion prepared come ye blessed of my father inherit the kingdom prepared prepared for you yes and don't forget we must be prepared for that for that match sorrow have filled your heart but I will see you again

[38:13] I can't leave this without just saying that those on the left will hear the word of condemnation it will be a solemn word it will be depart depart I hope there is not one here this evening that will ever hear that word depart depart I will see you again just a few words upon the latter part of our text and your heart shall rejoice this joy spoken of here isn't the joy of the world the joy of the unbeliever that joy is will perish come to an end nothing in it only last for a season it's sure to end the joy in our text is everlasting everlasting have you had a touch of it perhaps the joy

[39:47] I'll tell you when your heart will rejoice and make glad is when you hear his pardoning voice when that voice speaks to you forgiveness and pardon I had a long time in the path of sorrow and some of you probably did many many months in the path of sorrow but one sabbath morning making my way to the chapel beg him for mercy and I got to this stage I said Lord last time nothing for me today nothing for me today give up everything all my hope is gone and within seconds

[40:50] I heard his voice yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindness I have drawn thee that was the first touch of joy that I ever had in my heart and it was real joy it was joy that strengthened my faith and heart yea it wasn't a joy that grows our nature barn soil no it was a joy it was a touch of his presence and hearing his voice and our text says does it not and your heart your heart shall rejoice that's where the Lord speaks right into the heart and it affects the heart and the heart at times flows over may I use the word expression flows over with this joy love unto your savior and your lady or have

[41:59] I a poor soul here this night under the law it may be and the Lord is saying to you there shall die if there is take courage I'll see you again this is the work of the spirit to convince the malady as I've said but the time will come when he will be pleased to reveal himself to you and give you a little of this rejoicing in the heart and our text in the last clause says and your joy no man take it from you the devil will be ready to tear it from you he cannot because our text says and it's the word of God your joy no man no man take it from you in other words that joy will remain as long as God has appointed it it may be moments it may be a few minutes it may be for a few hours it can be a few days that it's the foretaste of heaven now what will that do for us

[43:22] I believe it will do this it will sicken us to the world and everything it's got with it and the spirit of it we sleep then my friends for heaven for all this joy in the heart it will cause us to load the world of a loose end ready to drop it and to grasp the things that are eternal to have a little knowledge of Jesus will bring joy a little of that forgiveness a little of that love of his to flow into our heart to have the assurance that we are upon the rock that we have a good foundation that we have a rock to hide and shelter in even his wounded side yea this will bring joy some little faith within our heart or may

[44:23] I say if I come as low to pick up poor sinners who feel to be behind everything as it were and fear they will never enter heaven but if you've known a little joy a touch of his love as you wrestled with him at the mercy seat this is the joy that he gives and he has said I will see you again yes have I a poor soul here this evening in much darkness take this word home with you wrestle with the Lord in prayer asking him to fulfill the word the promise I will see you again I'll see you again your thoughts may be well this was those disciples of old my friends if we fear God we are disciples of the Lord we're all in the covenant of grace love with an everlasting love you may be in much night you may be in much darkness but it still remains

[45:27] God is faithful to his word to his promise I'll see you again yea though I pass through the valley of the shadow of death David says I will fear no evil for thou art with me and isn't it our desire that we that he gives us a visit or sees us again in the river Jordan as we come to that cold valley and yet pass over Jordan can we tell him the mercies and goodness and joy that we have known and felt in this poor body and within our hearts and give him all the praise of them for and of but the Antarc irlост him and now