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      "The Personal Love of the Father"
      John 16:25-28
      Theme: God has proven His love for us by revealing Himself, responding to our needs, and redeeming us.

        1. God’s Love Perceived in the Revelation of Himself – 16:25

          1. The Previous Obstacle to Unveiling the Father

            1. As Jesus has been preparing His disciples for His death and departure into Heaven, He has assured them of His continued presence with them through the Holy Spirit.
            2. He has given them a small glimpse of the privileges that they will enjoy through the agency of the Holy Spirit who will guide them into all truth and open their eyes to the truth.
            3. He now acknowledges that "these things I have spoken to you in figurative language" – meaning that Jesus has not spoken to them plainly but in parables or using figures of speech.
            4. His revelation concerning the Father has been perfect in every way; however, there were many things that He had not yet fully revealed – instead of full disclosure, He had held back waiting for the day when the Holy Spirit would be sent – cp. John 16:12-13
            5. Obviously, the pivotal event that enables the full disclosure to occur is the cross and resurrection to newness of life.

          2. The Present Opportunity to Understand the Father

            1. Thus, Jesus anticipates the "hour" when the Holy Spirit opens their eyes and they will be able to bear full disclosure – "an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father."
            2. This clearly indicates that Jesus was the authority behind the teaching of the Holy Spirit who will "take of Mine and will disclose it to you" – cp. v. 15
            3. When our reconciliation with God is established through regeneration and the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the truth, then we will begin to comprehend vast and grand realities that belong to God.
            4. This discovery of God’s wonderful name begins to bring the greatest delights to the believer’s soul
            5. It will be clear, free, unrestricted and full – no longer being characterized by veiled utterances.
            6. The wonderful depths of the wisdom and knowledge of God will be opened throughout the epistles as God’s people are provided tremendous realities of revelation about who God is.
            7. Instead of veiled references, Jesus states that the realities of God will be proclaimed (shouted) by the Holy Spirit who is desiring for all to hear.
            8. Thus, the love of God is seen in the willingness to make Himself known to lost men

        2. God’s Love is Personalized by his Responsiveness to Us – 16:26-27

          1. The Clarification of the Involvement of the Son

            1. Jesus then reiterates another proof of God’s love for them – that they are able to approach God through His name – "In that day you will ask in My name …"
            2. This is further development of what He was teaching them in vv. 23-24 about the ability to go directly to the Father on the basis of our identity in Christ.
            3. He welcomes us on behalf of the Father into the Father’s presence – assuring us that we will be received.
            4. In an effort to avoid confusion, Jesus clarifies that we are not to pray to Him and ask Him to tell the Father – "and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf."
            5. He says that He will provide the way to the Father but that we have to go to Him directly ourselves.

          2. The Certification of Intimacy with the Father

            1. Here is the tremendous statement – that we do not have to avoid coming directly into the Father’s presence by going to the Son of God instead because: "for the Father Himself loves you."
              1. There is an emphasis here on the Father – He Himself loves us!
              2. There is a difference here between God’s love for the world and God’s love for those who trust in Christ.
            2. This is the major issue – that there exists between the Father and the believers in Christ is reciprocal affection – "because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father."
            3. God instigates love (agape) for the world and sets His affection on those whom He has chosen and stirs them to faith in Christ – cp. John 3:16
            4. As we respond in faith and love (phileo) for Christ with a deep feeling of affection for Him that celebrates His position as the Son of God, God responds with a deep feeling of affection.
            5. Thus the essence of faith in Jesus Christ is a relationship of love between the believer and God that increases and grows as we learn more of Him.
            6. The existence of this intimacy with God again proves that God loves us and is completely open to us.

        3. God’s Love is Proven Through His Redemptive Plan – 16:28

          1. The Ambition of Redemption

            1. Again, in that God sent His Son into the world we are convinced of His love for us – cp. John 3:16
            2. Jesus states that the ability to enjoy a relationship with God is something that was His desire from eternity past.
            3. Jesus wasn’t coaxed into coming to die – He came willingly – "I came forth from the Father" – He did not resist the humiliation of the incarnation – despite the fact that He would surrender the power He possessed for the enabling by the Spirit of God alone.
            4. Then, He further indicates His willingness by indicating that His humiliation went so far as to be incarnate – "and have come into the world."
            5. This is all before anything is known by any man of God’s intent to save men through the sacrifice of Christ.
            6. This proves the love of God in that the initiative of redemption belongs totally to God.

          2. The Accomplishment of Redemption

            1. But, it doesn’t stop there – "I am leaving the world again" – referring to the fact that He will die for the sins of men.
            2. And, His success is assured because He states: "and going to the Father" – that He will triumphantly enter glory having accomplished everything that God’s redemptive plan decreed.

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