Skip to main content🏛️John 16 Historical Examples
6 illustrations for sermon preparation
The Boy and the Dictionary: Growth Through Christ's Absence
Yet the most penetrating insight concerns what seems like deprivation—that He shall depart.
John 16:23-24Universalspiritual maturity through lossgrowth in absence
Alexander Maclaren263 words
Christ's Departure as the Disciples' Greatest Gain
They possessed nothing—no influence, no numbers, no world support.
John 16:7-8
The Cross Transforms from Instrument of Despair to Source of Joy
The historical fulfillment is breathtaking: for three days the Cross was the occasion of their panic and despair, the apparent ruin of all their hopes.
John 16:20-22
Christ's Silent Suffering, Spoken Joy to His Disciples
Within twenty-four hours of His crucifixion—knowing the agony and baptism of sorrow awaiting Him—not one word escaped His lips concerning His personal pain.
John 16:25-27
Unbelief as the Anatomy of All Sin
The world swarms with 'all unrighteousness and wickedness, lust and immorality, intemperance, cruelty, hatred; all manner of buzzing evils that stink and sting around us.' Yet our Lord 'passes them all by and points to a mere negative thing, to...
John 16:9-11
The Apostate Church as the Truest Enemy of Christ
He declares, 'These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended'—preparing them not merely for persecution from the pagan world, but for something far more insidious: the organised Church itself becoming their most rampant enemy.
John 16:1-6
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apparent loss as spiritual gain
the Holy Spirit's empowering presence
Alexander Maclaren246 words
Universal
divine transformation
the power of Christ's resurrection
Alexander Maclaren245 words
Universal
Christ's hidden suffering for disciples' sake
clarity of teaching after ascension
Alexander Maclaren262 words
Universal
the nature of sin as rejection of Christ
Spirit-empowered conviction
Alexander Maclaren232 words
Universal
religious hypocrisy
preparation through foreknowledge
Alexander Maclaren246 words