Pastor Collin Gregory
Quick overview of the RED LETTERS and what those letters mean in the bible:
While the Red Letters highlight Jesus’ words, all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16).
2 Timothy 3:16 (HCSB)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,
· A man and a woman cast out of Eden because of sin – the Word of God
· A man stands next to a burning bush and has a conversation with God – The Word of God
· A man sticks a rod in the sand, an ocean parts in the middle, and his people cross on to the other side on dry land – the Word of God
· An army marches around the city walls thought to be impenetrable, and on the 7th day they give a mighty shout, which brings the walls tumbling down – the Word of God
· A giant stands before the people of God screaming for their champion to step forward, only for a small Shepherd boy with a sling and a stone has the courage to step forward – the Word of God
· A young girl, barely a teenager, is met by an Angel and told that she will carry the savior of the world, even though she is a virgin – the Word of God
The Bible is the Word. Jesus is the Word. The red letters carry unique weight, not because they are more inspired, but because they are the direct voice of the incarnate Word of God.
And that’s going to lead us into the Red Letter scripture for today’s sermon. It’s John 16:33 from the Amplified Bible…
A quick discussion on the AMPC and what the parentheses mean.
John 16:33 AMPC
33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you 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.]
Let’s break down this scripture…
“I HAVE TOLD YOU THESE THINGS”
Starting all the way back in John 13, Jesus is mere hours away from being betrayed, beaten, tried, and crucified. He and His disciples have moved to the upper room, a place where they will have their last supper together, break bread and take the first communion. Jesus will wash their feet and say…
John 13:14-15 HCSB
14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.
A beautiful example to remind us that we are not here to be served, but to serve others.
He will go on to give them a new command:
John 13:34-35 HCSB
34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus will tell them the way to Heaven:
John 14:6 HCSB
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
I need you to hold that scripture, those RED LETTERS, that PROFOUND STATEMENT, I need you to keep that scripture so close to your heart today. Everything that we will discuss flows through this one truth. JESUS. IS. THE. WAY.
There is no drug
No woman
Ladies there is no man
There is no relationship
There is no sport team
There is no amount of money
There is no job
There is no status
There is no fashion
There is no car
There is no. thing. In. this. World. That. Will. Get. You. To. God. Except. Through. JESUS. CHRIST.
Jesus tells the disciples that even though his is leaving, and they are unable to go with Him, He will not leave them… or us… an orphan, for He will leave the Holy Spirit with us…
John 14:16-17 AMP
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever 17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive …
Greek: κόσμος (kosmos) – means the unbelieving world system
John 14:17, “the world” (κόσμος) means the unbelieving world system—those who are not in relationship with God and are spiritually unable or unwilling to receive the Holy Spirit.
John 14:16-17 AMP
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever 17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive …
[and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.
Jesus will give His disciples a new commandment…
John 15:12-13 HCSB
12 This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.
In just a few hours, this statement will take on a whole new meaning… Jesus loved these men, just as He loves us. No greater love, than to lay your life down for your friend.
John 16:33 AMPC
33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you 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.]
These scriptures, among so many others, that we could make an entire RED LETTERS 2 Sermon Series, are what Jesus means when he says… “I HAVE TOLD YOU THESE THINGS”
SO THAT IN ME…
· REMEMBER. JESUS, IS, THE, WAY
· And, TO BE IN JESUS MEANS TO ACCEPT THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO CAN NEVER LEAVE YOU BECAUSE HE LIVES IN YOU.
He is constantly comforting you
He is constantly advocating for you
He is the Intercessor for you to God
He is the Mighty Counselor, who you can turn to anywhere, anytime, anyplace for counseling.
· You don’t need a couch to lie down on,
· you can be in your car driving down the road screaming at the top of your lungs,
· you can be in your closet crying so that no one can hear you,
· you can be in the shower asking for peace and guidance because this is the only place you can escape your kids for 15 solid minutes,
· you can be on your knees in the middle of your cubicle at work just asking for strength not to wring your co-workers’ neck because they’ve asked the same exact questions 76 times already and ya keep. Giving. Them. The. Same. Answer. over and over and over again.
He is your strength when your knees are weak, your tears won’t stop flowing, you stomach is twisted in knots, your body aches, or your mind can’t stop being filled with thoughts.
He is your standby, when you just have to let it all go. Let Jesus take the wheel because you’ve given all you can, and you can’t do it any longer…
When Jesus says “I have told you these things, so that in Me” Jesus roots peace in Himself, not in your circumstances.
…so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence.
The Hebrew for PEACE is the word SHALOM… but its meaning in Hebrew is far richer and deeper than just “the absence of war or conflict.”
Shalom means wholeness, completeness, harmony, health, safety, rest, and restoration—in every part of life.
Shalom encompasses all areas of who you are…
Personal – Inner peace, emotional calm, psychological stability
Relational – Right relationship with others—free of conflict, marked by justice and love
Spiritual – Harmony with God—walking in His covenant blessing
Societal – A just, ordered, and flourishing community
Physical – Health, safety, provision, and security
When Jesus says, IN ME YOU WILL HAVE PEACE… He’s not talking about some Hippy “make love not war” kind of empty promise.
· SHALOM is not just “calm vibes” or emotional ease
· Not escapism from hardship
· Not a temporary truce
SHALOM is a deeply intimate relational type of peace. Jesus is saying: “No matter how bad it gets out there, you can be whole in here.”
But in the same breath as SHALOM peace, Jesus drops this TRUTH BOMB on us:
In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration;
From “perfect peace” to “tribulation, trials, distress, and frustration”
Jesus goes from speaking of shalom (wholeness, rest, confidence) to forecasting trouble, pain, and pressure.
SHALOM VS TRIBULATIONS
1. LOCATION MATTERS: “IN ME” vs. “IN THE WORLD”
- “In Me you may have peace…”
- Jesus is describing a spiritual location—being united to Him, drawing identity, strength, and perspective from Christ.
- “In the world you will have tribulation…”
- This describes our earthly location—a broken, sinful system filled with injustice, conflict, and opposition to God.
Jesus is drawing a clear boundary:
Peace is found in Him, not in our surroundings.
2. SHALOM IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF STORMS
The jump from “peace” to “tribulation” feels abrupt, but Jesus is actually teaching this:
“Peace is not the removal of pain—it is My presence in the pain.”
This is the kind of peace that:
- Let Jesus sleep in the boat during the storm
- Let Paul sing in prison
- Let martyrs face death singing praises
It’s not circumstantial—it’s relational.
3. THE GOSPEL TRUTH IN THE CONTRAST
Jesus is saying:
“Yes, the world will break your heart. But I will hold your soul.”
He’s not minimizing suffering—He’s elevating the power of His peace in the midst of it.
…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.]
BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER!!!
We met with some friends for dinner and the wife was telling me about some hardships they’re going though, and my heart was just beating out of my chest… and it wasn’t one of those things that I was made for – the unjust pain and persecution for what they’re going though, it was because they’re so close to understanding this section right here… they’re so close to fully grasping the “BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER”.
BUT: Conjunction WORD, used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned.
TRAILS, TRIBULATIONS… BUT… BE OF GOOD CHEER
THE TRIAL OF ME
JESUS HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD
CLOSE WITH PRAYER
- We’re invited to respond:
- Give Jesus your:
- Worst
- Sin
- Burdens
- Fears
- Anxieties
- Reputation
- Future
- Give Jesus your:
- His victory is your security
SUMMARY QUOTE:
“For God, everything is the History Channel. For us, it’s the News. But Jesus has overcome the world. So, your life is going to be OK. Your eternity is going to be OK.” Collin Gregory
Recent Comments