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BITTERSWEET
JOHN 16:16-23 / 10-22-23 / SUN

I. FIRST, GOODBYES CAN BE DIFFICULT

A. Some goodbyes are followed by long or even permanent separations.

B. Jesus’ goodbye was hard on his disciples because they thought it was
permanent—John 16:16—In a little while you will see me no more.

1. Their focus of attention was completely on themselves.

2. Jesus didn’t downplay how difficult his leaving would be on them

—John 16:20—You will weep and mourn.

C. I have to admit that our leaving you today is extremely difficult on

Gay and I.

1. Jesus knew that his leaving would come as good news to some—
John 16:20—You will weep and mourn while the world
rejoices.

2. However, while some here are glad that I’m saying goodbye,
hopefully others may miss us.
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II. SECOND, GOODBYES CAN BE GOOD.

A. Jesus knew that when he left, something good was going to happen—
John 16:20—You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

B. Jesus used the illustration of a woman giving birth as an example of

how goodbye’s can turn to joy—John 16:21--A woman giving birth
to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby
is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is
born into the world.

C. How can goodbye turn to joy?

1. For the disciples, their grief and pain turned to joy when they saw
the resurrected Jesus!

2. King David promised that God makes grief turn to joy—Psa. 30:5
—Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the
mourning.

D. What Jesus told his disciples then, and us now, is that “Goodbye
Becomes Hello” in what He has in store for you.