It's about 2 o'clock here on the 27th of January, 2025. Mark's been reading through the Gospel of John. Today he's going to be reading through the 16th chapter of John. This is the chapter where Jesus Christ says, I have overcome the world. It sometimes may not seem like to us that he's overcome the world with all the sin and turmoil and suffering and strife and contention in the world. And at the cross, Christ said, it is finished. So the victory has already been won. It's just a matter of time before that comes into fruition. And he said that they will put you out of the synagogues, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think they were doing God's service. I've been excommunicated from the church just because I would not go along with divorce and remarriage. You know, I was a deacon of a church and they didn't like it because I was taking a stand against divorce and remarriage. Sounds kind of like John the Baptist, doesn't it? They didn't chalk my head off, but they did excommunicate me. He says, these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me. you may remember that I told you that these things, he says, are going to happen. And he says, sorrow has filled your heart. I've had a certain amount of sorrow in my life. I look around me and I see what's going on in the world. Sometimes it's hard to be cheerful. And he says, I have yet many things to say, but you cannot bear them now. And he says, All things that the Father hath are mine. And he says a little while and you shall not see me again a little while and you shall see me because I go to the Father. And he says that I came forth from the Father and I came unto the world again. I leave the world and go to the Father. and he says these things that I told you that you might have peace in the world you shall have tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the world so we haven't seen the great tribulation yet but Christ said be of good cheer I've overcome the world so that's hope for us for the future that God is going to put all these things finally under his feet and we're no longer going to have to be a part of this evil system I'll turn this over to Mark and have him read the entire chapter to you. John Chapter 16 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues, yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God's service. These things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father. on me but these things have i told you that when the time shall come you remember that i told you of them these things i said not unto you at the beginning because i was with you but now i go my way to him that sent me and none of you ask of me whether Okay, I'm going to have Mark start over on his reading. We got interrupted by a telephone call, so I'm going to turn it back over to Mark and have him start over with the verse again. John chapter 16. These things have I spoken well unto you that you should not be offended. Let me read this verse again. These things have I spoken unto you that you should not be offended. He shall put you out of the synagogues, yea, the time of coming through shall kill if you will think that you do with God's service. These things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father nor me. These things have I told you that when the time shall come you may remember that I told you of them, these things I said not of you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go my way to him that sent me, and none of them ask of me where it goeth down, because I have said these things unto you. Sorrow hath filled your heart, Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, expedient for you, that I go away. If I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you, but I depart. I will send him unto you. If I depart, I will send him unto you. When he has come, he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and judgment of sin, because they will leave not on me of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more. Judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you all things the Father hath for mine. Therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you a little while, and ye shall not see me again a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is it that he saith unto us a little while, and ye shall not see me again a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father? They said, therefore, what is it that he saith a little while? We cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him. I said to them, do you inquire among yourselves so that I said a little while and you shall not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me. Verily, verily, I say unto you that you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice in you. It shall be sorrowful, but your sorrows shall return in joy. Woman, when she is in travail, will have sorrow, because her hour has come. But as soon as she delivers the child, she will remember no more the anguish for joy that a man is born in the world. Ye now, therefore, have sorrow, but I will see you again. Your hearts are rejoicing with joy. No man take it from you. And that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken unto you in Proverbs. Time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in Proverbs, but I shall show you plainly the Father. The day ye shall ask him my name, and I say unto you that I will praise the Father for you, if the Father himself loveth you, because you have loved me. He had believed that I came out from God, I came forth from the Father, and am coming to the world again. I will leave the world to go to the Father, the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, thou speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure thou knowest all things, and he hath not to any man should ask thee. By this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, it is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man, to his own, and shall leave me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things have spoken to you that you might have a place in this world, a place in this world. So absolutely, it should be a good cheer. I have overcame the world. Thank you. Thank you, Mark. Well, I hope you all have a better day than I've had. My day has not been so good. I had to deal with some really very unprofessional people at the Walmart store in Pea Ridge, Arkansas today. They need to train their people how to deal with customers. Y'all have a good day. Thank you.