Speaking Plainly

✝️ Speaking Plainly

Text: John 16:29–33
Theme: God speaks plainly to His disciples and His children.

🌟 Introduction

Jesus, as both God and man, spake plainly to His disciples — and He still speaks plainly to us through His written Word today.

  • He may use Proverbs (Prov. 1:1–6), Parables (Matt. 13), Similitudes (Hos. 12:10), and Allegories (Gal. 4:24).

  • Yet, He also gives clear explanation and interpretation to those who seek it.

  • He commands us to read, study, and search the Scriptures and has given us the Holy Spirit for understanding (John 16:13).

  • He has given the church Pastors and Teachers to preach and teach plainly — literally, doctrinally, and dispensationally.

“Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech.” — 2 Cor. 3:12
“The plainest words are best to lead men to heaven. If the way of life be not plain, it will never be well trodden.” — Richard Baxter (17th c.)

God is a God of common sense and plain speech (Deut. 27:8). He loves the plain man (Gen. 25:27) and warns against cunning craftiness (Eph. 4:14) and the wiles of the devil (Eph. 6:11).

I. 🕊 Speaking Plainly Makes Salvation Sure (vv. 30–31)

A. The disciples said they were now sure because Jesus spoke plainly.
B. Salvation is simple — God means what He says and says what He means.

  • 1 John 5:12–13 — “That ye may know that ye have eternal life.”

  • John 16:31 — Jesus asks a simple, soul-searching question: “Do ye now believe?”

  • Acts 16:31 — “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
    C. There must be a moment of belief — a time you now believe in contrast to when you didn’t (1 John 3:2).

“The way to heaven is but one, and it is a plain way; yet men love crooked paths.” — John Bunyan (17th c.)
“It is the plain and simple gospel, believed with the heart, that brings a sinner out of darkness into marvelous light.” — Jonathan Edwards (18th c.)

Key thought: If you want to go to heaven — trust Jesus Christ.
If you trust anything else, you will be lost.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” — Ps. 19:7

II. 🛡 Speaking Plainly Makes Salvation Secure (v. 32)

A. As the Father was with the Son, so He is with His children — He will never leave nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5).
B. Jesus was forsaken on the cross so you would never be forsaken by God.
C. Though we may feel scattered or alone, God is omnipresent and faithful (Rom. 8:35–39).

  • Matt. 9:36 — Jesus had compassion on scattered sheep.

  • Acts 27:23 — “There stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve.”

  • 2 Tim. 4:16–17 — Paul: “The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.”

“The promises are plain and sure; he that builds upon them builds upon a rock which no tempest can shake.” — Thomas Watson (17th c.)
“True faith finds safety in a plain word of God, though the world and the flesh may contradict it.” — Isaac Watts (18th c.)
“The Christian’s security lies not in human strength or learning, but in the simple word and presence of his Lord.” — Philip Doddridge (18th c.)

Illustration idea: Social Security may fail — but Salvation Security never will.

III. 💡 Speaking Plainly Makes Sense of Salvation

A. Truth is plain and simple:

  • 2 Cor. 1:12 — Simplicity and godly sincerity.

  • 2 Cor. 11:3 — Beware of being corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
    B. Adversaries to plain speech:

  • World — casts doubt with worldly wisdom.

  • Flesh — contradicts truth by human reason.

  • Devil — complicates truth with confusion.
    C. When man abandons the plain meaning of Scripture, he invents gimmicks to make the text fit his system.

  • Neh. 8:8 — Read directly, distinctly, discerningly.

  • Prov. 15:19 — The plain way is a highway for the righteous.

“Truth loves plainness; and he that trims it to please men betrays it.” — Thomas Brooks (17th c.)
“Plain truths are best; for the plainer the truth, the easier it is understood, and the deeper it pierces.” — John Flavel (17th c.)
“The Scriptures were written, not to puzzle the learned, but to guide the simple into the way of peace.” — Matthew Henry (18th c.)
“I love those who speak for God with great plainness; for the gospel was not given to make us disputers, but believers.” — George Whitefield (18th c.)

🔚 Closing Appeal

The plain sense of salvation is this: Salvation Sure ➝ Salvation Secure ➝ Salvation Sensible

  • If you have believed the gospel of Jesus Christ — you can be sure you’re a child of God.

  • You can be secure in your salvation and standing in Christ.

  • Though the world, flesh, and the devil may oppose you, you can still live with joy and peace because you are in Christ.

“Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33

Jeffrey smith