Comforting Words of Jesus
7 April 2013 pm – John 14:1-11 – Scott Childs
Introduction: The eleven disciples were confused, concerned, and troubled by Jesus’ words. He said He was going to die and that one of them would betray Him. He told Peter that he would deny Him before the rooster crowed in the morning. Therefore, Jesus began John 14 with assuring words. He commanded them not to allow their hearts to be troubled. Then He said they must believe in Him just as they believe in God. If God is trustworthy (and He is) and we trust fully in Him, we have nothing to fear.
Transition: We live in a world of turmoil and fear, but tonight if you will believe and obey Jesus’ comforting words, you can have peace even though our world is falling apart.
I. Jesus Said He Will Prepare a Place and Come for Us (2-4)
A. Jesus is now preparing a place for Christians
1. The place of which Jesus spoke is in His Father’s house. Many times in the New Testament, we read that the Father is in heaven. For example, Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Therefore, Jesus was speaking of heaven. Heaven is a real place.
2. Jesus said that heaven has many mansions. This word literally means, “places to abide”. The English word comes from the old English term “manse” which means “a large and imposing house.” Therefore, Jesus assures us there are many nice places to live in heaven.
3. He then promised to go prepare a place for Christians. If you are a Christian, Jesus is now preparing a place in heaven just for you. The apostle Peter further describes this for us.
1 Peter 1:4-5 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
B. Jesus will one day come to get Christians
1. His promise to return for us is just as sure as His promise to go prepare a place in heaven for us.
2. Jesus promised to take Christians to be with Him in heaven when He comes again.
3. You might be thinking, “When will Jesus come again?” That is a good question. It could be any day. When He does come, it will be without warning and it will happen in a flash.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Some Golden Daybreak, by Carl A.Blackmore
Some glorious morning sorrow will cease
Some glorious morning all will be peace
Heartaches all ended, school days all done
Heaven will open – Jesus will come.
Sad hearts will gladden, all shall be bright
Goodbye forever to earth’s dark night
Changed in a moment, like Him to be
Oh, glorious daybreak, Jesus I’ll see.
Oh, what a meeting, there in the skies
No tears nor crying shall dim our eyes
Loved ones united eternally
Oh, what a daybreak that morn will be.
Some golden daybreak Jesus will come
Some golden daybreak, battles all won
He’ll shout the vict’ry, break thro’ the blue
Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.
4. This promise is a comfort to all who are ready, but it ought to terrify those who are not ready. All who are not ready to go to heaven will go to hell. There is no other option. We learned this back in John 3:36.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
II. Jesus Said He Alone is the Way to Heaven (5-7)
The disciples should have known where Christ was going and how to follow him there, but Thomas asks for clarity. (4-5)
A. Jesus is the way
1. Jesus is the way to God.
a) God is holy and even tiny sins offend Him. Therefore, sin separates us from God, because we have all sinned. As sinners we cannot go to heaven. (Rom 3:23)
b) We cannot possibly erase our sins. We deserve eternal punishment for our sins in hell.
c) Jesus, God the Son, died to pay the eternal punishment for our sin. (Rom 5:8)
d) Receiving Jesus’ payment is the only way for a sinner to be ready for heaven.
2. Jesus is not one way among many. Receiving His payment is the ONLY way to heaven.
Illustrate by a cross over a canyon.
B. Jesus is the truth
1. Being God, Jesus is truth. He is the only true God. He reveals the only true way to heaven.
Jesus is the truth: The source of truth, or he who originates and communicates truth for the salvation of men. (Barnes)
2. He is the true way to heaven. All of man’s ways are false.
C. Jesus is the life
1. Jesus, being God, is the source of life. He breathed life into man at creation. He sustains all life.
2. He is the only one who can give eternal life in heaven. Remember Jesus’ words to Martha?
John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
D. Jesus is the ONLY way, truth, and life
1. He said that NO man comes to the Father but by Him. He did not mention baptism, confirmation, communion, praying, being good, confessing to a priest, or keeping the commandments because none of those things can pay the punishment for your sin.
2. The idea that all religions lead to heaven is false. Religion will lead you to hell. Faith in Jesus alone will lead you to heaven.
III. Jesus Said We can Trust Him Because He is God (8-11)
The disciples still struggled to see that Jesus was God in human flesh. Thus, Philip asked to see the Father.
A. Those who saw Jesus also saw the Father
1. Consider Jesus’ words in John 14:9.
2. Though it is difficult to grasp, we must believe that Jesus and the Father are different Persons of the same Being. God is unique in that He is three Persons in one Being – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. Because Jesus is God, we can trust His payment for our sins and believe His promise that He will take us to heaven.
B. Jesus did the works of the Father
1. Jesus asked them simply to believe that He and the Father are one.
2. However, He said, if you are struggling, believe because of the works that Christ did. He did many works that only God could do.
a) He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, cured lepers, made lame and paralysed people to walk, and even raised the dead.
b) He calmed the sea, stopped the wind, walked on water, and knew the thoughts of men.
3. John recorded the miracle signs of Jesus so that we might believe.
John 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Conclusion: If you are truly a Christian, these words of Jesus are very comforting. He is preparing you a home in heaven. One day He will come and get you. He is the true way to life. He proved that He is God by the miracles He did. You have nothing to fear.
If you have never repented of your sin and trusted Jesus’ payment alone to save you, you are still on the other side of the canyon, with no hope of heaven. Jesus is the only bridge to heaven. To be ready for heaven, you must repent of your sinful life and trust Jesus and nothing else.
Song: Only Trust Him – 252 Thank You Lord – 221