February 14, 2010
Morning Service

St. Jn. 14

 

Review:

1.       In chapter 13 Jesus taught us concerning humility, and servitude.

2.      He tells us that Judas will betray Him.

3.      He tells the disciples of His departure back to the Father.

4.      He gave His disciples a new commandment, that we should love one another, “by this all men shall know you are my disciples if you have love one for another.”

5.      We finish chapter 13 by Peter making the proud statement, “I will lay down my life for you.”  Only to have the Lord to tell him, “the rooster will not crow till you have denied me 3 times.”

 

I made the comment, we need not look to harshly on Peter, but only look at how easily, and often we fail the Lord from time to time.  Jesus foreseeing the betrayal of Peter, said this;  Luk 22:31-32 KJVR  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  (32)  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

 

In the next few chapters we see some of the most tender and loving expressions of Love.  Jesus caring for His disciples, His prayers for Himself, His prayers for His immediate disciples, and His prayers for us.

 

Let’s begin chapter 14;

 

Joh 14:1-7 KJVR  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.   

• Peter has just been told that he would deny the Lord three times, and Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled!”  Peter no doubt was troubled, just being told that he was going to betray the Lord.  Just been told that Jesus was leaving them, and they couldn’t come with Him where He was going just now.
• Jesus said one time; “the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”  The Apostle Paul said in the 7^th chapter of the Roman letter;  Rom 7:22-23 MKJV  For I delight in the Law of God according to the inward man;  (23)  but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin being in my members.
• I hope we can see how this applies so readily to us.  We have everything we need to live a close, dedicated life of servitude to the Lord.  I want the Lord to stir us up, and to get busy in His Kingdom.  Look at what He has allowed us to have. 

1.       A country where boys, and girls are giving their lives so that you, and I can live in freedom to do what we want.

2.      Let me assure you the country they are dying for is not the Godless country we have become.  I am sure that they look forward to coming back home to a family gathered around the table, hearing Mom, or Dad asking Almighty God to bless their food, family, and our wonderful country.  Giving thanks that they have made it back home.  THANK GOD FOR THE GODLY FAMILY.

3.      These young men and women want to come home to a Godly community, not one full of drugs, and killings.  They’ve had enough of killing, and hell.  THEY WANT TO HEAR JESUS SAY, “LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED.”  THEY HAVE HAD ENOUGH TROUBLE TO LAST THEM A LIFE TIME.    LET’S GET BUSY AND SUPPLY THEM A GODLY PLACE TO COME HOME TOO, FULL OF LOVE, AND COMPASSION.

4.      He has allowed us a a wonderful facility to worship, and to teach in.  This is God’s house, and you’re his children, enjoy His presence, and use it for His glory.

5.      We have the Bible as our number one teaching tool, and along with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can teach the will of God to everyone.  This is what brings true happiness, joy in a life.

6.      Jesus told His disciples one time, “look, already the fields are white to harvest.”  Meaning that there are a lot of people out there that need the love of God,  so go get em.

7.      LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED.

ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

• These disciples were men and women that could be touched by the Love of God.  They accepted the Love that Jesus gave them, and they knew that He came from God.  They were in tune with a God of Love.  THAT’S THE WAY YOU ARE, OR YOU WOULDN’T BE HERE.  WE BELIEVE IN GOD, AND WE BELIEVE IN HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS OUR LORD.

(2)  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.

• What do we know about our Father’s house?  I consider this our Father’s house on earth, but Jesus is referring to a place in the Heaven’s.
• If you have seen the DVD concerning the planets, then you can understand how that God has something very special for us one day.  The Scripture says, “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.”
• When we see the description of the New Heavenly Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven prepared as Bride for her husband, it gives us a small glimpse of what it will be.  Such a beautiful, and powerful picture of glory.

JESUS SAID;

I go to prepare a place for you.  (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

• Don’t allow yourself to be troubled.  You believe in God, then believe in Me.  In our Father’s house there are many mansions, and I’m going to prepare one of them for you, and I am coming back to get you when the time is right.  Then we can be together forever.
• I can feel how much He hated to go, but He wanted them to know that everything was going to be alright.

(4)  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

• And then Thomas replies;

(5)  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?  (6)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  (7)  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

• Another one of our ( Christians ) foundational truths.  You cannot please Almighty God without accepting Jesus Christ as the only way to the Father. 
• This becomes very hard for many people.  Some believe in accepting people for what they believe, and who they believe in, but Jesus has made it very clear, “NO MAN CAN COME TO THE FATHER EXCEPT BY HIM.”  This means believing, and confessing Him as Lord.  Peter said, “there is none other Name given among men whereby we must be saved.”

 

Just as we recognize Jesus as being the Word of God, The Bread of Life, The Door, The Great Shepherd, the Resurrection, and the Life, The Great I AM, we recognize Him as being, The Everlasting Father. 

 

Isa 9:6-7 KJVR  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  (7)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

 

FATHER, HELP US THAT OUR HEARTS BE NOT TROUBLED, BUT AXIOUSLY AWAITING YOUR RETURN.  EVEN SO, COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS.