Gospel of John #36: an exposition of John 14:1-6. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 28, 2011.
Intro:
The darkness was chocking the life out of me. I wanted to run but my legs would not move. I wanted to scream but nothing would come out. I was terrified. I was so scared I couldn’t do my job. No matter how badly I wanted to…I could not yell, “Snipe!” My first snipe hunt and I was blowing it. My brothers would probably never let me come again. When you are 6 years old and let alone in the wilds of Chandler Park it’s pretty scary. That darkness was more than an absence of light. It was a power. A force. I was alone and frightened.
It was an eerie silence except for the incessant banging of the machine. It didn’t help that I was shoved up into that tube with the sides squeezing my shoulders. “How long did they say this would take? 45 minutes? I’m not sure I can make it.” He said all the signs point to it being a tumor but this will tell us for sure. Again, I was frightened. What will this mean? Tumor. Does that mean cancer? What about our kids? I know there’s not enough money to adequately provide. What if I’m paralyzed or disabled? What would I do? It was a different kind of darkness but just as real.
I had been sitting by his bedside daily. I read. I studied, as best I could. I prayed and I remembered. A lifetime of memories washed over me. I relived my childhood. I listened again to advice given and considered the example lived. Though he had not spoken in years I heard his voice, I listened to his song. Rheadon and kids came. We gathered and prayed. But when the moment came and he breathed his last…though surrounded I was alone. Yet another kind of darkness.
We live in a fallen world. In this world we pass through trials and tribulations. We face obstacles and hardships on a regular basis. Our faith in Christ does not change that. Our faith does not give us a “free pass.” There are times when we are frightened. There are times when the cares of this world are too much. It’s not that we doubt. It’s not that we no longer believe it’s just that we’re overwhelmed. What are we to do? Where do we find strength? How do we overcome the darkness? Our text this morning is found in the 14th chapter of John’s Gospel.
Text: John 14:1-6
We’re only hours from the cross.
Our Lord along with the 12 are gathered in the upper room for a meal.
He taught them humility and service by washing their feet.
Shocked them with the announcement of betrayal.
He gave them a new commandment – “love as I have loved you.”
Now the apostles are “troubled.”
The word troubled is the same word used in 13:21 and 12:27.
Jesus, himself, was “troubled” but now He says to His followers, “Don’t be troubled?” (Same word).
It’ been a roller coaster for the last few days.
Triumphal entry – “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Now is the hour for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies…
Hold you life – lose it…lose it keep it forever?
To make matters worse – one of them will betray him?
Then – Peter deny him?
Of course they are “troubled.”
The word means agitated, shaken, don’t let your heart shudder.
These words that have been a comfort to untold numbers of believers through the century were spoken in the context of dark, troublesome, disturbing days. All hell is about to break loose. Their world is about to be shattered and Jesus gives them something to cling to. Something to bring stability. An anchor that will hold.
Yes, this is about death and comforts us about the life to come but note the context. This is not about the sweet by and by it is about the nasty, disturbing here and now! It is about finding peace in this sin-sick world.
As we walk through these four verses we are reminded that…
Thesis: In the face of doubt, confusion and undeniable hurt believers find peace in the person of the Lord Jesus.
Not in a doctrine.
Not in a creed (as valuable and as importance as both of those are).
Peace is found in Christ.
He is our peace.
He is our comfort.
There are three things I want us to note from this text.
- Peace springs from the heart that trusts in Jesus. (14:1)
- Assurance finds its anchor in the promise and provision of Christ. (14:2-3)
- Our confidence, in all of this, is rooted in who Jesus is. (14:4-6)
Conclusion
Whether it is the fear of a child whose the victim of a cruel hoax; the fear of uncertainty in the midst of sickness or disease; or the chilling winds of death there is an answer to life’s fears. Real and perceived. Look to Christ. Believe.