Promises, Promises

Introduction

What has been going on...

Jesus washed the disciples feet

A traitor has been exposed

Peter put in his place

“Do not let your heart be troubled, BELIEVE” - Belief is how we receive the promises of God.

I. The promise of a place (Heaven) v. 1-3

Preached Homecoming (5/1/22)

Jewish Custom of Betrothal

Jesus prepares a place for us

II. The promise of a path v. 4-6

vv. 4-5 - “you know the way”

v. 6

“The way” - Walk in the spirit -The path of life

Exalting Jesus in John The Promise of a Path to Heaven

[Jesus] does not only give advice and directions. He takes us by the hand and leads us; he strengthens us and guides us personally every day. He does not tell us about the way; he is the Way. (Barclay, John, 157)

“The Truth”

What is Truth? John 18:36-38

John 18:36–38 NASB95

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.

“The Life”

The Resurrection John 11:22-26

John 11:22–26 NASB95

22 “Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Exalting Jesus in John Answered Prayer

• You do not need to rely on yourself, for he is the way.

• You do not need to live in uncertainty, for he is the truth.

• You do not need to fear death, for he is the life.

III. The promise of power v. 7-31

Through a person (Jesus)

v. 7-10

John 10:24–33 NASB95

24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 “I and the Father are one.” 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”

v. 11 - Believe

v. 12 Greater works

v. 13 “Whatever you ask in My name”

Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. And prayer is the turning away from ourselves to God in the confidence that he will provide the help we need. Prayer humbles us as needy and exalts God as wealthy. - John Piper (Desiring God, 160–61)

Through His presence (The Holy Spirit)

vv. 14, 21 “if you love me”

This is not listed as a requirement of the relationship, but it is a description of the relationship.

v.16-21, 26 - “Helper”

Through His peace

vv. 27-29

v. 27b “do not let your heart be troubled” (v. 1)

v. 29 - “I have told you before...”

Conclusion vv. 30-31

What did Jesus do? The Path of Life...

Exalting Jesus in John The Promise of a Path to Heaven

Salvation is more than praying a prayer. It’s putting your trust in a person. We create doubt when we view salvation improperly. We might worry about the words we said, or whether we were sincere, instead of trusting in Jesus.

Faith

Isaiah 29:13 NASB95

13 Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,