John (26)

Read: John 14:15-31

Introduction: Have you ever walked outside at nighttime on a clear summer night. When you look up at the sky you can see all the glorious expansion of God’s handywork. The stars are everywhere. Some people have been able to make out figures and diagrams in the stars like the big dipper. Anyone ever find the big dipper? In order to find the big dipper you have to observe the whole panorama of sky and decipher through all the stars the bright pattern that emerges.

Transition: When we come to a passage of Scripture like we are focusing on today we approach it in with a similar goal in mind. We must consider the words that make up the sentences, that form the ideas, withing the greater context of the paragraphs and books that surround it. Most usually, a passage contains one particular emphasis. One meaning of the text emerges from the words and by the Holy Spirits help we can begin to make sense of what God is communicating to us through His word. Then, as we discover the plain meaning of a text, the Holy Spirit helps apply it to our own lives so that we might be converted, transformed, or renewed in our heart and mind by God’s truth.

After studying through the nuances of this passage this week I want to share with you what I've discovered as the main thrust of this passage. This is the main point of today's sermon.

When we love and obey Jesus by the help of the Holy Spirit we have peace with the Father.

In many ways we could say this passage is Hope for a troubled heart part two, because it is contained in the same conversation that starts in chapter 13 when Jesus is eating the passover meal with His disciples. (quick review from last week?) Walk through these verses with me in order to answer, “How do we get to this truth?”

1. Love and obey Jesus (vs 15, 21, and 23-24)

Like He explained as the key marker of His followers.

Like He has shown them the last 3 years of loving people through His signs and teaching.

Like His has just demonstrated by washing their feet.

Like He is about to demonstrate by dying as the Lamb who will take away their sin.

Application:

2. Holy Spirit help (vs 16-17, 26)

Warning: This does not mean that we can simply obey Jesus commands and those works will make us right with God. We must consider what John has already revealed to us about the role and responsibility of God the Holy Spirit. (1:32-33, 3:5-8, 4:23-24, 6:63, 7:39… )

Conclusion: The reason we can love and obey Jesus is because the Holy Spirit causes us to be born again, and then empowers us to follow Christ.

Application:

Transition: What is the result??

3. Peace with Father (vs 27)

Also have His presence and love.

Explanation: of this truth in Romans 5:1-5

Application:

Observations:

Jesus

Commands

Ask the Father

will not leave as orphans , will come

Lives

In the Father & and in His disciples

Speaks His Father’s words to His disciples

Leaves and gives peace

Going to Father, will come to His disciples

Not going to talk much longer with disciples

Does what Father commands

Father

a. Will give the Helper

b. Loves those who obey Jesus … and makes His home with them

c. Sent the Son

d. Sends the Spirit in Jesus’ name

e. Greater than Jesus in that Jesus willfully humbles Himself to accomplish Jesus’

f. Commands…ie. arranges the plan of redemption

Spirit

a. Be with disciples forever. With and in.

b. teaches disciples all things and brings words of Jesus to remembrance

Disciples

a. love, keep commands

b. will see Jesus and live

c. In the Son

d. Whoever.. has commands and keeps them ..loves Jesus

e. Love Jesus..loved by Father…loved by Jesus.. see Jesus

f. Anyone loves… keeps Jesus’ words

g. Do not let hearts be troubled or afraid

h. Should rejoice

i. Told ahead of time so that they may believe

World

a. Will not see

b. Gives a different kind of peace.. “as the world gives”

c. Will know that Jesus loves the Father

Ruler of this world

a. Has nothing in or over Jesus