I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Part Five

Introduction

1640 Four Impelling Motives

There are four great impelling motives that move men to action: Fear, Hope, Faith, and Love—these four, but the greatest of these is Fear. Fear is first in order, first in force, first in fruit. Indeed, fear is “the beginning of wisdom.” Scripture summarizes the chief cause of sin and crime: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

—Prairie Overcomer

We have been looking at Christ’s cure for all that troubles our hearts; the cure for fear.

There is a very real sense in which the cure for fear is fear; fear of God, reverence for Him.

Fight fear with fear.

Christ, however, has given us some very practical cures in these three chapters we have been studying.

Review

Context; 9 cures for a troubled heart.

John 14:1 - so not let your heart be troubled.

Imperative - believe in God

Promise of future home

Preparing the way to the Father

Assurance of provision to do work of God

An abiding presence in Holy Spirit and Himself

A pair of commands

Picture: Christ is TRUE Vine, Father is Vine Dresser, we are Branches. Christ is source of all life, all blessing, all fruit, apart from which we can do nothing.

Command to Abide – Remain, have true connection and relationship to Christ, not mere profession or casual connection…

When we do, there will be evidences, there will be benefits

You will be clean

You will bear fruit

God will grant requests

Will glorify God (obeying commands reveals abiding in His love and glorifies Him)

Will have joy

The command to love one another.

Sacrificially

Intimately

Deliberately

Final three cures given to us in this passage

A Shared Hatred

A Converted Sorrow

An Overcome World

Part Five

A Shared Hatred – Vs. 15:18-16:4

Vs. 18-21

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also

Christ gives a promise of being hated and persecuted. In fact 16:1-4 says…

16 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

Persecution will be done under the guise of zealousness for Christ!

Review

He is going away to die

Judas will betray

Peter will deny

They will be persecuted

How is the promise of persecution a cure for that which ails your troubled heart?

Vs. 18 – Christ experienced it first. He knows and understands our plight and our persecution.

Hebrews 2 and 4

Hebrews 2:14

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 4:14

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

John 7:7 – They hated Christ because he testified that their deeds are evil. If we are doing what we ought, the world will hate us for the same reason.

Vs. 19 - Evidence of our divine inheritance and citizenship

If we stand for truth to the point that we are willing to endure persecution for it, it reveals the depth of our conviction and faith and reveals that our claims to citizenship in heaven is true!

E.g. Foreign exchange students. Easy to see they don't belong. Is it easy to see you don't?

Vs. 20, 21, 23 - Evidence our life reflects something worth persecuting; evidence a life that looks like the masters.

Persecution comes on account of Him – Centers around WHO Christ is and what He preached.

It's not about you. Don't take personally. It is about the one we serve and represent.

In a sense, we should be troubled if our lives are not under attack from the world. If we aren’t living in such a way that makes sinners uncomfortable, we aren’t living like the Son of God.

Vs. 21 – Promise and encouragement included: If they kept my words, they will your as well.

The faithful of Christ will recognize the truth of Christ and the identity of Christ’s children and will keep the words of truth, living by them.

Vs 22 and 24 – No guilt for sins had Christ done come, taught, and done what He did….

So, are we saying that if they are never told something is sin, then they are not held accountable for committing that sin? No.

Consider John 3

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Guilt for sin exists and REMAINS on all unless they believe in the Son of God

Consider just a few verses prior…

John 3

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Failure to believe results in sinful deeds remaining concealed and repentance prevented. Therefore, failure to believe condemns because failure to believe in the Son of God is failure to hear and heed is message of repentance and salvation.

Failure to believe results in sin remaining and therefore the wrath and judgment of God remaining.

Romans 18 – Men are without excuse

Romans 3 – All sin, none seek God, all fall short

All under wrath, held to account for sins. So what does this mean?

Scripture teaching degrees of punishment based upon extend of knowledge.

Matthew 11

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Chorazin and Behsaida were condemned because they were witness to powerful and mighty works that would have convinced even the wicked cities of Tyre and Sidon to repent.

Capernaum the same. In fact the mighty works they saw would have convinced Sodom

Therefore, the punishment of Sodom, Tyre, and Sidon will be less severe because they were not privy to the same revelation and works that Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum were.

Luke 12

You Must Be Ready

35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Vs. 35-40; Parable told to emphasize the need to be faithful in the task given by the master for you do not know when he will return and you want to be found faithful and obedient when he comes.

This means, you must know what the master wants you to be doing while He is away.

Vs. 41-48; Jesus explains – servant who knows the will of the master and does not obey it receives a more severe beating than the servant who does not know the will of the master and yet still disobeys it.

Luke 9 – Context of healing blind man and Christ speaking to him after he was expelled by the Pharisees

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.

The Pharisees guilt remains because they have the truth, know the truth, and still disobey the truth.

Degrees of punishment based upon extent of knowledge.

Hebrews 10

26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

Point of Matthew, Luke and John is that we are held accountable no matter what…but punishment is more severe when done in full knowledge and less severe for lack of knowledge.

E.G. – Kelly ticket on route 5 cause sign was hidden. Kelly held accountable even though she did not know.

In the same way, we are all accountable to God’s law whether we know what it is or not.

James 2

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Break the law in one point, you are held accountable for all of it.

MacArthur notes - "Jesus did not mean that if He had not come, they would have been sinless. But His coming incited the severest and most deadly sin, that of rejecting and rebelling agaisnt God and His truth. It was the decisive sin of rejection, the deliberate and fatal choice of darkness over light and death over life of which He spoke.

Don’t take that as an excuse for not growing in knowledge. “Well, if I don’t know about it, I am not guilty for it.” NO, maybe not, but you are accountable for it.

Carson notes - by coming and speaking to them Jesus incited the most central and controlling of sins: rejection of God’s gracious revelation, rebellion against God, decisive preference for darkness rather than light

So, promise of persecution, of shared hatred is cure because we are reminded Christ experienced it first and knows what we are going through; reveals our divine citizenship; reveals are living like our Savior and master; reveals it is normal; and in verses 22-24 reveals we have seen and responded to the word and works of Christ acknowledging our guilt and allowing His truth to transform us.

Vs. 25 – Fulfillment of scripture – they hated Him without a cause.

Psalm 35:19; 69:4

19 Let not those rejoice over me

who are wrongfully my foes,

and let not those wink the eye

who hate me without cause.

4 More in number than the hairs of my head

are those who hate me without cause;

mighty are those who would destroy me,

those who attack me with lies.

What I did not steal

must I now restore?

A shared hatred; paradox cure for a troubled heart.

Having seen chapter 15

A Converted Sorrow – Vs. 16:16-24

Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Vs. 16-22 –Disciples did not understand what he meant by, “a little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while and you will see me.”

They fail to understand that He is going to be resurrected and they will physically see him again inside a week, days in fact.

Tells them – You will lament; world will rejoice. They will believe they killed the blasphemer, the one they viewed as a threat and they will never see him again. Disciples, however, will see him after the resurrection and their sorrow will turn into eternal joy.

Compares to a woman giving birth, sorrow at the pain but joy when baby arrives.

Pain at his departure and death but joy upon his resurrection and return.

Even if they had understood all of what was to happen, there would have been pain in watching the Savior died that horrible death before being raised.

Application: Particular situation does not apply to us but we may experience hardship and sorrow now, but we can have joy that world cannot take away because we are owned and claimed by a resurrected Lord.

2 Cor 8

8 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us

Macedonia believers were poverty stricken and overwhelmed with hardship, yet notice….Vs. 2 highlight

James 2

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

1 Peter 1

Born Again to a Living Hope

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 4

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Joy is possible, even commanded, in the midst of hardship.

Apostles knew, however, how easy it is to give up. Paul writes to the Galatians

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Context: Confronting a brother in transgression; teaching and doing good; sowing and reaping.

We cannot blame our loss of joy on our circumstances but rather we must blame it on our sinful responses to the circumstances we face.

Real joy is not dependent on circumstances but on the person of Jesus Christ and the world cannot take that away; the devil can’t even take that away!

If you have lost joy in serving, in doing good, it is because you have failed to do them for the right reasons. If you have lost joy in serving, in doing good, it is because you are working for the praise, acceptance, and glory of man when you should be doing them for the glory, pleasure, and joy of Christ.

To give hope for the road ahead, Christ tells them apostles.

Vs. 23-24

23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

In that day – the period after his resurrection and ascension

They won’t ask of Him because He won’t be there (until this point they had not asked anything in His name), but rather they will ask the Father (who Christ has opened the way to) IN CHRIST’S NAME and the promise is, God the Father will grant it so that their joy IN GOD (As Father, provider, Savior, lord, and Friend) will be full.

Application: We have Christ as our mediator and advocate, pleading at the right hand of God on our behalf.

If we are abiding in Him and His words in us, we will ask for what He desires and He will grant it.

And finally, number 9 cure…

An Overcome World – Vs. 16:25-33

I Have Overcome the World

25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Vs. 25

25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.

Figure of speech – bears idea of obscuring meaning, not necessarily parable. Point is, much of what Christ taught and revealed, both here and throughout his earthly ministry, was obscured and not fully understood until AFTER His resurrection when the Holy Spirit illumined, reminded, and taught the disciples.

Vs. 26-28

26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

Carson - 16:26–27. In addition to the increased understanding the disciples will enjoy after the resurrection (v. 25), in that day they will ask (aiteō; cf. notes on v. 23) the Father for things in Jesus’ name. All these categories have been introduced (cf. 14:12–14; 15:7–8, 16; 16:23), but Jesus wants his followers to understand that the phrase in my name does not mean that they are thereby distanced from God. It does not mean that they are restricted to asking Jesus for things, and he conveys their requests to the Father; it does not mean (in Jesus’ words) that I will ask the Father on your behalf. Far from it: the Father himself loves you, and needs no prompting from the Son. After all, it was the love of the Father for the world that initiated the mission of the Son (3:16).

Christ makes the point that they will ask IN HIS name, having direct access to God the Father, which we take for granted, but they had never had (having to go through the priests)

They will have access to BOTH Father and Son in addition to the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Vs. 29-30

29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”

In case you don’t at first see it, let me point it out to you as it was pointed out to me…the disciples think they got it now but they really don’t.

AH, NOW YOU are…no He isn’t. That time comes after His resurrection but they think it is now and just betray their ignorance.

They claim, we believe you came from God because we now know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you.

Since they don’t really see or know, Carson points out, this last sentence ” betrays just how feeble a foundation supports the immature faith they have so far attained”

And Christ is quick to point it out.

Vs. 31-32

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

On top of everything else He has revealed, He now reveals that they all will scatter and flee from Him, in fact, this very night and next day when they come to arrest Him.

I love C.H. Dodd’s comment on this passage. He says…

The damping down of an enthusiastic confession of faith might seem surprising, if we did not remember that it corresponds to a constant pattern, not only in the Fourth Gospel but elsewhere: cf. John 6:68–70, 8:38; Mark 8:29–33 (and parallels), 10:28–31, 38–40, 14:29–31. It is part of the character and genius of the Church that its foundation members were discredited men; it owed its existence not to their faith, courage, or virtue, but to what Christ had done with them; and this they could never forget.

They will face their weak faith and they will fail, but Christ provides hope of their restoration.

Vs. 33

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Closes with this final word…All these things He has said that they may have peace, despite His going away, despite the betrayer, despite the betrayal, despite the scattering, despite His death, despite the tribulation…they can have peace.

Why? HE HAS OVERCOME (literally conquered, prevail, to come off superior) THE WORLD. Nothing this world can do harm you for they cannot touch Christ or eternity.

Take heart – Be confident, be bold, be hopeful, to have courage.

They can have peace because Christ has overcome the world and no matter what pain, failure, disappointment, trial, temptation, hardship, or blessing you face, Christ has overcome it all and none of it will overcome you because He is greater still.

Christ provides the cure and he does so in 9 ways… Let’s review.

Final Review

BIG IDEA: Christ gives the cure for troubled hearts. – Vs. 1

Christ gives nine cures for troubled hearts.

An Imperative – Believe in God – Vs. 14:1

A Promise - Future Home with Christ – Vs. 14:2-3

A Way - To the Father –Vs.14:4-11

An Assurance and Provision - To do the work of God – Vs. 14:12-14

An Abiding Presence

A Helper – Vs. 14:15-17; 25-26; ; 16:4-15

The Helper: The Spirit of Truth – 14:15-17

The Helper: Teacher – 14:25-26; 16:12-13

The Helper: Testifier of God – 15:26-16:4

The Helper: Convictor of Sin – 16:4-11

The Helper: Glorifier – 16:14-15

Himself – Vs. 14:18-24; 27-31

His Presence – Vs. 18-24

His Peace – Vs. 27

His Power and Position – Vs. 28-31

A Pair of Commands – 15:1-17

A Command to Abide – 15:1-11

A Command to Love – 15:12-17

Sacrificially

Intimately

Deliberately

A Shared Hatred – Vs. 14:18-16:4

A Converted Sorrow – Vs. 16:16-24

An Overcome World – Vs. 16:25-33

I end with this…which I may have shared at another juncture but is fitting here to end with…

5059 Gladstone’s Only Fear

Another great British statesman, W. E. Gladstone, who often served as Prime Minister between 1868 and 1894, once sat in Christ’s Church College and talked at some length about happy changes he had witnessed during his lifetime in the lot of the English people. His outlook was so radiantly optimistic that it aroused a challenge. One of the students said, “Sir, are we to understand that you have no anxieties for the future? Are there no adverse signs?” The grand old man of England answered slowly, “Yes, there is one thing that frightens me—the fear that God seems to be dying out in the minds of men.”

—Prairie Overcomer

Christ gives a cure for troubled hearts…the cure is Himself. If you lose sight of God and allow Him to die out in your hearts and minds, there is no hope or cure. Abide in Him. Keep Him close and He will be the cure for all that ails your troubled hearts.

Part 1 – Point 1

Part 2 – Points 2-4

Part 3 – Point 5

Part 4 – Point 6

Part 4 – Point 6B

Part 4 – Point 6C

Part 5 – Points 7-9

Part 5b

We have all needed help at times in our lives. Perhaps you have had to call and ask someone for help. May the following experience is eerily familiar to you.

Just Wanted To Be Extra Extra Sure

College & University, Help Desk | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | Uncategorized

(The power went out on campus. We have generator power in some parts of the school, particularly where I am. Then, an admin assistant calls…)

Me: “Help Desk, this is ***, how can I help you?”

Admin Assistant: “How can I shut my computer off?”

Me: “Okay. The beeping you hear in your room is a UPS. It’s going to keep your computer powered on for only about 19 minutes at best, so it’s good you called. Go into your Start menu and shut your computer down through the shut down option.

Admin Assistant: “Okay, where?”

Me: *explains how to shut down a computer*

Admin Assistant: “I don’t see where you’re talking about.”

Me: “Okay, do you see your computer screen?”

Admin Assistant: “No, it’s dark in here. It’s dark everywhere. The power went out.”

Me: “Yes, I know. It’s out all over campus. ”

Admin Assistant: “Yeah, so I can’t see anything in here. My computer is off.”

Me: “Okay… your computer is off? Then why did you call? What do you need?”

Admin Assistant: “I don’t know. I just wanted to know how to shut my computer down.”

(I’m not kidding. This really happened. I’ve read similar stories on other web sites. But this is actually what happened to me when I was working a university help desk. Computer Science department, no less.)

Or for those not electronically inclined….

Not Remotely Intelligent

Call Center, Help Desk | Texas, USA | Top

Me: “Hello, thank you for calling ***. May I have your phone number, please?”

Caller: “This thing doesn’t work!”

Me: “Sir, I’ll be happy to help you with that.”

Caller: “Just help me with this thing!”

(Eventually, I find out he needs help with a DVD remote.)

Caller: “The movie doesn’t play! It doesn’t do a thing!”

(I hear the crunching of plastic as he tries to push the buttons really hard.)

Me: “Okay, sir, so you’re pressing the play button and it’s not working. Correct?”

Caller: “Which one’s the play button?”

Me: “The one that says ‘play’ above it. It should be in the shape of an arrow that’s pointing to the right.”

Caller: “I can’t read any of this! I don’t have anything like that. There’s just one that points to the left.”

Me: “Sir, go ahead and turn the remote around.”

Caller: “What, backwards?”

Me: “Yes, so that the other side points at the DVD player.”

Caller: “Oh…it works now!” *click*

Reality is, we all need help at times. Perhaps not with computers, or tv remotes, but with more serious life issues.

And the comforting thing is, we have been given a helper far more capable then a help desk.

Began three weeks ago talking about the helper we have been given…

5th cure – An abiding presence

A Helper

Spirit of truth

Teacher

Testifier of God

Convictor of Sin

Glorifier of God

What's more is that Christ also give us Himself.

Himself – Vs. 14:18-24; 27-31 (3 Manifestations of Himself)

His Presence – Vs. 18-24

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

Leave – same word we translate elsewhere as forgive, or divorce. Leaving, removal, etc.

Orphans – word also translated bereaved or desolate. That is the idea here.

Orphans – Child without parents: Spiritual orphans

Romans 8:9- Won’t leave them alone.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

If we are alone, its because we don’t belong to Him. If we are His, the Spirit is always with us.

Implications of this….

Never alone; abandoned; never forgotten

Never a private sin

I will come to you…physical after resurrection

John 20

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Grows out their questions regarding HIM. It is almost as if Christ anticipated their question. He has been telling them He has to go away but will send another helper. They want to know about him.

It’s as if they are saying “Ok, so we get the helper, the Holy Spirit, but what about you?”

Vs. 19 – Yet a little while...His going away is rapidly approaching.

Vs. 19 –Yet a little while and the world will see me no more… They will not see him because he is going to die and ascend. No record of Jesus appearing to any unbelievers before his ascension.

Vs. 19 - THEY WILL SEE because He will appear to them physically. HE WILL LIVE, He will rise again, and as a result, THEY WILL LIVE; spiritually.

Because He lives, because they will be given life, Christ gives Himself to them and to us for eternity.

Romans 5:10; Eph 2:5; Rev 20:4

Romans 5:10

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Ephesians 2:5

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Revelation 20:4

4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5

In that day…

…the day he appears to them after resurrection, then they will know for certain and will understand how He and the Father are connected. Resurrection will be the ultimate proof of all He has revealed.

…when the Holy Spirit, the helper comes.

...all that they have failed to see and understand they will understand fully after his resurrection.

I am in the Father, and you in me, and I in you. Relationship…

In that day, the relational dynamics will come to life.

Christ is present with us through the Holy Spirit

Expands in chapter 17, high priestly prayer…

Christ’s prayer and desire, UNITY, ONENESS. FOR US AS HE IS WITH THE FATHER.

Cure for troubled heart, for loneliness, unity with God and through unity with God, unity with each other.

Lack of unity oneness; excessive loneliness, signs of lack of oneness with God.

God’s desire we experience Him and find oneness with Himself (and others) and find cure for that which troubles our heart.

Vs. 21 - Repeats…whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me…evidence of true love

Result…loving Christ finds reciprocal love from God and Christ

Not that we initiate this relation of love by our obedience and invoke God’s love as a response. Rather, there is an ongoing relationship between Jesus and his disciples characterized by obedience on their part and conditioned by it. They love and obey Christ in the same way that Christ love and obey His Father. (Summarized from Carson)

Begins by God showing His love for us to send a Savior, we respond in obedience out of love for His sacrifice, He responds by pouring out His love even more as he is pleased with our obedience, and we obey more and more as our love grows….and round it goes.

Manifest Myself – reveal, make known, disclose

How? Judas (Not Iscariot asks…)

First thought, reveal himself to them physically after his resurrection.

In Septuagint, Greek translation of OT, it is used in Exodus to refer to Theophanies

2 Tim 1:10 uses it to refer to Christ’s coming in its entirety

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Used also to refer to His second coming (2 Thes. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:1, 8; Tit. 2:13)

It is used in other locations in other manners.

It is a broad word, but giving the context, and various meanings and usages, it is safe to conclude, it is probably referring to all manner of Christ revealing himself to those who believe.

He is the manifest giver. He will reveal Himself.

Judas asks…question derived from his understanding that the kingdom of God will arrive in splendor and honor (future kingdom with God bringing kingdom to earth, coming down, battle, etc)

Jesus’ response one of a different manifestation – again not of earning God’s love but God simply responding to our love.

DA Carson comments….So at one are Jesus and the Father that according to Jesus the one who loves him will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him. The idea is not that the believer initiates this relation of love by demonstrating obedience, and that Jesus and his Father simply respond. After all, the Fourth Gospel repeatedly makes it clear that the initiative in the relationship between Jesus and his followers finally lies with Jesus (cf. notes on 6:70; 15:16) or with his Father (cf. notes on 6:37; 10:29). The idea, rather, is that the ongoing relationship between Jesus and his disciples is characterized by obedience on their part, and thus is logically conditioned by it. They love and obey Jesus, and he loves them, in exactly the same way that he loves and obeys his Father, and the Father loves him (cf. 3:35; 5:20; 8:29; 14:31).

How else manifest? Indwelling…making home…sending Helper to dwell within, to teach, guide, instruct, etc.

So, how will he manifest himself?

Physically after resurrection

Future return

Through the indwelling Spirit

Through the Word of God

Through Creation

Through believers

Through circumstances

Through trial and blessings

The way to know the Father is through the Son and the Spirit.

Jesus wants us to know Him and makes every means possible or us too. He does not leave us alone, lonely, He gives Himself, He gives the Helper, He gives the Father, He gives the body of Christ.

Secondly, He give us His peace…

His Peace – Vs. 27

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Peace – Cessation of war, prosperity, blessing, lacks fear, tranquility, communicates blessing, right relationship,

What is peace?

Absence of trial, pain, or conflict? No.

Absence of danger? No.

Absence of doubt?

Absence of uncertainty of future or circumstance? No.

IT IS absence of fear. It is confidence and assurance that provides rest and composure in times of uncertainty

Leave – same word (Will not leave you as orphans)

Gives peace; MY PEACE; Not as the world gives do I leave with you.

Christ’s peace

Eternal

Abiding

Satisfying

All powerful

Rests upon God Himself

World’s peace

Temporal

Fleeting

Cannot satisfy

Weak and needy

Rests upon man, circumstances

What does this look like for everyday living?

Example: Dorothy and Grisanti; when Dorothy first got cancer, both Christy and Dorothy said, It is in God’s will and His will no matter what happens.”

Example: Nightmares and Waking terrors of losing Kelly and what I would do.

RESTS ON PERSON: Christ (Relationship)

Won’t know how this looks till you face it

Must be maintained and strengthened in an everyday pursuit of Christ.

Repeats command of 14:1 – Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Afraid – literally, cowardly.

Why? Cause you have HIS PEACE.

Example: Hit me this week, me who is often fearful of temptation and myself; I was not at peace because I was trusting in myself and my strength rather than in the person of Christ and I know how weak I am. Thus, no peace. God humbled me and pointed out my misplaced confidence and the reason for my fear and lack of peace.

We can have peace, when we trust the person of Christ.

Col 3

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Phil 4:4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Source of peace; Trust, confidence, assurance. Peace is possible ONLY through trust, confidence, and assurance in the PERSON of God.

That’s why….Not as the world gives – temporal, fleeting, insecure, BUT ETERNAL, TRUE, UNWAVERING PEACE.

There is a third provision Christ’s make in the abiding presence of Himself that promotes peace for troubled hearts….

His Power and Position – Vs. 28-31

28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

You heard – Reminds them what He told them and what they heard.

Then rebukes…If you loved, you would have rejoiced…Father is greater than I

There is a failure to understand and trust. They still fail to understand who He is and by that understanding, trust Him….this is a failure to love.

On one hand acknowledge him as messiah and as son of God but fail here to understand and apply that truth.

Rather than rejoice for Him and with Him, they mourn for themselves and allow fear and troubled hearts to take over.

Focus is now on themselves and their earthly circumstances rather than on Christ and His Father.

Father is greater – Not a diminishing of Jesus deity, but an affirmation He is returning to where He belongs and it is good. Returning to His Father is better in His undiminished glorious state than Christ is in his incarnate state. AND WITH THAT RETURN, Christ takes back His undiminished glory which He had before the foundation of the world with God.

And when He does, He takes up the role of advocate, mediator, and intercessor for us!

1 John 2

Christ Our Advocate

2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 Timothy 2

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Romans 8:34

34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Peace comes with trust, which flows from love.

Told you before, so you believe when it happens….

Ruler of world is coming, has no hold…Father is more powerful

Look to me, trust me, not the circumstances, Christ says…

Depart….

God gives an abiding presence as a cure for all that troubles our hearts.

Holy Spirit

Himself

His presence

His peace

His power and position

Conclusion:

The Promise by the Martins Video