John 14:1-6; Truths for Troubled Hearts

Introduction

In America, we generally expect a person to live a long and prosperous life. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. It doesn’t matter if death comes to the 30 week old in the womb, the 3 year old toddler, the 13 year old teenager, or the 53 year old father and husband, death is always too soon. This is also a reminder to us all that one day, we too will face death. Some of us may reach a ripe old age that can see the fruit of our labors for generations. However, some of us may face death suddenly and unexpectedly. Like Robby, the scriptures give us examples of men that had “an early death”. I hope to show the truth of scripture for your troubled hearts this evening. Let us look at some of these truths in John 14:1-6.

You Have Real Troubles

Jesus recognizes the disciples are in a state of despair. They are literally stirred up or their hearts are in a storm of emotions and fear. Jesus, only 33, was telling his disciples that he was going to leave them. The disciples were experiencing their own pain and loss of losing Jesus at such a young age.

Jesus also experienced this pain in his own life. He wept when Lazarus died.

John 11:33 ESV

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.

He also experienced the death of his own relative John the Baptist. John would have only been 30-32 at the time of his death.

John 16:33 ESV

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.”

You Can Have Real Hope

Jesus commands his disciples to “stop being troubled.” Why? How can Jesus look at your pain, your confusion, your suffering, your troubles, and tell you to not be undone? He gives us 4 reasons we can have very real hope in the midst of our very real troubles.

1. Believe in God (John 14:1)

I’m not suggesting a belief in some force or energy, neither is Jesus. This God is the real and personal God of the universe! These are the different names and titles that God reveals in the pages of scripture. In other words, I am talking about putting your faith in the promise keeping God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David. The very God that made you in his likeness and image. The one who gave you purpose and reason.

2. Believe in Jesus Christ (John 14:1)

Once again, I am not asking you to believe in any Jesus. I am asking you, and Jesus is commanding you to believe in him. The Jesus of scripture. The one that calls you to repent and believe in the gospel - the good news of Jesus. This is the Jesus that is telling his disciples that he came to this world to be crucified for the sins of his people and rise again from the dead. Because of our sin and Adam’s sin in the garden, we have been separated from a holy God. Jesus is going to the cross to take the punishment of sin for his people. And he is going to rise again from the dead. Faith in this Jesus, Jesus is the Jesus that holds the whole universe together, including you and me, by the very power of his word. Hebrews 1:3, is the only hope we can have in the face of death.

Believe in the Jesus who cried out on the cross “it is finished”! The one who overcame death and the grave. Believe in the one who holds the keys of death and Hades, Rev 1:18.

3. You have a room in the Father’s house (John 14:2)

If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, you have a room in the Father’s house. This is temporal (here and now) and also eternal. Right now, you have a place in the Father’s house, the church. Do not alienate yourself from God’s people! Scripture commands us to not neglect the fellowship of the saints (Hebrews 10:25). Scripture gives us command after command to work together as the body of Christ and as the new temple or dwelling place of God.

This also means you have a place reserved in heaven for you. There is no ticket you must not lose. There are no check out deadlines. There is a place reserved for you in eternal fellowship with God and your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. He will not leave us but he will come back again for his people. Either in death or in his second coming, we will be with our God and his people- brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and friends that have gone before us.

4. You know the way (John 14:4-6)

Jesus doesn’t leave his people with some mystical way to heaven. We don’t have to find some monk or wise man on the top of a mountain somewhere. The way to peace with God and eternal life is not through your works or “being good enough”. The only way to have life after this is through the eternal life offered by Jesus Christ alone.

Romans 10:8-13 says

Romans 10:8–13 ESV

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Today is a day of mourning and weeping. BUT we can have hope in the midst of these troubled times. Dear friends, I ask you, “What is your hope in the face of death?” Take comfort in the fact that Jesus has overcome death on your behalf if you have put your faith in him.

John 16:33 ESV

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.”