Lessons from the Upper Room: The Comforting Savior

Bible Passage: John 14:1–14

Summary: In John 14:1-14, Jesus provides comfort to His disciples who are grappling with their fears about the future, particularly concerning His departure. He reassures them by indicating that their trust in Him would alleviate their troubled hearts and lead them to a greater understanding of God’s nature. This passage emphasizes the importance of holding onto faith in Jesus as our guiding light during uncertain times.

Application: This sermon aims to help believers understand that, regardless of life's turbulent challenges, they can rely on Jesus as their anchor. Acknowledging His presence and promises can instill hope and resilience amidst life's storms. By turning to Jesus in prayer, believers can find peace, direction, and strength to face any adversity.

Big Idea: In times of trouble, Jesus invites us to cast our fears and uncertainties upon Him, offering peace and a secure path forward. By trusting in Him, we are equipped to navigate life's challenges with confidence and hope, knowing we are never alone.

Good morning,

Last week we saw Jesus confronting betrayal and denial as he squeezed in a lesson on love.

Today he delivers another key lesson from the Upper Room, a lesson on Comfort.

John 14:1–14 NIV

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

1. Peace in Preparation

John 14:1–4 NIV

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Chaos has ensued

Jesus is taking this moment to center His disciples on himself

He tells his Disciples not to trouble

How nice is that for us to hear today

Greater words of Comfort cannot be spoken

Jesus is facing death yet He is focused on his disciples

He is focused on us

He has prepared a place for each of us

Is your place prepared?

You could emphasize that Jesus begins by providing comfort amid chaos, reminding His disciples that though He is leaving, He's preparing a place for them. This underscores trust in Christ's promise of eternal security and presence. Focus here could be on instilling peace in one’s heart by dwelling on the certainty of God’s promises rather than the transience of earthly trials, reinforcing the sermon’s call to trust Jesus in life's storms.

2. Pathway to the Father

John 14:5–7 NIV

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

He is the way

The world tries to confuse us

People waste their entire lives trying to find “the way”

The comfort given to us is that the way is clear, and we all can arrive to the Father

Doubting Thomas

Perhaps explore how Thomas’ question and Jesus’ response highlight the importance of Christ as the only way to the Father, which serves as an anchor during uncertainty. This point can challenge believers to deepen their reliance on Jesus, especially when faced with questions and doubts. Consider encouraging the congregation to seek clarity and comfort in Christ’s truth, reiterating that genuine direction and truth for life’s journey are found in Him alone.

3. Promise of Praying Power

John 14:8–14 NIV

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

The power of prayer

New Prayer Room in memory of Donna Jeffcoat

The most powerful tool we have

The greatest gift of comfort

Salvation comes from faith alone in Christ

Maybe focus on Philip’s request and Jesus’ assurance of unity with the Father to highlight the power of faith in unlocking the promise of answered prayers and sustained fellowship with God. This supports the sermon's theme of resilient hope in Christ, enabling believers to lean into prayerful communication with God, finding strength and confidence to face adversities knowing Christ intercedes on their behalf.