The Heart of Love and Obedience

CALL TO WORSHIP

Sometimes we think of peace as an absence of noise. Lord, we come to receive and to experience your true peace in our lives. Let us open our hearts to you, Lord. Amen.

HYMN

All creatures of our God and King (StF 99)

GATHERING PRAYER

  As we enter prayer now, we pause to be still.

  To breathe slowly, to re-centre our scattered senses

  Upon the presence of God

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done.

On earth as it is in heaven,

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those that trespass against us,

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,

Forever and ever Amen.

HYMN

Jesus, stand among us at the meeting of our lives (StF 30)  

READING 1

John 14:23–29 ESV

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. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 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. 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.

HYMN

Put peace into each other hands (StF 712)

SERMON

Living in the Love and Promises of Christ

I came across a story that I felt was useful for today it goes like this

Once there was a wealthy young man. He lived in a great, house with lots of rooms. Each room comfortable and beautifully designed. There were paintings and sculptures. Crystal chandeliers, golden, ornate railings on the stairs. More beauty than many of us can imagine.

One day he decided to invite the Lord to come to his home and stay with him. So, when the Lord arrived, this young man offered him the very best room in the house. The room was upstairs and at the end of the hall.

"This room is yours Jesus! Stay as long as you like and you can do whatever you want in this room, remember Jesus, it’s all yours."

"Thank you" the Lord replied, and with that the man shut the door and went about his daily business.

That evening after he had gone to bed for the night there came a loud knocking at the front door. The young man jumped out of bed and made his way downstairs. When he opened the door, he found that the devil had sent three of his demons to attack him. He quickly tried to close the door but one of the demons kept sticking his foot in like the old door to door salesman. It took ages but finally he managed to slam the door shut and returned to his room totally exhausted.

Can you believe that! The man thought. Jesus is upstairs in my very best room sleeping while I am down here battling demons. Oh, well, maybe he just didn't hear. He finally fell to sleep but had a very fitfully that night.

The next day things went along as normal and, being tired as he was, the young man went to bed early that evening. But about midnight, there came such a terrible ruckus at the front door that the young man was sure that whatever it was would tear the door down. He stumbled down the stairs once again and opened the door to find that there were dozens of demons now trying to get into his home.

For more than three hours he fought and struggled against the demons and finally beat them back enough to shut the door against their attack.

All strength failed him. He really didn't understand it at all. Why won't the Lord come to my rescue? Why does he allow me to fight all by myself? I feel so alone. So upset he found his way to the sofa and fell into a restless sleep.

The next morning, he decided to ask the Lord about the happenings of the last two evenings.

Quietly he made his way to the elegant bedroom where he had left Jesus. "Jesus," he called as he tapped at the door. "Lord, I don't understand what is happening. For the last two nights I have had to fight the demons away from my door while you laid up here sleeping. Don't you care about me? Didn’t I give you the very best room in the house?

He could see the tears building in Jesus' eyes but continued, "I just don't understand. I really thought that once I invited you in to live with me that you would take care of me. I mean I gave you the best room in my house and everything. What more can I do?"

"My precious child," Jesus spoke so softly. "I do love and care for you. I protect all that you have given into my care. But when you invited me to come here and stay, you brought me to this lovely room, and you shut the door to the rest of your house. I am Lord of this room, but I am not Master of this house. I have protected this room, and no demon may enter here."

Then he understood "Oh, Lord, please forgive me. Take all my house - it is yours.

I am so sorry that I never offered it to you to begin with.

I want you to have control of everything." He flung open the bedroom door and knelt at Jesus' feet. "Please forgive me Lord for being so selfish." Jesus smiled and told him that He had already forgiven him and that He would take care of things from now on.

That night as the young man prepared for bed he thought, "I wonder if those demons will return. I am so tired from fighting them each and every night." But he knew that Jesus said that he would take care of things from now on.

Along about midnight the banging on the door was frightening. The young man slipped out of bed in time to see Jesus going down the stairs. He watched in awe as Jesus swung open the door, no need to be afraid. Satan stood at the door this time demanding to be let in. "What do you want, Satan?" the Lord asked. The devil bowed low in the presence of the Lord, "So sorry, I seem to have gotten the wrong address." And with that, he and the demons all ran away.

Introduction

Today's Gospel passage, from the gospel of John, calls us to a profound reflection on the nature of love, the nature of obedience, and the promise of peace. It is part of a larger discussion where Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, offering them comfort and guidance for the days to come.

These verses are like a picture, it is woven with themes of abiding love, the indwelling presence of God, and the gift of peace that surpasses all understanding.

As we explore this passage, we are called to open our hearts and minds to the words of our Lord, who speaks not only to His disciples but to each of us today.

The Heart of Love and Obedience

Jesus begins by saying, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

Here Jesus tells us that the love he is speaking of is not merely an emotion or a sentiment but a living reality. It’s an active, dynamic relationship rooted in obedience to Christ’s teachings.

To love Christ is to align our lives with His Word. This does not mean a rigidly sticking to rules, but a joyful response to His call—a desire to reflect His love in our actions, choices, and relationships. When we love in this way, the promise is amazing: God Himself will dwell with us. Imagine that! The Creator of the universe chooses to make a home within each of us who love and obey Him.

But how often do we reflect on what it means to provide a home for God in our lives? Is our heart a place of welcome, or is it cluttered with distractions and fears? To truly love Christ is to declutter our spiritual homes, making room for His presence to transform us.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Jesus goes on to promise the coming of the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in His name. The Holy Spirit is described as a teacher and a reminder of all that Jesus has said. This is an amazing gift, for in the Spirit, we are never alone or forgotten. The Spirit guides us into truth, comforts us in times of trial, and empowers us to live as faithful disciples.

How often do we take time to listen to the Holy Spirit? In our busy lives, it is easy to overlook the quiet whisper of God’s guidance. Yet, this divine Advocate is always at work, interceding on our behalf and drawing us closer to God’s will.

The Spirit’s teaching is not a one-time lesson but an ongoing process. Each day, we are invited to grow in our understanding of Christ’s words and to allow the Spirit to bring them to life in us. Are we willing to be open to learning and transformation?

Peace Beyond Understanding

In verse 27, Jesus offers one of the most comforting promises in Scripture: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

What is this peace that Jesus speaks of?

What it is not is the absence of conflict or difficulty but a deep, abiding sense of well-being that comes from trusting in God’s love. This peace is not dependent on circumstances; it is a gift that sustains us in the midst of life’s storms.

In our world, where anxiety and fear often seem to dominate, and we desperately need this peace! Yet often we seek peace in the wrong places—in material possessions, in control over our circumstances, or with the approval of others? True peace comes only from Christ, who invites us to cast our burdens upon Him and allowing us to rest in His unfailing care.

The Call to Courage and Faith

As Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, He acknowledges their fears and uncertainties. He tells them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” These words are not saying the wont face challenges but an assurance that they will not face them alone.

We, too, are called to face life’s challenges with courage and faith. This does not mean we will never feel fear, but it does mean we can trust that God’s presence and promises are greater than our fears. When we anchor our lives in the love of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we find the strength to move forward, even in the face of uncertainty.

Living the Promise

So, how do we live out the truths of this passage? First, we are called to cultivate a relationship with Christ through love and obedience. This means spending time in prayer, studying His Word, and seeking to take His teachings in our daily lives.

Second, we are invited to be attentive to the Holy Spirit, who teaches, guides, and empowers us. This requires us to be open and humble, a willingness to listen and follow where the Spirit leads.

Finally, we are encouraged to embrace the peace of Christ, allowing it to guard our hearts and minds. This peace is not passive but active; it calls us to be peacemakers in a world that desperately needs reconciliation and hope.

Conclusion

John 14:23-29 is a treasure trove of wisdom and encouragement. It reminds us of the profound love of God, who desires to make a home within us. It assures us of the presence of the Holy Spirit, who teaches and guides us. And it offers us the gift of peace, a peace that transcends all understanding and empowers us to live with courage and faith.

Our Story I opened with this morning has a moral. Jesus wants all of you, not just a part. He will take all that you give Him, but He will take nothing more.

How much of your heart have you given to the Lord? Are you keeping a portion of it away from Him?

I have found that God made man’s life simple, all of man's complexities are of his own devising.

As we leave this place, may we carry the promises of Jesus with us, allowing them to shape our lives and witness. Let us be people who love deeply, listen attentively, and live courageously, trusting in the abiding presence of our Lord. Amen.

HYMN

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me (StF 395)

Offering

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

HYMN

Christ is alive let Christians delight (StF 279)

BLESSING

Lord, send us out into the week ahead with trouble-free hearts, rejoicing that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are with us wherever we are. Amen.