A New Way of Life

Context

Theme of All Things New. Because Jesus is raised from the dead all things are made new.

new faith

new worship

new hope

new security

today: a new way of life.

New Way of Life: Jesus give us eternal life (last week), he also gives us a new way of life now.

Lesson comes from John 14:23-29

Jesus is with his disciples for what will be their Last Supper.

Jesus has just told his disciples that soon the plan of God to redeem the whole world will be accomplished: Jesus will be betrayed to death. He will be buried and rise again from the dead on the third day. Then, he will come back to them and depart to go back to God who sent him. Thus the way to heaven will be open to all.

The disciples are not certain how to assimilate all of this, they don’t have the advantage of knowing the resurrection like we do. They have posed various questions.

Peter, Why can’t we follow you now?

Philip, Can you give us a glimpse, so we can be more certain of heaven?

Judas and general theme: Why is this all going to happen this way?

TEXT

John 14:23–29 NRSV

Jesus answered him, “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. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 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. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.

Introduction

Ancient Problem: They are not ready for glory

The disciples are unnerved by Jesus’ talk about his immanent death. He has prophesied this plan previously, but now it has really come to it. It is their last night together.

Over the years with him, they have come to love him. The disciples don’t want Jesus to leave them. They don’t want him to suffer. They don’t want him to die.

Jesus loves them and wants to be with them, but he is clear and determined: he must go through death to atone for the sin of all people, then he must go to his glory, to open the way to heaven for all.

The simple fact of the matter is that the disciples are not ready for what is going to happen. They are not ready to face death, they are not certain of resurrection, and then cannot envision heaven.

The questions and fears and doubts and anxieties they have been expressing show that this is true.

Peter — Why can’t I follow you now? I will follow you to death!

Jesus said: Will you really? No, you will deny me three times. And that is what happened.

Peter was not ready to face death.

Philip — Just show us the Father (God/heaven) and then we will be satisfied. All our doubts met.

Jesus said: Don’t you realize yet that I and the Father are one…seeing me is seeing the Father?

Philip and the others shook their head in uncertainty.

Judas — Why do you intend to show yourself to us but not the whole world?

Jesus had been consistently training and educating them so they could be his witnesses.

But when it was later time for him to stand trial for his teachings, they abandoned him.

Jesus loves his disciples. He wants to be with them, he wants them to be with him.

But he must go ahead of them, alone, to death, through death, and to resurrection. Because they are just not yet ready.

Jesus diagnoses this truth:

If you loved me (If you were ready) you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for he is greater than all.

But since you are afraid of death, you don’t trust my word, you don’t know the value of being my disciple…you are not ready.

You still need time to get ready. Time to prepare. That is why am going and you are staying behind. (John 13:33 “Little children, yet a little while I am with you… ‘Where I am going you cannot (yet) come.’”

Current Problem - we are not ready for glory

Before I got married. Read books. Talked about marriage with people who were married. Dao and I talked about it.

There was a period of time, wanted to get married. But not ready to get married. Too scary.

Before we had children. Read some books. Babysat. Spent time with nieces and nephews.

There was a period of time, wanted to have kids. Not ready to become a parent. Too scary.

One of you: I’ve been thinking about retiring for years. Sounds good, no work. Not ready. Too scary.

We know Jesus rose from the dead and went to heaven, intends us to be together with him and all saints in glory. We want to be a part of that.

Are we ready for it?

Or are there symptoms of fear that indicate that we are not yet ready?

say we want to follow…and we do…but when the possibility of facing opposition or derision comes, do we shrink away?

say, we believe in Jesus…and we do…but when we really have to trust him, do we say give me some more proof.

say, I believe in heaven, it is going to be wonderful…but then when death draws near, we are filled with only dread and fear and despair..

Maybe these are symptomatic that we want to be ready for the Risen Lord and the Resurrection he give us…but we aren’t quite yet.

Hinge - Jesus is purposeful with the time he gives them

Jesus, our compassionate Lord, knows what we need.

We need time and we need experience to become ready.

Jesus knows that we need time for the promise of resurrection to get down from our heads and lips, into our hearts and spirits.

Jesus has gone ahead…yet has a definite vision for what life should look like for us right now.

Ancient Solution - They Get Ready

Jesus says to his disciples: You love me, you want to be with me.

That is good. That is what I want for you also.

So, let’s talk about getting you ready. He indicates: I’m telling you this now, but it will make more sense after I’m raised and gone to heaven. Then you will be able to do this:

Here it is: Obey my commands.

If you love me (and you do) obey my commands.

Start living now for what you want to obtain.

You want to obtain eternal life, start living according to the rules of the Kingdom that I have taught you right now.

You have to acclimate.

Example from Wayde Mission Trip: spend time outdoors to get used to the heat. Dao was sitting outside accclimating.

Jesus says: acclimate to the Kingdom of God and you will start becoming ready.

Three things will happen.

First: the Father will come to you and love you. (John 14:23)

Second: the Holy Spirit will come to your and lead you into more and more truth. (John 14:26)

Third: I will come to you, and give you my peace. (John 14:27).

If you love, if you obey me, if you let your life be shaped by your relationship with me, God — F, S, HS — will come to you.

If you start living according to the Kingdom, God will be with you.

As you acclimate to God’s presence in your life

you will desire more

be more ready

Be more committed to go to be with God in glory.

I go to prepare a place for you. I leave you here so you can prepare yourself.

This is what indeed the disciples did.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, on Pentecost, a Sunday we will celebrate soon, the Holy Spirit came and filled them.

The disciples began to live for Christ with total commitment.

For example, in Acts 2, we are told that Peter and John, healed a man who had been born lame.

They were rebuked by the ruling council for preaching and working miracles in Jesus’ name.

But the disciples were not afraid at all. But boldly said, we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard in Christ…even if that meant suffering and death.

After Jesus resurrection, and by the power of the Holy Spirit among them, and filled with the love of God, the disciples were ready.

There was nothing they wanted more than eternal life, and everything and every moment in this life was dedicated to that.

Current Solution

So, here we are today.

We are the disciples of Jesus Christ.

We have the great promise of eternal life.

We have right now, to be getting ready for it.

An example.

Getting married. Talked and explored marriage as an idea…still fearful. But the deeper our relationship became, the more convinced we became that we just did not want to live without each other. Eventually, couldn’t endure not being married. Wanted to get married, ready for it no matter what. It was the next step!

Having children. Children as an abstraction, scary. But the more we sensed our desire to expand our relationship … Ready for that step!

One of you who retired. By spending more time in leisure, the more convinced it was time to take the step. Finally, got to the point of being ready — it is the best thing!

So in our spiritual life. We get ready not by entertaining abstractions and fears, but by living in faith. By building our experience with Jesus.

My experience.

The less time I spend putting Jesus’ words into action. The less I am motivated I am for eternal life.

The more time I spend putting Jesus’ words into action, the more motivated, the clearer, more confident, more desirous I am of his Kingdom.

Example of Church: Haven’t you been healthiest and most ready when plugged in?

That is acclimation.

It is Jesus’ promise coming true:

If you love me and put my word into practice…I will be with you. Heaven will come to you.

God the Father, will love you.

The spirit will guide you.

My peace will be with you.

Jesus wants to be with you, wants you to be with him.

The more you build relationship right now: it becomes clearer and clearer, yes Jesus, the Spirit, the Father, eternal life, this is what I want… I choose this, above all else I want this!

Soon we see that what was scary before is now attractive:

Before, we did not trust his promises, we wanted proof, now we begin to live by faith.

Before we were afraid to stand out for Jesus, because it might mean suffering. Now we say, that is fine, I’ll suffer with Jesus because I want to share in his glory.

Before, death was only dreadful, but now we can see it with hope because we want to live forever with Christ.

As St. Paul wrote, Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

We are not in this life for this life only…but for eternal and perfect life with God.

One day Jesus will come back. We want to be ready. One day he will call us home. We want to be ready.

How can you spend more putting Jesus’ commands into practice?

prayer, worship, fellowship, service.

Conclusion

Jesus has gone ahead of us into glory. He was ready.

He give us this time right now, to get ourselves ready.

A new way of life: a life of intentionality, preparation.