Another One is Coming
John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Last week we saw that whoever believes in Jesus will do the works that Jesus was doing.
This morning, we come to a statement that Jesus is going to repeat several times in our passage this morning. If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to John chapter 14, and we’ll being this morning with verse 15.
Keeping Jesus’ Commandments
Keeping Jesus’ Commandments
“If you love me, keep my commands.
Jesus tells us that proof of our love for him will be proven by obedience!
I find it interesting that this is the first time Jesus references his disciples loving him.
Previously, his teachings have referenced two directions that love flows:
His love for his disciples
And then his disciples love for one another (cf. Jn. 13:1, 34-35).
The structure of the Greek in this verse is in the third class, which does not assume either a positive or negative response. It is simply a statement of fact:
If we love Jesus we will naturally be motivated to obey him (cf. Jn. 14:21, 28; 15:14; 1 Jn. 5:3).
So what commands are Jesus talking about? It seems that he is referencing the total revelation that he shared with his disciples throughout his ministry (cf. Jn. 3:31-32; 12:47-49; 13:34-35; 17:6). You may remember that Jesus has already announced that he is the Truth—the complete revelation of God the Father to the world.
For John there seems to be one simple way to demonstrate the reality of our love for Jesus, and that is obedience (cf. 1 Jn. 5:3). After all, obedience was the way Jesus showed his love for God the Father.
Thus, when someone says they love the Lord, but fail to obey his teachings, it is easy to see the person is failing God’s test of love—obedience!
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
Now Jesus says that our love, that is demonstrated by obedience, will also result in Jesus requesting that the Father send another advocate (v. 16a).
The Greek word translated advocate is the Greek word parakletos. Some other translations translate it Helper, Counselor, or Intercessor. But none of these English words capture the meaning of the Greek.
“Helper” often suggests it is inferior in some way. Obviously, the Holy Spirit is NOT inferior. “Counselor” might call to mind a camp counselor or maybe a marriage counselor. That doesn’t capture the idea because the Greek holds more of the meaning of a legal counselor. “Advocate” sometimes suggests a limited area of help. “Intercessor” also sometimes implies only one type of help.
When parakletos is used in secular writing, it often referred to a legal assistant, or a legal advocate. It could also be used of a witness or representative in court.
The word can also mean “to call alongside” to “encourage” or to “strengthen.”
KEY—This is one place where Jesus refers to the Trinity (although not by name but in relationships). Notice that God the Son requests that God the Father send God the Spirit to take God the Son’s place as the one to encourage and strengthen the believers.
NOTE: Muslims often believe that Mohammed is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that He would send another helper. This is not consistent with the rest of scripture.
This “advocate” will help us (v. 16b).
And the “advocate” will be with us forever (v. 16c).
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Jesus calls this “advocate” “the Spirit of truth” (cf. Jn. 15:26; 16:13; 1 Jn. 4:6; 5:6) (v. 17a).
The world (those who are not spiritually focused) have several problems with the “advocate” just like they did with Jesus (v. 17b):
They cannot accept him. Check out 1 Corinthians 2:14 “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”
They cannot see him (Gk. see, observe, perceive, notice, experience, or understand).
And they cannot know him.
On the other hand, disciples of Jesus do know the “advocate” (v.17c).
Sometimes I wonder if people who profess to know Jesus but don’t experience anything from the Holy Spirit—I wonder if they really know Jesus.
Disciples know him (v. 17d):
Because he lives with them.
And because he lives in them.
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Jesus promises that he will not leave his disciples as orphans—Jesus is not abandoning his followers!
Not only that, but Jesus will come again (cf. Matt. 16:27).
Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
Very soon, the world will not see Jesus anymore!
But Jesus promises the disciples that they will see him.
Furthermore, because Jesus lives (eternally) they will also live eternally. The Greek word translated by the NIV as live could also be translated to be alive, to become alive again, remain alive, come back to life, to live lively.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
This verse begins with “On that day. . .” Some have tried to make this a reference to Pentecost—when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples. However, it seems to me that a better interpretation of this phrase would see it referring to Easter (i.e. the resurrection).
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead would prove to the disciples that God the Father was/is/will be in all that Jesus did.
Likewise they will realize that they (the disciples) were/are/will be in Jesus—so all that they do will come from Him.
Not only will they be in Jesus, but Jesus will be in them!
Back to Obedience
Back to Obedience
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Jesus returns to obedience. He repeats the idea that the mark of love for Jesus is simple (cf. v.15):
You have the commands of Jesus.
You keep the commands of Jesus.
This kind of love causes a couple of things to happen:
When we love Jesus (through obedience) we are loved by God the Father (cf. Deut. 7:13; Jn. 16:27; 1 Jn. 2:5).
And then Jesus also loves them.
And Jesus will reveal himself to them (Gk. show can also be translated reveal, make known, make visible, appear, manifest).
Missing the Point!
Missing the Point!
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
Judas the son of James (the other disciple named Judas) asks a question.
He wants to know why the Lord planned to “show” (this is the same Greek word used back in verse 21) or reveal himself to them, but not to the world.
Back to Obedience
Back to Obedience
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Jesus doesn’t really answer Judas’ question. He continues talk about obedience (v. 23a).
Anyone who truly loves Jesus will obey his teachings (v. 23b).
Loving Jesus (along with obedience) not only finds Jesus loving us, but also gains the love of God the Father (v. 23c).
This is amazing—obedience leads to a close intimate relationship with God! (v. 23d).
This intimacy happens when God comes and makes His dwelling in us (v. 23e).
As Charles Spurgeon said, “Little faith will take your soul to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your soul.” That means that your heart and my heart can become ‘heaven on earth.’
Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
Jesus continues to stress obedience—Anyone who does not love Jesus will not obey his teachings (v. 24a). Why are we surprised when people who do not love God have no desire to obey him!
Jesus continues to tell his disciples that what he is saying doesn’t come from him, but it comes from God the Father who sent him (v. 24b).
“All this I have spoken while still with you.
Jesus reveals the Father’s words to them while he is still with them (v. 25).
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
But God the Father will send the Advocate (Gk. advocate, intercessor, helper, mediator, encourager, counselor) who is the Holy Spirit (v. 26a).
The Father will send the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus—or for the sake of Jesus (v. 26b).
The Peace of Jesus
The Peace of Jesus
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Jesus promised his disciples that he would leave them his peace (v. 27a).
Jesus says he gives them his peace (v. 27b).
John uses the Greek word for peace (eirene) but the Jews would great each other with the Hebrew word for peace, shalom.
Given the fact that the thought of Jesus dying was extremely unsettling, to say the least. So Jesus says they do not have to trust their own peace, but rather he will give them his peace.
KEY—When we face overwhelming, unsettling events in our live, Jesus promises to give us His shalom, His peace!
The shalom that Jesus gives is nothing like the world gives—because the world cannot give true, lasting peace (v. 27c).
So, because Jesus gives true, real shalom (peace) our hearts do not need to be troubled (Gk. troubled. stirred up, disturbed, unsettled, confused, disquieted) (v. 27d).
And because Jesus gives true, real shalom (peace) our hearts do not need to be afraid (Gk. afraid, fearful, cowardly, lack courage, fainthearted, timid) (v. 27e).
“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
Jesus acknowledges that he knows the disciples have heard him (v. 28a).
Specifically, they have heard him say two key things:
That he is going away—this was disturbing to them. The were lamenting the loss that they were feeling, but they should have been excited for him!
That he is coming back to them—this was encouraging. At this point in the story, the disciples had no idea what it would be like when he returns. Likewise this should be the same joy we should have when we think of being reunited with our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ who have already died.
Jesus says that if the disciples love him, they should be glad that he is going to God the Father.
The reason they should be glad is because the Father is greater than Jesus (cf. Jn. 10:29).
I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
Jesus repeats his reason for telling them these things.
He is telling them what will happen before it happens.
That way when it does happen they will believe (Gk. pisteuo, believe, trust, entrust, have faith in, have confidence in).
This is the second of three times that Jesus will his disciples this reason for revealing what is about to happen (Jn. 13:19; 14:29; 16:4).
I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,
Jesus tells the disciples that he will not say much more to them (v. 30a).
The reason is that the prince of this world is coming (v. 30b). This is clearly a reference to Satan.
Satan is coming to take Jesus’ life (v. 30c).
However, Satan has no lasting hold him. This is really a Hebrew idiom which means, “Satan has no legal claim on me.” (v. 30d).
but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.
Jesus and God the Father are using Satan to prove that Jesus loves the Father (v. 31a).
And to prove that Jesus does exactly what the Father commands him to do (v. 31b)
Jesus then says, “Come now; let us leave.” There are a couple of ways to interpret this last part of verse 31.
Some have suggested that that the next three chapters took place either on the way to the Mount of Olives or in the Mount of Olives.
I choose to think that this was more like having a conversation with a friend, you say that you need to go, but then you spend another hour standing in the driveway talking.
It really doesn’t matter where the teaching took place. What is important is the actual teaching!
So What?
So What?
As I was studying this passage, I had to do some soul searching.
First, I had to come to grips with the fact that sometimes I don’t appear to love Jesus very much. Think about it. I know I have forgiveness of sin, so I don’t really worry about sinning.
You know the old saying, “Better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.” Well, I know the promises—but this passage directly ties the depth of my relationship with Jesus to my obedience!
KEY 1—So this morning, I want to challenge each of us to do some serious soul searching, answering this question:
How are you doing with obeying Jesus. Think through all the little compartments of your life—are you obeying Him in all of them?
Then ask: How am I doing with obedience—even when no one else is looking?
Remember if you truly love Jesus, you should want to obey Him!
Secondly, I had to begin to examine how much peace I have in my life.
I had to ask this because Jesus promises that I will experience His shalom or peace. Even in the midst of the storms of life, Jesus promises His peace!
KEY 2—This morning I want to challenge us to take a minute and examine whether or not you are experiencing His peace in your life.
Remember, he says that his peace is a completely different kind of peace than the peace of the world! It is a peace that comes from knowing that Jesus has EVERYTHING under His control!
So how is your peace this morning? I believe Jesus wants each one of us to know the truth of John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”
Finally, I had to examine my relationship to the Holy Spirit. Now, this is a hard thing for me. I prefer things that I can perceive with my simple senses (touching, tasting, feeling, hearing, and seeing)
But Jesus promised that because of my relationship with Him, I would have the Holy Spirit dwelling in me—as a part of me.
And my experience of the Holy Spirit’s work in my life comes out of my faith! Remember the quote from Charles Spurgeon?
“Little faith will take your soul to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your soul.”
So this brought me to the next point that I needed to examine—my faith.
KEY 3—This morning I want to challenge you to examine what kind of faith you possess. Do you possess a little faith—the kind of faith that only leads to salvation?
Or do you possess a great faith—the kind that brings heaven into your soul? All I know is that I want a GREAT FAITH!
So as we enter a time of reflection, I want to encourage you to honestly search your soul, and ask:
How are you doing with obedience to Jesus?
Am I obeying even when no one else is looking?
How is your peace today? Are you truly experiencing the shalom of Jesus even when you don’t understand what is going on?
And finally, how is your relationship with the Holy Spirit? Or to ask it another way: How is your faith?
Do you have a little faith—just enough faith to put you into a right relationship with God?
Or do you have a great faith—the kind that bring heave into your soul?
Four simple ways to experience God in a real and vital way, as you live obediently to the teachings of Jesus, and experience a great faith so that the Holy Spirit brings heaven into your soul!
[Prayer]
