Jesus’ Promise Of His Presence

Text: John 14:18-24

Introduction

I’ve been in restaurants who display all kinds pictures of the famous people who have dined there. I’ve seen people post pictures on social media when they met someone famous. However, out of all of the prestigous people you could be near, non of them compare to being in the presence of Jesus Christ!

The setting here is Jesus among the eleven disciples in the upper room. Jesus is unpacking some very deep and comforting truth as He is just a day away from being crucified.

Remember what Jesus spoke at the end of verses 17-18:

“He will dwell with you”

“He will be in you”

“I will come to you”

This is a good reminder to the carnal Christian or the one who straddles the fence when it comes to properly prioritizing their life. LISTEN TO ME…The Christian life is a “supernatural life.”

This supernatural life is all about the love of God and all that it has in store for those who place their trust in Christ. All of His blessings are channelled through Jesus following the fulfillment of Calvary and the giving of the Holy Spirit.

1) His Presence Guarantees comfort

Verses 18-20

A. The comfort of not being alone (18)

“I will not leave you comfortless” or “I won’t leave you as orphans”

James 1:27 “27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

Yes, He was leaving them physically, but He would soon be “in” and “with” them in a totally new way!

Jesus would be with them through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

B. The comfort of seeing Jesus (v19)

Jesus makes the promise that has two side to it:

One people group would not see Jesus, yet the other would.

The world saw Jesus for the last time when they nailed Him to the cross. Since then, they saw Him no more.

However, the disciples say him on various occasions for 40 days post resurrection.

“You see me” = indicating a continuing vision

None of us who are also post resurrection saint have yet to see Him physically. However, we do see Him through the eyes of faith.

John later promises how you and I will see His face — Revelation 22:4 “4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.”

C. The comfort of living through Jesus (v19)

Don’t overlook the moment in time when Jesus made this comforting promise!

His future torture, rejection, crucifixion, etc, was staring Him the face.

“I live” carries a dateless and timeless nature being written in the present tense!

Indicating an undying life!!!

Death had no power to rob Him!

Man had not power to take His life!

His exit from this life was planned and strategized by the decree of God.

He victoriously came back with the keys of death and Hell!

Jesus was in a rock through distance of the cross…that is when He said, “The very life I have, YOU WILL HAVE!”

We sing that song, “Because He Lives…”

As long as Jesus lives…YOU DO!

Due to our life deriving from His, we then live the life He lived!

D. The comfort of the inner dwelling of the Trinity (v20)

This promise was fulfilled at Pentecost.

This was truly over all of the heads and still over ours today!

The Apostle Paul actually unfolds a lot of this in the book of Ephesians.

This is an interlocking of the personalities of the Godhead entering into the inner man of the Believer.

If you are having issues with eternal security, this should help you!

2) His Presence Is Guaranteed Through Love

A. The eternal love triangle (v21)

Our love for Jesus, the Father’s love for us, and Jesus’ love for us.

All three of these loves are mutually interdependent.

They all work in harmony.

What a blessed design from the Father above!

B. The evidence of true love (v22-24)

Jesus spends time providing Judas with an answer to his question.

Did the disciples love Jesus? Yes. But it wasn’t perfect.

Do you love Jesus? Yes. But there are times when it is isn’t perfect either.

Jesus is saying, “Those who truly love me (trust in me) will show forth works revealing their love for Me.”

“make our abode with him”

Quote: Living alongside us, living with us, living where we live, are the two most powerful, loving, wise, and wonderful persons in the universe. They control all the factors of matter, time, and space. They are the objects of ceaseless angelic adoration, tribute, service, and song. Yet they have chosen to make their abode with us. (Warren Wiersbe)

This implies a move of some kind.

God is omnipresent, yet He steps into time and space without violating or altering that attribute.

Example: Burning bush with Moses / shekinah glory cloud with the Israelites.

LISTEN…every day you wake up, you are in the company of Father, Son, and Spirit!

“abode” = same word translated “mansions” (14:2)

God gladly vacates them all, those glorious mansions in the sky, those ivory palaces beyond the reach of time and space, to take up our dwellings as his dwelling, to convert our cottages into his place of residence and thus turn our places into his palace, centers from which he rules the universe. Needless to say, the fact that God the Father and God the Son have now made their abode there ought to convert that human life into one with the fragrance of heaven. (Warren Wiersbe)

If Heaven has entered us, should we not live like it has? If Heaven is a place of praise and worship, should we not live with praise and worship in our hearts? If Heaven is all about God, should not our lives center upon Him also?

Conclusion

Some may think that God is impressed with wealth, prestigue, and power. NOT SO! God is draw to those who LOVE HIM!