Jesus Promises Comfort

Text: John 14:25-31

Introduction

Has there ever been a time when you thought you could invest all your confidence in someone’s word and handshake and then you were left with disappointment? How many of you believe that the days of doing that are mostly behind us?

However, in verse 25, Christ establishes how He would never retract from what He had previously said simply because He spoke it while being with them. He meant what He said and He would do nothing short of ratifying it.

Why was Jesus passionately presenting these truths to His early Apostles? He was roughly 3 days away from agonizing on the cross. They would soon be trampled by a military march, Christ would be crucified, and they would become overwhelmed due to Jesus’ continuing insistence on these changes being imminent.

He wanted them to know, when everything changes around them, never forget, the One who will always be with you NEVER CHANGES!

1) His Spirit Would Comfort Them

Verses 25-26

A. Getting an overall picture of who He is

Verses 15-24 Recap of who the Comforter is:

(v16) Speaks of Him being “another” Comforter.

He would not come as a different or inferior kind of Comforter.

He would come in a different essence yet equal and in agreement with the Father and Son.

(v17) Speaks of Him being the “Spirit of truth”

He is of Divine quality and therefore trustworthy.

(v17) Speaks of Him abiding “with” and “in” them.

He isn't like those warm but distant memories you have of your parents/grand teaching you the ways of life.

The Holy Spirit is not a faint memory, He is an active part of the Godhead working with and within you to lead you to peace and holy liveing.

Verses 25 - 26 Who is the Comforter?

He is the Holy Spirit

Sent by the Father in Jesus’ name.

I love this display of connection.

What lengths the Trinity went to convey to you they were equal and in harmony.

Will personally teach the Apostles all they need to know.

Will remind the Apostles of all the words of Jesus.

B. The Spirit would comfort them with truth

a) “He will teach you all things”

The Spirit being the Spirit of truth does not mean that Jesus had less truth to share, was not educated enough to share certain things with them.

While Jesus was on the earth, He share many truths with them. More importantly, He shared the truth about who He was and what He came to accomplish.

Keep in mind, Jesus spent His time quoting and affirming the Old Testament.

Jesus treated it as the “inspired” Word of God.

It was time to bring about a second Testament to unfold the Old, to paint the ongoing redemptive picture in full color, to fulfill all things.

This very verse is a reference to the New Testament.

Jesus was giving His approval on the New Testament before it was written.

The Holy Spirit was to come to complete the revelation and further confirm what Jesus had already revealed.

There would be new aspects of truth that Jesus only had time to plant the seed.

b) “bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

The Spirit was coming not only to equip their memory, but to enable them to write the stories.

There were many times when Jesus would teach them and they failed to grasp it.

APPLICATION

Few believers attend as strictly as they should to Christ practical sayings and words.

There is truly too much forgetfulness!

Q — How loose or careless are you with your Lord’s commands?

(list some examples here)

As Jesus safeguarded the truth through the inspired work of the Spirit through these Apostles, He too does not leave us to our weak and easily distracted mind to remember His truth.

Here is out it fits practically in different areas:

For the doctor — Reading a medical book does not give you wisdom. You need to seek God for that.

How do you speak to a difficult patient?

How do you handle an unethical situation?

How do you respond when a patient's family is angry?

Does your Christianity affect the way you treat people who cannot do anything for you?

For the teacher — Not asking God, “How to get these kids to behave” but “How can I represent You to these kids?”

For the construction worker — It is not wise to over halfway through the project to junk the plans and start improvising.

God never gave us this great blueprint as a suggestion!

Marriages can’t be built that way, neither finances, or your character.

For the yard mower or any other time of being by yourself:

It’s an opportunity to let God’s Word come back to your mind.

NOT…think about what someone said, did, worried about, or angry about.

For parents:

They wont’ remember your sermon, but they will remember who great or little you allowed the Spirit live through you.

Q — With this in mind, how many of you seek the Spirit’s help to gain understanding of His Words? Not just understanding, but faithful application of those truth?

2) His Peace Would Comfort Them

Verse 27

A. The nature of His peace

Context:

They would soon be trampled by a military march, Christ would be crucified, and they would become overwhelmed due to Jesus’ continuing insistence on these changes being imminent.

Jesus knowing the state of their emotions, said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…”

Q — Had these men seen His peace in action before?

No mater the demand that was on Jesus’ life, He was able to bring about peace for them!

The Greek word for peace is “eirēnē.” It is the equivalent for the Old Testament word for peace; Shalom.

Here are the similarities the original writers captured with these two words: (Institute for faith and culture)

Wholeness — more than the absence of fighting or a quit room. They describe complete health, safety, and harmony.

Right Relationships — speaks to living at peace with God, yourself, and others.

Spiritual Completeness — describes ultimate salvation and restoration brought by God.

Scriptural example:

Isaiah 9:6–7 “6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Luke 2:14 “14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.”

The Transition: Isaiah promised a political and cosmic restoration of shalom. When Jesus is born, the angels announce eirene. They aren't just announcing an end to war; they are declaring that the "Prince of Shalom" has finally arrived to bring total wholeness.

B. The placement of His peace

“I leave with you”

To whom this legacy is bequeathed: “To you, my disciples and followers, that will be exposed to trouble, and have need of peace; to you that are the sons of peace, and are qualified to receive it.” This legacy was left to them as the representatives of the church, to them and their successors, to them and all true Christians in all ages. (Matthew Henry)

“leave” is an action verb… this required Jesus to take this action or it would never had happened!

He was not abandoning His peace to earth, He was placing it in the hearts of those who had received Him as Savior and Lord.

Application — If you have repented toward Christ and trusted Him as Savior, He has left his peace within you!!!

C. The exclusiveness of His peace

“not as the world gives”

Shalom means wholeness, completeness, health, security, even prosperity in the best sense. When you are enjoying God’s peace, there is joy and contentment. (Warren Wiersbe)

The world’s peace is based on something different:

The world’s peace is based on resources while God’s peace is based on a relationship.

To be right with God means to enjoy the peace of God. The world depends on personal ability, but the Christian depends on spiritual adequacy in Christ. In the world, peace is something you hope for or work for; but to the Christian, peace is God’s wonderful gift, received by faith. Unsaved people enjoy peace when there is an absence of trouble; Christians enjoy peace in spite of trials because of the presence of power, the Holy Spirit. (Warren Wiersbe)

APPLICATION

Farmer example — You can plant, fertilize, work, and prepare, but you can’t control the weather.

What about the economy, tests results, children’s decisions, somebodies actions, how long you will have those you love?

You can trust the One who controls what you cannot!!!

For the parent: I think of this quit often

You can raise them, teach them, pray for them, and discipline them, but then they make their own decisions.

Don’t carry tomorrow’s burdens today!!!

Q — You ever try to fix a problem that hasn’t even happened yet?

For the teenager — Pressure to fit in, friends, grades, sports, appearances, social media, figuring out the future.

The world says, “If you can’t get everyone to like you, you’ll never be at peace with yourself.

Jesus says, “If you belong to me, you already have what the world can’t give you.”

For the elderly — Your are not to worry about what will happen to your family when you are gone. You need to trust the One who holds tomorrow!

LISTEN…keep this summary in your hearts:

Peace that directly extended from His nature.

Peace that is an anti-type of the world’s peace.

Peace that removes all fear from your heart.

Peace that can never be taken away.

From the day of the announcement of the angelic multitude up to the announcement of your name to go to Glory, the Peace of Jesus Christ is here with you!

Philippians 4:7 “7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 3:15 “15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

3) His Confidence Would Comfort Them

Verse 28-31

A. Comfort came from the voice of Jesus

“I said unto you”

Jesus was confident with every truth claim He made.

APP — There is never a moment when you and I can’t trust the promises of God!

What seemed to be troubling was actually trustworthy and praiseworthy!

(v27-28) “Don’t let your heart be troubled”

The storms will surely come and natural fear will try to take over.

Never forget…Jesus has pledged peace!

Notice what He said, “If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto my Father: for my father is greater than I.” (v28)

Jesus’ intercessory ministry would be a reality once He went away.

Hebrews 2:17–18 “17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

Hebrews 4:14–16 “14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

B. Comfort came from Jesus’ innocence

Satan was on the offence to make his last and most violent attack on Jesus!

“He hath nothing in me”

No weak or defect point could be found in Him.

Satan could never overthrow Him!

Satan could charge Jesus with no crime!

Jesus was saying, “I will come forth more than a conqueror!”

There is a stark difference between what Satan finds in us and what he find’s in Christ!

Satan found weakness in Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and ever saint between then and now.

Jesus was telling His men, “I am a suitable sacrifice for their sins and the sins of the whole world.

While you will always find imperfection in yourself, REMEMBER THIS…you have a perfect, sinless, representative and substitute!

Romans 8:33 “33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.”

Matthew 3:17 “17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Conclusion

Imagine sitting on your front porch after a long day.

The work isn't finished.

There are still bills to pay.

There are still problems to solve.

There are things about tomorrow you don't understand.

But you can sit there and say:

"I don't have everything figured out, but I know Jesus does."

That's Christian peace.

Not:

"Everything is okay."

But:

"Jesus is still Lord."

Not:

"Nothing bad will happen."

But:

"Whatever happens, Jesus will not leave me."

Not:

"I know what tomorrow holds."

But:

"I know who holds tomorrow."

"You may leave this church today and walk into a doctor's office, a classroom, a construction site, a yard, a difficult marriage, a financial problem, a parenting struggle, or a teenager's uncertainty. But wherever you go, if you belong to Christ, you don't go alone."

Jesus doesn't promise that the storm won't come. He promises that His Spirit will be with you, His peace will sustain you, and His promises will never fail you.