Untitled Sermon

I. Introduction

A. Our life “then”

1. life without Christ

a. what what was it like?

b. just “living”

-no hope

-no peace

c. no spiritual endeavors

-endeavors of the world

2. life with Christ-grew up as Christian

a. just “living”

-no hope

-no peace

b. living a part time faith

-no deep spiritual endeavors

-switch on & off with the world’s endeavors

B. Our Life ”now”

1. it’s the same

-no appreciable change

2. less worldly activity

3. not too active in spiritual matters

-haven’t grown in the faith

Observ: Living life within either of the statuses above can

guarantee us one thing “lack of peace;” “lack of assurance “

about our lives. Our lives will lack spiritual/emotional

one thing “lack of peace;” “lack of assurance “ about our

fulfillment, for we will not have the peace & assurance that could

lives. Our lives will lack spiritual/emotional fulfillment, for

lives will lack spiritual/emotional fulfillment, for we will not have

lives will lack

we will not have the peace & assurance that could be ours

“lack of peace;” “lack of assurance “ about our lives. Our lives will lack

be ours in an active faith relationship with the Lord God.

in an active faith relationship with the Lord God.

the peace & assurance that could be ours in an active faith

spiritual/emotional fulfillment, for we will not have the peace &

relationship with the Lord God.

assurance that could be ours in an active faith relationship with

could be ours in an active faith relationship with the Lord God.

ours in an active faith relationship with the Lord God.

the Lord God.

“lack of assurance “ that our life will be fufilling for we will not have the assurance that is in an active faith relationship with the Lord God

At this point in our lives we need to take hold, believe into

the words of

:

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid; for

the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become

strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.

my salvation.

C. Trust

1. why is it so hard for those of us who call Christ our Lord to Trust what He has to say?

2. I contend it is because of what the early disciples lacked: a vibrant and active faith.

3. It’s understandable that the non-believer has not this faith—but can we say it is excusable for a believer?

*Of course not*

D. Is There A Difference Between Trust & Faith?

1. maybe in our world today—trust considered an alligence or

belief in a being.

a. trust places confidence or reliance in another

person or thing

-however faith is relegated to “religious” lingo, which

has not much to do with the world.

do with the world.

2. but in Biblical times the Grk. for faith (pistis, pistos pisteuo)

a. means trust as used in the various forms of pistis:

“firm persuassion”

-a conviction or firm persuassion based upon hearing;

always used in NT of “faith in God or Christ”

in NT of “faith in God or Christ” The object of a Christian’s faith

“faith in God or Christ”

The object of a Christian’s faith

b. faith allows us to have personal surrender and become

children of God-Jn. 1:12

of God-Jn. 1:12

-this is the difference of faith/trust in God vs a trust in man

3. so a person of the world can have an earthy trust of others,

but often it is shattered for it is in a man who is so untrustworthy

shattered for it is in a man who is so untrustworthy

4. but a person of God in & thru Christ has a trust-faith in the

Creator-Redeemer God. The most trustworthy!

a. whose faith is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ’s

righteousness: the foundation laid for us where Jesus

foundation laid for us where Jesus is the cornerstone

is the cornerstone

-it will not shatter

Observ. Getting back to a Christian who believes in God, goes to

church from time to time, but seems to be anxious and concerned

time to time,

from time to time,

but seems to be anxious and concerned about his life wouldn’t

faith to

is truly saved then he has a salvation faith, but maybe not faith/trust in Christ’s Lordship—the two

be saved. If he is truly saved then he has a salvation faith, but maybe not faith/trust

in Christ’s Lordship—the two should be one, however, circumstances can hold one back

should be one, however, circumstances can hold one back from the active faith that realizes and

from the active faith that realizes and trusts all the Lord God has promised. But active

trusts all the Lord God has promised. But active faith is to trust what God has said then to act on it.

faith is to trust what God has said then to act on it. Abraham and Noah had this active

Abraham and Noah had this active biblical faith in that they believed and then acted trusting God’s Word.

biblical faith in that they believed and then acted trusting God’s Word.

This is difficult for an inactive Christian for they have forgotten on Whom they have

A result of an inactive/dormant faith.

believed. A result of an inactive/dormant faith.

about his life wouldn’t he have faith to be saved. If he is truly saved

he have faith to be saved. If he is truly saved then he has a salvation

then he has a salvation faith, but maybe not faith/trust in Christ’s

faith to be saved. If he is truly saved then he has a salvation faith, but

faith, but maybe not faith/trust in Christ’s Lordship—the two should

Lordship—the two should be one, however, circumstances can hold

maybe not faith/trust in Christ’s Lordship—the two should be one, however,

be one, however, circumstances can hold one back from the active

one back from the active faith that realizes and trusts all the Lord God

has promised. But active faith is to trust what God has said, then to act

circumstances can hold one back from the active faith that realizes and trusts

faith that realizes and trusts all the Lord God has promised. But active

all the Lord God has promised. But active faith is to trust what God has said,

on it. Abraham and Noah had this active biblical faith in that they believed

faith is to trust what God has said, then to act on it. Abraham and Noah

and then acted trusting God’s Word. This is difficult for an inactive Christian

then to act on it. Abraham and Noah had this active biblical faith in that

had this active biblical faith in that they believed and then acted trusting

they believed and then acted trusting God’s Word. This is difficult for an inactive

for they have forgottenon Whom they have believed. A result of an

God’s Word. This is difficult for an inactive Christian for they have forgotten

on Whom they have believed. A result of an inactive/dormant faith.

Christian for they have forgotten on Whom they have believed. A result of an

inactive/dormant faith.

inactive/dormant faith.

II. Our txt :-31

A. Let not your heart be troubled . . .

1. stepping into this portion of Scrip. is as if one is stepping into the

Holy of Holies

a. for here it is as if the curtain of the Holiest of Holies is being drawn

open

-for John alone opens up this scene of Jesus in private communion

with his disciples and speaks words of Heavenly thought to them

b. words spoken in comforting compassion to those 11 he so loved

- it is not that this is the first he has spoken to them of these things

a. but Jesus is repeating much of what they had heard before

-he is impressing more deeply upon their minds, because of what

they still did not understand

Observ.: We may tend to criticize these disciples, but should we point the finger;

in doing that are we not heaping criticism upon ourselves? Do any of us

completely understand all that our Lord has spoken to us? Do we need

to return to our Lord’s words and allow him to impress them more

firmly upon our minds? Is that not what sitting under teaching is

all about, sitting under the teaching and preaching of the church,

reading the Word in private devotion; sharing the Word with

one another praying for understanding? That is the same as Jesus

sitting under the teaching and preaching of the church, reading the Word in

private devotion; sharing the Word with one another,

That is the same as Jesus repeating much of the same to his 11. But now

praying for understanding? That is the same as Jesus repeating much of the

repeating much of the same to his 11-further teaching. But now we have

we have Jesus speaking to us thru the Other he promised to send and did.

Jesus speaking to us thr the Other-Paraclete- he promised to send

same to his 11-further teaching. But now we have Jesus speaking to us thru

c. Let not your hearts be troubled

the Other-Paraclete- he promised to send and did.

promised to send and did.

and did.

2. Let not your hearts be troubled, you believe in God, also believe in me. vs 1

a. wonderful words of assurance and comfort

b. Jesus isn’t telling them to believe in God, he knows they do

-but he is telling them: “You absolutely do, then also believe I Am God.”

-they are no strangers to that point, but he is reinforcing that truth of his

Person to them— where the disciples saw the Jews who took up

stones against him for making himself equal to God

for making himself equal to God

to them— where the Jews took up stones against him for making

hims equal to God

equal to God

-after Philip’s question about seeing the Father Jesus’ responds, vss 9-11

equal to God

“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father

…I am in the Father and He is in me”

can give them an enduring peace, vs 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

-reminding them that he and the Father are One

c. if this be so then also believe in me—Jesus reiterates to his disciples that faith

in him

-as God, will bring a peace that transcends all of their understanding

-for it is only Jesus, the God-man, who having his Holy Spirit working in and

through them can give them an enduring peace, vs 27, Peace I leave with you;

them can give them an enduring peace, vs 27, Peace I leave with you; my peace I

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. This peace the Holy Spirit will bring

give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled,

from Jesus.

neither let them be afraid. This peace the Holy Spirit will bring from Jesus.

Observ.: What comforting and strengthening statements Jesus gives to his own,

vv. 15-20;

leave them alone as orphans, rather he will send the Comforter, Holy Spirit to dwell within them and to teach them all

telling them he will not leave them alone as orphans, rather he will send the Advocate,

to dwell within them and to teach them all truth—he identifies the Spirit as the Spirit of truth.

truth—he identifies the Spirit as the Spirit of truth. This Comforter will be with them forever.

this Advocate (legal assistance) will be with them to plead their case before the Judge.

This Comforter will be with them forever. We not see those once anxious and fearful disciples

John is the only evangelist who uses the term Advocate in reference to the H.Sp.

Using this term John comprehends all the comfort as well the aid of the Spirit’s work.

now sensing that peace that comes from knowing their Savior and now believing all that he has said

aside—Have you ever been to court for civil or criminal actions? It is an anxious time, esp.

and will further say to the end of the chapter.

if you don’t have a lawyer advocating for you. When you do there is a sense of peace that

have a lawyer advocating for you. When you do there is a sense of peace that comes knowing that this advocate knows your case

comes knowing that this advocate knows your case and will represent it before the judge.

There is a difference, however, between God’s Advocate and a human advocate/lawyer,

God’s Advocate never loses.

such as Chris Wells, God’s Advocate does not lose.

He is the Holy Spirit, vs 26, to dwell within them and to teach them all truth—

he identifies the Spirit as the Spirit of truth., vs 17. This Comforter will be with

the Spirit as the Spirit of truth., vs 17. This Comforter will be with them forever. We see

them forever. We see those once anxious and fearful disciples being quiet, now sensing

Spirit of truth., vs 17. This Comforter will be with them forever. We see those once anxious

those once anxious and fearful disciples being quiet, now sensing that peace that comes from

that peace that comes from knowing their Savior-God and believing all that he has said.

and fearful disciples being quiet, now sensing that peace that comes from knowing their Savior

knowing their Savior-God and believing all that he has said.

and believing all that he has said.

B. Knowing That The Savior Jesus Is God

1. the question that needs to be asked for one to become a fully realized believer is

a. does a person need to come to understand Jesus is God?

-the short answer is YES!

2. if it were not then why did Jesus spend time reinforcing that point to his 11

-Jesus right of the starting line makes his disciples think about that; he is

aware that that lack of doctrinal understanding is the sandy foundation

upon which they have been following him

3. You believe in God; also believe in me (as God)

Observ.: Jesus realizes unless one’s trust-faith is in the immutable, that is

Jesus realizes unless one’s trust-faith is in the immutable, that is unchanging God

unchanging God, then that trust, their faith is as beneficial as worldly trust in another

then that trust, their faith is as beneficial as worldly trust in another person. Therefore,

person. Therefore, how can any peace that he gives them be “peace that the world

trust, their faith is as beneficial as worldly trust in another person. Therefore, how can any peace

God, then that trust, their faith is as beneficial as worldly trust in another person. Therefore,

cannot give you.” vs 27

how can any peace that he gives them be “peace that the world cannot give you.” vs 27

4. I’ll give you all a moment to turn to Rms. 10:9, I won’t be long with it

-I just want to bring out an important point that is often missed

Let us read Rms. 10:9, If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in

he was raised from the dead you will be saved.

your hearts he was raised from the dead you will be saved.

1. Lord in this txt equals the LXX (Hebrew into Gk) word adonai

2. Adonai is used by the LXX as the equivalent word YHWH in Hebrew O.T.

3. The Seventy Rabbis who translated the Hebrew O.T. into Gk. saw that

outright then we

this verse was calling Jesus YHWH—God, which is the unspeakable

was calling Jesus YHWH—God, which is the unspeakable Name of God

Name of God

Observ.: Therefore, Rms. 10: 9 is saying, . . .if you confess Jesus as God . . . It should be clear

to us that confession that Jesus is God is essential, imperative for our salvation, meaning

that Jesus is God is essential, imperative for our salvation, meaning that if we miss Jesus as God then we are

that if we miss Jesus as God then we are in no better position of living a full-orbed Christian

in no better position of living a full-orbed Christian life with peace in our hearts. If we deny it outright then

life with peace in our hearts. If we deny it outright then salvation itself eludes us.

salvation itself eludes us.

III. In Conclusion: What Have We Seen This Morning? Let me reiterate some of the key points :

a. Jesus loves his disciples;

b. Jesus realizes their anxious and fearful hearts because of his upcoming departure

from them

c. Jesus reminds them of an essential and life-giving thought, he is God

d. that means that they will have a peace from Jesus that the world cannot give

e. he encourages them that when he leaves they won’t be left as orphans

f. Jesus assures them he will come to them and abide with them in the Holy Spirit

g. This Paraclete will be Jesus’ Comforter while he is away

h. Because of this they need not worry or have fearful hearts

I. The Advocate will always be advocating for them before the Father-they are secure

-that is a reason not to have hearts full of anxious thoughts.

Final Observ.: We started out asking the question if it is excusable for a Christian to be

full of anxiety and worry; to have God’s peace elude him. The answer was

anxiety and worry; to have God’s peace elude him. The answer was “Of Course Not” Through

“Of Course Not” Through this passage and focusing upon several significant txts we have

this passage and focusing upon several significant txts we have come to see that it should not be

come to see that it should not be that way for the Christian. Jesus, in uplifting the disciples

that way for the Christian. Jesus, in uplifting the disciples spirits by projecting the truth,

spirits by projecting the truth, about his Person and his Work, upon them they now have

calmness that eluded them before the Passover Meal—that is the Last Supper. For Jesus

about his Person and his Work, upon them they now have calmness that eluded them before the

does not want nor designed that any of his brothers and sisters be “uptight” about him and

Passover Meal—that is the Last Supper. For Jesus does not want nor designed that any of his brothers

their relationship to him; thereby, causing them to seek peace

and sisters be “uptight” about him and their relationship to him; therby, causing them to seek peace

of mind and spirit from the things of the world—life of the world is spelled ANXIETY;

life surrendered to God in Jesus is spelled PEACE. How do we spell it? The answer to that

Jesus is spelled PEACE. How do we spell it? The answer to that is the secret of whether we are at peace or full

is the secret of whether we are at peace or full of worry and anxiety.

of worry and anxiety.

AMEN!!