Family Doesn't Run

Recap of the Previous Weeks

9/8 We Talked About A season of Grief, Of Loss, Of Mourning

9/15 We Talked About Feeling Disconnected and Not Committed. Causes us to ask why.

9/22 We Talked About a Sabbath Rest, Time with God, Discipline and Intentionality

10/6 We Talked About Pride How it Keeps Us Apart

These are Not Just Random Subjects Like I Thought They Were

These were not prepared as part of a series of any sort

I thought they were just random subjects put together

But they are not.

Let’s take a closer look

Sermon Progression

These topics mirror not only what I have been going through but also where the church has been.

We have both gone through or are going through a season of grief and loss.

Myself for Dave and the church the loss of a shepherd corporately and many individual losses as well.

These losses cause us to feel disconnected and isolated, like no one really knows what I am going through. It causes us to question our commitment or when things get tough to hide or stop trying all together.

But God leads us in to times of Sabbath rest where we can heal. We need to be diligent during and after these times in our walk that we continue to seek God.

We also need to be careful not to be prideful as that will drive us apart as a family.

Family Doesn’t Run

Brings us to this week’s message.

Listening to a book called: “Blessed are the Misfits”

In the book, the author notes that if we are just attending a church, it is easy for us to run when things get tough.

If we don’t like what is going on, we leave.

But family is different. Family doesn’t run.

John 14:1-3

John 14:1–3 NLT

1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

These verses are the foundation for this week’s message.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Fourteen: Heart Trouble (John 13:36–14:31)

Heaven is “My Father’s house,” according to the Son of God. It is “home” for God’s children! Some years ago, a London newspaper held a contest to determine the best definition of “home.” The winning entry was, “Home is the place where you are treated the best and complain the most.” The poet Robert Frost said that home is the place that, when you arrive there, they have to take you in. A good definition!

John 14:27-28

John 14:27–28 NLT

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am.

These verses are also part of the equation for the message this week.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Fourteen: Heart Trouble (John 13:36–14:31)

Shalom—peace—is a precious word to the Jewish people. It means much more than just the absence of war or distress. Shalom means wholeness, completeness, health, security, even prosperity in the best sense. When you are enjoying God’s peace, there is joy and contentment. But God’s peace is not like the “peace” that the world offers.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Fourteen: Heart Trouble (John 13:36–14:31)

The world bases its peace on its resources, while God’s peace depends on relationships. 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.

Betrothal

We Become Family When We Accept Christ

God is Coming Back For Us

We Need to be Ready