Take Heart!
Vision 2020 • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsAssurance of the privilege that we have as believers to take heart in Jesus Christ.
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Vision 2020
A Roller Coaster of Stress
A Roller Coaster of Stress
Assurance of the privilege that we have as believers to take heart in Jesus Christ.
A Roller Coaster of Stress
A Roller Coaster of Stress
These past days have been a roller coaster of stress for so many of us. Within a matter of hours, we have had to adapt to changing requirements. We have been stressed about how to keep our families safe and active, how to keep the refrigerator full, and even how to find the elusive toilet paper!
More seriously, many of us have had friends and family affected directly or indirectly by the Corona Virus. My own father was taken to the hospital with Corona Virus like symptoms although it turned out to be pneumonia (actually a much higher mortality rate). It is frightening to hear that your loved ones cannot get out of the bed.
We’ve had to keep our children at home, entertain and educate them. We’ve wondered whether our companies will stay open and whether we will continue to receive paychecks. The stock market has plunged, and the price of oil is ridiculously low.
I’m not here to depress you today but
(1) GET YOU TO acknowledge the stress we are feeling,
a. Breathe, exercise, get outside, learn
b. Pray, read the Bible, access great Biblical teaching
(2) ENCOURAGE you to TAKE HEART!
Take Heart!
Take Heart!
I started watching a WWII documentary on Netflix. The documentary told the story of how Great Britain was reluctant to get involved in another costly war with Germany. They tried to make peace through the Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. Hitler ignored the treaty and prepared to attack Great Britain. In stepped Winston Churchill. Hitler thought the Britons had lost their will to fight. He was wrong! Winston Churchill rallied the people with some of the most quoted and powerful speeches of all time…
To those wondering what Winston Churchill as their leader would do, he said:
“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”
To a nation that was staring into the face of a Germany that had overtaken France in a matter of days:
“We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”
Absolutely inspiring! However, they fall far short of the words of Jesus Christ on the eve of His trial, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Winston Churchill’s statement galvanized a people at a specific point in time. The words of Christ sustained the disciples to lead the greatest movement the world has ever seen. They also should sustain each and every one of us today!
(NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Winston Churchill’s statement galvanized a people at a specific point in time. The words of Christ sustained the disciples to lead the greatest movement the world has ever seen. They also should sustain each and every one of us today!
In our worlds that are filled with stress, Christ continues to challenge us to “take heart! He has overcome the world.”
Setting Our Confidence in Jesus Christ
Setting Our Confidence in Jesus Christ
This is an exciting verse. In just a few words Jesus gives the hope of peace, victory, and encourages each of us to “take heart”.
[The meaning: “Take heart” - To have or be marked by confidence or assurance]
It is interesting that it is only Jesus that uses this phrase in the Bible.
To a paralyzed man
To a paralyzed man
Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
To the woman with an issue of blood
To the woman with an issue of blood
(NIV) Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
2. To the woman with an issue of blood
To the frightened disciples on a stormy sea
To the frightened disciples on a stormy sea
(NIV) Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
3. To the frightened disciples on a stormy sea
To Paul as he was being tried in Jerusalem
To Paul as he was being tried in Jerusalem
(NIV) Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
A Dual Reality – In this World and In Me (Christ)
A Dual Reality – In this World and In Me (Christ)
4. To Paul as he was being tried in Jerusalem
(NIV) The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
A Dual Reality – In this World and In Me (Christ)
A Dual Reality – In this World and In Me (Christ)
In these instances, we see that mankind in plagued with problems. In we saw paralysis, sin, and long-term illness. The seas were stormy, and the disciples were fearful. Paul was persecuted, hated, and faced an unjust legal system. In this world we will have trouble. One commentary says this, “Believers have a dual existence: they are in Christ and in this world. In union with Jesus, His disciples have peace, but the world exerts a hostile pressure.”
This would be a good time to see the rest of our scripture:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
While we are in this world the other reality, the greater reality, is that we can be in Him – the one who overcame the world. Jesus won the victory over the system; He has overcome the world. As the “strong man” who came and ruined Satan’s kingdom (), Jesus is the Victor. Jesus wanted the disciples to remember this fact and to rejoice in His victory. Because He won, they, in union with Him, can win also.[1]
(NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
While we are in this world the other reality, the greater reality, is that we can be in Him – the one who overcame the world. Jesus won the victory over the system; He has overcome the world. As the “strong man” who came and ruined Satan’s kingdom (), Jesus is the Victor. Jesus wanted the disciples to remember this fact and to rejoice in His victory. Because He won, they, in union with Him, can win also.[1]
In our present crisis, I am grateful for our President, the Congress, the Department of Health, all our health professionals and on and on but our greatest help is from Jesus. It is in having Christ in you that we find our greatest strength! The Apostle Paul expressed this appreciation in .
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Living in the stress that we are experiencing is extremely difficult if you don’t have hope for tomorrow, but Christ offers us a living hope in Jesus Christ!
(NIV) What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Living in the stress that we are experiencing is extremely difficult if you don’t have hope for tomorrow, but Christ offers us a living hope in Jesus Christ!
Get Off the Roller Coaster!
Get Off the Roller Coaster!
Proverbs tells us that “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up” (). It is time to get off the roller coaster of stress and know that Jesus has overcome the world!
In contrast to our assumption that peace means the absence of conflict, Jesus promises that his peace becomes apparent in the very middle of trouble and conflict. Troubles remind us to ask for Jesus’ peace. God’s answer will not usually mean that the problem will be over, but that Christ’s peace will see us through it. How much have you relied on the peace of Jesus when you face trouble?[2]
Jesus Never Leaves Us in Despair
Jesus Never Leaves Us in Despair
As I conclude my thoughts this morning, I want us to remember again the story of the disciples in the middle of the Sea of Galilee being tossed around by high waves. Lake Conroe is probably the roughest lake I’ve ever been on. So much of it is bulkheaded that there is no natural rise and fall of the waves. They seem to be coming from everywhere. Years ago I was trying to cross with my son in a 14’ lightweight v-bottom boat with a small motor. We had some tense moments as the boat turned back and forth and fought against every wave.
That may be how you are feeling right now. It may be from any of a number of reasons – health, financial, relationships, depression, or your business. REMEMBER, when the disciples were in distress, Jesus came walking to them on the waters.
We live in a stormy world but Christ never leaves us in despair, we have the ability to live in Him. Jesus overcame the world – That is the promise He makes to us. So, Take Heart! Be encouraged.
Let’s pray.
[1] Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 330). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Barton, B. B. (1993). John (p. 334). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.