Home Sweet Home

Introduction

Good Morning Everyone. It is great to see you all this morning! Back in early November, we had an opportunity to have some time on a mini-vacation. The few days we had was wonderful. We were able to spend some time together. Although the much of our time was filled, it was also a time of some R&R.

At times it seemed like we traveled much of the Phoenix area. One of the days we were just spent, and I can recall telling Amy — honey home is the next exit. We were really looking forward to home. Home for the next couple days was room 420. And, it was sure nice to come back, because at times our dogs were barking. What is it about the word “home” that makes it sound so pleasing. I remember reading once an opinion about what makes a house a home. Some of the answers varied from:

A home is lived in.

A home is a pair of shoes in the corner, a blanket on the sofa, perhaps toys buried in the seat cushions.

A home is coffee cups left on the table and beds left unmade.

Home is where there’s a junk drawer that needs organizing (I think many of us have at least one of those).

Home is where laundry is piling up, or camo sneaking into the hallway.

Home is where we celebrate the messy piles!

One thing all this stuff has in common are the loved ones we have around us. It doesn't have to have to be about the actual place. A “place” can quickly become a “home” with the people we surround ourselves with. Think about it. We have have the best house on the hill or the worst. But! Those who are there, that’s what makes a home.

Our passage this morning is going to come from the Book of John. And the title of our message this morning is called “Home Sweet Home.” I’d like to invite you to open your bibles with me to the gospel of John Chapter 14. Let’s begin reading in verse number 21.

John 14:21 ESV

21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

John 14:22 ESV

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?”

John 14:23 ESV

23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Pastoral Prayer

Today, we’re going to have a ‘red letter’ kind-of day. Just a point of observation. Before we travel to far out of context. Some Bible publishers have made a decision to highlight specific words in Scripture in red. Signifying the spoken words of Jesus Christ. This doesn't mean the the other words in ‘black’ in are any less important. This gift we’ve been given is ALL God’s Word, red, black or other wise. Let’s turn our attention back to verse number 21 (re-read verse 21).

John 14:21 ESV

21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

As believers in Jesus Christ, we demonstrate our love by keeping His commandments. The word “loves” in this passage is powerful in that it’s more that just a simple word. The word love, in this case “loves” not only implies an action but also a commitment. “Loves” can point to something that’s in the past. But here! It’s pointing to something that’s ongoing. When many come to belief in Jesus Christ, there’s usually some kind of change that takes place. For some the change is as easy as pie. For others it’s a bit harder. It can involve a complete overhaul or rework. Some call this a lifestyle change. A lifestyle change is not difficult by any means. It does require a commitment. Many of us have been there. Early on, we could have been the one who needed a new heart, a new mind, new tires, new glass, new doors; well I guess you could say — everything new was needed. Once we got down to the frame — that’s when we could say the Lord began the work of putting everything back together. The action and commitment required for me to share in the responsibility. That’s the action part. There was and still is work involved. The commitment (or lifestyle change) was knowing I did not want to return to the swamps which I was pulled. That required a lifestyle change, a commitment to Jesus Christ, a commitment to the sin I nailed to the cross. Perhaps you’ve been there or going through that — realized or realizing the love I have for Jesus Christ is a commitment. But! That could require a few things to change.

You might even be saying, I’ve been making changes. Pastor, Jesus is still quiet. What the deal!? Have you ever come across the thought — “if God would only show me what to do?!” Many of have been there! If fact, many of us could admit — “I wish God would show me or perhaps better yet manifest himself openly.” It’s a wonderful idea. I was reading in a devotional once that was talking about this same idea. How some wish God would just give clear direction. Part of the challenge and area for growth proposed the question — are we really ready or want clear direction. The short answer for some could be yes. For others it could be maybe. On one hand if we’re seeking direction God, but on the other saying maybe, we put ourselves at a crossroad. Where we would then decide if we want to go. Depending on what God asks or leads, cost could be too high, where we decide not to move, or simply say God — choose someone else.

In verse 21, I’d like you to notice two fundamental points here, one is at the beginning of the verse and the other is at the end. What does Jesus say? Jesus says, “whoever has my commandments and keeps them.” This points to obedience. Look with me to the last several words, where Jesus says, “I will love him and manifest myself to him.” This points to revelation. The word manifest means to show, reveal, display, be explicit. Jesus is listing obedience before revelation. I’d like to be clear here. This does not mean the Father’s love or Jesus’s love is somehow connected. Meaning, the only way for love to flow only comes through obedience. This is not how grace works. The love we have for Jesus is not a matter of words. It can be expressed though our willingness to love Him. We don’t love choose to love Jesus. We love because we want to love. It’s the same here in our church family. We do not choose to love one another. We don’t come along and say, hey I will choose to love you. We love because we want to love each other. This is speaking to the fulfillment of love for those who are in Christ Jesus. We see this fingerprint all over John 3:16 and 17.

As believers in Jesus Christ, has it ever occured to you how we’re on the receiving side of God’s blessings. I realize things are not always peaches and sunshine. But, in the larger scope of things — WE HAVE JESUS CHRIST! We have the love of Jesus. Having this love means, we have the benefit of close personal contact with our Lord. Love is a mark of our relationship. As our love in our relationship begin to grow, Jesus begins to reveal Himself to us more and more. And in some ways, powerfully. Jesus can make himself known to us through other people, prayer, and through the Holy Word of God. As we spend more time with Him and as He reveals himself to us; we begin to see His beauty from the plant outside to the beautifully painted sunrise or sunset. We get to see His fullness, His grace and righteousness, and His power. When we begin to see these things, sometimes all we can do is sit back and say WOW! Look at the power and glory of God! Look at how He works! I’m the one He loves. I’m the one who He wants a relationship with. I’m the reason Jesus Christ was sent! Why wouldn’t we want to share that with others? This ought to fire us up, where we would want to tell EVERYONE about Jesus! This is where our heart goes out for others. Our wish is for others to see and experience Jesus in a similar way. Perhaps Judas had a similar feeling. Turn your attention with me to verse 22.

John 14:22 ESV

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?”

Judas asked Jesus how he would reveal himself to the disciples and not to the world. This is a reasonable question to ask. Judas and the other disciples would have known through the Old Testament, that when the messiah would come, He would establish His kingdom and reveal himself to the world. Because is Israel’s rejection of Jesus the Messiah, the kingdom was not established. It was put on hold. Today, at least while we’re talking it’s still on hold. And, that means the true glory and power of who Jesus Christ really is, continues to be put on hold.

But notice the start of our Lord’s answer in verse 23, it’s similar to what we heard before. We won’t cover today. If you’re interested in seeing the whole answer, I’d like to challenge you to read a head, beginning here in verse 23 all the way through Chapter 16.

John 14:23 ESV

23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Our Lord teaches again how he reveals himself to people. The words to focus on in this verse is “keep my word.” The NIV translates is as, “anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” The key thought here is obey. Obedience is important to Jesus.

If you have your bibles open, notice a link that is beginning to be forged in verse 22 and carried through in verse 23. Jesus says in verse 22, “the one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them.” Jesus says here, “if anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him.” Jesus is linking himself with Father. This is powerful! As believers, we not only receive love of the Father and Jesus, look at the promise at the end of verse 23! “We will come to him and make our home with him!” This is great because Jesus does not come alone. He comes with the Father!

For the believer in Jesus Christ, at the moment of true belief, the Holy Spirit of God comes in. The Holy Spirit lives actively in us all the time. That’s a HUGE benefit! That means we don’t need to pray for him to come to a certain meeting, a certain occasion or arrive at a certain time. He’s there. The Holy Spirit of God is “not some kind of theological helicopter looking for a place to land.” To make a home goes to show believers are dwelling-places of the living God; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is a wonderful instance and picture of grace that God dwells on earth with sinful man, and a greater one is that He takes up His abode in an abode which is redeemed only though His Son Jesus Christ.

Verse 23 brings the promise of love and revelation. The believer who walks in obedient surrendered love will experience a type of revelation of who Jesus is in both His work and person. Jesus IS the God-Man.

Application

We have the passion of God. Seeing how His grace is extended that we are not only called “friend” but can have access to God, where we can rejoice Home Sweet Home with Jesus!

Perhaps today you would like to experience the passion of God’s grace. Perhaps today you need a “home.” Today you can experience what is means to be welcomed home. Whatever you need for home might be. The need could be for salvation. The need could be for peace. Whatever it might be. You need is found through Jesus Christ. Will you come to Jesus and find the help you need?

Closing Prayer