PM Sermon Outline: 01/22/2023
When You are Prepared (John 14)
Bro Avery Hines
When I was watching something on television about Jesus, I thought hard about this as Jesus is attempting to comfort His apostles, He is talking to those eleven who are left after Judas has been dispatched to do what he intended to do.
Why, because from that moment on Jesus knew, knew all along, He was indeed approaching the very reason He was sent to live amongst men.
I believe when I read these passages, He, His fleshly existence, must have struggled, either often, or maybe just time to time concerning this death. Remember, Jesus often retreated alone to pray, and those prayers were not pressed upon men to be added to this inspired word. Remember, all through the New Testament, Jesus was hounded by the Chief Priest, the Pharisees, and the Jewish Elders concerning how they should find a way to put Him to death. So, I can only imagine some of those private prayers could have been for strength considering the bible tells us that by putting on flesh Jesus was tempted by the same temptations we are. Jesus knew…
How.
When.
And why, every detail of his death, especially being lifted up before those men who wanted him dead to keep power for themselves. Power they had accumulated defending the very thing, the coming of the Messiah.
Please turn to the book of John Chapter 14 verse 1 and wait for me there. I’m going to do my best to set this up by reading from that same book Chapter 13 starting at verse twenty-one, and I’m not going to add comment or commentary because I want you to hear what inspired word has to say…
Joh 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Joh 13:22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Joh 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Joh 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. Joh 13:25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Joh 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Joh 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Joh 13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. Joh 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. Joh 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
So, we know because we have a bible that Jesus knows His time has come. Listen to what Jesus tell those eleven who are there with Him in that upper room…
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Remember, Jesus is talking to men who were Jewish, so, it is not hard to imagine that they did believe in God, but then He challenges them just as He challenged us, as He is challenging anyone who may not be a believer; believe also in Me. This is the 2nd step in the preparation; 1st they have to believe there is a God, then they have to believe in His Son, then they have to believe what He did on the cross was for their salvation.
Jesus is prepared, He Knew what time it was. As Christians, we believe we are prepared as well, but the non-believer; our concern is for them just as Jesus’ concern is for those eleven men at this point. Being prepared is ensuring that when you die your soul returns to God, but not just that; that it stays with God throughout eternity. Jesus wanted these men to hang on and hold on.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions:
Going back to the Wycliffe bible it says, “In the house of my father be many dwellings; this saying of Jesus has confused many because of the King James Version’s rendering of the words “house” and “mansions.” The Greek word translated “house” means “an abode,” literally or figuratively, and, by implication, “a family.” The word translated “mansions” or “rooms” means literally “the act of staying or residing.” So, putting the Greek together, Jesus is saying that in God’s home (heaven) there will be many people in the family of God all abiding together. Within God's heavenly house, Christians will live in the presence of the Lord.
Jesus is letting them know that there is plenty of room in His father’s house. It may not be a mansion for each Christian, but the space is more than big enough for each Christian to live with the heavenly father.
if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
In prior comments, Jesus pointed out that He was about to go somewhere others could not follow. The short-term implication was that only Jesus could walk the path of sacrifice, death, resurrection, and ascension. In a broader sense, Jesus continues to provide reassurance to His disciples.
Jesus assures that wherever he went we get to go too. This is the point I’m attempting to make to those who would hear this evening; there is reassurance in believing in Christ. Just the fact that Jesus says “I will come again and receive you unto myself, should be, should be, reason enough to hold on as we go through any of the things we what we go through, whether it be…
Persecution,
Wrongful Prosecution,
Depression,
Suppression,
Discrimination; age, sex, race, or religion…
Every trail (and yeah, I spelled it trail, but even if you’ve taken the wrong trail…
All your tribulations,
Forgive me for what I have done to you,
Ask for forgiveness for what you have done to others,
And through all that Jesus says if you hold on to me I’m coming back for you; if you believe in Jesus there can be no greater preparation than that.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Joh 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus says…
I am – or “I myself, and only I, am.” Jesus said, “Truly, truly I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.” He gave it emphasis by saying, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” These words reflect the very name of God in Hebrew, Yahweh, which means “to be” or “the self-existing one.” It is the name of power and authority, and Jesus claimed it as His own.
The way – Jesus distinguished Himself as “the only way,” the path or maybe that trail I was thinking of earlier; when the disciples had expressed their confusion about where He was going and how they could follow. As He had told them from the beginning, Jesus was again telling them (and us) “follow me.” There is no other path to heaven, no other way to the Father.
The way Peter reiterated years later to the rulers in Jerusalem; “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
So, if you, if they, if we, are willing to follow Jesus we are going to be prepared.
The truth – Jesus emphasized Himself as “the only truth.” Jesus, as the incarnate Word of God is the source of all truth.
The life –
Jesus is…
The source of all life,
He can lay down His life, and then take it back up again.
The authority over life and death as being granted to Him by the Father
The promise that “because I live, you also will live.”
A true deliverance from a life of bondage to sin and death to a life of freedom in eternity
In these words, Jesus was declaring Himself the great “I Am,” the only path to heaven, the only true measure of righteousness, and the source of both physical and spiritual life. He was staking His claim as the very God of Creation, the Lord who blessed Abraham, and the Holy One who inhabits eternity. He did this so the disciples would be able to face the dark days ahead and continue the mission of declaring the gospel to the world. Of course, we know from Scripture that they still did not understand, and it took several visits from their risen Lord to shake them out of their disbelief. Once they understood the truth of His words, they became changed people, and the world has never been the same; we’re here today still teaching and preaching that word for the same cause as they did 2000 years ago.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Joh 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Joh 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Who is the Holy Spirit; because we need to know and understand that question? The Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost, KJV) is God sent to us by God to help us be prepared to meet God.
One fact, the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will, and another fact, that the Holy Spirit is God is clearly seen in many Scriptures. We can also know that the Holy Spirit is God because He possesses the characteristics of God. For example, His omnipresence is seen in Psalm 139:7-8, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." Then in 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, we see the characteristic of omniscience in the Holy Spirit. "But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
We can know that the Holy Spirit is indeed a divine person because He possesses a mind, emotions, and a will. The Holy Spirit thinks and knows (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). The Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27). He makes decisions according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. As God, the Holy Spirit can truly function as the Comforter and Counselor that Jesus promised He would be (John 14:16, 26, 15:26) and being a counselor is more than equipped to help us, if we listen to Him to be better prepared for whatever is to come, even death.
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Joh 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Joh 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
See, see, Jesus was prepared; He had been preparing since, maybe since the incident where He could not be found and then was discovered teaching in the temple, but surely since the start of His ministry. So, since Jesus was prepared he did what; He wanted to prepare His apostles! This entire chapter is about Jesus preparing His apostles for His death.
Joh 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice,
I wanted to stop here because, as Christians, when one of us knows of another Christian who is going to the Father, even if it be to Abraham’s bosom or especially if we feel they have that crown laid up for them waiting for judgment, we should remember Joh 14:28.
because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I…
the father is greater than I, we are going to look at a couple of passages from Hebrews and Philippians as we determine why Jesus pointed this out…
turn to the book of Hebrews Chapter 2 and I’ll start reading around verse 7, which e-sword has subtitled “The Founder of Salvation.”
Heb 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Heb 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
See, see, that He should taste death for every man…
Now, turn with me to the book of Philippians Chapter 2 and I’ll start reading about verse…
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
So, when Jesus said the Father is greater than I He meant that he had humbled himself and became completely obedient to God, even to His now going to the cross.
See, see, Jesus was not only prepared for His death He wanted to prepare them, and us, for death as well.
I’m going to head back to that book of John were we started and then the lesson is yours.
Joh 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Joh 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. Joh 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
We were talking in bible class about being prepared and the right and wrong way to be prepared.
Well, as I give to any of you who are not in the body of Christ the invitation, I also wanted to give something to those of you who are already in the body as well…
I believe.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
Again, for the non-believer, Jesus finishes up those statements with these words…
Believest thou this?
See, see, here’s what you have to do; hear, believe, repent (have a change of mind), confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God, and we’ll baptize you and you will receive the total package…
Jesus as your Lord and Savior
God, the almighty Father of Heaven
The Holy Spirit who will guide you and prepare you for eternal life
I wanted that, now I have that, and I want that for you as much as Jesus wanted it for His apostles, and much like Paul I want to run my race because I want my crown, I want my eternal life, I want to be seen righteous at judgment, and it may not be a mansion but even if it is standing room only I want to spend my eternity in heaven.
God Bless You All, Amen.