John 14:1-14

John 14:1-14

An “Easter Church” Has Comfort

Easter 5 April 20, 2008

Christ has risen! He has risen indeed!

As Christians, we confess that Christ has risen.

We believe that He has risen and lives in our hearts — but we also believe that He has truly and physically risen. We believe that the tomb of Christ is empty. We believe that the power of death has been broken – broken for Jesus and broken for us. We can’t begin to understand the divine power that rose Jesus from the dead. The more we try to understand it, the more astounded by it we become.

But — here is a truth that is even more astounding:

The same power that shattered the prison of death sets us free from all that binds us.

The very Spirit of God that rose Jesus from the dead can live in us to empowers us for the ministry God calls us to be doing in the world.

You see — resurrection power is for us, in us, and at work through us.

We can live as “Easter Christians” – we can be an “Easter Church”.

This means that we not only live in gratitude for our salvation and hope for the future, but we can also live lives that are filled with the power of God for His work in the world. We can be filled with His power and let His power touch every aspect of our lives.

We can be filled with His power – and let His power touch every aspect of our Church.

Christ has risen – and we can be “Easter Christians” – we can be an “Easter Church” – filled with the power of the risen Christ and doing the work of the risen Christ.

During this season of Easter we are looking at different aspects of what it means to be an “Easter Church” – filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly doing the work of Christ in the world.

We began 3 weeks ago by looking at John 20:19-31 – the story of Jesus and Thomas – and saw that an “Easter Church” believes.

2 weeks ago we added another aspect of what it means to be an “Ester Church” as we looked at Luke 24:13-35 – the story of Jesus – Cleopas – and another follower on the road to Emmaus – and saw that an “Easter Church” is on fire.

Last week we added a third aspect of what it means to be an “Easter Church” as we looked at John 10:1-10 – and saw that an “Easter Church” follows the leader.

Today we are going to look at a fourth aspect of what it means to be an “Easter Church” as we look at John 14:1-14 – and see that an “Easter Church” takes comfort in Christ.

Listen to God’s word in John 14:1-14:

Ok – I’m going to get you involved in my sermon today.

Raise your hand if you have ever had one of those days when everything goes wrong – one of those days where it doesn’t seem to make any difference how hard you try — everything backfires on you – one of those days where the harder you try, the worse it gets.

Ever had one of those days?

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I’ve had those days too – lots of them! I’m convinced that all of us have had days like that.
I heard a story that I believe illustrates this point very well.

It seems that a lady was waiting for her flight at an airport – and stopped in the concourse to buy a Kit Kat candy bar to eat while she was waiting for her plane. After purchasing her candy bar, she spied one more empty seat in the waiting area. Rushing to get it, she quickly leaned her hang-up bag against the seat, placed her purse and several other small items on the table between her and a man seated next to the seat she was about to occupy, and then turned to straighten her hang up bag.
With everything finally in order, she was ready to enjoy her candy bar – but to her surprise — as she started to reach for it, she saw the man in the next seat unwrapping her Kit Kat bar, and she watched in utter amazement as he broke off a section and ate it.

She thought, “Well, my goodness, I’ve never seen such gall.” She glared at him, and he looked at her, but no words were exchanged.

She was so furious at what he had done that she decided that if he was going to be that brazen about it, she could be brazen, too. She reached over — broke off a piece of the candy bar – and ate it. He responded by breaking off another piece and eating it. It quickly became almost a duel between the two of them to see who would get the most of the candy bar. Well, the candy bar was consumed, and she sat there just boiling that someone would be so rude and so presumptuous as to eat half of her candy bar.

Well, after a few minutes of silence, the man got up and left — then came back with another Kit Kat candy bar. He unwrapped it, broke off a piece, and started eating. The lady thought, “Well, since he ate half of mine, I’m going to eat half of his.” So she reached over and broke off another piece – and ate it. Once again the same scenario was repeated until the whole candy bar was gone.

The lady sat there thinking, “This is the most ridiculous thing that has happened to me in all my life” – and continued to glare at the man. He also looked at her, but neither of them said a word.
Finally came the announcement that her plane was ready for boarding. She opened her purse to get her boarding pass – and — to her utter embarrassment — there was her Kit Kat candy bar! She had eaten half of two of his candy bars – and her candy bar was still in her purse!

She was too embarrassed to say anything to the man – and rushed off to catch her flight – hoping that nothing else would go wrong that day!

Yea – we’ve all had “bad days”.

There are times – days – weeks – even months — when things really start to go wrong. Your whole world seems to be crumbling around you and you wonder what is going on. Some of those days are filled with silly incidents like the one I just told about – and then some are much more serious.

It was a series of really, really, bad days that the followers of Jesus were having that lead up to the conversation our scripture passage relates for us today. They have been on a roller-coaster of emotions. Their week had begun gloriously with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, & people waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna to the King!” Even the chief priests who had been plotting against Jesus cried out in despair, “What can we do? The whole world has gone out after Him!” But — Jesus had not come to establish an earthly kingdom – and the mood of the crowd — disappointed and thwarted in their dreams of a Jewish kingdom with Jesus as their miracle-working king — began to change. Soon the priests were once again seeking someone to betray Jesus into their hands.

As the 14th chapter of John opens, Jesus and His disciples are in the upper room where they have eaten the Passover meal together. Jesus knows exactly what the next few hours would bring. He knows that Judas would betray Him. He knows about the illegal trials waiting for Him that night, and how troubled the disciples would be. He knew of the cross and the borrowed tomb.

And He tried to prepare the disciples for the series of “bad days” that would follow.

So He begins to comfort them.

And the comfort He gives them – the statement He makes –

“Do not let your hearts be troubled”

Is the comfort He gives to all of us – in the midst of our “bad days” – our hard times – our worst days – our hardest times.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled”

In the midst of our hardest times – our “bad days” – our worst days – Jesus gives comfort.

One of the qualities of an “Easter Church” – a Church filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – a Church that is “on fire’ for Christ – believes in Christ – and that follows Christ – a Church that is boldly doing the work of Christ in the world – is that it takes comfort in Christ.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort in Christ.

In the “bad days” – the hardest days – the worst days of our lives – we can be “Easter Christians” – taking comfort in Christ.

We can be an “Easter Church” – taking comfort in Christ.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort in Christ.

Is there anyone who needs comfort here this morning?

I know that there are.

We lose loved ones. People lose jobs. Some have physical problems. Others are lonely and depressed. We experience all kinds of troubles – all kinds of “bad days” – but Jesus says that we can take comfort in Him – and that we can trust Him.

Part of the solution to a troubled heart – part of what helps us take comfort in the hard times – the worst times – of our lives — is trust in Christ.

Jesus tells His disciples to trust in 3 things.

First of all – He says to trust in His presence.

Secondly, He says to trust in His promises.

Thirdly, He says to trust in His person.

Trusting in Jesus’ presence – His promises – and His person are things that can give us comfort in the hard – difficult – and worst times of our lives.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort in Christ.

In the “bad days” – the hardest days – the worst days of our lives – we can be “Easter Christians” – taking comfort in Christ.

We can be an “Easter Church” – taking comfort in Christ.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort in Christ.

First – we have to trust in His presence.

Listen again to His words in vs. 1:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me.”

What is Jesus saying there?

Is He saying, “You trusted in God, now it’s time to trust also in Me?”

Or is He saying, “I know you trust in God and you also trust in Me – but remember, when you can no longer see Me, don’t stop trusting in Me.”
You see, we have always found it easier to trust in things that we can see and touch. We have a little bit of Thomas in us, don’t we? Remember, Thomas said,

“Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my fingers where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it.”

So Jesus shows him and he believes.

Jesus then said to Thomas: “Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
This building, the pews on which you are sitting, this pulpit, all are temporary. All are subject to decay.
We look in the mirror and see our aging bodies – and realize that they are temporary, too.

All the things you can see and touch are only here for a little while and then are gone.

But the things you can’t see last forever.

This is a hard lesson for us to learn, isn’t it?

Yet it is an important lesson, because when we face troubles and difficulties in life, when we have “bad days” – horrible days — our worst days — we need to remember as Christians that Jesus has promised:

“I am with you always. I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Trust in My presence.”

In the “bad days” – the hardest days – the worst days of our lives – we can be “Easter Christians” – taking comfort in Christ.

We can be an “Easter Church” – taking comfort in Christ.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort in Christ.

The first step is to trust in His presence.

The second step is to trust in His promises.

John 14:2 is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible.

Jesus says:

“In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come back and take you to be with Me, that where I am you may be also.”

God has given many promises both in the Old and New Testaments. He promised the children of Israel a land where there would be milk and honey. It took a while for the promise to be fulfilled, but finally it was fulfilled. He promised a Messiah – and that took a long time. But it, too, was fulfilled. Jesus the Savior was born. Now Jesus is promising that He is coming back for us. Someday we’ll be with Him forever and ever. Sometimes we grow impatient, but we can trust in the promises of God. This promise will be fulfilled, too.

You know — the Bible uses a lot of different words to describe heaven. In one place it is called “a country” indicating the vastness of heaven. In another it is called “a city” indicating the number of inhabitants. It is called “a kingdom” indicating that there is a governmental structure to it all. It is called “paradise” indicating its beauty & desirability. But here it is called, “My Father’s house,” – and that is another way of saying, “It is home.”

Home is a place where you can be yourself.

Home is where you can put on comfortable clothes and kick off your shoes. I love it – after a long day – I get home and can take off the “dress clothes” I’ve had on all day and can put on my oldest – most comfortable – pair of khakis and my oldest – most comfortable shirt – and put on my slippers instead of shoes – if In even put slippers on. Sometimes I just go around the house in sock feet – or when the weather is warm bare footed. That’s what “home” means for me.

Home is where you can say what you are thinking – and can share with your family things you don’t share with others.

Home is where you’re always accepted and loved.

You’re not just a guest.

You are a resident.

You live there.

That is home.
Jesus is saying:

“I’m going to take you to My Father’s house, and it will be your home, too.

You’ll be a part of the family. You’ll be home where you belong.”

He says, “In My Father’s house are many rooms.” The KJ version says, “many mansions.” We like that word. But “mansion” is not the best translation of the Greek word Jesus used. Probably the best is “dwelling place” or “rooms.”

You see, the word that Jesus used comes from the eastern custom that when a son grows up and gets married, he brings his bride back home again. And the father adds another room onto the house for them. Then when another son grows up and gets married, they add another room. The house just keeps getting bigger & bigger, as the family stays together.
“In My Father’s house,”

Jesus said

“there are many rooms. I am going to prepare them for you. I’m coming back to take you so that you may be where I am.”

We’re almost there, people. Don’t become discouraged. Don’t become fainthearted.

We’re almost there.

“Trust My promises,” Jesus says.

In the “bad days” – the hardest days – the worst days of our lives – we can be “Easter Christians” – taking comfort in Christ.

We can be an “Easter Church” – taking comfort in Christ.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort in Christ.

The first step is to trust in His presence.

The second step is to trust in His promises.

The third step is to trust His person.

In verse 4 of our passage from John 14 we read:

“`You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to Him, `Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, `I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
What a wonderful promise!

He is saying,:

“I’m not just going to show you the way, or tell you the way, or write out the instructions on how to get there. I’m going to come and take you by the hand to My Father’s house. Then you’ll be home.”

In the “bad days” – the hardest days – the worst days of our lives – we can be “Easter Christians” – taking comfort in Christ.

We can be an “Easter Church” – taking comfort in Christ.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort in Christ.

The first step is to trust in His presence.

The second step is to trust in His promises.

The third step is to trust His person.

Trust in His presence —

Trust in His promises –

Trust His person –

Take comfort.

Do you have burdens this morning that you think you cannot bear?

Are you troubled?

Are you worried or anxious?

Do you feel empty inside?

Do you feel lonely?

Do you feel lost?

Confused?

Well – in the “bad days” – the hardest days – the worst days of our lives – we can be “Easter Christians” – taking comfort in Christ.

We can trust His presence – His promises – and His person – and we can be an “Easter Church” – taking comfort in Christ.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort in Christ.

I read of a solider who had just returned from Viet Nam. His parents were socialites, very well-to-do. It was near Christmas, and they were getting ready to go out to the first of the round of parties of the Christmas season. Just then the phone rang, and it was their son on the phone.

“Mom,” he said, “I’m back in the States.”

She said, “That’s wonderful! Where are you? Will you be home for Christmas? Can you get here in time for the parties? Everybody will just love to see you.”

He answered, “Yes, I can be home for Christmas, but I need to ask you something first. ”

“What is it?” she asked.

“Well, I have a friend with me from Viet Nam. Can he come?”
“Oh, of course, ” she answered. “Bring him along. He’ll enjoy the parties, too.”

“Wait a moment, mom,” he said,

“I need to explain something about him. He was terribly wounded and lost both legs & one arm. His face is disfigured, too.”
There was silence on the phone for awhile.

Then the mother said, “That’s all right. Bring him home for a few days.”

“No, mom, you don’t understand. He has nowhere to live. He has no one else. I want to bring him home – and to let our home be his home.”
The mother was quiet again.

Then she said, “Son, that just wouldn’t do. What you’re asking would be very unfair to us. Why, it would disrupt all our lives. I’m sure there are government agencies that would be more than glad to take charge of him. Look, just you hurry home for Christmas now, and then maybe you can visit him once in a while.”

“Darling, I’m sorry, but we’ve got to rush or we’ll be late for the party. Call us again as soon as you know when you’ll be home. Goodbye.”

When the parents returned home from the party that night, there was an urgent message from the California police asking them to call. They called – and the officer said, “I’m very sorry to have to call you, but we just found a young soldier dead in a motel room. His face is disfigured, and he has lost both legs and one arm. From the documents on him it would appear that he is your son.”

The “friend”, you see, was himself.

He was trying to see if his parents – after the worst time in his life – would welcome him home – and discovered they would not – and took his life in despair.

In the “bad days” – the hardest days – the worst days of our lives – we can be “Easter Christians” – taking comfort in Christ.

We can be an “Easter Church” – taking comfort in Christ.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort in Christ.

The first step is to trust in His presence.

The second step is to trust in His promises.

The third step is to trust His person.

Trust in His presence —

Trust in His promises –

Trust His person –

Take comfort.

Whatever your burdens are this morning, the solution to a troubled heart is still the same — to trust Jesus, to trust in His, to trust in His promises, and to trust in His person.

We can trust Jesus.

We can trust in His presence with us – always.

We can trust in His promises – always.

We can trust in His person – always.

We can take comfort – always.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

An “Easter Church” takes comfort.

Amen.

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