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Call to worship: Isaiah 54:4-10

Text: John 14:1-14

Summary:

How might Christ relieve the inevitably troubled Christian heart? Might it simply be by exhorting us to believe more and better about Him? John 14 is a most precious portion of Scripture for Christ's people as, through this world, we make our way Home to Him. It is a medicine cabinet for the soul from the Great Physician. He's gone to prepare our place in Heaven. He will return to take us entirely there. We know the Way Home, because we know Him. For all our troubles in the Way, He is one with the Almighty. For the task to which He's called us, He hears and greatly answers prayer. Will these things not relay peace to our hearts until we see Him face to face? Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in Jesus Christ, believer.

Sermon Outline:

1. The troubled Christian heart. (14:1a)
2. The urgent remedy of Jesus: believe in Me. (14:1b-14).

   Troubled heart:

   • Believe He's gone to prepare a place for you. (14:2)
   • Believe He's returning to take you home. (14:3)
   • Believe He's the Way to God (the Father). (14:4-6)
   • Believe He is God (the Son). (14:7-11)
   • Believe He still acts exceedingly through prayer. (14:12-14)

Prepare

Discussion Questions:

1. Read John 14:1-14.
2. Why would their hearts be troubled? Is it sinful to have troubled hearts? Is it good to keep troubled hearts? What soul-disease would enduring sorrow seem to imply? Consider the remedy Jesus offers His true disciples. What is it? Why would He push beyond faith in God to faith also in Him? Are those two distinct faiths? Can one believe in God and not in Christ, in Christ but not in God? To the glory of God, what is Jesus implying about Himself?
3. How does Jesus begin to spell out the faith in Him that calms our hearts? As they run together, what's the first assertion He makes (v. 2), then the second (v. 3)? How do these operate to calm your hearts in light of the cross?
4. 14:4-6 are famously critical. Have you considered them, not first as a word to unbelievers, but as a word (as they are) first to true believers? What comfort can be found in them? What does it mean that Christ is the Way? The Truth? The Life? How do these words speak to unbelievers? Is there any other way to the Father than through the Son?
5. What is Philip after in 14:8? How does Jesus respond? What does Jesus seek to clarify? Why would the deity of Jesus, evidenced throughout His earthly sojourn with His disciples, be of particular comfort to His disciples upon His departure for the throne of God? How does this relate also to the work He's called us to do while we sojourn in this world? Is our work for Christ merely 'our' work? What does Jesus assume to be present in any truly Christian labor? How does His call to prayer challenge our belief (or unbelief)? Do we pray?