Reading…
- John 14;15-27
Introduction …
- We have been given a very clear presentation of the background to chapters 13-16
- In dealing with this critical period of time John says …
- It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own, who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love… John 13;1
- And in showing that full extent he deals with 2 issues …
- He makes certain promises
- And he speaks of the relationship between Father, Son, Holy Spirit and his people the church
- And in showing that full extent he deals with 2 issues …
- It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own, who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love… John 13;1
- We need to understand that the foundation on which he builds is in these chapters is the teaching concerning the relationship between the Triune Godhead and his people, the church.
- All the promises are there and for the benefit of those people in relationship with Him.
- And Jesus' purpose is to display the FULL extent of his love for us despite what he was to suffer because of us.
- So he starts by saying … Let not your hearts be troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me… John 14;1…
- The disciples past Jewish history had taught them to trust God in every situation…
- In the past 3 years the disciples had witnessed many of Jesus' miracles that spoke of his person… The Son of God…
- So Jesus says trust God, trust also in me …
- And to assure… them in their concern… he makes 2 major promises. …
- Firstly …
- I am going away(YES) but I am coming back …vs 3
- To take you, to be with me forever.
- And the second one …
- In my absence I will be replaced by another Helper just like me vs 16…
- Firstly …
- So he starts by saying … Let not your hearts be troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me… John 14;1…
- And then he assures them by saying …
- I am not going to leave you as orphans…vs 17
- It is all about the relationship/family of God.
- I am not going to leave you as orphans…vs 17
- Over the next few weeks we are looking at that 2nd promise.
Promises promises…
- As an electorate we have heard many promises made by our leaders …
- So poor has the fulfillment of these been, that we now distrust them all…
- The writer to the Hebrews tells us that the promises that God makes are immutable … because he can not lie…Heb 6;17-20
- They are guaranteed by 2 unchangeable things …
- His word, his oath …are binding
- They are guaranteed by 2 unchangeable things …
- This is equality true of God the Son…His promises are immutable
- Jesus…speaking about his relationship with the Father.vs 7-11
- Thomas if you know me you know the Father …vs 7
- If you have seen me you've seen the Father … vs 9
- I am in the Father and the Father is in me …vs 11
- And the proof of the relationship is in the works that Jesus has done..vs 11
- Like Father, like Son.
- Jesus…speaking about his relationship with the Father.vs 7-11
- Trust God … Trust me …. says Jesus…
Genuine Faith …
- If you love me …you will keep my commandments …vs 15 & 23
- That is a given not a condition for sending the Spirit…
- And (Then) I will ask the Father and he will send another Counselor…
- Works are the automatic response to love.
- Jesus is not talking about a condition but proof of genuine faith…
- Why …
- Because only those who are born again believers can receive the promised Spirit… vs 17
- James uses the same argument when he says “faith without works is dead” …James 2;14, 18, 20
- He is not talking about works and faith combining to deliver salvation
- But that the proof of genuine faith is “works of faith” .
- Why …
- If you love me …What love is he talking about.
- Agapao … is a verb, a doing word …
- It is not an emotional feely thing …
- It is an unconditional commitment to serve …
- Agapao … is a verb, a doing word …
- I say to my wife … I love you …
- But how do I show her my love …
- By opening the car door, giving her tea in bed, caring for her helping her around the house, providing and protecting her.
- Carrying all her parcels when she shops.
- (Just not the flowers she buys)
- By opening the car door, giving her tea in bed, caring for her helping her around the house, providing and protecting her.
- But how do I show her my love …
- But the full extent of Jesus' love knows no bounds …
- His love is active …
- Having loved his own … he now showed the full extent of his love… Ch 13;1
- I am preparing a place for you and I'm coming to take you to be with me forever… Ch 14;3
- And in 24 hours he must go to the cross.
- Greater love has no man than this.
- In my absence I am sending another helper.
- Having loved his own … he now showed the full extent of his love… Ch 13;1
- Our problem is our love is very rarely unconditional…
- That is why marriages break down … why families split…. Why friendships fail.
- His love is active …
- Our idea of love is emotional which can be very erratic …
- God's love is an unconditional commitment to serve.
- The “if” of verse 15 is not a condition from God…
- It is a statement of fact …
- If you have true love for me you will obey.
- The proof of my love for my wife is what I do for her … not what I demand from her.
- This true love for God is referred to as “The obedience of faith”
- But our love for God and Christ is not devoid of emotion…
- When we realize the blessings in Him and the salvation we are gifted then we do feel some emotion… gratitude, love.
- But we make a huge mistake when we think that a band and songs at a concert can whip us up to true adoration .
- Follow the context …it is all about relationships …
- I am in the Father … the Father is in me … I am in you … You are in me … vs 10, 20
- If you have genuine love for Christ… my Father will love him, and WE will make our home with him … vs 23
- These words are from the Father … vs 24
- Therefore they are true and are effectively the Fathers promise to us.
The promise of the Spirit…
- I will ask the Father and he will give you another counselor … vs 16
- I am in you…You in me … I am in the Father … the Father in me … We take up residence in you … (our home)... vs 10 & 20-24
- That's the relationship…
- And I will ask the Father and he will give you another helper to be with you (and in you) forever …the Spirit of Truth … vs 16
- I am in you…You in me … I am in the Father … the Father in me … We take up residence in you … (our home)... vs 10 & 20-24
- What we have here is the residence of the full Godhead in us .
- I will not leave you as orphans …
- As God's children we do not experience the absent Father ..
- The Orphan's parents have died … But Jesus is alive
- Orphans are alone … The Spirit is with us forever
- Orphans have no instructors …The Spirit is our teacher.
- Orphans have no protection … The Spirit protects
- Orphans have no provider … The Spirit provides.
- As God's children we do not experience the absent Father ..
- You are not on your own (Orphaned)…no matter what the circumstances.
- Father , Son and Spirit are all in us … Forever …
- That is the promise under oath of the full Godhead.
- So let not your hearts be troubled… don't be afraid …
- My peace I give you …
- I will not leave you as orphans …
- That is the promise to the Disciples who are to face some torrid times in the years ahead.
- And to you and me today.
The Purpose … vs 16
- Another …
- Two different Greek words.
- Allos and heteros
- Allos … Another of the same kind.
- Campgell Morgan referred to the Spirit as another Jesus
- Heteros …Another of a different kind …
- Different qualities.
- Both are rugby players… one is a prop the other a scrum half … very different in looks and duty.
- Different qualities.
- Jesus is assuring his fearful disciples that the Spirit will be to them all he has been…and more (vs 12)… to the full extent of his love.
- Helper, counselor, Advocate, comforter…Depending on which version you use.
- All of these words have value…but none is complete in itself …
- Parakletos
- Para … alongside
- Kaleo … to call
- One called alongside to assist.
- An advocate…
- Is called alongside the accused.…
- Assist, coach, counsel, champion his cause.
- Comforter …
- Suggests difficulty, loss, fear, panic
- Helper …
- One who assists when one is unable to handle alone
- Counselor …
- When at your wits end, not knowing which way to turn.
- Maybe a better english word would be to refer to the Spirit as an enabler
- The point is that we don't just need a little "help" (cf Name "Helper")
- We need Him to give us both "the desire and the power"
- To work out our salvation … Phil 2;13
- We need Him to give us both "the desire and the power"
- The point is that we don't just need a little "help" (cf Name "Helper")
- The point is that all that Jesus was to his disciples,the Spirit will be to them in his absence.
- So whatever situation they are in they can call on him …
- The Spirit will be with them and in them forever.
- So whatever situation they are in they can call on him …
His identity …
- The Spirit of Truth …Vs 17
- He comes from the Father …vs 26
- Comes in Jesus name … vs 26
- He will testify about Jesus … Ch 15;26
- He is the Spirit teaching truth from the God of truth testifying about the Son of God who is the way, truth and life … John 14;26, ch. 15;26
- The Godhead is all about truth …
- God the Father … the God of truth … Isaiah 65;16
- Jesus, The Son of God …The Way, Truth, Life …John 14;6
- The Holy Spirit …. Is the Spirit of Truth… John 14;17 & 16;13
- Therewith lies the source of all truth
- Dont expect anything less from them.
The Work of the Spirit …
- To teach you all things …vs 26
- Will remind you of all Jesus has taught them …vs 26
- For the disciples the Spirit enabled them to write the scriptures that are our source of truth.
- Paul was put in prison and that enabled him to write …
- John was put on the Island of Patmos from where he wrote.
- Peter suffered many things that prepared him for teaching others
- James, a leader of the church in Jerusalem writes of practical church things…
- All of them depended on the teaching and guidance of the Spirit of truth
- For us that same Spirit is still guiding us today …
- The promise is…He will be with and in you forever … John 14;17
- Peter explains the outpouring of the promised Spirit …Acts 2;14-41
- The listeners respond saying …
- What shall we do …Acts 2; 37
- Peter's response …
- Repent, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…vs 38
- The gift of the Spirit was not confined to the apostles and disciples.
- The listeners respond saying …
Conclusion …
- So what can we take away from chapter 14 this morning ?…
- Trust me … Jesus the Son of God
- The relationship between Father and Son ensures we can trust him
- What he promises will be …Because he is truth.
- Only believers will receive the promise of the Spirit ..
- We must ensure the relationship is sure.
- Our obedience is the proof.
- We must ensure the relationship is sure.
- The presence of the Godhead .
- You are not on your own …no matter what the circumstances.
- The work of the Spirit.
- Counsel, act as advocate, comfort, help, enable, Come alongside.
- The Spirit is the revealer of absolute truth…
- His work is to teach and remind people of truth… vs 26
- The result of that function is our inerrant Bible… the TRUTH
- As I read the Word the Spirit reveals the truth to me.
- The full extent of his love is revealed in these chapters.…Ch 13;1
- We deserve nothing but are gifted every spiritual blessing…
- All of these promises are guaranteed.
- As we read and study these chapters we are left with no option but to acknowledge the full extent of Jesus' love for us his people.
- We deserve nothing but are gifted every spiritual blessing…
