Based on ‘Distinctives’ by Vaughan Roberts
Vicar of St Ebbes
in
Daring to be different in an indifferent world
This
evening is based on statements from the reading in John 14. and
the declaration by Jesus ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to
the Father except through me!’
Bede, a monk
writing in the 8th century about the history of the English church
and people tells the story of the conversion to Christianity of the
Key
word in Coifi’s speech (he was the hig priest of paganism at the time) is ‘revealed’
Christianity
begins with God in heaven – and Jesus is ‘the man from outside’ our world who
reveals God and heaven to us.
Remember
the Christmas reading from John ch 1
‘In the
beginning was the Word …. which in time became flesh
and lived on this earth …becoming (v.14) known in time as ‘God the one and only
at the Father’s side who has revealed God to us’.
Although
Jesus is no longer on the earth in human form we still have access to the truth
revealed in
–
the Old testament
authenticated by Jesus himself
–
the New Testament prepared
by Jesus in His teaching of the apostles
–
the Holy Spirit of whom Jesus said, ‘When I am gone the Holy
Spirit will be just as I am and will remind you of me and my teaching.
Our
knowledge of what is the Truth doesn’t depend on our imagination. It is not
based on arrogance.We humbly submit to God’s word
even if it clashes with what others believe.
Before
looking at the reading, listen briefly to what contemporaries of our Lord Jesus
have said.
Peter
wants us to KNOW THE TRUTH
‘Like
new born babies CRAVE spiritual milk so that by it you may grow up in
salvation’
James
wants us to LIVE THE TRUTH
‘Do not
merely listen to God’s word and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS
Jude
wants us to CONTEND FOR THE TRUTH
‘I felt
I had to write to you to contend (to fight) for the faith that was once and for
all entrusted to the saints’
Matthew
writes of the words of Jesus himself
Urging
us to PROCLAIM THE TRUTH
‘Go
into all the world and preach the gospel, teaching men
to obey all that I have taught you’
John Ch 14 verses 1-7
This chapter opens and closes with those wonderful words
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled’ v.1 and ends with
‘My peace I give you……..Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’v.27
This is the peace offered to those who trust in Christ whatever the circumstances, however hard it becomes to follow Him and live according to God’s standards.
This absence of fear becomes possible when we have the presence of His Holy Spirit with us and believe that
1. Our eternal future is with Christ in the place He has prepared for us and
2. Jesus Christ will one day return to claim us as His own dear brothers and sisters and take us to be with him forever if we are truly within the family of God.
A TRUE STORY
Mary and George both in their 60s
moved from the north of
George was not too sure!!
Then Mary developed an invasive breast cancer and had to undergo weeks of treatment in hospital and at home during which she remained peaceful, so grateful for support and prayers of Christian friends, and a delight to have on the ward. She was putting her trust in Christ into effect in her own life. She said quietly one day ‘Live or die I can’t loose now can I!’
But she couldn’t do it for George.
George was full of fears of losing Mary, troubled about the future without her.
The disciples were troubled. It was the night before the crucifixion and they were afraid. Jesus had mentioned his coming death and the prospect of loosing their master was very disturbing. What did the future hold for them without Him.
Into that situation Jesus brings some important teaching both for them and the Georges of this world and all of us. Jesus wants to lead us all to a firm hold on Christian truth. He wants to establish within each of us an unshakeable CERTAINTY, even in the face of the troubles that come our way.
A CERTAINTY ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
A CERTAINTY ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH
A CERTAINTY ABOUT HEAVEN
A CERTAINTY ABOUT CHRIST’S RETURN
Jesus emphasizes here that in the
midst of troubles we need a strong foundation of trust.
READ v.1
The answer to a troubled heart is a trusting heart.
Trust in God the Father –
The loving Father
The totally dependable Father
The all-knowing Father
The Father who longs for a close relationship with Him – it’s what we were created for!!! AND
The Father who
wants us to be with Him in heaven for eternity.
‘Trust in God – trust also in me’ declares Jesus.
Trust in who I am. The divine son of God.
THE CRUCIFIED ONE.
The next day, the day of crucifixion would become so bewildering and grossly disappointing for those first disciples.
BUT THE DAY OF RESURRECTION WOULD CHANGE ALL THAT FOR THEM –
AS IT DOES FOR US TODAY.
WE ARE POST RESURRECTION PEOPLE –
WHAT A PRIVILEGE!!
Given time the disciples put their trust in Jesus the CRUCIFIED AND RISEN SON OF GOD (As did George! He and Mary, in remission at the moment, have both become deeply committed to Jesus)
We become:-
1. SURE
ABOUT OUR FAITH IN GOD AND IN JESUS
Also
2. SURE
ABOUT HEAVEN (v. 2) Read v 2
Jesus pictures Heaven as His Father’s house with many rooms. Not literally a mansion as in some of the early translations but the emphasis is on a permanent dwelling. A home. Living with Jesus for all eternity. We’re not told much detail by Jesus about Heaven but we do know it will be place of perfection.
Later in his life, John who wrote this gospel goes on to write letters and the book of Revelation where he is given such glimpses and visions of heaven that he runs out of ways of describing it. In his first letter in ch. 5
he says ‘I write all these things TO YOU WHO BELIEVE IN THE SON OF GOD THAT YOU MAY KNOW YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE’
HEAVEN – John tells is where there will be
No more suffering. No more pain.
A place of amazing worship, love and joy.
So wonderful we can’t even begin to imagine it.
‘No eye has seen
No ear has heard
No mind has conceived
What God has prepared for
those who love HIM
Yes there is much to look forward to in heaven.
Life can be great now BUT the best is yet to be!
We become also:-
3. SURE
ABOUT THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST
Read v 3
Are we living with the vision of the Second Coming of Christ? It will be the final day of Resurrection when He will gather up all who belong to Him to enter into the full riches of Heaven.
Can we declare we trust in Christ
The Crucified One
The Risen one
The Ascended one,
The Glorified one,
The Reigning one
THE RETURNING ONE
Be Ready – not like when the overseer in the sugar plantation left his glass eye on the fence post when he went to lunch!
JUST
‘Trust
also in me’ declares Jesus
He longs for each one of us to fully trust in Him
He’s gone to prepare a place and he’s coming back for us.
Has He gone to prepare a place for you?
Wedding guest’s – reception – chart of names on places at the door – CAN’T FIND MY NAME!!
MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN TO REPLY TO THE INVITATION!! Meant to but other things took over.
Is there a place in Heaven with your name on it.
Denis Shepherd’s story of the director type chair with St Denis painted on the back!! Denis died a week later!
How can we be sure about Heaven?
God
wants us to be sure
1 John ch 5 v 13 ‘I write these things to you who believe in the Son of God that you may KNOW that you have eternal life. KNOW not HOPE.
If you are not sure, lack confidence, have nagging doubts, plagued by self doubt, ask yourself ‘ Have I honestly committed my life to Christ as my Saviour and Lord? Have I replied to His invitation ?
If so, you will be given the faith, the assurance, to KNOW that you are a child of God, loved accepted, valued by Him.
READ v 3
again plus 4 and 5
Thomas’ question ‘HOW?’
READ vs 6 and 7
Jesus answers with one of the most important statements of Christian truth in the whole Bible.
The way to Heaven the way to the Father both now and for all eternity is through JESUS
HE IS THE WAY, THE ONLY WAY.
HOLD ON TO THIS TRUTH THOMAS says Jesus because
I AM THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE
We recognise the good in other faiths. We respect the religious views and practices of others. We befriend and talk with people from other backgrounds and with other beliefs.
But we hold on firmly to the Uniqueness of Jesus.
He is the only Saviour.
He alone offers us peace with God.
He alone has dealt with the problem of our sin.
He alone has taken the punishment due to us.
He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
We have to deliberately place our trust in
JESUS THE WAY TO THE FATHER
JESUS THE WAY TO HEAVEN
Becoming sure about our future place in Heaven is founded on our trust in Jesus.
(Testimony at the
‘Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!)
You’ve probably heard people tell you that you can’t be sure about Heaven ‘Nobody knows until they get there’ ‘You are being arrogant’
But remember – God wants us to be sure – he wants us to enjoy being sure – he wants us to have a quiet confidence that all will be well.
Being sure doesn’t mean being overbearing, conceited,
claiming too much.
It’s not because we think we deserve Heaven
It’s not because we believe we earned a place there
It doesn’t depend on anything we’ve done
We become sure when we become sure about Jesus.
When we accept who He is, what he has taught, what he has done for us personally.
We focus on Him, we trust Him, we depend on Him.
HE IS THE
WAY
HE IS THE
TRUTH
HE IS THE
LIFE –
THE SOURCE OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE WHICH REACHES BEYOND DEATH
Questions for each one of us.
Have you trusted in Jesus – the Crucified one?
The one who loved YOU and gave himself for YOU?
Have you trusted in Jesus – the Risen one?
The victor over sin and death?
The one whose resurrection guarantees resurrection for all who trust in Him?
Have you trusted in Jesus the Coming one.
The one who promises we will be
with Him in
Are you ready to meet Him?
Can you be sure there is a place for you?
Your chair is ready with your name on it?
Jesus will welcome you and take you to
your heavenly father, your Creator, your God.
If
you haven’t yet taken that step of faith and put your trust in Jesus Christ and
would like the opportunity to do so please feel free to speak to Liz or I or
any of the ministry team at the end of the service – we’d love to talk it
through with yo