In My Father's House

In My Father’s House

John 14:1 – 3

1 "You must not let yourselves be distressed—you must hold on to your faith in God and to your faith in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s House. If there were not, should I have told you that I am going away to prepare a place for you? 3 It is true that I am going away to prepare a place for you, but it is just as true that I am coming again to welcome you into my own home, so that you may be where I am.

[J B Philips]

I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE OCCASION

1) The Keeping Of The Feast

Luke 22:7-8 7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."

2) The Revealing Of The Betrayer

John 13:21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."

3) The Foretelling Of His Departure

Mark 14:27 "All of you will desert me," Jesus told them. "For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ [NLT]

4) The Prediction Of The Denying

Luke 22:34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

II. THE CONCERN OF THE DISCIPLES

They were anxious because . . .

1) Judas Had Gone Out

John 13:30 Judas took the piece of bread and went out quickly—into the night.

2) Peter Had Been Told He Would Deny The Lord

Luke 22:34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.

3) The Lord Was Leaving Them

a) Where Was He Going?

John 14:5 4 And you know where I am going and how to get there." 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord," Thomas said. "We haven’t any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

b) Was He Speaking of His Death?

If so, He must be stopped

John 13:36 & 37 36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" "I am going," replied Jesus, "where you cannot follow me now, though you will follow me later." 37 “Lord, why can’t I follow you now?" said Peter. "I would lay down my life for you!" [JBP]

Peter had not yet understood the purpose of the Lord’s death.

III. THE CARE OF THE LORD JOHN 14:1-3

1 "You must not let yourselves be distressed—you must hold on to your faith in God and to your faith in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s House. If there were not, should I have told you that I am going away to prepare a place for you? 3 It is true that I am going away to prepare a place for you, but it is just as true that I am coming again to welcome you into my own home, so that you may be where I am. [JBP]

1) Faith Is Stronger Than Fear

V 1b. "You . . . —you must hold on to your faith in God and to your faith in me. [JBP]

Ro 10:17 Faith, you see, can only come from hearing the message, and the message is the word of Christ. [JBP]

Psalm 42:5 Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Saviour and my God! [NLT]

a) True Faith Is Not Doubtful

It is not uncertain – it is not unrelated to life.

John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

b) True Faith Is Definite

V 1b. ye believe in God, believe also in me.

pisteuo pist-yoo’-o; to have faith - Implies a real commitment.

This kind of faith – a faith correctly placed – will banish doubt.

2) The Provision Is As Sure As The Promise

His promises are based on . . .

a) Truth - He Cannot Lie

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?

Matthew 24:35 Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my words will not pass away. [Wey]

b) Love - He Cannot Change

John 13:1 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.