Intro
Have you ever felt like something is missing? What are we looking for? Jesus offers us an answer.
Purpose
Let’s see how that Christians belong somewhere very special and how we get there.
Plan
Let’s examine John 14:1-14 to see our permanent home and the way there.
John 14:1-2 The Meaning of Mansions
In John 14 Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions”. Jacob dedicated Beth El as God’s house, the gate of heaven (Genesis 28:15-22). The tabernacle and the temple in Jerusalem were called the house of God. The people of God are also called God’s house (1 Corinthians 3:8-10). True believers are also promised a place of eternal abode with God. The Greek word µ??a? (monai) translated as mansions or abodes means literally “an abiding dwelling-place (i.e. not transitory).” Our homes on earth are only temporary abodes, but our place in eternity is permanent. The emphasis then is that there is plenty of room in heaven for all.
John 14:3-6 The Way
In John 14:3 Jesus said, “I will come again.” Then he told them in verses 4-5, “where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas speaking for the others said, “Lord, we do not know.” How often do we not know that we know something? A little more instruction clarified what they already knew. Jesus then say, “I am the way.” The way a person and not a road. It has a destination, “to the Father,” also a person. So Jesus is the way to the Father. He went to prepare a place for us and will come again to take us to the place He has prepared.
John 14:6 The Truth
People believe that a particular distinct doctrine is the truth, which in reality may be mere human understanding. They claim that a different understanding is a lie and not the truth. Yet, all Christians agree on the truth, at least the most important element of the truth, Jesus. After all, Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life” in John 14:6. Whatever disagreements Christians may have — forms of baptism, qualifications for ordination, formal versus informal formats, wine or grape juice for communion, Psalms, hymns or spiritual songs, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant authority, tongues, church polity — we agree that what Jesus taught is still the truth.
John 14:6 The Life
Jesus made the bold claim, “I am the way, the truth and the life” in John 14:6. Is this a claim to divinity, that Jesus is within himself the possessor of eternal life? Is it also a claim that He can give it to whomever He wishes? In the beginning it was God who gave man life (Genesis 2:7). Whoever believes in Jesus should have everlasting life (John 3:16). Jesus is the prince of life (Acts 3:15). The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23). God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son (1 John 5:11).
John 14:7-11 Show us the Father
In John 14:8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Verse 6 reveals Jesus as the way to our Father. Could the devil be deceiving our society to create such hatred of manliness and fatherhood so that we no longer wish to come to our heavenly Father? Jesus highly honored womanhood, but he chose men to be the twelve disciples. Why? He could have chosen women. Are manly leadership and male role-models despised in today’s world? Do we feminize men? Do we caricature manliness like a freak show? More than ever, our world needs fathers and the Father we need most is God.
John 14:12-14 Greater Works
In John 14:12 Jesus said, “he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do”. Andrew evangelized Constantinople, Ukraine, Romania and Russia. Peter and Paul evangelized Antioch and more. James the Greater evangelized Spain. John preached at Ephesus. Philip evangelized Greece and Syria. Bartholomew (Nathaniel) evangelized India, Ethiopia, Mesopotamia and Armenia. Matthew evangelized Caucasia, Macedonia, Persia and Parthia. Thomas evangelized Parthia and India. James the Less evangelized Lower Egypt. Judas Thaddeus evangelized Judea, Samaria, Syria, Mesopotamia and Libya. Simon the Zealot pastored Jerusalem and traveled to Africa and Europe. “Greater works” was one of Jesus’ greatest promises.
Outro
Many people speak of our home being heaven, but it’s more than that. Our home is with the Father. We belong with Him, and the way there is to be one with Jesus.
