Don’t be Troubled or Afraid
November 12, 2023
What makes you afraid? I am afraid of heights … and snakes.
Being afraid is sometimes different than being troubled – distressed, bothered, aggravated.
We live in a troubled world, populated by violent extremists, incurable disease, and economic uncertainty.
In Ch. 13 – Jesus has just told them he was going to die and go to a place where they could not join him.
He also told them that someone would betray him and that Peter would deny him.
They were troubled by all of this!
John 14:1 NIV
"Do not let your hearts be troubled."
Is that possible? How can we live in this world and not be troubled or afraid?
1. We’re not afraid because we know the way.
John 14:6 NIV
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
There’s nothing more unsettling than being lost in a strange and dangerous place.
Story of my childhood camping trip in a storm and dad driving home through the woods during a storm.
2. We’re not afraid because God hears us.
John 14:12-14, 18 NIV
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
He wants us to ask for bold things. When we’re afraid we tend to retreat to safe places.
We stop praying for the sick, having conversations with our neighbors and we stop helping those who are trapped.
We stop because we feel abandoned. We stop because we believe God is not listening.
Story of Russian orphanage – babies had stopped crying because they believed it did not matter – no one was listening to them.
3. We’re not afraid because we’ve been given a gift.
John 14:27a NIV
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
The peace of the world – fragile, elusive and dependent on present circumstances.
The peace of Jesus – Internal, unshakable, not dependent on present circumstances
The reason the world or people cannot give you lasting peace is because the world and people are not really in charge!
Jesus is King and he is the Prince of Peace!
John 14:27b NIV
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
