Leaving Troubles Behind In A World Full Of Them
John 14:1-7
Introduction:
Background: John is writing to new Christians and is searching non-Christians. The key purpose of the book of John is to prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God and that all who believe in Him will have eternal life. The Last Supper had just taken place, and the disciples were talking to Jesus. Jesus had just told Peter that he would deny Him 3 times. Then, Jesus showed them that He is the way to the Father. Thomas doubted Jesus, so He told Thomas that He is the way, the truth, and the life.
1. Jesus is admonishing us, “Let not your heart be troubled...”
2. He proceeds to give the reason that we need not be troubled.
3. ILL. I grew up playing football. I was playing for the recreation department when I was about 13 or 14. I played for the Bears, and we were the only team that was undefeated in our region. We made it through the first-round playoffs with a breeze, then on to the semi-finals. Here, we had to play the Portal Chargers. They were huge, the biggest team in the league. We came to that game and won in overtime 24-27. It came to the Championship Game, the Super Bowl of the Little League Football. We had to play the Brooklet Cowboys. They had only one loss all year. The game started and we scored right off the bat. We led by a touchdown until the third quarter. When The Cowboys scored and kicked a field goal. It was 10-7 Cowboys. I was extremely troubled in heart. I played the quarterback position and I knew that if I couldn’t get my guys going we were going to loose. It came down to the fourth quarter. I had a running back named Lavon Jones. He was the fastest kid in the league. I knew if I could get him the ball he could run forever. We were third and goal. I huddled up for the third down and told the guys if we didn’t get this we were in trouble. Lavon looked at me and said give me the ball. We broke and lined up. The snap, the hand-off, and time stood still! That is when I handed all of my troubles over.
App: Just as I handed that ball off, we can hand our troubles over to the Lord. He is there waiting with open arms to take our troubles.
4. Therefore, Every believer must cast their troubles on the Lord.
Main Outline
Why? Because:
I. There is a person for you (Verse 1).
A. He is a trustworthy person.
1. Matthew Henry said, “Bybelieving in Christ as the Mediator between God and man, our belief in God becomes our comfort.”
2. Believing in God through Jesus Christ is an excellent means of keeping trouble out of our hearts.
3. “Ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (Verse 1)
B. He is a rich person.
1. In my Father’s house are many mansions. (Verse 1)
2. He owns all of Heaven and Earth.
C. He is a prepared person.
1. He is going to prepare a place for us even now. (Verse 2)
2. After he is all prepared and ready he is going to come back right on schedule for His children. (Verse 3)
D. He is a revealing person.
1. He says here in verse 2 exactly what He is going to do. “I am going to prepare a place for you.”
2. “I will come again.” (Verse 3) He is telling us here that He already is gearing up for His return.
3. He then reveals the exact way to know where you are going.
II. There is a place for you (Verse 2).
*The word place signifies occupancy, dwelling, or a home.
A. It is a purposeful place.
1. This place is to be our home. (Verse 2)
2. We are there to praise and worship our king.
Example: The story of Mary sitting at Jesus feet worshiping Him.
B. It is a prepared place.
1. By Who: It is prepared by The King, our Lord and Savior. (Verse 2)
2. For Who: It is prepared for his servants. (Verse 3)
* God is preparing a place for us right now, and we have that to look forward to. We do not need to trouble with the things of this earth, for we are not going to be here to worry with them.
ILL. There was a man lying on his death bed. The doctor came in and gave him the news that he would probably not make it through the night. His wife broke down into tears. He looked up and said “Praise the Lord, I’m going home.”
APP. Even though the bad news and troubled hearts the man looked past the fact that he was dying and to the thought of heaven.
III. There is a plan for you (verse 4 and 6).
A. Salvation
1. Verse 4 tells us “the way ye know.” The plan for our life is salvation.
2. In the story of Nicodemus, Jesus tells him that, “Ye must be born again.” It is not an option if we want to enter in the Kingdom of God.
B. Submission
1. We are to completely and fully yield our lives to Him for His service.
2. James 4:7 states, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.”
3. Romans 6:13 tells us that we are to yield our members to God for his service.
C. Separation
1. “There ye may be also.” (Verse 3)
2. In order to be with Him, we have to separate ourselves from the world.
3. I John 2:15 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world...”
IV. There is a promise for you (Verse 2-3).
A. God gives us several promises.
1. In my Father’s house are many mansions -2
2. If it were not so, I would have told you -2
3. I go to prepare a place for you -2
4. I will come again and receive you unto myself -3
5. That where I am there ye may be also
B. God keeps his word.
1. Titus 1:2 states, “In the hope of eternal, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”
2. Our God is perfect, right, and just. He cannot and will not ever break the promises, which have been given to us.
Conclusion:
1. We as Christians carry our troubles with us when Jesus is waiting with open arms to take them for us.
2. For the unbeliever, Jesus is waiting with open arms to receive you and take your troubles as well.
3. ILL. Elisha Hoffman wrote this song in time of troubles, and it says:
Verse 1
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles; I cannot bear these burdens alone. In my distress he kindly will help me; He ever loves and cares for His own.
Verse 2
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles; He is a kind compassionate friend. If I but ask Him, He will deliver, make of my troubles quickly an end.
