PEACE FOR TROUBLED HEARTS
John 14:1-14
INTRO: Take time to listen to people just for one day. You will be surprised about how many troubles people have: trouble in their personal lives, trouble in their family, trouble at work, trouble at school, etc.
Jesus spoke to troubled disciples. They had troubles. Jesus had told about how one would betray Him. Another disciple would deny Him. Jesus spoke about leaving them. In the midst of all these troubles, Jesus gave peace to their troubled hearts. A troubled world needs to listen to the Master. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled.” Jesus is not talking about the physical organ of life, He is referring to the seat of spiritual life--the center of faith and commitment.
I. KEEP TRUSTING IN GOD (v. 1).
During times of great trouble God’s people get agitated and distressed. Jesus told them that for years they had trusted in God. They should not stop trusting. Keep on trusting in God even during tough times. Trouble provides an opportunity to trust in the Lord.
With all the pressures in our society today, it is no wonder that so many people are troubled. If we will keep on trusting in God, He will see us through our tough times.
II. DEPEND ON GOD’S PRO-VISIONS (vv. 2-4).
The disciples were worried about the future. Jesus promised the disciples that He was going to provide dwelling places for His people in the heavenly world.
There will be no shortage of space. God’s people do not need to be troubled about their future. Jesus will take care of the future.
If we can trust Jesus to take care of the future, then why are we so worried about the present. Do we think He can’t take care of us here? Do we feel that we must take care of ourselves?
Contrary to what many believe, the Bible does not say “God helps those who help themselves.” If this were true, then God would turn His back on many people. I don’t know what kind of a god you serve, but my God would never do that.
III. FOLLOW GOD’S DIRECTION FOR LIFE (vv. 5-7).
Thomas was especially troubled about the direction of life. He didn’t know where Jesus was going, and he didn’t know the way. Jesus told Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” These three statements describe direction for living. Jesus is the way to God, the truth about God, and the life of God.
Are you troubled about the direction of your life? Are you having a hard time finding your way? Is your life a dead end? Jesus can point you in the right direction.
He was the spokesman for the materialistic understanding--Little faith!! MANY THOMASES TODAY!
V. 7 — Thomas and the others had not really come to know (Greek gnosis) Jesus, near as much as they loved Him.. This is the result of materialism — lack of faith!
IV. LOOK AT GOD’S CHARACTER IN JESUS (vv. 8-11).
Philip didn’t understand what Jesus had just said and expressed his troubled heart when he asked Jesus to explain the nature of God to him. People do wonder about what God is like. Jesus assured Philip that the person who sees Him sees the Father. No one needs to worry about God as a inconsistent deity or a raging tyrant. Jesus explains God to us, and He is good.
V. 10 — Jesus had a right to expect greater faith from these men than from the Blind man or Martha.
V. LOOK FORWARD TO GOD’S FUTURE WORK (vv. 12-14).
Naturally, the disciples worried about God’s work. Would it count when Jesus left? Jesus said that the disciples would do “greater works” (not greater in quality but great in quantity). When a disciple yields to the Lord, God works through that person. The Lord’s work is more extensive.
V. 13 — Jesus answers prayers too!
CONC: Do you have a troubled heart? Jesus can calm your troubled heart. Listen to Him and follow His directions.
