While you’re turning to John chapter 14, I’d like to share this sidebar with you…
A long-running daytime program hosted by Art Linkletter titled “House Party” aired from 1945 to 1969. Its most famous segment was “Kids Say the Darndest Things,”in which Linkletter interviewed children and captured their funny, candid answers.
In his book titled “Kids Say the Darndest Things”, Linkletter stated that it all started on his radio show back in 1941 when a little fella made this comment. “If I was an elephunk I’d be a fireman, ‘cause then I could squirt fires out with my nose”.
Art: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Kid: “Taller. My mom says I can’t reach the cookies yet.”
Art: “What’s the best thing about school?”
Kid: “Summer vacation. It’s like school, but without the school part.”
One day, a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast to her brunette hair. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked: “Mommy, why are some of your hairs white?”
Her mother replied: “Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.”
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then asked: “Mommy, how come all of grandma’s hairs are white?”
John 14:1-6
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Arabella Katherine (Kate) Hankey penned these words to a beloved hymn in 1866
I love to tell the story!
'Twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and His love.
From Clapham, England she was the daughter of a wealthy banker and was associated with the Clapham sect of William Wilberforce, a group of prominent evangelical Anglicans from the Clapham area. This group helped to establish the British and Foreign Bible Society, promoted the abolition of slavery, and was involved in improving the lot of England's working classes. Hankey taught Bible classes for shop girls in London, visited the sick in local hospitals, and used the proceeds of her writings to support various mission causes.
The reason that I wanted to start with this introduction is because although Christians around the globe have visited the comforting chapter 14 of John’s Gospel many times, I believe that we never tire of its glorious message.
Later in “I Love to Tell the Story” we see this lyric…
I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long.
I want us to look at three things that stand out in this passage of scripture and then we’ll dive in a little deeper.
First we’ll see the comfort that only Christ can give through the scriptures when he says let not your heart be troubled.
Secondly we’ll see the certainty of his sayings when he emphatically states And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
Lastly, we’ll see that there are some conditions that accompany true salvation when Jesus makes this steadfast statement, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
1. Comfort of the Scriptures:
Let not your heart be troubled. It may be great if you would circle or underline the words of the Saviour here. Mark them and then revisit them on a regular basis!
There is a reason that this passage of scripture is so often found as the text for funerals of our loved ones who have passed! Let not your heart be troubled.
If you have a troubled heart today/tonight I've got some great news. If you are a child of God there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. If you are not a child of God I still have some great news...you can be today/tonight!
Just pray now that he will give you the courage to get up out of your seat when we give the invitation.
The comfort of the scriptures…we could spend all of our time this morning and we’d be just scratching the surface of this subject!
Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
We notice during the sermon on the mount Jesus speaking in Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
The comfort of the scriptures!
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Five times in two verses we see a form of the word comfort!
We see Paul telling the Thessalonians in his first epistle chapter 4, “wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
Paul is explaining what we refer to as the Rapture and those that sleep in Jesus.
1 Thess. 4:13-14
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
He concludes in verse 18 with:
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Comfort of the Scriptures…Let not your heart be troubled:
Not only do we see the Comfort of the Scriptures next we see the...
2. Certainty of His Sayings:
Certainty...I like the Cambridge definition of certainty:
the state of being completely confident or having no doubt about something:
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
Notice the certainty…I will come again, not possibly come again but absolutely come again!
We read in Revelation 1:7…
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Titus 1:2
in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
John 10:35
If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
Notice the certainty that these two verses bring…
We see in these two verses that first God cannot lie and secondly the scripture cannot be broken. It doesn’t get any more certain than that!
The certainty of His sayings…We see God the Son speaking these words in John 14 during his earthly ministry and God the Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the scriptures. Therefore, the certainty of his sayings then is also seen in the certainty of prophecy.
According to J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy, the Bible contains 1,817 predictive prophecies, broken down as follows:
Old Testament: 1239
New Testament: 578
Payne also identified 8,352 verses containing predictive material, approximately 27% of the Bible by verse count.
Almost a third of the Bible is pointing to the certainty of prophecy!
Isaiah 46:9-10
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Jesus speaking in John 13:18-19 points to Judas
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
In this prophecy: “He that eateth bread with me”Jesus is alluding to Psalm 41:9, written by David:
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
This prophecy in Psalm 41:9 was made approximately 1,030 prior Jesus’s words in John 13!
In conclusion of this point we clearly see the certainty of his sayings along with and in perfect harmony with the certainty of prophecy!
Not only do we see the Comfort of the Scriptures and the Certainty of His Sayings but we see the…
3. Conditions of True Salvation:
Before delving into the conditions of true salvation, we must first define true salvation. James tells us two things about true salvation.
The conditions of true salvation can be summed up by some things that need to be followed, that is salvation is conditional. True salvation also manifests itself in conditions that will be present in our lives that others will see.
The writer of Hebrews 6:9 says:
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
Jesus told Nicodemus, Ye must be born again! When we are born from above we have a new heart. Along with the new heart he gives us comes a new set of priorities. It is no longer all about the world and pleasing our flesh.
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
We see here a condition that must be met. That is realizing that there is only one way to get to heaven. There aren’t different parts of the mountain on which many religious people of various faiths can climb. Salvation is conditional in that if anyone attempts to get to heaven by any other means other than Jesus Christ their efforts are futile and in vain. Listen to Jesus speaking in John chapter 10:
John 10:1
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
John 10:7-9
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
We see Jesus emphatically stating that true salvation is conditional. It hinges on the condition that you trust Christ and him alone or you will not be in heaven.
First in James 1:27…
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
When true salvation is present it is going to bring about a change in the way we view others. Love God, love your neighbor.
When true salvation is present it is going to cause us to mourn for those that are lost. It is going to inspire us to want to see others come to Christ through hearing the Gospel.
In Lamentations 3:51 we see Jeremiah weeping over the sins against God by his people and it had a profound impact on his heart. Look at what he writes:
Lamentations 3:48-51
Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people. 49 Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission, 50 till the Lord look down, and behold from heaven. 51 Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.
If we have true salvation God is going to give us a burden for those that are as we were before salvation...lost sheep going astray. Without God and without hope.
Second, there is going to be a change in what we do. There is going to be some feet with our faith.There are going to be some conditions visible to others as a result of genuine faith that brings true salvation.
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We're not saved by works but true salvation will produce works. Ephesians 2:10
Are we out and about in the highways and the byways taking the Gospel of Christ to a lost and dying world?
Or are we rather falling for the false doctrine of Calvinism repackaged and relabeled as Reformed Theology?
That crowd is extremely busy! Busy sitting around in their own little circle. Busy writing books on how God has already decided that some are elected to salvation and others are elected to go to hell! Busy promoting and preaching Unconditional Election and Irresistible Grace.
Busy spreading that doctrine of devils that Paul prophesied would come in the last days! Claiming that if a person is chosen for salvation then God will take care of all of that. The other poor unenlightened souls will never have an opportunity to be saved anyway. So, we’ll just sit around in our four walls and pedal our heresy that is straight out of the pit of hell!
Many of them are spiritually dead…clouds without water. Dead people in dead churches. Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.
Look what Jude has to say about them:
Jude 1:12
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Faith without works is dead…
False salvation is a result of what Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 11:4. Another Jesus, another spirit, and another gospel.
Conditions in a secular way might be defined as this:
“getting, gaining, or taking possession of an item, status, or benefit is not automatic or unconditional. Instead, a specific set of rules, criteria, or preparatory steps has to be satisfied first.”
Key Aspects of The Concept of Conditions: To fully grasp the concept let's look at 3 examples of conditions in the secular world and see the contrast in what Scripture reveals about the Conditions for true salvation:
First example…1. Prerequisite Conditions: You cannot simply claim or acquire the thing on demand; a gatekeeping rule stands in the way.
The spiritual contrast is that there are indeed some gatekeeping rules standing in the way. You cannot simply claim or acquire salvation without these following conditions being met!!
Luke 13:5
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
It’s very important to realize that true repentance is not deciding to clean up your life yourself! It is taking God’s side and realizing that you are a sinner and coming to him for cleansing!
First off, you can't repent of something you don't really believe you are guilty of. Therefore, you can't realize you are guilty until there is conviction. (John 16:8)
John 16:8
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Through the convicting and convincing power of the Holy Spirit, God will show you that you are a sinner and that you need Christ alone for true salvation!
One of the worst things that could possibly happen to a person in this life is sinning away their day of grace.
For those that have heard a clear presentation of the Gospel of Christ and have repeatedly hardened their heart this dreadful pronouncement awaits them someday.
As Dr. R.G. Lee titled one of his greatest sermons: There is going to be a…
"Payday Someday".
Listen to what Solomon writes in...
Proverbs 1:24-30
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Second example…2. Legal/Contractual Conditions:
Receiving a property deed requires signing a contract and paying the agreed funds.
The spiritual contrast is that you must understand that Jesus paid it all.
Colossians 1:20
and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
1 Peter 2:21-25
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Third example…3. Academic Conditions:
Receiving a passing grade or a degree requires finishing coursework and passing exams.
The spiritual contrast of the conditions of true salvation is not doing or completing something. Realizing that there is nothing we can do. No good work, no good deed, no good intentions. No good anything! We saw previously in…
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:3-7
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
I’d like to close by reiterating what I stated in the beginning and reflect and digest what we can glean from these words that our Lord spoke just before climbing that lonely hill of Golgotha! Three takeaways from the precious word of God!
1. Comfort of the Scriptures
First we see the comfort that only Christ can give through the scriptures when he says let not your heart be troubled.
No matter what your circumstances, get a tight hold on these words…let not your heart be troubled.
2. Certainty of His Sayings:
Secondly, we see the certainty of his sayings when he emphatically states And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
Let this certainty that the Lord speaks with be an anchor for your soul!
3. Conditions of True Salvation:
Lastly, we see that there are some conditions that accompany true salvation when Jesus makes this steadfast statement, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
There is no possible way for this to be any clearer, if you’ll go to heaven you’ll do it one way. That one way is by the finished work of Calvary!
Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Conclusion:
I’ll close with a condensed version of a Paul Harvey “Rest of the Story:
There was once a farmer who had worked the same land for nearly forty years.
He had buried his wife, watched his children grow up and move away, and endured more than one season when the crops barely brought enough to pay the bills.
But he had always trusted the Lord.
Until the year the storms came.
First, the spring rains washed out his fields. Then a summer drought withered what remained. And just when he thought things could not get worse, a violent storm tore through the valley and destroyed the barn his father had built.
That evening, the old farmer sat at his kitchen table, his hands folded, his Bible open, and his heart heavy.
“Lord,” he whispered, “I've tried to serve You all these years. I haven't asked for riches. I've only asked for enough. Why now? How much more am I supposed to take?”
One day, while clearing debris, he found something beneath a fallen beam.
It was an old wooden box.
Inside were letters his father had written decades earlier, along with a small, worn Bible. One letter was addressed to him.
His father had written it shortly before his death:
“Son, there will come a day when you look at this land and wonder whether all your labor has been wasted. There will be seasons when you cannot understand what God is doing. When that day comes, remember this: the Lord never promised that the weather would always be fair. He promised that He would never leave you.”
The farmer sat down in the dirt and read those words again.
After some reflection he picked himself up and worked as hard as ever for a few months.
And so he worked. One board at a time. One day at a time.
Months later, the barn stood again. It wasn't as grand as the old one, but it was strong enough to shelter the animals. And the next spring, green shoots appeared in the field.
The farmer never forgot that storm. Nor did he pretend it hadn't hurt.
But he learned something in the middle of his trouble: faith doesn't mean knowing how the story will end. Sometimes faith means trusting the Author while you're still living through the hardest chapter.
And if you're listening today with a broken heart, a burden you cannot explain, or a prayer that seems to have gone unanswered, remember this:
Joseph couldn't see God's purpose from the pit. David couldn't see the throne from the wilderness. And the disciples couldn't see the resurrection while they watched their Lord being crucified.
But the pit wasn't Joseph's final chapter. The wilderness wasn't David's final destination. And the cross wasn't the end of the story.
God has never asked us to understand every circumstance before we trust Him.
He asks us to walk by faith.
As the Bible says in Isaiah 43:2 (KJV):
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Notice what God didn't say.
He didn't say you would never pass through the waters.
He said, “I will be with thee.”
And sometimes, dear friend, that is the promise you need to hold on to today.
You may not know when the storm will end. You may not understand why it came. But you can know the One who walks with you through it.
The storm may have changed your circumstances, but it does not have the final word over your life.
And Paul Harvey would always end with…
And that's the rest of the story.
As the pianist comes this morning…
Is your heart troubled this morning? Jesus said, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Are you convinced of the certainty of scripture? Are you standing on the promises or sitting on the premises?
Are the conditions that are visible in your walk pointing towards true salvation? Or have you just been playing church?
The altar is open this morning. Are you willing to come to the altar and really do business with God?
Is that still small voice speaking to you this morning? The Bible tells us to cast all of our care upon him.
If you are watching remotely, have you ever been born again? Can you look back to a time, a moment in your life when you knew you were helpless, hopeless, and hellbound and you called upon Christ to save you?
If not, pray this prayer sincerely from your heart.
Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe your Son Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I believe he was buried in a tomb and rose again the third day. As much as I know how I ask you to forgive me of my sins, come into my heart and save me. Amen
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