February 26, 2017
Scripture:
Hymn 248 - O happy day, that fixed my choice
Prayer
We’ve been looking at the events that led up to Jesus’ death. So far we’ve looked at the Passover and the breaking of bread. After these, Jesus began speaking to His disciples, and what He said is recorded in John 14, 15, 16, and 17.
Today, we’ll look at John 14, and we’ll title this chapter “Hope.” “Faith, hope, and love” are often spoken of together, and it’s hard to have hope without faith. What is hope? The dictionary describes it as the “anticipation of a desired future happening.” Once an older Christian congratulated a younger unbeliever on graduating from law school.
“What are you going to do now?” he asked.
“Well, I’d like to get a position where I can get experience in articling,” replied the young fellow.
“What then?” asked the man.
“I’d like to move on to one of the big law firms,” came the answer.
“What then?”
“Well, somewhere along the way I’d like to find a nice young lady, get married, and have a family.”
“What then?”
“Well, I’d like to become a partner in one of the law firms, and part own it.”
“What then?”
“I guess one day I’ll have enough money to retire.”
“What then?”
The young man thought for a while. “Well, I guess one day I’ll die,” he said finally.
“And what then?” asked the Christian. The young man had a lot of hopes for life, but nothing for beyond death. John 14 gives us hope for beyond this world. In fact, it will be the best part.
Read John 14: 1-7. There are four points that we need to look for here.
The person is Jesus. He is the One telling us, “Don’t fear, I’m going to prepare a place for you.” That’s the promise, “I’m going to prepare a place for you.” The place He is preparing is in Heaven, the Father’s house, the many mansions. Finally, the prospect, or the hope, is being with Jesus forever.
Jesus is able to do all this. While on earth, He went around doing miracles and teaching. The disciples thought that He was the Messiah, and would restore Israel’s kingdom. However, here He told them that He was going away, and that He would die. This troubled the disciples. In John 12, Jesus was troubled about bearing our sins. However, He told the disciples not to worry. He was going to take care of everything.
Jesus is the same person who, John 1 tells us, created and gave life to everything. Now He says that He is going to prepare a place for us. If Jesus created this universe, with all the plants, animals, and galaxies, then Heaven must be amazing! When He made the earth, He made the habitats first, and then the creatures for the habitats. Animals will die if they don’t have the right habitat. That is why He’s making a place for us first. He will then make us suited for that place. Sin ruined the garden of Eden, but in Heaven there will be no sin, and it will be perfect forever.
1 Thessalonians 2:12-20
God called the Thessalonians out of darkness to light, and He has called us too. We can be so thankful for that. Not only has He called us out, but also He has called us in. We have the story of Israel in Egypt in Exodus. He called them out of Egypt, so He could bring them into Canaan.
There is a heavenly and earthly side to God’s Kingdom. Here, we have the heavenly side. God will have a millennial kingdom, and Jesus will be the King. But before that He will draw His people into the Kingdom.
The glory of God is the way He’s manifested Himself. The characteristics of God such as love, holiness, purity, and beauty are a part of His glory. He wants to share it with us. We often read of the glory of God in the Bible, but the glory of man is barely mentioned. Man’s glory is earthly, and passes away. But when we are with God in His glory we won’t mar it’s beauty. We will add to the glory.
Paul didn’t have a New Testament. It might be hard to evangelize without the Bible. But Paul told the Thessalonians that they came to them with the Word of God. We have the Bible. Paul didn’t. He was verbally inspired to give the Word of God. God opened the Thessalonians’ hearts. Some people don’t believe the Bible, and they won’t believe you if you confirm your words by the Bible; but right here it says that this is God’s Word. God’s Spirit opens up the heart to believe; then the last part in v. 13 takes place.
1 Peter 1:23-25
The Word of God is an incorruptible seed. By this time Paul’s letters must have been available to others. The Bible never changes. Textbooks change often as the science advances. The Bible is still valid. Gospel preachers need to know the importance of their message. God has said His Word will not return void.
Hymn 167 - I know not why God’s wondrous grace
Prayer