John Lesson 19 – John 14:15-31

 

Last time Jesus prepared and comforted His disciples for His departure.  He declared that He was the only Way to the Father.

John 14:15-31 – Jesus Promises The Holy Spirit

In John 14:15-17 Jesus told the disciples, “If you love me, you will obey what I command”. – John 14:15.  To help them He said He would ask the Father to give them another Counselor to be with them forever - the Spirit of Truth.  This Counselor is the Holy Spirit.  He comforts troubled hearts.  He is absolutely trustworthy.  God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are One.  These three are called the Trinity.  Jesus said the world cannot accept Him.  The world cannot see Him nor knows Him, but the disciples know Him because He lives with them and will be in them.  This Helper is available only to believers.

Principle:  Obedience is the evidence that we love Jesus.

In John 14:18-20 Jesus said He would not be with them much longer.  He promised them three things:  He would not leave them as orphans, He will come to them, and He will live in them.  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit links Himself and the Father to those who love Him and keep His teachings.  His Spirit lives in every believer.     

Jesus said “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me and I am in you.” – John 14:20.  On that day is the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would descend upon all believers.  Some say it was the day of Jesus resurrection.  Whichever it is, it’s when the disciples would understand what Jesus meant.  You are in me and I am in you means that Christians are united with Jesus and so united with the Father along with the Holy Spirit.  This wonderful mystery and is hard to understand, but it’s true.  If you are saved, Christ is in you. 

Jesus went on to say that if we love Him we will keep His commands and obey Him.   We obey Him because we love Him.  As we continually confess sin and grow in our knowledge of God, our love for Him naturally increases.  He makes His home within us.

In John 14:26 Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will teach them many things and remind them of everything He had said to them.  He would be their helper and continue teaching them what Jesus taught.   

The Holy Spirit is also referred to in Scripture as the Advocate, the Comforter, the Counselor, the Strengthener, the Helper, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of God, the Convicter, the Spirit of Life, the Teacher. 

The Holy Spirits does many things:

He convicts the world of sin.

He guides us to all truth.

He glorifies and testifies of Christ.

He reveals Christ to us.

He leads us.

He empowers us.

He fills us.

He gives us spiritual gifts.

He renews us.

He strengthens us.

He prays for us.

He helps us to obey.

He seals us for the day of redemption.

He sets us free from the law of sin and death.

He reveals things of God to us.

He dwells in us.

He speaks to us and through us.

He teaches us.

He comforts us.

He reveals God’s will to us.

Principle:  We can rejoice that Jesus has given believers the Holy Spirit.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27.  His peace is different from the peace that comes from the world. To have peace doesn’t mean we will not have trouble.  True peace comforts us when bad things happen.  The peace of Jesus is a calm and freedom from anxiety that comes from trusting our sovereign God.  We know that God is in control and is always looking out for us.  We have peace knowing that He paid the price for our sins on the cross.  He gives spiritual peace or peace with God.  He gives peace with others or relational peace.  We have peace and the reassurance of our place in heaven.

How can you get Christ’s peace?  You get peace with God through faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  You get it through prayer, studying the Scriptures, and living in obedience to God’s will.

Principle:  We can rejoice that Jesus has given believers His peace.

In John 14:28-29 Jesus told them He would soon leave this world, but would come back and that they would be glad He is going.  Why would they be glad?  If they truly understood that He would be resurrected, restored to His glory with the Father, then seated on the right hand of God, have authority over all the universe, and that He would send the Holy Spirit to dwell in them, they would have rejoiced over His return to the Father.

To come back could refer to His resurrection, His appearances after His resurrection, the coming to us as the Holy Spirit, or to His 2^nd coming at the end the world.  Whichever He really meant; they should rejoice.

In John 14:30-31 Jesus said the prince of this world (Satan) has authority over the world, but not over Jesus.  Satan wasn’t the one who pushed Him to the cross.  Jesus went willing and in obedience to God.  Jesus makes it very clear that He is sovereign over His own death and over Satan.

Telling the disciples these things in advance would make sense to them after He has been killed and resurrected.  He wanted them to know that Satan has no power over Him and what is about to happen is only by Christ’s own choice.

Satan has no authority over us Christians, because Jesus has made us right with God.  Still Satan will try to make us do wrong things and will attack us in different ways.  We are to reject his temptations and look to God for the strength to resist.

Jesus is the eternal Son of God and is now sitting on the right hand of the Father.  He is sovereign over all in the world and if you are a believer He is sovereign over your life.  He has promised to work all things together for good for those who love Him. (Rom. 8:28). 

Principle:  Jesus is sovereign over all!

What causes you the most anxiety?

Do you have anxiety or peace in times of trouble?

What is keeping you from the peace Jesus gives?

Key verses: 

“If you love me, you will obey what I command”. – John 14:15.

“I will not leave you.” – John 14:18a

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

Wow!  This chapter of John is jam packed.  Take time to read and study over it more than once.  There are many truths to think about.

Next week we will study John 15.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

__________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below. 

Resources:

The Holy Bible NIV

Bsfinternational.org

Bibleref.org

Enduringword.com

John Lesson 18 – John 13:31-14:14

 

Last time Jesus washed the disciples’ feet to teach them humility.  Then Jesus revealed Judas as His betrayer.  Jesus told Judas to do what he was about to do and to do it quickly.

John 13:31-35 – Jesus Prepares for Glory

When Judas had gone, Jesus knew everything was set in motion beginning with His arrest and ending in His crucifixion.  He made four references to how the Father and Son would be glorified.  He said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.  If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.” – John 13:31-32. 

Glorify actually means to lift up.  For Jesus, His glory would involve His being lifted up on the cross out of love for us and in obedience to the Father.  Through His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus would bring the Father glory by fulfilling the Father’s plan to bring us out of bondage of sin and death. 

The world’s definition of glory is very different.  The world’s definition is to be famous, have notability, have prestige, and be renown by notable achievements.  It’s to have great pride and pleasure in something.

Jesus knew Judas was going to the Jewish leaders and that He would die soon and then be made alive again.  This would bring glory to God.  The disciples didn’t understand this.  Jesus would go to heaven and they could not follow at that time.  He knew this would make them sad.  Later Jesus explained how they would have the Holy Spirit to help them after He was gone.

Jesus called His disciples His children.  He meant this as a sense of tenderness and care.  Jesus gave the disciples a new command.  He told them to love each other another as He had loved them.  He showed just how much He loved them by His death.  He became a sacrifice on our behalf.  He willingly suffered the punishment that we deserve.

Principle:  We are to love with selflessness, humility, and forgiveness as Jesus loves us.

John 13:36-38 – Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

Peter asked where Jesus was going and wanted to follow Him, but Jesus told him he couldn’t until later.  Peter said he would lay down his life for Jesus, but Jesus said Peter would disown Him three times before the rooster crowed.  Peter thought he was fully committed to Jesus, which he was in many ways.  Jesus knew all the disciples would flee for their lives when He was arrested.  Jesus loved His disciples and was committed to them and to Peter in spite of their failures.  He didn’t reject them because of it.  Still He loved them and restored them and used them to spread the gospel after His resurrection.

When have you run from Christ?

When have you denied Christ out of fear?

Are you shamed of the Gospel?

It’s easy to make promises to God when we don’t have trouble in our lives.  God knows our hearts and whether we are sincere.  We don’t really know what we’ll do in a difficult situation.  But we do know that if we mess up, He will forgive us.  To truly remain loyal to Him we need to stay in His Word and trust Him to guide us.  We must stay faithful in the small things as well as the large ones.  We must live our lives to please God. 

Love can be costly.  It can mean we have to sacrifice our selfishness for others.  We are to see others as Christ sees them and become more like Him.  You don’t have to like a person to love them.  You don’t have to be their best friend and spend all your time with them.  Even Jesus spent more time with Peter, James and John than the other disciples, but He loved them all the same.  He loves each one of us the same.  He shows no favoritism.  Jesus loved His enemies even though they were constantly trying to kill Him.  “Love you enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matt. 5:44.  This kind of love requires effort.

When have you broken a promise to God?

What do you need to show the love of Christ?

Principle:  Jesus loves us despite our failures.

John 14:1-4 – Jesus Comforts His Disciples

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” – John 14:1-3.

Jesus spoke words of comfort to His troubled disciples.  These are words of comfort for all believers.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled” – He doesn’t want us to fear, but to trust in Him.  We are the ones who lets our hearts be troubled.  We control it.  We get anxious and fearful.  Life will happen and we will find ourselves in situations we don’t like.  God gives us the strength and hope to prevent troubled hearts.  We are to believe in God and in Jesus.  We are to commit, believe and trust Him and He will guard our hearts.  God is in control and aware of our situation.  He wants us to be thankful in every situation.  Remember this and you will have peace which will keep your heart trouble free.

What situation is troubling you?

Are you trying to handle it on your own or are you taking it to God?

“In my Father’s house are many rooms … I will come back and take you to be with me …” - Jesus told His disciples and us that there is life after death.  He promises heaven for us.  There is room in heaven for everyone who believes in Him.  We need not fear death.  He will come back for us one day.  Until then we are to stand firm and trust Him.  He keeps His promises.

Principle:  Hope in Christ’s promises will comfort your troubled heart.

John 14:5-14 – Jesus is the Only Way

Thomas asked where Jesus was going.  He thought Jesus was just going on a trip and didn’t understand that He was going to leave this earth and go to heaven.  Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6.  These words are VERY important.  Jesus didn’t say He knows the way to heaven.  He said He IS the way.  Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven.  He is our only access to God and salvation.  There is no other way to be saved.  Our good works cannot save us nor our positions in church.  This Scripture is a non-negotiable requirement to be saved!

Believing that Jesus is the way should comfort you because you have access to God through Jesus.  You can bring all your troubles to Him.  You can stand securely in the truth of who Jesus is.  Trusting in Him gives assurance of eternal life and escape from the second death.

In the book of John, Jesus told us 14 times who He is.  He left no doubt.

“I am the bread of life.” – John 6:35, 48 

“I am the light of the world.” – John 8:12, 9:5 

“… before Abraham was born, I am!” – John 8:58 

“I am the gate.” – John 10:9

“I am the good shepherd.” – John 10:11, 14

“I and the Father are one.” – John 10:30

“I am the resurrection and the life.” – John 11:25

“I am the way and the truth and the life.” – John 14:6

“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me ...” – John 14:11

“I am the true vine” – John 15:1

There is no other way to the Father than through Jesus.  He is the only way to God.  Salvation is found in no one else.  This is absolute truth.  He is the exclusive way to God.  He alone can give eternal life.  This eliminates all other ways to God.  So Jesus is either right or He is wrong and a liar.

Principle:  Salvation is found in Jesus alone.

Who do you say Jesus is?

Sinners will spend eternity in hell away from God.  “… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Rom. 3:23.  You cannot get to heaven by doing good works.  The only way is Jesus.  He is the way.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Rom. 6:23.  Jesus gives us the gift of grace and died in our place.

Philip wanted Jesus to show him the Father.  Jesus told him that He and God are the same.  He saw the evidence of the miracles.  If they see Jesus, they have seen God.  Many people want to know and see God.  We cannot see God in this life, but Jesus shows us what God is like.  He shows us God’s character.  Jesus’ words and actions were God’s words and actions.  If we want to know God, we need to just look at Jesus then we will know God.  (John 14:5-12).

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things then these, because I am going to the Father.” – John 14:12.  The ’greater’ here doesn’t mean to do more sensational things, but greater in magnitude.  He is leaving behind those followers who would spread His kingdom to more people and more places than Jesus ever did in His life time.

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” – John 14:13-14.  Jesus said He will do anything we ask in His name.  When we pray we are to submit to God’s will.  To pray in Jesus’ Name refers to all that He is and all He has done for us on the cross.  We pray under the authority of what Jesus did for us and all He represents.  He promises He will do anything implies it must be in the will and nature of Christ.  It must honor Him.  It should be our desire to see God glorified through Jesus.  That should be our objective when we pray.  Just because you ask God for something and pray in Jesus’ name doesn’t mean you will get it.  He won’t do it if it doesn’t fulfill the purpose of glorifying the Father through Christ.

Principle:  The goal of prayer is to glorify God.

Key verse:  “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6.

Next week we will continue our study in John 14.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus

_________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

Resources:

The Holy Bible NIV

Bsfinternational.org

Bibleref.org

Enduringword.com