"Going Home" Pastor Doug Kamstra, John 14:1-3, February 9, 2020 PM

Covenant Christian Reformed Church

Going Home (A Study of the Gospel of John; Jesus on Discipleship #6) John 14:1-3

A. How many people live as if the Christian Life is a retirement cruise?

1. If we sail unprepared, it’s in spite of God - not because of him

2. He has gone before us and offers to go with us

B. In these verses, Jesus promises to prepare us a place in his Father’s house

JESUS PROVIDES A PERSPECTIVE (14:1)

A. One of Jesus’ hardest commands is “Let not your hearts be troubled”

1. There seem to be incredibly good reasons for Jesus’ disciples to be troubled

2. It is okay to have and learn from our troubles, but then we need to move on

B. The antidote to a troubled “heart” is a trusting communion with the Father

and his Son

1. Trust develops over time in community through relationships

2. Jesus invites his disciples to deepen their communion with the Father...

C. John continues and notes reasons to foster and fortify our trust

1. Jesus “Dear little children” provided a note of divine affection (13:33)

2. Jesus’ “for now” keeps the door open for a “but later...” (13:36b)

3. “God” has a definite article. John : “Trust THE (Great) God” (14:1)

4. Jesus promises to return (after a physical absence): “I’ll come back” (14:3)

“I know that all of these hard realities are understandably very discouraging to you; but please, don’t let you hearts be too troubled; you can't trust your colleagues completely and, you know you can't even trust yourself completely; but please remember the living God in whom you can trust completely; and please remember me too, and my trustworthiness. Don’t give up on us. Don’t be too discouraged.” [Jesus]

JESUS PROVIDES A PLACE (14:2)

A. 14:2 - “There are many rooms in my Father’s house”

1. A house implies rest, safety, warmth, a place to belong

2. Your “Father’s House” is where your Father is...

B. The next sentence is a curious one: “I would tell you this if it were not true”

1. Why did Jesus say that? Jesus sees complacency, contentment, apathy

2. His statement confronts our complacency; gives this teaching urgency

C. Your Father is planning on you coming

D. This passage parallels the wedding customs of Jesus day...

1. First, there is a coming together of the bride and groom’s families

a. Promises are made; commitments are given; the dowry is paid

b. Then the groom returns home to prepare a place for his bride

c. When the place is prepared, the groom returns for his bride

2. First, they come together to make covenant (a cup of wine is exchanged);

the second time he comes to bring his bride home (with feasting)

3. The Bride’s home fades into the background; the Groom’s home comes

into view

JESUS PROVIDES A PREDECESSOR (14:2)

A. The New Testament has a great name for Jesus: “prodromos”

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul...it enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us, has entered on our behalf” (Heb. 6:19-20)

“For those God foreknew...that [Jesus] might be the firstborn among many” (Rom. 8:29)

“He is the firstborn over all creation...the firstborn from among the dead” (Col. 1:15, 18)

B. We can go to heaven with a sense of confidence; Jesus is already there

JESUS PROVIDES A PROMISE (14:3)

A. Jesus describes his “leaving” as making preparations for “his own” (13:1)

1. He promises to go and prepare a place for us, to be the “transportation”

we need (cf. 14:6), and to personally accompany us

2. Jesus promises he is coming back. You can stake your life and eternity on it!

B. Fear strikes when one realizes death is near and they are unprepared

1. What matters to the Father is if he knows you...

2. It’s not what you have! It is who you know! Be prepared!