INTERNET BIBLE STUDIES | JOHN LESSON 25 | |||
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John Chapter 14: 1-15 Memory verse for this week: Psa 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.. Introduction: In our last study in Chapter 13, we saw Christ identify Judas Iscariot as the one who would betray Him. In verse 34, Jesus commanded the disciples to love one another as He had loved them. The chapter closed with Peter claiming that there was no way that he would deny Christ, but Jesus told him that before the night was finished, that Peter would deny him three times before the cock crew
I. Jesus Foretells His Coming for His Own John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Perhaps, no greater verses are in the Word of God that comforts us when we are down than these first six verses of chapter 14. What a comfort to us when we are down to know that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us after we die (or taken up in the rapture), and that we will one day be where He is, with the Father. I suppose the disciples were coming to grips with the fact that Jesus was about to be put to death, and they were very troubled. But whatever the reason, Jesus promises them comfort if they would simply believe and trust Him. If you are here this morning, and you have problems and need comfort, I will promise that there is no one who can comfort the troubled heart like Jesus Christ. Another important thought about this verse is that Jesus was God. It is pure and perfect to see how that God and Jesus were both part of the Holy Trinity. How three can be one, I can not understand. But I trust God on this, just as I do on all things that are beyond my human mind to comprehend.
John 14:2 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. When my mother died in 1997, I believe these verses took on new and lasting meaning to me. I realized that because of what Jesus had done for her, that she was in a far greater place than she had ever been, and that one day due to my salvation, I would see her again. And I dont think any of us has any idea how wonderful and beautiful heaven really is.
The term mansion comes from the Greek word mone~ meaning "abiding places." God owns it all, all the planets, the stars, the universe, and all that exists. Jesus literally puts his reputation on the line for us in this verse. The apostle John got an opportunity to view some of the abiding places in Revelation when he was caught up to see things that were, and are, and are to come to pass.
John 14:3 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. We have a great promise here that we can go to a place that the Lord has prepared for us. J. Vernon McGee in his commentary on John says this is the first promise in the bible where you find mention of God taking anyone off this earth to go out yonder to a place that He has prepared. Im not sure about this, since even Job, in the oldest book of the bible, claims that he knew that one day he would see the Lord.
Brother McGee went on to say "The disciples are startled when Jesus reveals that he is going to take a peoplebeginning with the apostlesoff this earth to be with Christ in the place that He is preparing for them. This is the first time it is mentioned, but it is not the last time. Paul talked about it, saying in 1 Thessalonians 4 that the Lord Himself would descend from heaven with a shout. His voice will be like a trumpet, with the sound of an archangel. He is coming to call His own. The dead in Christ will rise first, and then those believers who are still alive will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. So shall we ever be with the Lord in that place that He has prepared." Remember the promise when the Lord ascended to the Father.
John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? We see Jesus explaining to the disciples that he must go and die on the cross of Calvary, and then go back to the Father. Thomas always seemed to have doubts, but I think in this case he simply wanted clarification as to how they (the apostles) would go to be with Jesus. While I do not endorse many of John Calvins teachings, I agree with him on these two verses. "Because we need an extraordinary fortitude to endure our long separation from Christ patiently, he adds another confirmation that the disciples "know" that his death is not annihilation but is a passing to the Father; and they "know the way" they must follow to arrive at the communion of the same glory. Both clauses should be noted carefully. First we must see Christ, by the eyes of faith, in his heavenly glory and blessed immortality. Second, we must understand that he is the first fruits of our life, and that he has opened "the way" which was closed against us. At first sight, Thomass question seems to contradict what Christ had said, though he did not mean to disbelieve his Master. I reply: the saints knowledge is sometimes confused because they do not understand how or why the things explained to them are certain. When the apostles believed that Christ was departing to the Father, and yet did not know how he would obtain the kingdom, Thomas says, fairly enough, that they "dont know where" he is going. Hence he concludes that "the way" is even more obscure, for before we start along a road we must know where we are going." John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. This is one of the most clearly written, eye opening scriptures in the Bible. There are not 10 ways, not five ways to the Father, not even two. One way, and that is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Anyone trying to come to the Father any other way will not make it. If we rely on good works, on obeying the law, on doing more good than bad, we will not arrive with the Father. But if we come humbly to Jesus, ask forgiveness of our sins, and repent, God will forgive us of our sins. But it is through Jesus, and Jesus alone.
It is popular to teach that everyone will be in heaven. We are all shooting for that same common goal, whether we serve God, Buddha, or Muhammad. But according to the Bible, the way to eternal life is a very narrow path, and few there be that find it. And only those that come by Jesus Christ will come to the Father.
John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? We talked earlier that God and Jesus are two of the three parts of the Godhead. They are one in mind and have all things common. While Jesus very desire was to do the will of the Father, we see the Father putting all things under the son. And the Holy Spirit directs us all in the perfect ways of the Lord. He does not lead us contrary to the teachings of the bible. Some spirit may be leading, but it is not the spirit of the Lord. One of our bible study members this week wrote and said that she appreciated the teaching on how we should try the spirits. She had thought for years that God was leading her to do many things contrary to the Word of God, but now she knows it was not the Holy Spirit, but an evil spirit that desired her destruction. We see Philip asking to see the Father. Is it not human logic that if we can see something, then we will believe. Theres an old saying to not believe anything you hear, and only half of what you see. That may be good worldly advice with magicians and trickery going on around us, but when it comes to the things of God, we must believe to be pleasing to God. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Jesus tells them that if they have seen Him, they have seen the Father. The Father over and over gave commendation to the son. At Christs baptism, on the Mount of Transfiguration, and the ultimate commendation when Jesus came forth from the tomb. Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Mat 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. To hear Jesus Christ is to hear the words of the Father. Some asked why should they listen to Jesus. The reason is because his is Gods only Begotten Son, and because he and he alone has the words of eternal life. John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Jesus points out that if they could not believe him for His words, then believe Him for the very works He had done. Who else had ever done the things that Jesus did? No one ever healed the sick, made the blind to see, physically raised the dead. This was no ordinary man, and no one was ever like him before nor shall ever be.
John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Are we involved in the work of the Lord today? We should be. Jesus says if you believe on me, the work I do, ye shall do also. Can you and I raise the dead, make the lame to walk, cause the blind to see like Jesus? No those special powers that the apostles had was for a time to prove that Jesus was who He claimed to be. But the same God that healed those people can heal those in need today, but it is done by prayer and fasting and faith. And it has to be the Will of the Father for things to happen. We should be out doing greater works every day of our life. The hour is coming, and is soon at hand, when the day is finished and time will be no more. If you ever intend to do something for God, you had better do it today. John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. God gives us some clear instructions on how we may have our prayers answered. First, they must be prayed for in the name of the Son. And they must be prayers of faith. Note that we are to prove our love by keeping the commandments.
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