Reflections on John 14:23-29. May 22, 2022

Summary

In this sermon based on John 14:23-29, the speaker reflects on Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit and the importance of keeping His word. As Jesus prepares for His departure, He reassures His disciples with peace and the promise of God's presence through the Holy Spirit. The sermon emphasizes that love for Jesus is demonstrated through obedience to His teachings, not in emotional sentiment, but in committed actions. The speaker calls the congregation to reflect on how they live out Jesus' teachings and invites them to experience the peace and guidance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jesus promises that those who love Him and keep His word will experience a deeper connection with God, with the Father and Son making their home within them.
• 😀 Keeping Jesus' word is not about emotional experiences but about manifesting love through new behaviors, sustained commitment, and aligning one's life with His teachings.
• 😀 The 'word' of Jesus refers to Him as the ultimate revelation of God, the proclamation of grace, and the teachings found in the Bible, especially when understood through the lens of Jesus.
• 😀 The world cannot access the closeness to Jesus that believers experience through loving Him and keeping His word, which results in an ongoing revelation and deeper relationship with Him.
• 😀 Jesus warns that failure to keep His word reflects a lack of love for Him and causes alienation from the Father and Son.
• 😀 Love for Jesus is shown through action: living out His commandments, proclaiming the grace of God, and studying and applying Scripture with a heart ready to be transformed.
• 😀 The sermon emphasizes the importance of not cherry-picking Scripture or using it for self-serving purposes, but rather understanding it in its full context as a guide to living in alignment with Jesus.
• 😀 Jesus' invitation to His disciples—and by extension to us—is to keep His word, and in doing so, allow the Holy Spirit to teach and remind us of His teachings.
• 😀 Despite human reluctance to embrace all of Jesus' teachings, He remains steadfast in His love and grace, offering forgiveness and reconciliation even when we fall short.
• 😀 Jesus offers peace that is not of this world, encouraging believers not to be troubled or afraid, reminding them that they are chosen by Him, not the other way around.

Q & A

What is the focus of the scripture passage in the sermon?

The passage from John 14:23-29 focuses on Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit and the relationship between love for Jesus and obedience to His word. Jesus assures His disciples that those who love Him will keep His word, and in doing so, God will make His home with them.

What is the significance of Jesus saying, 'Do not let your hearts be troubled'?

Jesus' words, 'Do not let your hearts be troubled,' offer comfort to His disciples. Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding His impending departure, He reassures them that they should trust in God and in Him. This promise of peace serves as a foundation for faith in times of fear or uncertainty.

What is meant by Jesus' statement that He is the 'way, the truth, and the life'?

Jesus' statement that He is the 'way, the truth, and the life' emphasizes that He is the only path to salvation and eternal life with God. He reveals the truth about God's nature and His will, and through Him, people receive spiritual life. This statement underscores the exclusivity of Christ's role in leading believers to the Father.

How does the sermon explain the concept of 'keeping Jesus' word'?

'Keeping Jesus' word' means responding to God's grace by loving Jesus and living according to His teachings. It involves honoring His commands, engaging with the proclamation of grace, and studying and applying the Bible. It is not just about obeying specific rules but embracing a lifestyle that reflects Christ's values.

What is the role of the Holy Spirit, according to this passage?

The Holy Spirit, referred to as the 'Advocate,' is sent by the Father to teach and remind believers of Jesus' teachings. The Spirit helps believers understand and live out the word of God, offering ongoing guidance and strength. The Holy Spirit's presence ensures that believers are never alone in their journey of faith.

Why does the sermon emphasize that love for Jesus is not about emotional sentimentality?

The sermon emphasizes that love for Jesus is not about feelings or sentimental experiences, but about concrete actions—such as keeping His word and living in accordance with His commands. Real love for Jesus is shown through sustained commitment, new behaviors, and a life that reflects His teachings.

What is meant by the phrase 'the word of God' in the context of the sermon?

In the context of the sermon, 'the word of God' refers to several things: Jesus Himself as the ultimate revelation of God, the proclamation of faith that leads people to believe in Him, and the scriptures (both Old and New Testaments) which should be understood through the lens of Jesus' life and teachings.

How does the sermon address the challenge of wanting to live according to worldly standards?

The sermon acknowledges that many believers struggle with the temptation to live according to worldly standards rather than Jesus' teachings. It highlights how people often want a transactional relationship with Jesus—doing the minimum required to avoid judgment while maintaining control over their lives, instead of fully embracing the values of God's kingdom.

What is the promise given to those who love Jesus and keep His word?

The promise given to those who love Jesus and keep His word is that God will make His home with them. This means that God's presence will dwell in their lives through the Holy Spirit, providing guidance, peace, and transformation.

What does the sermon say about the relationship between faith and scripture?

The sermon emphasizes that keeping Jesus' word involves engaging deeply with scripture. It encourages believers to read, understand, and live out the teachings of the Bible, distinguishing between law and gospel, and applying the teachings of Jesus to their lives. This study of scripture is seen as essential to growing in faith and being more useful to God's kingdom.