What troubles you today?

As you were going about your week, since we last met, what events, news, and experiences have caused concern and worry in you?

Are you troubled by the ever-increasing list of school shootings?

Are you troubled by the latest images of a natural disaster?

Are you troubled by the collapsing and failed banks?

Are you troubled by the price of living due to inflation?

Are you troubled by tension in you marriage or in a certain relationship?

Are you troubled by a rebellious child?

Are you troubled by a career decision or job instability?

Are you troubled by health issues?

Are you troubled by ever-present anxiety or the darkness of depression?

Are you troubled by broken dreams or unfulfilled promises?

Are you troubled by weight gain?

Are you troubled by the fear and burden of addiction?

When thinking about the troubles we have had, have now, and will have in the future, we come to quickly understand that we live in a world that doesn’t contain enough ink and paper to record all of the troubles we experience.

As we come to this morning’s Biblical text from the Gospel of John, or to put it another way, John’s biography of Jesus, we enter into a moment in which Jesus is talking to his disciples about their current overwhelming concerns and worries, their troubled hearts and minds.  In the text, Jesus acknowledges the suffering that they are experiencing and tells them how to deal with trouble when it comes their way.

Let’s hear from God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, now.

John 14:1–14 records this conversation for us:

[1] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. [2] In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. [4] And you know the way to where I am going.” [5] Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” [6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [7] If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

[8] Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” [9] Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? [10] Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. [11] Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

[12] “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. [13] Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (ESV)

As we enter into this conversation between Jesus and His disciples this morning, it seems to start rather abruptly with Jesus stating, “Let not your hearts be troubled.”

This seems like a strange start to a conversation.  It actually seems more like the middle of a conversation after some sort of personal struggles were being discussed.

Well, to find out what is going on, we have to do what any good reader would do, we have to back up to see what came earlier in the text that led to such a bold and strong proclamation by Jesus.

When we do this, we come to find out that the conversation that unfold in this morning’s Biblical text from John 14 is actually part of the conversation that Jesus has with his disciples at the table during the last supper.

Jesus has just washed His disciples’ feet and commanded them to go out into the world and take gentle and intimate care of all of those around them because that is the nature of God’s love for them.

Jesus has also informed them that one of them will betray Him, selling him out to the Roman government, leading to His death which means He will be leaving them after spending three years living with them, traveling with them, teaching them to be Godly leaders in the world, and sharing God’s Word and miracles with them.

In this conversation, mostly found in the previous chapter of John 13, the disciples voice concern and fear of not having Jesus physically present with them any more.

This is the anxiety and inner turmoil, or trouble, that they are currently experiencing and that Jesus is addressing in our Biblical text this morning.

In our text, Jesus acknowledges their confused, concerned, and troubled hearts, and gives them the good news of how and wh yabout why they can have peace.

Jesus tells the disciples four (4) specific ways that they can find peace when they feel troubled.

First, Jesus tells them to believe in God in order to find peace when they are troubled.

In his 2nd letter to the Christian Church in the city of Corinth during the first century A.D. (or C.E.), the apostle Paul tells us this about God:

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3–4, ESV)

What does this text say?

This text says that when we are experiencing trouble and we choose to focus on God, our Father in Heaven, He will bring comfort and peace into our lives by reminding us that He loves us and is for us.

Second, Jesus tells them to believe in Him in order to find peace when they feel troubled.

Later on in John’s biography of Jesus, specifically at John 16:33, Jesus is recorded as saying this to the disciples:

[33] I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16.33, ESV)

There is a common misconception promoted by pastors, churches, and Christians.

That common misconception is the lie that if you believe in Jesus, the result will be a trouble-free life.

This lie that is told inside and outside of churches all around the world does nothing but harm people of faith. The harm comes because the truth is that Jesus does not promise trouble-free lives so when we experience trouble, we doubt both God’s love for us and the efficacy of our faith.

Jesus clearly lets you know that even if you believe in God and you believe in Him, your life will not be trouble-free because you still live in a flesh and bones body corrupted by sin and you live in that sin corrupted body in a sin corrupted world.  

So, you will have trouble.

BUT, in the midst of the trouble you feel and experience, you can have confidence and peace with the knowledge that God is real, that God is active, and that God always has your best interests at heart.  The main way you see those truths is by seeing God working in and through the person and work of Jesus Christ for you.

In Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has overcome the power of the world, the power of sin and death, which actively works against you to take you away from God and out of the equation.

With faith in Jesus, the words of 2 Corinthians 4:8–10 ring true our lives.

[8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (ESV)

And, this is true because of who Jesus is.  

A great description of who Jesus is and what Jesus does for us is found in the apostle Paul’s letter to the Christian Church in the city of Colossae. Paul describes Jesus and His work for us with these words:

[15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. [16] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. [19] For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

[21] And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, [22] he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, [23] if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:15–23, ESV)

Next, or third, Jesus tells them that they can have peace when they feel troubled in this world because He is currently preparing a place, a room in God’s house in Heaven, for them right now at this very moment.

And, fourth, Jesus tells them that they can have peace when they feel troubled in this world because regardless of what has happened to them, regardless of what is happening to them now, and regardless of what will happen to them tomorrow, He is coming to get them and take them to their Heavenly home that God has made possible for them through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

To support Jesus’ words and promises in points 3 and 4 above, God gives the disciple John a vision of Heaven later on in his life, when John is exiled away on an island by himself as a punishment for his faith in Jesus.

So, even though John had this trouble in his life, God brought him comfort and peace in this hour of need.

John says this:

[1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

[5] And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” [6] And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. [7] The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. [8] But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21.1-8, ESV)

We talk about this hope we have every single Sunday when we gather at the table of Communion to celebrate the Eucharist when we hear and agree with the words that say,

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes [again].” (1 Corinthians 11.26)

In a book that I read to our student at Bethel Kids this past Friday night, the following paragraph was repeated over and over again:

“They told about Jesus, who died so we can be forgiven, who came back from the dead so we can live forever, and who sent his Holy Spirit so we can follow him as our King.”¹

In February of this year, the LA Times reported this story:

When Gustavo Alvarez lost his home in Los Angeles, there was a bitter irony that added insult to his travail. The fire that consumed his home started in a homeless encampment behind his home. Initially, insurance payments made it possible for Alvarez to move his family into an apartment while the home could be rebuilt. But the temporary housing benefits only lasted six months, which left Alvarez with nowhere near enough time or money to complete his home renovation.

Alvarez told The Los Angeles Times, “We are saving up to fix the house. But the $1,400 of rent for our temporary home has been an added expense. My wife is working at a clothing store to make up for some of it … You work day and night for years to build something and it is gone in a matter of hours.”

When Jessica Lawson read Alvarez’ newspaper story, she was moved to act. Lawson is a disaster recovery program manager for Habitat for Humanity in the greater LA area, so she reached out. Lawson said, “I knew we had the power to help. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could actually help the family?”

And help they did. Because of Lawson’s intervention, Habitat was able to offer Alvarez a loan with highly favorable terms that would help him finish his home. After reviewing damage estimates from a general contractor, the work was done quickly, enabling Alvarez to move back in a few months’ time.²

The fire of sin that burns deeply inside of you from the moment of conception leaves you homeless as it separates you from God, your Father in Heaven.  And, the strength you have within yourself, which is always corrupted by sin, makes it impossible for you to work hard enough and long enough to rebuild the bridge to God which takes you to your heavenly home.

However, the good news you have this morning is that God knows your story and has chosen to work a disaster recovery program for you.

God reaches out to you in the person and work of Jesus Christ every second of your life with the power to help you.

With Jesus’ intervention in living a perfect life when measured up against God’s standards, in dying on the cross as the innocent and sinless Lamb of God to provide you with the forgiveness of sin and righteousness, and in rising from the grave (moving from death to life), you find yourself with a reconciled relationship with God and an eternal home in Heaven.

With faith in Jesus, you find yourself always going home to Heaven, as you walk the ONLY way to God the Father who has created that place for you.

Take the third stanza of O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing with you this week and sing:

“Jesus the name that charms our fears

That bids our sorrows cease

’Tis music in the sinner’s ears

’Tis life and health and peace”

And, take Jesus words with you this week as well.

[33] I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16.33, ESV)

This is the Word of God for you today.

This is the Grace of God for you today.

Amen.

Pastor Fred Scragg

May 7, 2023

Footnotes

¹Bob Hartman, The Prisoners, The Earthquake, and the Midnight Song: A True Story About How God Uses People to Save People (UK: The Good Book Company, 2020).

²Doug Smith, “A Watts family gets a helping hand after a house fire pushed them toward homelessness,” LA Times (2-11-23)