Sermon Theme
Troubled Hearts
It is a difficult thing… never easy, even heartbreaking and fear inducing
Separation from those we love is a common experience whether it be
* For a while here in our earthly lives OR
* That ultimate separation brought about by death
Fifty years ago migrants set out from war ravaged Europe to make a new life on other side of the world.
Many a time it meant the husband going ahead on his own leaving the family behind
This left wives and family behind living in situations which often remained difficult
In effect, overnight, wives like my mum, became single mums with 6 children to look after.
The emotional, physical and spiritual stress would have been enormous in a country in need of rebuilding after the devastation and deprivations of war. To say that these women experienced a sense of being troubled would be an understatement.
Jesus had been telling His diciples about His going away…
“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” (John 13:33)
‘Troubled’ disciples and in need of some reassurance
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” (John 14:1)
(cf. troubled & terrified when see a ‘ghost walking on water” Mt. 14:26 / Jesus ‘troubled re: His coming death (Jn 11:27) & Bethesda pool with its ‘troubled’ water ((Jn 5:7)
All they knew was that He was speaking of leaving
- THE TROUBLEDNESS OF CHRIST’S ABSENCE
- THE COMFORT AS TO HIS MISSION IN HEAVEN
- A FANTASTIC ESCORT INTO HEAVEN
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Readings
Acts 1:1–11 (NIV84)
1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach
2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Text
John 14:1–14 (NIV84)
1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
2In 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.
3And 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.
4You know the way to the place where I am going.”
5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
