The second in a series of 8 sermons
Series Theme
As we meditate on the love of God and the sacrifice of Christ in the season of Lent, it would be easy for us to set our minds on the central doctrines of Scripture as to the atonement and resurrection in an academic way.
In this series we endeavour to take to hearts to the point of amazement, that Christ dying on the cross was FOR US, and while we long to go to Heaven after our life, to atone for our sins, Christ who already being there, willing left Heaven to come to death to take our place under the wrath of God.
This series goes on after the resurrection to meditate on the ascension of Christ, His return to Heaven and the sending of the Spirit at Pentecost, as well as what he doe sin heaven for us (interceding). All these have by God’s grace US in view.
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Readings
John 16:5–28 (NIV84)
5“Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief.
7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;
10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;
11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
12“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.
13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
16“In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”
17Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”
18They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
19Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’?
20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
21A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.
22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
26In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
27No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
28I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
Text
John 14:1–6 (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.
