8/15/23
John 14: 7-11
Identity Issues Dirty Deeds
- Did you stop listening/paying attentionLast week, we saw the disciples are in a state of confusion and frustration.. Jesus has humbled himself and washed the feet of his disciples, He’s teaching them about servanthood and the importance of humility. He has revealed to them that one of his disciples would betray him. Judas Iscariot, is about to fulfill aid in Jesus’ arrest. Are they truly listening/paying attention in that upper room? How many times have you gotten upset and stopped listening or paying attention?
- Because Father said toThere are so many in the world who “Question” authority… I know I have a few times in my life… and it wasn’t because of a lack of respect but because of the lack of knowledge I possessed to make sense of what was happening. Jesus emphasized the importance of love and unity among his followers. He has repeatedly told them who has sent him and under whose authority and yet they are still so confused.
- Gotta have FaithThings are so tough in that upper room right now, Jesus is promising he will not abandon them. He comforted them and encouraged them not to be troubled. Where is their Faith? And, How big is your faith when “life” hits the fan??
Today we are going to read from John 14:7-11
But first, Imagine for a second, you’re at a celebration with your closest friends, and someone you love… Someone you’d follow anywhere because you trust them, This someone starts telling you they have to leave you… It’s not you, its me! Right?! You’re upset and you enter into this state, the state of mind where they are talking and you don’t hear a word. You’ve completely stopped listening. You’re hurt, sad, disappointed even. You are so blinded by your own anger and frustration, you have COMPLETELY forgot EVERY word, promise this person has ever told you. I mean, they did just say they were leaving after all!
In Chapter 14 verses 1-6, Jesus knew how frightened his disciples were about all the things he shared with them and especially about Him leaving! All he wanted was to comfort them. But in the eyes of the disciples… Jesus was supposed to be their Messiah, The king of the Jews… They were there to celebrate, not talk about Jesus’ leaving AND how they will betray him. They were undoubtedly upset!
Please open your bibles with me now to John chapter 14
7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
– Jesus is sad! He has spent over 2 years with His closest disciples. He has performed miracle after miracle and even authorized, and empowered His 12 disciples to heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead…. You know, no big deal stuff, but yet they STILL questioned who He is? (They could not fully comprehend who Jesus WAS and IS. Philip even goes so far as to ask for tangible proof, not just for him but for all of the disciples (as though the other stuff wasn’t enough?!) They wanted proof they had put their FAITH in the right place. They did, after all, give up everything to follow Jesus.
1ST POINT- BUT THEY STOPPED LISTENING AND PAYING ATTENTION!
Over and over, Jesus promises them he will not abandon them and they will be together again.
Did they forget every word, every promise?
In Matt 19:27-28
27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow
you. What will we get?”28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new, and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Now the word “promise” appears in the Bible approximately 290 times, depending on the translation. It is used in various contexts. It refers to God’s promises to His people, promises made between individuals, and the importance of keeping one’s promises. The saying of God’s promises is significant throughout the Bible. It highlights His faithfulness, trustworthiness, and commitment to His children.
Heb 13:5b
“I will never leave you and I will never abandon you”
Reaffirms His promise to those who believe.
Another promise is given to us in Deuteronomy 31:6
6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not
panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
But Still, Jesus addresses all the disciples, asking “If you knew me at all, you would know who my Father is.
In other words, You ALL should’ve been paying better attention!
All the disciples felt was disappointment, which was affecting their faith, which in turn, had to sadden Jesus further. They had stopped listening and paying attention.
2nd POINT- He did it BECAUSE FATHER SAID TO
In John 12:49, Jesus tells us ‘On whose authority he speaks’ 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.
Because, Father said to….
In Chapter 14 verses 9-10, He tells us again ‘On whose authority he speaks’.
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.
Jesus did as the Father commanded Him to. It was his Father’s authority…
Because, The Father said to!
Where was their faith?
The disciple’s faith was wavering. They were scared and confused
Now faith, by definition, in Hebrews 11:1, Is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.
3rd POINT- GOTTA HAVE FAITH
You have got to have faith, Faith is vital in Our relationship with God. It is the foundation we as believers live our lives, make decisions, and are able to weather through our trials. Through faith we find salvation and we are able to please God.
In verse 11,
11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or
at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
Jesus is challenging his disciples. He is urging them to believe in Him based on the evidence of His miracles and His works. He is challenging them to have FAITH and to trust in Him.
In John 10:25, Jesus addresses the Pharisees 25 Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name.
Right?, Because Remember Father said to
Jesus is addressing their disbelief and challenges their understanding of Him. Ultimately saying that if His word is no good, at least believe in the visible signs of power and authority given to him by God. Have faith……
Friends, what do your deeds testify about you. Do you do as God has commanded you, Because Father said to and you trust he would never fail you? How big is your faith and are you the type of person who needs ‘tangible proof’ like Philip? Or do you stop listening when hurt and disappointed and completely forget HIS WORD… His promises?
Cru.org says, ” What it means to Trust God?” Is to believe in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of something. So when it comes to trusting God, that means believing in His reliability, His Word, His ability and His strength. The Bible says that God cannot lie. That He always keeps His promises. That He loves you and has good in store for you. Trusting in Him means believing in what He says about Himself, about the world and about you is TRUE!
Trusting God is more than a FEELING. It’s a choice; it’s a choice to have faith what he says ( even when your feelings or circumstances would have you believe something different.) Trust me, my feelings have dictated more than one of my poor decisions that have affected my life. Ever heard, Just because you feel it, it doesn’t make it true? Great words to live by!!
Your feelings and circumstances matter and are very much worth paying attention to. God cares about them both. But those things alone are not reliable enough to base your life on. They can change at any moment, even in an instant. God, on the other hand, does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and therefore is worthy of our trust.
I think we can all agree…. WE. HAVE GOT. TO HAVE. FAITH!! Without Faith, There is no TRUE relationship with The Father!