So John chapter 14 and for those of you that haven't been with us we've
been going through the Gospel of John chapter by chapter every week on our
Bible study on a Sunday evening and we're now up to chapter 14
and we'll go through it verse by verse like we have been and we're starting in
verse 1 which John chapter 14 verse 1 the Bible reads let not your heart be
troubled ye believe in God believe also in me let's go to the Lord in a quick
word of prayer father I thank you for your word I thank you for this is this
great gospel I thank you for the King James Bible I thank you for for this
church and now just please please just help everyone to have attentive ears
attentive hearts help me to preach your word accurately and boldly and for us to
put it into action in our lives as one Jesus name we pray all of this amen okay
so in verse 1 here he's obviously not talking about salvation here Jesus is
saying to trust what he says isn't he to believe also in me when see when we
really trust what Jesus says and we our heart shouldn't be troubled should it
okay when we really trust what Jesus says and we shouldn't be troubled our
heart troubled being basically being in fear anxiety and the rest of it we need
to really trust what Jesus says don't we and have that assurance from that and he
goes on to say in verse 2 in my father's house and many mansions if it were not
so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you how many mansions did he
say there are many yeah many mansions so that's not a limited number is it
there's not you know 144,000 mansions as the witnesses might have you or the
false witnesses might have you believe there are many mansions many mansions in
his father's house that's a pretty amazing thought when you think about it
yeah there are many mansions up there not not you know little mini apartments
or little bedsits or anything else there are many mansions up there now how did
Jesus go to prepare a place does he mean he's up there dusting and
polishing and rearranging furniture or doing a bit of DIY around the mansions
no he prepared a place by dying on the cross didn't he okay that's how he went
to prepare a place by dying on the cross yeah dying on the cross and in fact
after he died on the cross then going to hell for three days then rising again
and that's how he went to to prepare a place for us and I think sometimes you
can look at that and think Jesus is up there just doing the last few you know
odds and ends but no he prepared a place in an almighty way didn't he but these
mansions sound good don't they and they sound good that sounds pretty amazing
and I think you know for me that follows on from verse 1 let not your heart be
troubled and because we can you know it could be a lot of anxiety there could be
a lot of stress there could be a lot of fear a lot of worry in life you know
life just has a habit of doing that but really we want to focus on eternity
don't we when we focus on eternity it just makes things so much more bearable
well you don't have to turn it but Jesus said in Luke 23 43 to the thief on the
cross and Jesus said unto him verily I say unto thee today shalt thou be with
me in paradise okay that's not an in-between land okay that's paradise
talk about heaven it's paradise isn't it paradise and what do you think of when
you think of paradise some people have probably different ideas maybe thinking
about some sort of tranquil island or something else away from people
but you know you probably a lot of people have different ideas don't they
about what exactly is paradise well Jesus said you'll be with me in paradise
and that's the thought isn't it many mansions paradise and I think sometimes
it would help us to maybe focus on what a gift we've been given it's not just
the eternal life it's not just you know that well we don't have to have eternal
suffering in hell for every sin you've ever done it's not only that it's not
only that you've been given a free gift of salvation and that you don't have to
go to hell but also that heaven isn't just someplace that you've got to put up
with it's paradise many mansions turn to Revelation 4 now there's not I think
maybe because it's so hard to put it in words and to give us a picture there's
not that many real descriptions of heaven are there in the Bible we get
little glimpses and little pictures Revelation 4 we see a little bit and
from in Revelation chapter 4 and verse 3 it says and he that sat was to look
upon like a jasper and a sardine stone and there was a rainbow round about the
throne in sight like unto an emerald and round about the throne were four and
twenty seats and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting clothed
in white raiment and they had on their heads crowns of gold and out of the
throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices and there were
seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which were the seven spirits of
God and before the throne there was a sea of glass like under crystal in the
midst of the throne and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes
before and behind and the first beast was like a lion and the second beast
like a calf and the third beast had a face a man the fourth beast was like a
flying eagle and the four beasts had each of them six wings about them they
were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying holy holy holy
Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come when those beasts give glory
and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne who liveth forever and ever
the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne and
worship him that liveth forever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne
saying thou art worthy Oh Lord to receive glory and honor and power for
thou has created all things are full of pleasure they are and were created so
that's in the presence of God they're worshiping God it's a pretty pretty
amazing scene isn't it but a few things that come out of there the lightnings
the thunderings the sea of glass like unto crystal in the midst of the throne
round about the throne and then obviously you got the beast you know
with the full of eyes before by there's all these just amazing what what visual
images there the thing that must be pretty just an amazing sight to see this
and and you know like I said there's not all these big descriptions in the Bible
but there is in Revelation 21 there is the New Jerusalem there and and you know
we're going to spend eternity there so let's have a quick look so turn over to
Revelation 21
have a look from verse 11 okay it says Revelation 21 verse 11 having the glory
of God and a light was like unto a stone most precious even like a jasper
stone clear as crystal and the city life four square and the length is as large
as a breadth that he measured the city with the read 12,000 furlongs a length
and the breadth and the height of it are equal that's basically 1,500 miles cubed
okay cubed so that that's basically going up as well 1,500 miles that's
pretty big isn't it I don't know how that's going to work maybe mansions on
top of each other I don't know maybe the matches are really tall but I think
everything's built on top I mean that that's pretty pretty big isn't it verse
18 the building of the wall of it was of Jasper and the city was pure gold like
unto clear glass and the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with
all manner of precious stones the first foundation was Jasper the second sapphire
the third of chalcedony the fourth and emerald the fifth sardonyx the sixth
sardius the seventh chrysolite the eighth beryl the ninth the topaz the
tenth the chrysoprasus the 11th adjacent the 12th and amethyst and the
12 gates were 12 pearls every several gate was of one pearl in the street of
the city was pure gold as it were transparent glass and the city had no
need of the Sun neither the moonshine it for the glory of God did lighten it and
the lamb is a light thereof that sounds pretty amazing doesn't it that sounds
absolutely amazing and and look forget forget the Paradise Island you know
forget that this you know the the picture would be given there is
something amazing isn't it and something Jesus Christ has provided for us and
something he's prepared for us by what he did for us and you know okay there
aren't many pictures but that picture there gets me pretty excited and that's
we're gonna spend eternity there everyone that's put their faith in Jesus
Christ is going to spend eternity there so I go back to John and chapter 14
where we were and something that when your heart is troubled maybe remind
yourself of where we're going where we're going if you if you put your
faith in Jesus Christ that's where you're going to be for
eternity well I may you know that's amazing isn't it now look at verse 3 he
said and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you
unto myself that where I am there ye may be also that's the second coming to
rapture isn't it and whether I go ye know and the way ye know Thomas saith
unto him Lord we know not whether thou goest and how can we know the way so
Thomas talk in a literal sense here isn't it verse 6 Jesus saith unto him I
am the way the truth and the life no man cometh unto the Father but by me so this
is the sixth I am statement of the Gospel of John remember we had in John 6
I am the bread of life John 8 I am the light of the world John 10 I am the door
of the sheep and I am the Good Shepherd John 11 I am the resurrection and the
life and John 14 now I am the way the truth and the life the way not a way is
it the way there is only one way the truth not a truth not one of the one of
truths there can only be one truth can't there the truth the life no man no man
he said that includes Buddha Muhammad and the rest of the liars because they
are liars aren't they no man that means that the great intellectual rabbi
whatever you want to call him and everyone else that rejects Jesus Christ
is burning in hell okay that's what that's what that verse is saying that no
man cometh unto the Father but by me it doesn't matter how clever they sound it
doesn't matter how intellectual they sound it doesn't matter any of that
because there's only one way isn't there there can only be one way now you know
people say but these are holy men what about you know these holy people these
holy men well Mother Teresa she was so kind she was so nice to people well John
336 you don't have to turn this is he that believeth on the Sun hath
everlasting life and he that believeth not the Sun shall not see life but the
wrath of God abideth on him so not only will they not see life not only will
none of them come to the Father but the wrath the anger the fury of God abideth
on them God who sent his son to die on the cross to pay for for everyone sins
and people just reject it people love to believe that they can somehow do
something to get to heaven that it's down to them it's down to their
religion it's down to their turning from sin down to their perseverance down to
them it's not down to you it's down to Jesus Christ he is away not he is away
with you with what you do he is away the truth and the life no man cometh
unto the Father but by him what a great verse say what an amazing verse there
can only be one truth though can't there you can't have multiple truths or
they're not the truth you can't have multiple ways or they're not there's
only one truth in life isn't there there's only one truth and Jesus Christ
is the truth and everyone that's put their faith in Jesus Christ knows in
their heart that that's the truth don't they okay and the people that haven't
look you know and you know I don't know if we do or not here but look if you if
you're wondering if you're thinking well how do you put your face Jesus Christ
and talk to that talk to someone after the service come up to myself someone
else we'd happily show you how to put your your faith in Jesus Christ it's
simple isn't it so it's just taking a gift okay there can only be one truth
verse 7 if he had known me you should have known my father also from hence
forth ye know him and have seen him because it's not a good cop bad cop is
there it's not the old out mean old old God the Father you know from the Old
Testament thank God for Jesus Christ coming in just evening it mellowing him
out a little bit no because they are one God aren't they three persons one God
God the Father God son God the Holy Spirit there's no difference although
they are separate persons they are only one God okay which means they have the
same will they have the same standards they have the same love for us and they
have the same judgment for sin don't they there's no difference Jesus Christ
didn't come so that we can then get up to all the filth and perversions at the
Old Testament condemned did he that's not why he came he came to give us life
he came to save us but God still has standards to how he wants us to live
doesn't he okay and that hasn't changed Jesus Christ hasn't changed with that
verse 8 Philip saith unto him Lord show us the Father and it sufficeth us Jesus
saith unto him have I been so long time with you and yet has thou not known me
Philip he that has seen me has seen the Father and how sayest thou then show us
the Father because Jesus is God manifest in the flesh isn't he okay first Timothy
3 16 and without controversy great is a mystery of godliness God was manifest
in the flesh yeah the oneness guys would then say see this see look you
know Jesus is God the Father you know Jesus is God the Father but remember in
Exodus 33 20 when God was talking to Moses and he said thou canst not see my
face for there shall no man see me and live that's referring to God the Father
these people are talking to Jesus Christ and seeing God the Son's face aren't they
they're separate people but they are one God aren't they okay they're
separate persons but they are one God verse 10 believe it sound not that I am
in the Father and the Father in me the words that I speak unto you I speak not
of myself but the Father that dwelleth in me he doeth the works turn to Hebrews
chapter 1 because great is a mystery of godliness it is a mystery isn't it and
it's often hard for us to put it into words and it can be hard and you could
you know it could be hard when you're trying to explain it in your own words
but Hebrews 1 I would say says it's so much better than we can paraphrase or
that we can translate you know God says it now it's a mystery it's hard to
always get your head around but it's the truth Hebrews chapter 1 and verse 1
Hebrews 1 1 God who at sundry times it and in divers manners spake in time pass
unto the Father's by the prophets have in these last days spoken unto us by
his son he spoken by his son yeah whom he are the pointed heir of all things
by whom also he made the worlds who being the brightness of his glory an
express image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his
power when he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the right hand of the
majesty on high so the express image of his person or an exact representation
that's why he is in the father and the father in him you have one God verse 4
being made so much better than the angels as he had by inheritance obtained
a more excellent name than they from to which of the angels said here any time
thou art my son this day have I begotten thee and again I will be to him a father
and he shall be to me a son and again when he bringeth in the first begotten
into the world he saith and let all the angels of God worship him and of the
angels he saith who maketh his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of
fire but unto the son he saith thy throne Oh God is forever and ever a
sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom that's got the father
calling God the Sun God yeah a bit hard to speak to each other if they're
different forms isn't it yeah if they're different slice of the pie or something
else is a bit hard to speak to each other a bit hard if Jesus is a lesser
being isn't it a bit hard if Jesus is is just a lesser being being called Oh God
look there's a hierarchy okay there's clearly a hierarchy in the same way that
there's a hierarchy in many areas of life aren't there but it doesn't mean
that that person's a better person or anything else because of hierarchy but
Jesus is God it's profound it's hard to explain but it's the truth isn't it
that's the truth of the Bible Jesus is God in the flesh verse 11 he said back
to John back to John there chapter 14 believe me that I am in the father and
the father in me or else believe me for the very works sake verily verily I sound
to you he that believeth on me the works I do shall he do also and greater works
and these shall he do because I go unto my father greater works than Jesus
Christ God in the flesh does he mean more amazing miracles sight to the blind
walking on water is that what we're going to be doing maybe running on
water yeah maybe raising the dead maybe raising three dead at once it's not what
he's talking about is it greater here is referring to the quantity isn't it it's
a quantity a greater or bigger number of works what are the works well the works
with the most eternal value or what getting people saved aren't they more
important than any of the rest of that is getting people saved because they're
that that's where those works last for eternity don't they okay and they haven't
they have such an impression for eternity as well so why can we do more
works in Jesus Christ well verse 12 he tells us why he says and greater works
initially do because I go on to my father Jesus ministry was three and a
half years wasn't it and there are people here there are kids here who are
saved already hopefully we'll go on to to serve God and you know that's not a
given by the way that's not a given is it that they're gonna be disciples for
their life we need to make sure as parents that we encourage them and train
them up to be disciples okay it's not oh well they've come to a good church
that's it job done no they need to carry on don't they and we need to keep
encouraging them and and make sure that they want to come as well as they get
older as well but I mean even for us here for many of us here I mean you know
I'm starting to feel a bit older but I hope I've still got quite a few years
ahead of me and if I got a few years ahead of me I've got a lot of time I can
still serve God can't I okay and that's that's it look we've got we've got a
long time ahead of us to go out and get people saved in the soul and the key is
consistency isn't it okay the key is making sure that you do what you can do
that look I'm not saying well I better err on the side of caution only go once
a month no I'm not saying that but what I am saying is to make sure that you're
going week in week out okay no matter what not to you know I'm going seven
days a week and then suddenly you don't go at all for the next few years yeah
just get out there get soul winning make sure you're doing it and consistently
throughout your life and greater works than these shall he do because I go on
to my father because we have the time to do it don't we do that work for God
verse 13 and whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do that the father
may be glorified in the Sun if you shall ask anything in my name I will do it did
he say that whatsoever ye shall ask that will I do did he say that no he said
whatsoever ye shall ask in my name didn't he whatsoever you shall ask in my
name so is that as long as we end the prayer in Jesus name is that what he's
talking about there just go well you know I'll ask all these things in Jesus
name so you know as long as you know I could just ah God you know I just want
the head of my enemy on a charger you know in the charger in Jesus name you
know that's just going to be done then no but he's saying he's saying in my
name basically is another way saying according to my will isn't it okay
according to the will of him turn to 1st John chapter 5 Jesus give me a Ferrari
in Jesus name there you go what's there I've asked in his name now it's talking
about his will 1st John chapter 5 and verse 14 1st John 5 14 and this is the
confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his will he
heareth us and if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we
have the petitions that we desired of him you know the Lord's prayer thy will
be done yeah that's what we're praying for but we can ask for things
specifically because God's will is to give us good things isn't it but there
are things which are going to be good for us because a lot of things maybe we
pray for a lot of the time there may be things which wouldn't be good for us
now turn to Mark chapter 11 because as well sometimes people think yeah but
ask for this and it I'm sure this was God's will I'm sure this was God's will
and and it's not being answered hmm well look at mark 11 there's another
stipulation here verse 22 mark 11 22 and Jesus answering saith unto them have
faith in God for verily I say unto you that whosoever shall say unto this
fountain be unto this mountain be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea
and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that those things which he
says shall come to pass he shall have whatsoever he saith therefore I say
unto you what things so ever ye desire when you pray believe that ye receive
them and ye shall have them so if we're desiring things in Jesus name according
to his will we're going to desire good things aren't we good things which are
for good for the good of us for the good of others if we really believe we
really have faith when we pray we will receive them because how many times you
pray and in the back of your mind you think you don't know if I'm gonna get
this don't know if it's really gonna work out because we do don't we often
sadly people do pray like that but but no that you know we should be praying
praying for his will and praying in faith pray in faith pray with that
belief that he's going to answer your prayer because he will he's just told us
or do we not believe the Word of God anyone here not believe the Word of God
anyone just no no I'm not sure I don't know maybe the translators got that bit
wrong you know yeah no well you got to go back to the Greek there no we've got
the we've got the King James we've got the Word of God haven't we and the Word
of God says here that whatsoever he said that whosoever shall say unto this
mountain be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea and shall not doubt in
his heart that's the key but shall believe that those things which he saith
shall come to pass he shall have whatsoever he saith we can remove the
mountains in our life if we have faith in God yeah we have faith that it will
be answered but there's also another condition isn't there so go over to well
in fact stay there look at verse 25 and when you stand praying forgive if you
have ought against any that your father also which is in heaven may forgive you
your trespasses but if you do not forgive neither will your father which
is in heaven forgive your trespasses so I would say this obviously applies
especially when we're praying for forgiveness because we should be
praying for forgiveness shouldn't we shouldn't everyone here because first
John 1 9 after owner says if we confess our sins he's faithful and just forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness this isn't for ongoing
salvation is it obviously this is for for that walk with God for God to not
chastise you like we spoke about before your child comes up to you says I'm
really sorry I did something really naughty and comes it what's your
punishment gonna be love it's gonna be a lot less than if you have to catch them
out isn't it if at all sometimes it's hard when they come up and owned up to
a book to something they've done it's hard to punish them in the same way God's
the same way like that isn't it we should we should confess all us is that
something we should get in a habit of at night shouldn't we go to bed and praying
to God for forgiveness because you know the more we do that the more he he's he
will forgive us but also the more that then we'll be forgiven because there's
no use going to bed at night going oh god please forgive me for today I've
just been a jerk I've done this I've done that and in your mind you're like
that person you know that person at church that barely said hello to me or
whatever else you know if you're if you're not forgiving other people it's
God gonna forgive you well it says here if you do not forgive neither will your
father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses okay that's our ongoing walk
with God it's got nothing to do with salvation unlike what the liars the the
the work salvationists will try and tell you verse 15 back to back to John
chapter 14 John chapter 14 of verse 15 if you love me keep my Commandments how
many liberal so-called Christians claim to love Jesus they love that word love
don't they oh I love my Lord and Savior oh you know I love love and we just love
everyone I we need to be more Christlike and love everyone because we just love
Jesus so much they claim to love everyone don't they but they can't even
keep one commandment can they can they they don't even attempt to keep any
Commandments and again it's got nothing to do with salvation but if you love the
Lord if you love me keep my Commandments oh you legalist you legalist you're
telling people that they should actually pay attention to what God's written in
this thick Bible and not just to the verse about salvation yes that's what
I'm saying I'm saying there's a huge Bible here that will help us to live
right and Jesus said if you love me keep my Commandments if you really if you
really want to show people you love the Lord Jesus Christ keep his Commandments
I'll do your utmost to keep them and we're gonna fail we're gonna fail
regularly aren't we we're all sinful yeah we're all gonna fail but we should
be trying our best shouldn't we and how are we gonna keep his Commandments
because there are many Commandments aren't there there are many we're not
just talking about the Ten Commandments here everyone loves the Ten Commandments
but there are many Commandments so how do we keep them well we need to know
them to keep them don't we yeah how can you keep Commandments that you don't
know you need to know you need to know that you need to read the rule book to
know what the rules say yeah how you get you know you go into some sort of sport
that you're competing in how are you gonna how you're gonna keep the rules
you don't even know what the rules are I was explaining to my son the off
sidetracked the other day because how's he meant to know if he doesn't know what
it is when he's playing it playing football well we have to learn the rules
don't we well look you could add there then if you love me learn my Commandments
because if we're not reading the Word of God if we're not reading our Bibles how
are we meant to know what the Commandments are if we don't if we can't
even be bothered to open the Bible more than maybe a couple of minutes a day if
that if you if it's only some you know whatever the verse of the day sent to
you by your Bible app is well I've done a bit of Bible today you know I read a
verse oh I meditated on it for five seconds well how you get how you gonna
keep his Commandments because I'll tell you what that's quite that's quite a big
book isn't it I think it's the best part of 1200 1200 chapters there aren't there
okay so that's a lot of chapters and there's a lot of words in that Bible
I've seen word counts before I can't remember what they are but look if you
want to learn that you need to read it regularly don't you and not just once
through you need to read it through time and time and time again cuz sometimes
there are things that just come up that you you've completely forgotten aren't
there there are things that you you know you've might you might be really a few
times a year and you'll still forget things well you could be really at six
times you still forget things if you love me keep my Commandments that's what
Jesus said I everyone here loves loves Jesus because I tell you what he did a
lot for us didn't he a hell of a lot for us excuse a pun verse 16 and I will
pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter that he may abide with
you forever even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it
seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him for he dwelleth with you and
shall be in you the Spirit of truth being the Holy Spirit yeah the Spirit
indwells every believer okay the Spirit indwells us all doesn't it everyone
that's put their faith in Jesus Christ is indwelt by the Holy Spirit they
didn't have to do a special prayer for the for the Holy Spirit let's have
someone have to pray for them to speak in tongues okay no the second you put
your faith in Jesus Christ alone not Jesus Christ plus a bit of me I works
no no Christ alone then you're indwelt by the Holy Spirit verse 18 I will not
leave you comfortless I will come to you and that's the third part of the Trinity
God the Holy Spirit yeah God the Holy Spirit the third part the Trinity verse
19 yet a little world a world seeth me no more but ye see me because I live ye
shall live also so was it just a death and burial it's also Jesus Christ
resurrection that results in this living doesn't it okay if Jesus Christ
something resurrected but still be paying for our sins and if he's still
paying for our sins and we're not justified yet are we okay so his
resurrection is important here and it's because he lives that we live also now
verse 20 at that day ye shall know that I am in my father in ye me and I in you
he that hath my commandments and keepeth them here it is that loveth me
and he that loveth me shall be loved of my father and I will love him and will
manifest myself to him so again we show our love to Jesus by keeping his
commandments yeah okay he that had my commandments to keep with him here it is
that loveth me okay and he that loveth me should be loved my father and I will
love him and will manifest myself to him so if you want God to love you and this
is now a deeper love here isn't it then like we said the God so loved the world
love and the love that he has for his children but if you want God to really
love you to give you that extra love keep his commandments yeah try your
utmost to keep his commandments do everything you can to keep his
commandments if you want to really know God keep his commandments yeah how many
people I just want to see Jesus oh if only come to me and talk to me in a
vision or in a dream or something else well no if you really want to see him
you want to see him it's really the Word of God isn't it keep his
commandments keep his commandments and one of them is read your Bible yeah
learn learn about him this is him telling you all about him as well learn
about him keep his commandments you want to see him keep his commandments you
want to know him keep his commandments and he will manifest himself to you and
you will understand you'll get to know him more Judas saith unto him not
excariant Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us and not unto
the world Jesus answers said unto him if a man love me he will keep my words
and my father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with
him if you want to be near to God you want to feel his presence you want him
involved in your life keep his words yeah it's the same same theme here
isn't it verse after verse for man love me he will keep my words and my father
will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him that's him
being close to you that's him being there with you that's that's feeling
that presence of God and the more you keep his commandments the more you read
the word the more you you try and live for God the more you feel that don't you
yeah and look we all go through different periods everyone is honest
there it's not just being this upward just you know improvement their whole
life yeah there are gonna be times when you feel further from God it let's be
honest those times are when you're not reading your Bible so much isn't it when
you're not living for God when you're willfully sinning more and more isn't it
but the more you live for God the more you feel like he's making that abode
he's living there with you he's there by your side verse 24 he that loveth me not
keepeth not my sayings and the word which he here is not mine but the
father's which sent me so when we're just ignoring Commandments willfully
sinning we're showing that we don't love him yeah and that's something that maybe
that's another good incentive isn't it another good incentive for trying to
live for God it's not for salvation it's not to keep salvation obviously
it's it's it's to show that we love him show that appreciation to be able to
have that happy love to have him make his abode with you verse 25 these things
have I spoken unto you being yet present with you but the comforter which is the
Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things
and bring all things your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you okay so
the Holy Ghost will teach us and remind us all the things that God has said
that's what it says doesn't it the the Holy Ghost yeah the comforter he shall
teach you all things and bring all things your remembrance whatsoever I
have said unto you so how does God speak to us so again through the Holy Ghost
but the Word of God isn't it yeah our King James Bible that's how God speaks
us the King James Bible and the Holy Ghost will then he will teach us and
remind us of scriptures but but what's the stipulation here it's what we've
heard or read isn't it so if you're not reading your Bible you're not reading
the Word of God then how's how's the Holy Ghost here gonna bring all things
to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you yeah because everything
he said unto us is throughout our Bible so to have that brought to remembrance
and look how many people can vouch for this when they're out soul winning when
you're out soul winning and and there's you're having this you know someone
maybe there's a bit of a problem this person is something they're stuck on and
then the Holy Ghost just just a verse comes in your mind doesn't it and that
verse suddenly you're preaching to them it's a verse you might not even use very
much we've been reading your Bible recently haven't you that verse comes in
yeah next you know that person's getting saved yeah and and the Holy Ghost does
that doesn't he keep brings you remember how many times you try to
advise someone try to counsel someone be it your kids someone else and the Holy
Ghost will bring to your remembrance of us bring to your remembrance a passage
of the Bible bring to your remembrance a story in the Bible yeah we all I think
most people here could say yeah I've experienced that yeah that's how it
works isn't it but if we're not reading it how does that happen it can't it
doesn't happen so then we're basically the sword of the Spirit which is the
Word of God we're basically disarming the Holy Ghost when we don't read our
Bible and that's why I look you know it's no excuse is it when you're sitting
at home in the evening you've hardly read any Bible and instead you're
flicking through YouTube videos you know just some old junk or you you know you
you're just doing just just a lot of the time casting wicked things before your
eyes aren't you let's be honest and everyone will do it from time to time
I'm not saying it's all YouTube might be something else might just be trawling
through social media it might be you know just something else maybe shoving
on the TV or whatever it is that people will end up doing in their free time and
you really you're limiting yourself though as well aren't you because you're
limiting the power that you could get from the Holy Spirit that to be able to
just help you through how many times in just difficult decisions in life does
the Holy Spirit put something in your head if you're reading your Bible if
you're in the Word if you're regularly in the Word it's so important isn't it
so important and what and like I said what's the number way that God the
comfort of the Holy Spirit comforts us through the scriptures okay that's how
it's done that's how we're comforted through the scriptures so if you're not
reading it how are you going to get comforted as well so it's a comforter
and we want we want comfort in life don't we yeah I know some of us men we
think we're pretty tough you know we can do a right but tell you what life can be
tough can't it and we need comfort we need that comfort and look I've said it
before and I keep saying it preaching is different to Bible reading isn't it okay
and look and audio as well with Bible you know and preaching is biblical for
sure so don't ever think that I'm trying to say you don't listen to preaching do
listen to preaching good preaching don't just listen to any preaching okay
because there's much more bad preach there's many more false prophets online
obviously is a big problem right now isn't it because there's just false
prophets everywhere I mean how often do you put on a good preacher and the next
suggested video what is it just always some way to say it John MacArthur's the
big one is it so wicked false prophet and he's a subtle false prophet that one
as well a lot of people have been deceived by him in it there are many
aren't there just and and you know it doesn't matter how many times you're
listening to good sound NIFB preachers and how often does YouTube just want to
suggest some heretic false prophet every single time yeah and look but preaching
is biblical good preaching is biblical and we should all enjoy listening to
preaching should we okay I love listening to good preaching I hope
everyone else likes listening to good preaching yeah nothing better is there
than listening to good preaching but oh there are some things but there is is up
there it's out there okay but but if we want to have the things that Jesus has
said yeah brought to our remembrance yeah all things whatsoever he said yeah
what's the most efficient use of our time to do that because for example this
sermon this sermon right now it's a Bible study okay so we've got a full
chapter we've gone through anyway and as well as a chapter that we've gone
through verse by verse we've probably gone through approximately another
chapter let's say okay in Bible verses turning maybe a few off quoted here and
there we've turned to a few few I haven't turned to okay so that's around
two chapters of the Bible in approximately an hour okay two chapters
of the Bible in there how many chapters of an average chapter you getting
through in your Bible reading in an hour I would say about 12 yeah on average 12
chapters an hour so look and I would say that's probably a fair average for a
sermon and I'll talk about good sermons because I'm not say look not all sermons
have to be literally just full-on Bible Bible Bible but sadly there there there
are a lot of sermons which are springboard off one verse aren't they
and then the guy just starts telling you poetry and talking about you know
whatever wicked old false prophet who Spurgeon or someone else yeah but no
okay so so two chapters I would say in an hour in a sermon so in comparison
like I said you can read about 12 chapters couldn't you 12 chapters in
that time now I'm not saying switch on I'm not saying guys pack up now get out
your Bibles okay give up on it but what I am saying is that by all means this in
the sermons enjoy the great preaching out there the sound preaching but get
the balance right as well okay so if you're just sitting at home and you
could be reading your Bible instead you're just strictly on sermon sermon
and look many people have done this haven't they or many people will do this
and sometimes we'll fall back into this it's not necessarily falling but when
they're literally just watch sermons on repeat repeat repeat you know and all
they're doing is this in the songs but they're not really reading the Bible you
know they're kind of they might get in a couple of chapters in the morning you
know and that's about it well well how's the Holy Spirit gonna bring that all
things to remembrance because really it's not an efficient use of your time
is it okay and look audio Bible I think's great as well and and I would
just get the balance you know yeah listen to good preaching make sure it's
good preaching make sure it's average don't listen to you know all these
heretics out there and everything else but at the same time you should be
listening and and or and reading your Bible shouldn't you okay therefore then
what's the Holy Spirit gonna do bring to your remembrance because then you're
getting you're just flooding your mind with Bible but you're also listening to
good preaching listening to expanded listening and enjoying preaching as well
which again is very biblical okay verse 27 peace I leave with you my peace I
give unto you not as a world giveth give unto you let not your heart be troubled
neither let it be afraid okay so that's Jesus telling us not to be fearful isn't
it that's Jesus telling us not to be afraid neither let it be afraid and when
you read the Gospels you can't help but feel that peace coming from Jesus can
you wouldn't you say like there just seems to be a piece of it like just even
when you read have them it's dramatized whoever reads it there's just when
you're reading through you there's just a piece that just comes off him he's not
stressing or panicking is he he's all oh what are we gonna do next
oh just oh how am I gonna deal with this God speak to me tell me the way you know
he's not doing that is he he's not flying off the handle every five minutes
is he there is righteous anger with Jesus Christ yeah it's not all you know
peace signs with the fingers but but look Jesus Jesus says just the peace that
comes from him he's always in control isn't he he's always in control even
when they're really trying to catch him in his words he's just in control but he
says that he will give his peace unto us so we can have that peace can't we peace
I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as a world giveth give unto you
let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid and look I believe that
all of this can apply to us as disciples of Jesus Christ yeah disciples not not
oh well you've got saved that's it you automatically can have the peace of
Jesus no if you you know if you want to follow him you want to be a disciple as
well and because look he's saying it's not the world's peace isn't it what's
the world's peace usually drug-induced isn't it okay that's the world's peace
some drug-induced peace and and look when when it's drug-induced I don't care
whether it's whether it's you know whether it's legal or illegal drugs
there there comes a reliance on it doesn't there okay there comes a
reliance because you know people who go well I just can't relax unless I smoke a
joint and a lot of the time they seem to be get getting more stressed when they're
not smoking a joint aren't they they'll be well I just need it need a drink you
know to relax me in the evening well funny how they seem to be getting more
stressed before they have a drink because a lot of the time we then start
in our mind and in our body manifesting the need for something don't we because
that's what not only sin but what addiction does doesn't it okay and
people then they start to form that reliance and make the excuse a lot of
people you know they're crutch they're well I've had an argument I've had a
round now I'm off to you know whatever it is partake in some drugs some some
out whether it's alcohol whatever some sin a lot of the time it can be
something that's not any of that and what happens with that is they start to
find an excuse for that more and more don't they they manifest acts you
suddenly the rows with the spouse they're happening even more because in
their mind the the answer now is to go out and do whatever it was that they
were trying not to do but really that they really want to do it okay and in
the end people make excuse in almost form that argument and that row because
the answer is to go and partake in whatever the world's peace is and and
the world's peace like I said alcohol you know how peaceful is that you know
this relaxed with a drink I don't see many relaxed people drinking there's a
lot of people steaming drunk and going around swinging swinging haymakers at
each other and the rest of it yeah like it you know that peace met but but the
medication as well and again people become reliant on it and the world's
answer is always medication medication isn't it but what about in another
world's peace is just turning a blind eye to wickedness isn't it so oh well
you'll be you know just just let you know live and let live and everything
else and just turn a blind I don't care if my kids are around the most vile
sodomites in the world just live and let live peace just do whatever you know
well that's not what that's not what the Bible says does it and we'll talk about
that in a second because Jesus Jesus is peace comes comes from the Word of God
doesn't it and again this comes back to the Word of God from no but also from
knowing that you're saved there's a peace from knowing that you're saved
isn't there knowing that you say no you're not going to hell nothing can
change that okay that God is with you knowing that God God God is with you in
life that you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you yeah that
you can you can get through the trials and tribulations of life there's a peace
from that from not fearing what man can do unto us because we shouldn't fear men
should we we shouldn't fear people shouldn't fear men but but with all that
in mind there are those that will take this sort of thing to the extreme and
then ignore other scriptures so there are people that you know for example
not being anxious or afraid which is what Jesus is saying here doesn't mean
that as men we just put our feet up and say well God will provide you know no
matter don't need to work and just just ignore all the all the obvious
scriptures telling us that we should go out of work and provide etc or we just
like I said ignore obvious dangers to our families because we're so spiritual
and just trust in the Lord no because we have to put it into into context
with the rest of the Bible when we follow him and have many Commandments
as to how we should look after our family into wise decisions about going
not in the path of the wicked etc so we have to put it all together not just go
well I'm a Christian everything will just work out fine there's a difference
isn't there between but there is a difference between healthy concern for
yourself your family your friends and being afraid isn't there okay there is
a difference there a concern because what what we told what's the word that
we're told regularly in the Bible to do beware aren't we beware and turn of
Colossians 2 there are many things we're told to beware of Philippians 3 2 says
beware of dogs beware of evil workers beware of the concision okay and it's
not just talking about old Fido and just be careful because he's got a bit
of a bark in him that's talking about vile reprobates isn't it beware of evil
workers beware of the concision we're also told to beware of false prophets
aren't we to be aware of the leaven of the Pharisees of the scribes of
covetousness we're told to beware of these things aren't we not just put your
feet up and don't worry do what you like God's got it sorted no we have to also
follow what he told us to do and we're told to beware Colossians 2 way you're
in Colossians chapter 2 verse 8 beware lest any man spoil you through
philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of
the world and not after Christ so we can be spoiled as saved Christians through
philosophy through vain deceit you know how many of you what's that guy that the
popular one Jordan what's his surname Jordan Peter so he's just so clever the
way he put seeks no this guy's just spoiling you with a lot of truth to wash
down a little bit of poison philosophy and vain deceit there's deceit there all
these worldly intellectuals he's worldly philosophers it's just it's just
spoiling you isn't it you don't need though these people telling you oh well
they know things they're not even saved don't even understand the Word of God
they're the Holy Spirit in them beware of these people the tradition of men off
the rudiments of the world not off crossing say people can do that as well
can't they spoil you through through these these traditions of men the
rudiments of the world we need to be well you could say be aware couldn't you
you also say be aware okay be aware but we don't have to be afraid do it you
have to be afraid so we should be where be aware of the dangers to your children
remember that they're entrusted to you by God yeah okay low children are in a
heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward yeah children are
entrusted to us so we should know what like I said before we should know where
they are what they're doing shouldn't we okay they're entrusted to us remember
that foolishness is bound in the heart of a child yeah kids don't matter how
well you think you raise your kids they just do stupid stuff don't know they
always do it's just the way it is it obviously the rod of correction shall
drive it far from him yeah but no we need to be where we need to we need to
remember beware be aware that sodomites target children they're recruiters
they'll target your children okay so if you're just you don't even know where
your kids are what they're doing who's around them you're not being being aware
are you it doesn't mean you're fearful doesn't mean you're fearful if you care
about these things and you're aware we should be aware of the sin that does so
easily beset us shouldn't we we should be aware of the sin of that of those
open doors that we have of those weaknesses we all have but we all have
individual weaknesses don't we we should be aware of those we have to be
afraid but we should be aware avoid it pass not buy it yeah be aware of the
distractions that stop you living living for God again you're not I'm not afraid
of distractions but I need to be aware of them don't I I need to be aware of
all those things those things that get in the way and stop me reading my
Bibles stop me praying stop me wanting to go out soul-winning stop me studying
my Bible stop me doing those things be aware so think of those things what are
those distractions what are those things which distract you we need to be
wise as serpents don't we but we don't have to be fearful we don't have to fear
apart from one exception what's that one exception God and all God's people said
God yeah amen to that because the exception is God we should have a
healthy fear of God shouldn't we fear God you'd have to turn there some
says all fear the Lord ye his saints for there is no want to them that fear
him fear the Lord oh ye his saints that's talking to save people isn't it
we're not fearing hell are we no but we're fearing his chastisement when we
should fear his chastisement in life because I don't want to I don't want to
get chastised by God I fear the Lord ye his saints for there is no want to them
that fear him when we fear him we by default of following his commandments
aren't we if you fear him you're going to be following his commandments then
there is no what there's nothing lacking is there it shouldn't be anything
lacking if we're following his commandments then we're not going to be
constantly fearful of everyone else and everything else are we we fear God then
there is no what we fear God we're following his commandments we're living
for God then we don't have to fear other people do it but we should still be
where and that's by fearing God and fearing and knowing that his commandments
tell you when you should be aware of things when you should be wise when you
should avoid things yeah verse 28 you have heard how I said unto you I go away
and come again unto you if you loved me you would rejoice because I said I go
unto the father for my father is greater than I okay so this is something that
when I was unsaved I didn't understand that Christians rejoice in Jesus death
bearing and resurrection it can be confusing when you're unsaved on it
rejoicing about this guy dying and and everything else but we should rejoice
because of the result shouldn't we turn to Ephesians chapter 2 Ephesians chapter
2 and verse 4 Ephesians 2 4 but God who is rich in mercy for his great love
wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in sins have quickened us together
with Christ by grace ye are saved and it raised us up together and made us sit
together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that's the result isn't it God
the Father quickened us or made us alive by our faith in Jesus Christ didn't he
okay God the Father did that and we should be rejoicing about that shouldn't
we okay we should rejoice about that look at verse back to verse John 14 verse
29 and now I have told you before it come to pass that when it is come to
pass you might believe so our faith is often strengthened by things coming to
pass that Jesus said word isn't it okay and often strengthens your faith because
when we see the result of doing things his way it strengthens your faith
doesn't it and when you see prayers answered doesn't it strengthen your
faith yeah when you pray for things you see the marks of prophecy fulfilled when
you see prophecy fulfilled with things looks like we're seeing some prophecy
being fulfilled right now aren't we and just we're fast going towards a one
world government from what I can see we're fast going towards what is going
to be eventually a mark of the beast aren't we and look I'm not saying it's
round it's next week or next year even or next decade but but we can see it
forming can't we okay and it doesn't that strengthen your faith and I know
so many things strengthen your faith yeah and when you see like when you see
us kind of as a church and we see some of the persecution and we see issues
coming that the Bible said would come it strengthens your faith you know all
these things should strengthen your faith and look he said when it has come
to pass you might believe and that for me is just that that extra that's faith
that that belief in everything in the Word of God verse 30 hereafter I will
not talk much with you for the prince of this world cometh and have nothing
in me okay so the prince of this world Satan has no power over Christ and we
spoke about this last week didn't we Jesus commanded him last week told him
what thou doest do quickly didn't they okay there's no like battle there's no
all Satan you know who's gonna win now that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh
Satan's his monkey okay but but he has no power over Christ it says here but he
fulfills a purpose doesn't he some people would say like he's a trash
collector isn't he verse 31 but that the world may know that I love the Father
and as the Father gave me commandment even so I do arise let us go hence now
Jesus is giving us an example isn't he here even though Satan has no real power
over him because he doesn't he's showing that love still by keeping the Father's
commandments yeah okay so he says here but the world made me know that I love
the Father and as the Father gave me commandment even so I do arise let us go
hence so he's keeping the Father's commandment and even though he has to
pay the ultimate price yeah so he's showing us it's still regardless of what
the result of that was and what the I mean beyond anything any of us will ever
have to do and I'm not just talking about dying for because the people do
die for for the Lord's sake but to die and pay for everyone's sins on the cross
and in hell is unbelievable isn't it but even so he's giving us he's showing us
there isn't he by following following his commandments on that let's pray
father I thank you for your word I thank you for a great chapter of the Bible and
you know a chapter which shows us how important it is to read your word to to
study your word to live by your word to follow your commandments and I pray
that everyone here in this church will go away this week and try harder to do
that to want to be loved by you with that special love that you had for
people like you know Lazarus and Mary and Martha the Apostle John and and that
you have that love for us because we want to be people that that are doing
our best to serve you doing our best to follow your commandments and but we know
that that has nothing to do with salvation that you made it clear that
that you know for by grace we say through faith and that not of ourselves
it is a gift of God not of works as any man should boast and and if there's
anyone here that is a bit unsure about that you know do they know for sure
they're going to heaven please I'm just just help them to want to know that to
ask someone and to show them what the Bible says about that and regardless
father please help us going forward this week to show that gift of God to
others as our week goes on people we we come across at the sole winning times
and help us to all get back here safely next week and in Jesus name we pray all
of this amen