Sermon Nuggets Mon. Sept 8
Theme- Preparation for Parting
Verses: John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. (NIV)
Prepares a Peace for Us.
As I had been listening to both the Democratic and Republican conventions these last two weeks I heard the presidential candidates and their running mates come up with one main message. “Trust me.” They want us to get to know them and their ideas that will bring us into a stable times for the United States. They are promoting not only their plans but themselves. The election plan is to present themselves in such a manner they get the trust of the American people.
Obviously whomever we trust the most will probably get our vote. That trust is combined with persons, plans, procedures, party, participation, and people. (Hey that could be another sermon!) The times we are living in are very troublesome times. The theme of threat of war and instability is part of why American people need to trust a person. The economy, ecology, and energy are part of the problems that the candidates want to address so that we can trust them for the best way to govern our country.
As Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure, He pointed first to Himself. He wanted them to trust Him. They had all come from various walks of life before they met Jesus. For the past three-and-a-half years that had been with Jesus life had been good. They had seen countless miracles, healings, deliverances, walking on water, calming the storm, feeding the 5,000, and even raising the dead. They had spent the past years listening to the greatest teachings ever spoken. Further, because they expected that Jesus would literally overthrow the Roman government and set up his kingdom in Jerusalem, they were excited because Jesus had gained popularity and they were on the inside of the movement. They had no reason to expect that in the very near future all of their expectations and hopes would fall apart. They had no idea of the crisis they were about to be put through, that Jesus would be arrested, beaten, tried, and crucified.
However, Jesus knew what was about to take place, and he wanted to prepare them for what was ahead. So, he explained to them what was about to happen. Previously he had made references to his death, but in a way that they could not understand. Now, he wanted them to really understand what he was saying, so he spoke clearly with them.
Now, none of us likes change. None of us likes uncertainty. We’re always going to have a certain level of worry when we know that hard times are ahead of us. However, we can by examining Jesus’ discourse with the disciples, learn how to get through those times without worrying. And the first thing he says to them is “You trust in God, now trust in me.” And this is really the foundation for finding peace to get through these tough times. All of the other things that he said to them were hinged upon this one secret. Trust in Him. He is the person in whom we can trust. If they trust God with their lives and future, then they can trust Jesus with their lives and future. He is to trusted as God is trusted, for He is God.
He goes on to explain some of the reasons and the ways that they can trust in him, but he never really moves beyond trust as the thing that will get them through. Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Where is that line between being trusting and being gullible? Certainly there are people that have been taken advantage of who no longer trust anyone. Unfortunately there are people that refuse to believe in Jesus or in Jesus teachings for the same reason. Jesus has revealed God to those around him. People have doubted and refused to trust in the very one that can save them for all eternity. Sometimes it is a tragedy not to trust, and not to believe.
In the passage from the Bible this week we will see Jesus teaching one of the most important lessons in the Gospel of John. He gives hope, truth, and a meaningful concise presentation of the Gospel message. But is begins with laying out the foundation that to be prepared for your life starts with really trusting Jesus. That give me hope also for the future of our nation. It isn’t in the human government, but in the person of Jesus Christ. It isn’t in the security of the United States of America it is in the security of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This world and nation will pass away, but Jesus will not. If you believe in God, believe also in me, He says. He is someone who can be trusted and that leads to peace.
Pastor Dale.
