Sermon Tone Analysis

Help for the Troubled Soul

John 14:1-6

Introduction:

Mention the Shooting in Parkland, Florida.

17 senseless deaths most of them teenagers.

14 others wounded.

Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, family, teachers, coaches, school admin, fellow students, and others waking up today with the realization that ____________________ will not be a part of my life anymore.

Funerals to prep for, insurance, police interviews, reporters, politicians to put up with and listen to....

So much heartache, trouble

Yet, life goes on....what do I do about my Troubled soul, my broken heart, my crushed spirit?

The rejections, defeats, and failures that all of us have experienced can create enough negative feelings to destroy us.

It is here that we must be very careful!

Often the most painful wounds are not the scars that are outwardly seen, but the hidden wounds deep in the heart.

Being hidden, they are often the most dangerous.

Setbacks in our lives, struggles in the journey, trials that fall across the way, can take the joy out of living.

Our faith is weakened, and if we collect enough hurts it will stop us from wanting to press forward.

Even success can make one the target of criticism.

Do not let the hurts hurt you!

In the these passages of Scripture, Jesus has just dropped to huge bombshells into the lives of these disciples:

1.

One of the disciples would betray Him

2. That Jesus would be leaving them

3.

That Peter would deny Him

It is easy to understand the passions that they were experiencing at this moment when you read John chapter 13 along with John chapter 14.

Jesus saw their confusion and spoke words of comfort and challenge!!!

They are given good news about the future and told not to worry about today.

Worry is a sin.

It is also a huge waste of time and energy!!

Worry defined: “a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.”

We live in a wicked and worrisome world: economy, elections, nations on the rise, wickedness in our country, lack of leadership in many places, homes falling apart, wars and rumours of wars, churches entertaining the masses instead of evangelizing the masses, apathy and indifference in our churches, very few distinctions between Christians and the world in dress, entertainment, thinking, politics.

The Lord Jesus Christ gives a 3 step prescription to help a troubled soul in a troubled world: Fears to escape; faith to embrace, and a future to envision.

I. THERE ARE FEARS TO ESCAPE-VS. 1

To understand what precipitated these words, we have to go back to John chapter 13.

Jesus and His disciples have just enjoyed a pleasant meal.

After which, Jesus donned a towel and washed his disciples’ feet.

After these things Jesus drops a major bombshell on his disciples.

He tells them that he will be betrayed by one of their own number vs 21-30.

He also tells them that He is going to be going away, Vs 31- 33.

They learn the horrific news that their leader Peter will also deny him vs 36-38.

The Savior’s words must have broken their hearts, shattered their confidence, and left them devastated.

That is why we have the precious words of Chapter 14.

b.

We need to remember this when the tough times come our way: trials and tribulations are slated for all of God’s children.

c.

However, in the midst of our difficulties, we can have peace!

The Word “Let” is a call for you and I to be involved in the troublesome times of life.

We’re not called upon to sit idly by while our lives are destroyed before our very eyes.

We do have recourse in the time of trouble!

I.

There are fears to escape

II.

THERE IS A FAITH TO EMBRACE- VS. 1

There is a Sufficient Faith

The word believe is a life altering word!

The Word believe means “to think to be true, to be persuaded off, to have confidence in.”

Believe literally means “to exercise faith in someone or something.”

This verse speaks of two kinds of beliefs or faith.

There Is Sustaining Faith - “Ye believe in God”

This is the kind of faith that will bring you through the valleys!

This kind of faith believes that God exists and that He is in absolute control of all things.

When it comes to God, we can have faith:

1.

His Promises –

2. His Power –

3. His Plans –

4. His Peace

If you can ever learn to trust God completely, without reservation, then you have the very tool you need to loosen fear’s grip on your life!

As soon as you come to the place where you know God will do as He has promised and you leave life up to Him and His will, then you are free!

Friends, you can trust the Lord!

There Is Saving Faith - “Believe also in Me”

It isn’t enough just to believe that there is a God.

After all, the devils also believe that and they aren’t saved,

To be a saved, a person must believe the Gospel message.

III.

THERE IS A FUTURE TO ENVISION-VS.

2-3

It Includes A Precious Place - “In My Father’s house are many mansions”

We need to remember that we are not home yet!

While the troubles and trials we face are part of this earthly existence, they will not follow us where we are headed!

Praise God, the burdens of life are temporary at best.

It Includes A Prepared Place “I go to prepare a place for you”

Ill.

This world and all its wonders.

It was made by the hand of the Lord in just 6 days.

Oh, how glorious and wonderful Heaven must be!

After all, he’s had over 2,000 years to work on it!

It will be far greater than our feeble, human minds can comprehend.

(Note: By the way, Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people!

Are you prepared for that place?)

It Includes A Powerful Promise - “I will come again” -

Everyday you and I live with one of the greatest promises the world has ever known as our support.

We have our Savior’s promise that He will personally return to receive His people unto Himself one day, v. 3;

Conclusion

I would like to conclude these remarks this morning by asking you a few simple questions:

What are you afraid of today?

If you will come to Him, the Lord can and will replace your fear with His precious peace!

What are you trusting in to take you to Heaven?

Everybody believes in something!

Have you ever trusted Jesus as your personal Savior?

If not, you can be saved if you will come to Him by faith.

Are you willing to get your eyes above your trials, and see the gates of home?

If the burdens of life have gotten you down, I invite you to come before the Lord and let Him help you cast your gaze higher than this earth.

There is help and hope in Him! Regardless of what you need today, you will find your answer in Him.