The Disciples should NOT fear for Jesus is still with them by the Spirit
Intro: Well morning South Sydney Anglican Church and all those online. My name is Matt Johnson today we continue our study of Johns gospel – with a special focus on NOT being fearful or anxious because Jesus is with us by the Holy Spirit. So let’s pray…
PRAYER: Well fear and anxiety is A NORMAL PART of human life. We live in a fallen sinful world and that means there are unsettling things all around us, all the time. For some of us – fear and anxiety comes and go. For others – fear and anxiety can be more persistent and debilitating. Between 2020 and 2022 the Australian Bureau of Statistics established that 21% of women and 13% of men in Australia suffered from persistent feelings of anxiety for 12 months or more. Interestingly, on this Mardi Gra’s weekend – long term anxiety now plagues more than 50% of the LGBTQIA community.[1] That’s more than twice as high as the general population. Sadly, problems with anxiety and fear seem to be getting worse, not better, in Australia. THANKFULLY, Jesus has some things to say today about dealing with fear and anxiety.
As Jesus was getting ready to leave earth and return to heaven his disciples were ANXIOUS and TROUBLED IN HEART. They have followed Jesus for about 3.5 years. He has been their rock and their refuge. But with Jesus now explaining he is going away – they are seriously worried about how they will manage without him.
Seeing the worry on their faces and the anxiety in their questions – Jesus tells the disciples twice in John 14 – to stop worrying. Look with me… (Slide 2; Jn.14:1; 27).
Now Jesus’ words are reminiscent of many passages in the Bible. About 120 times in the Bible, God tells his people – do not be afraid. It is the most common command in the entire Bible. God tells us again and again – “do not be afraid” and quite often the Bible adds – “for I am with you says the LORD.” The spiritual counter to fear and anxiety is knowing God is for you and with you.
Let me show you a few examples (Slide 2; Deut.31; Slide 3 Isa.41). The problem is we tend to stress about anything and everything. For some of us – it seems to be a hobby. But the thing that triumphs over fear is faith. FAITH that God is with us, God loves us and is powerful to help us – is what triumphs over fear. But this is the very thing the disciples are worried about. If Jesus is going away, will God still be with them. The panic is setting in.
Now in this context Jesus gives a number of reasons why the disciples should stop worrying. THE BIG POINT is that even though Jesus is going away, God will still be with the disciples by the Holy Spirit. So take a chill pill. SERIOUSLY! In some ways, the second half of John 14 is like an explanation of Romans 8:15 which says (Slide 5; Rom.8:15)
Point 1: The Disciples still have access to Jesus by Prayer
Show: John 14:12-14 (READ)
Explain: Well Jesus begins by making it clear that the disciples should continue doing THE WORKS they have seen him doing. Even though Jesus is returning to heaven – the message and ministry of Jesus MUST CONTINUE through his disciples. That includes us. But Jesus tells them; “Don’t worry, be happy now…” – because they are going to do greater things than Jesus AND Jesus is going to help them by answering their prayers. Jesus will grant whatever they ask in his name.
Now the key aspect of Jesus’ ministry that must continue is that people MUST be called to repent of their sins AND trust in Jesus because God’s kingdom is drawing near. But as Jesus preached – he also helped the poor, fed the hungry and healed the sick. These are the GOOD WORKS that Jesus undertook as a humble servant. These are the GOOD WORKS that must continue.
Now Jesus promises the disciples will do even GREATER things than him. The word GREATER can mean greater, but it can also mean MORE, like much more. Now if you were one of the 12 disciples – Jesus words – would have been a bit intriguing. HOW ON EARTH will the disciples do greater things than Jesus – the Son of God? THE POINT IS – Jesus’ absence is not going to create less for Gods kingdom, but more for Gods kingdom. So lets unpack this idea.
FIRST OFF, we’re meant to continue doing what we’ve seen Jesus doing in the gospels. That means warning people that Gods kingdom is drawing near and calling people to repent of their sins. But Jesus has also explained that He is Gods promised Messiah. He is THE BREAD OF LIFE and THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Jesus said he is THE GATE for the sheep and he is THE GOOD SHEPHERD who lays down his life to save the sheep. So as Christian disciples – our first priority is to continue preaching the good news of Jesus.
This week Roy Eckersley said that he isn’t great at preaching the gospel. But he always wears Christian tee-shirts so that he can at least be a walking billboard for Jesus. In a way we’re all meant to be walking billboards for Jesus. But we’ve also seen Jesus have a particular concern for ordinary people. As Jesus preached the good news, he also did good – feeding the hungry, helping the poor and healing the sick. JESUS HAS 1) preached the good news and 2) he has done good to help people in need. These are the works that Jesus wants his disciples to continue after he has gone.
Now often Jesus helped people – by working miracles. Consequently, some churches then focus on the fact that Jesus worked miracles and they say we should work even greater miracles. Now I believe in miracles and I know that miracles still happen today. The Bible even tells the elders in the church to lay their hands on sick people, anoint them with oil and pray for recovery because God can and does still work miracles. But the idea that the disciples will work greater miracles than Jesus is kind of missing the point.
Apply: The main point is that the disciples are going to do greater things than Jesus – because there is going to be A MULTIPLICATION of spirit anointed witnesses for God to work through. As we know Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit at his baptism in the Jordan river. Then through Jesus’ Spirit anointed ministry about 120 people became Christian disciples (Acts 1:15). But when Jesus goes away to heaven and pours out the Holy Spirit on his believers – there is going to be 120 Spirit anointed witnesses doing things like Jesus. Of course, we then know the books of Acts. The 120 Spirit anointed witnesses quickly become 3000 Spirit anointed witnesses. Then the 3000 Spirit anointed witnesses start becoming such a threat to Orthodox Judaism – that they are scattered in persecution. Then the 3000+ Spirit anointed witnesses end up changing the whole Roman Empire from paganism to Christianity within just 300 years. So Jesus going away will not be Gods kingdom going BACKWARDS, but Gods kingdom going FORWARDS.
So yes, A) Jesus is going away, but this is a good thing because B) it will lead to a multiplication of Spirit filled witnesses. What’s more, even though Jesus is going away, he will still hear and answer the disciple’s prayers. Now that doesn’t mean Jesus will answer every selfish prayer the disciples utter up to God. But insofar as they continue doing THE WORKS they have seen Jesus doing, they should have utmost confidence that Jesus will still help them. So Jesus is saying “stop fretting the small stuff” – because things are about to get exciting and I’m still going to hear your requests for help.
Point 2: The Disciples will still have Jesus with them by the Holy Spirit
Show: John 14:15-18 (READ)
Explain: Well here, Jesus explains that A) everyone who loves him (for saving them) and B) truly endeavours to keep Jesus’ commands is going to receive the Holy Spirit. Last week Jesus called himself the way, THE TRUTH, and the LIFE. Now Jesus promises to give his disciples ANOTHER HELPER who like Jesus is the Spirit of truth and life.
But Jesus is clear that the SPIRIT OF TRUTH is another advocate or counsellor – distinct from himself. So Jesus is beginning to speak of the deep TRINITARIAN THINGS of God. Jesus the Son of God, is going to ask the Father, to send another advocate or counsellor – called the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples – it will be like Jesus himself coming back to the disciples. The Spirit’s presence will mean God the Father and God the Son have not left the disciples as ORPHANS to fend for themselves in dumpsters. The Spirit will bring God the Father and God the Son to the disciples – in a new and better way.
Now the Bible is clear that there is ONE CREATOR GOD who eternally exists in three spiritual persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all EQUALLY God, but each operates in a distinct way that is true to their own person.
Now we need to remember that this is all somewhat new for the disciples. The Trinity is somewhat familiar to us. But prior to Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, the Jews were MONOTHEISTS who believed God was One (with no distinctions in His inner person). So as Jesus talks 1) about Himself, 2) the Father and 3) the Holy Spirit he is revealing new things about God. The Son is DISTINCT from the Father AND the Spirit is DISTINCT from the Son. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit ANOTHER advocate or counsellor. This means the Holy Spirit is not just an impersonal power emanating from God. The Holy Spirit is another SPIRITUAL PERSON in the Godhead and like the Father and the Son, he is to be worshiped and glorified.
Now the word ADVOCATE or COUNSELLOR comes from a Greek word paraklhtos which basically means “called to come alongside”. So the Holy Spirit is going to come alongside the disciples to help them to do the works they have seen Jesus doing.
Now there are FIVE things Jesus says about the Holy Spirit (Slide 11 – Read). FIRST, when we speak about the Holy Spirit being the Spirit of truth, we kind of mean he is THE ILLUMINATOR OF TRUTH. Really, Jesus is the TRUTH and the Holy Spirit is the One who helps us grasp the truth about Jesus. The Holy Spirit is also 1) the author of the Bible and 2) the One who helps us understand the Bible. So, when we are struggling to understand things in the Bible it is most appropriate to ask the Holy Spirit for help. An OLD PURITAN PRAYER was; Holy Spirit give me more light; more light.
THE SECOND THING we see in verse 18 – is that the Holy Spirit is the One who signs our adoption papers. The Holy Spirit is the One who seals us as sons and daughters of the living God. Now this happens the moment we believe in Jesus and are born again. Earlier in Johns gospel Jesus said (Slide 12; Jn.7:37-39). The point is when we truly COME to Jesus as our Lord and really BELIEVE in his death for our sins the Holy Spirit enters our life.
In this moment – we truly start crying out in prayer Abba – Father. NOW REMEMBER, the Bible constantly says; “Do not be afraid, for I am with you” says the Lord. Well the Holy Spirit is God with us, in the same way that Jesus was God with us – in the incarnation. So to settle our ANXIETIES AND FEARS – the Holy Spirit assures us that we are Gods children and He is with us. We’re safe in our Fathers arms.
THE THIRD thing we see (in verse 19) is that the Holy Spirit begins to give us LIFE. Last week Jesus said; “I am the way, the truth and THE LIFE, no one comes to the Father except through me.” THE LIFE that is in Jesus is eternal life. Its resurrection life. Its even meaningful life in the service of God. The life that is in us (before becoming Christians) – is mortal life. Its life that is generally, SPIRALLING OUT OF CONTROL in a downward crash dive towards the grave. But the Holy Spirit gives us resurrection, eternal life. THIS RESURRECTION LIFE (lived in obedience to God) is then positively onward and upward towards heaven forever. Spirit filled life is NOT fearful and pessimistic. Spirit filled life is optimistic and hopeful because we know God is with us…
THE FOURTH THING we see is that the Holy Spirit brings us into a deeper relationship with God. Verses 20-21 speak about the Holy Spirit helping us to better know God. Some translations say (in verse 20) then you will REALISE that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. But the “REALISE” word is KNOW. Then you will KNOW God. Knowing God in these verses is NOT an academic, intellectual sort of knowledge. It is a personal, intimate knowing of God. In several passages of Scripture the Bible talks about a man knowing his wife and the wife knowing her husband. IN THESE CONTEXTS it is speaking of profound sexual intimacy. And Jesus is now talking about a sort of profound, intimate knowing of God when the Holy Spirit comes.
(GOSPEL) Now all Christians should know God loves them because he sent Jesus to die for their sins. As Jesus died on the cross he was taking the punishment for everything you have done wrong.
Jesus was doing THE TIME for your CRIME. And Jesus did this for you because He loves you. Jesus went to hell, so you can be spared. Now how many people do you know that love you enough to die for you? This is what God calls us to trust. He wants you to know and believe that He loves you enough to send His Son to die for you. Now at first you only really grasp Gods love for you in an intellectual sort of way. But as you receive the Holy Spirit – you begin to know Gods love in an experiential, personal way that is sometimes tangible – as God comforts you, guides you and helps you in life…
THE FIFTH THING we see (in verse 26) is that the Holy Spirit TEACHES us and REMINDS us of everything Jesus said. This means the Holy Spirit writes Jesus’ words upon our hearts and minds – so that our conscience is quickened. When we are inclined to obey Jesus’ words the Holy Spirit gives us assurance and peace. When we are inclined to disobey Jesus’ words – the Holy Spirit produces guilt and unsettles us in our spirit. Now sometimes this reminding us of Jesus’ words is so tangible that it is truly like God is speaking to us. SOMETIMES it feels like Jesus himself is speaking to us saying; “Well done, good and faithful servant” AND OTHER TIMES ITS LIKE; “what on earth do you think you’re doing?” So in a very real way – the Holy Spirit helps us to keep Jesus’ commands.
Now this is HARD for us to grasp. But as Christians who have received the Holy Spirit we now have God with us in an even more powerful, living, animating way than the disciples had God with them – when Jesus walked in their midst. If you are a born-again Christian God really is with you in a way that should A) take away fear and B) produce profound peace.
But Judas (not Judas Iscariot) can’t get it…
Point 3: The Disciples will have Jesus’ Peace in them by the Spirit
Show: Jn.14:27-28 (READ)
Explain: Well sadly, Judas is struggling to UNDERSTAND. He kind of understands that A) Jesus has to go away and B) then come back to get them at his second coming. So he is thinking why will Jesus only show himself to his disciples when he returns? Why won’t everyone SEE Jesus and KNOW Jesus when he returns in glory? But Judas fails to see that Jesus is now talking about AN INTERMEDIATE spiritual return. Yes, Jesus will eventually come on the clouds to gather his people to himself AND EVERYONE WILL SEE HIM. But as the disciples await Jesus’ final return – he is going to come back to them by the Holy Spirit. But only believers will experience Jesus return to them by the Holy Spirit. This is hard to explain.
So Jesus speaks about his spiritual return in terms of shalom-peace. You can’t see peace. But you know peace in your heart. Jesus says; my peace I will leave with you. My peace I will give you. You will possibly recall that the THIRD FRUIT of the Holy Spirit is peace. Love, joy, peace… As Christians we all understand Jesus’ peace. But how do you describe Jesus’ peace to someone who hasn’t experienced it? Its like describing SNOW to someone who lives in the desert. Its like describing the OCEAN to someone who has never seen the sea. Judas can’t grasp how 1) Jesus can both be NOT with them and yet B) with them at the same time. But Jesus is saying you will know I have returned to you in Spirit when you have my peace in your heart.
Apply: Christians who have received the Holy Spirit know this peace. We know we have PEACE with God because Jesus has paid for all our sins upon the cross. But it is a peace that transcends words and passes understanding. It’s personal. We simply – no longer fear Gods judgment or fear death – as the world fears these things. That’s why, Psalm 23 means so much to us. Even in the valley of the shadow of death – the Lord is our Shepherd and we fear no evil. This is the peace we now enjoy, but struggle to explain. It is the peace if Jesus.
Of course, in the ups and downs of life – our peace as Christians keeps waxes and waning – like the moon. But like the moon it keeps coming back brighter than ever by Gods Spirit who assures us God is with us. This is the peace – that enabled Jesus to confront the cross. Even as Jesus finishes speaking to the disciples – he says the prince of this world is coming. He is talking about Satan. He knows death and darkness is about to envelope him. But nonetheless, he has PEACE that God is with Him and if he keeps obeying God – God will look after him.
Now I know that many of you will be going through difficulties right now. Perhaps you are uncertain about your WORK. Perhaps uncertain of your HEALTH or your MARRIAGE or CHILDREN. Life in this fallen world is hard. But if you are a Christian who believes in Jesus – be still and hear the Holy Spirit is testifying to your spirit right now. God’s got you. Don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything go to him in prayer and he will give you peace. God’s got you. Gods with you. Gds for you. You got it? (PAUSE) Now choose faith instead of fear. CONSCIOUSLY, choose faith instead of fear – because God is with you through Jesus and in the Spirit. Amen!
