The Comfort of Christ - August 16, 2020

Pastor Jayson Martindale

The Comfort of Christ

Text: John 14:1-4

Thesis: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”                   -  John 16:33

 

1. We can find comfort and peace when we have trouble.

“ ...In this world you will have trouble…(John 16:33)” 

1. Following Jesus does not mean that life is always easy.
2. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace… But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”
3. “Faith in the absolute goodness of God can alone sustain the mind in these deep           places of fear, and under the shadow of death (Eerdmans Pulpit Commentary).” 

 

1. Jesus is ready to navigate our troubles with us.

“Jesus wept (John 11:35).”

1. Jesus can sympathize with our troubles
2. “...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set be fore him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of            the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).” 
3. ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name (John 12:27-28)!”
4. Jesus does not give us false hope when he provides comfort. 
5. Jesus provides comfort and care in all things, and as we draw near to him he draws near to us. 

 

III. Jesus will come again! 

“Christ is in fact from the moment of his Resurrection ever coming to the world and to the Church and to men as the Risen Lord (B.G. Westcott).”

 

Ephesians 3:16-19

 

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

 

1. We can have his abiding presence in our hearts, and when we leave this place, we can             abide in his presence for all eternity. 
2. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!                           I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by   far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body(Philippians 1:21-24).”
3. “Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confi- dent, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord (2        Corinthians 5:6-8).” 
4. We have an honorable call to share our knowledge of Christ with this world, 
5. The road to Christ is a road of Love and obedience. 
6. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34).” 
7. “If you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15, NKJV).”