Lesson 41

A Sure Cure For A Troubled Heart - Part 2

John 14:15-31

Let's review!

Jesus is in the upper room with his disciples. He has just informed them of three pieces of very alarming news.

First, He told them that one of them was a devil.

Next, He told them of His departure.

The final shocker had been that Jesus predicted Peter's denial.

After hearing so much bad news, these disciples needed some words of comfort. John 14 is that message of comfort.

Both at the beginning and toward the end of this chapter, Jesus speaks of troubled hearts. John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. The theme of John 14 is A Sure Cure For A Troubled Heart.

Jesus says, "Let not your heart be troubled nor afraid." How is that possible? How can we have an untroubled heart? What can cure a troubled heart? The answers are found in the words and promises of Jesus recorded in John 14. In this chapter there are nine keys that cure a troubled heart. We covered the first five last Sunday.

The Place That Calms And Cures A Troubled Heart, 14:2 - Heaven.

The Promise That Calms And Cures A Troubled Heart, 14:3-4 - "I will come again."

The Pathway That Calms And Cures A Troubled Heart, 14:5-6 - "I am the way the truth and the life; no man cometh to the Father but by me."

The Plan That Calms And Cures A Troubled Heart, 14:7-12 - God works through us.

The Prayer That Calms And Cures A Troubled Heart, 14:13-14 - The primary condition for having answered prayer is simply asking.

Today, we shall add four more keys to our list and finish chapter 14.

Please notice that only with giving to His disciples some words of comfort for times of troubled heart, Jesus is also giving them some New Testament theology to live by.

For example, from now on, when they pray they are instructed to ask "in Jesus name", vs. 13-14. See also John 15:16; 16:23, 24, 26. This is new. Prior to this they did not pray in Christ's name. But from now on, all prayer was to be done in Jesus name. What does it mean to pray in Jesus name? Is that simply some little phrase or formula that we must add to the end of our prayers? While I do believe that when we pray, we should in simple obedience clearly state that our prayer is in Jesus name, I think that it is far more than a phrase or formula for correct praying. It is praying in Jesus' name that gives us the liberty or the right or the authority or the authorization for acceptance with the Father. We are authorized by the Son to be in the Father's presence, making requests in the Son's name. But our liberty becomes the limitation of our requests. The Father will be listening to see if what we ask justifies our introducing ourselves in the name of His Son. The requests we make should confirm the authorization. They should not be a contradiction to but a justification of my using His name.

There are some new things in this chapter for new testament Christians. The first is praying in Jesus name.

The Principle That Calms And Cures A Troubled Heart, 14:15, 21, 23, 24.

Here is a divine principle. Love is the key to obedience. Love is not a sentimental, soft, inactive emotion. Love is not a romantic feeling. Love is obedience. Love is doing what Jesus said.

The object of our love is Christ. Christianity is not a creed, it is a living Christ. It is not just a matter of obeying certain precepts and principles; it is a matter of obeying a person. Unlike the theology of the Old Testament, Christianity is not based on laws; it is based on love. It is not a theological proposition; it is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The object of our love is Christ and the obedience of our love is His commandments. The test of true love for Jesus Christ is measured in obedience. Jesus did not give us suggestions. He did not give us multiple choices. He gave us commandments! Love Christ enough to obey. This principle of love and obedience is a sure cure for a troubled heart.

The Presence That Calms And Cures A Troubled Heart, 14:16-20, 22-26.

Although Jesus himself was going away and would not be with them in a personal, bodily form, He promised them "another Comforter." There are two Greek words for "another". One word means another of a different kind. If I say, for example, "Give me another option", I'm asking for an option of a different kind. The other Greek word for "another" means another of the exact kind. If I say, "Can I have another brownie?" I am suing the word another with this meaning. Jesus promises "another Comforter". Another of the exact same kind. As who? As himself. He has been there to comfort His disciples. He promises to send another just like Himself to comfort His disciples. The word for "Comforter" is "parakletos" which means "one called along side" and expresses the idea of companionship, partnership, encouragement as well as an advocate.

Please notice at the end of verse 16 that Jesus promises that the Comforter whom He sends will abide with the disciple forever.

Who is this Comforter? Who did Jesus promise to send in His place? Who is it that comes along beside us and abides with us forever? According to verse 17 it is the "Spirit of truth" and according to verse 26, it is the "Holy Ghost." Jesus promises the arrival of the Holy Spirit. Now the Holy Spirit is not someone foreign to the people of the Old Testament or to believers prior to Pentecost. The Old Testament speaks often of the Spirit of God, see Genesis 1:2; 6:3; Neh. 9:20. But what Jesus promises something new, a change in the Holy Spirit's ministry. According to the end of verse 17, His previous ministry was to dwell with them but His new ministry would be to dwell within them. The Holy Spirit did not indwell believers during the Old Testament. The personal ministry of the Holy Spirit came in the form of temporary times of empowerment (see Judges 13:25; 14:6; 15:14; I Samuel 10:10; 19:20; II Chr. 15:1; Luke 1:35) or need (see Isaiah 43:1-5). This helps to explain passages like Psalm 51:11 and Luke 11:13. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit within a believer would begin, according to Jesus with the arrival of the Comforter, see also Ezekiel 36:26; 37:14; John 7:38-39. He would be a internal, resident teacher, according to verse 26, to enable the disciples to understand and remember what Jesus had said.

Jesus will have more to say to His disciples about the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, in chapter 16. But isn't it good to know that we have the Holy Spirit residing and abiding within our hearts. His presence is a sure cure for a troubled heart.

The Peace That Calms And Cures A Troubled Heart, 14:27.

Jesus Christ gives peace to our troubled hearts. His peace is a different kind of peace, a divine kind of peace. It is not like the peace that comes from the world. The world's peace comes in a pill or a thrill or a bottle or a bank account. At best, the peace which the world offers is partial and temporal.

In Christ, we experience supernatural peace, the kind of peace that can be asleep in bottom of a boat in the midst of raging, life-threatening storm, the kind that can perfectly self-controlled in the midst of mockery and unjust treatment. The peace that Christ promises us is a sure cure for a troubled heart.

The Power That Calms And Cures A Troubled Heart, 14:28-31.

Jesus wraps this section up by reminding them of things that are going to happen.

The Saviour goeth to do His best, v. 28. "I go away" - that's the cross. "I go unto my Father" - that's the crown. When it happens, I don't want you to be surprised. I tell you ahead of time so that your faith will be strengthened, v.29.

Satan cometh to do his worst, v. 30.

Saints, let us arise and go with Jesus, v. 31.

There is power in knowing that Jesus is in control. He is never surprised by events because He knows the end from the beginning.

Here then is the sure cure for a troubled heart ...

A place - heaven

A promise - Jesus is coming again

A pathway - Jesus is the only way to heaven

A plan - God is working through us.

A prayer - We must simply ask in Jesus' name

A principle - Love obeys Christ.

A presence - The Holy Spirit abides within us.

A peace - From Christ, we are given supernatural peace.

A power - Jesus knows all and is in absolute control.

Beloved ...

"Let not your hearts be troubled"