Pastor's Corner

In John 14-16, Jesus Christ teaches what is referred to as the Farewell or the Upper Room Discourse. At the beginning of this message, Jesus gives His disciples some words of encouragement and comfort:

“1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).

This is a favorite passage that is often read at funerals.

These verses tell us the cure for people with troubled hearts.

How can we overcome anxiety?

I. THERE ARE FEARS TO ESCAPE (v. 1a).

Jesus begins the discourse by saying, “Let not your heart be troubled.” In order to understand why Jesus said this, we need to review what took place in the upper room just before this discourse:

1. Jesus predicted that one of His apostles will betray Him:

Matthew 26:21-25; Mark 14:18-21; Luke 22:21-23; John 13:21-30

2. Jesus said that He is going away and they cannot come with Him:

John 13:31-33

3. Jesus says that all the apostles will be offended by Him and be scattered like sheep:

Matthew 26:31-32; Mark 14:27-28

4. Jesus predicts that Peter will deny Him three times:

Matthew 26:33-35; Mark 14:29-31; Luke 22:31-34; John 13:36-38

The Savior’s words must have broken their hearts and left them distraught. That is why we have the precious words of Jesus in this passage. These verses can also be a comfort to us today who are going through difficult times and face heartache. In life we often face trouble and trials. However, in the midst of our difficulties, we can have peace!

“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” (John 14:27).

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

II. THERE IS A FAITH TO EMBRACE (v. 1b)

The Cure for fear is faith! These two are mutually exclusive of one another.

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” (Psalms 56:3).

Faith is only as good as its object. For example, many people had “great faith” in the Titanic and thought that nothing could sink that ship. Nevertheless, that ship did sink.

What/Who are your putting your faith in?

(1) “Believe in God” and (2) “Believe also in me.”

Christ is saying that you need to trust in God, and to the same degree, you need to trust in Him.

Faith in God the Father and the Son will cancel out fear, anxiety, and worry.

III. THERE IS A FUTURE TO ENVISION (vv. 2-3).

Jesus continues and says, “In My Father’s house are many mansions.” Heaven is referred to here as “My Father’s house.” Heaven is our home! 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 be there when we get to Heaven! Praise the Lord that the burdens of this earthly life are temporal and life in Heaven is eternal:

“17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

We may have troubles, tribulation, distress, trials, heartache and suffering now but as the song goes:

“Everything’s all right in my Father’s house,

In my Father’s house, in my Father’s house,

Everything’s all right in my Father’s house,

Where there’s joy, joy, joy.”

Christ was going away to get heaven ready for them and then come and get them - “I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” We have our Savior’s promise that He will personally return to receive us unto Himself one day.

Conclusion: We are going to face difficulties and struggle in this life but there is help for our troubled hearts. We can do something to deal with anxiety or a troubled heart, namely, believe in God the Father and God the Son, and hope in His promise of heaven. Faith in His person and His promise will comfort your troubled heart today!

Pastor Tim Wall,

Macedonia Baptist Church,

Colfax