Revelation Through Example
Undeniable Revelation • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsWe can know God through knowing the son
Notes
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Introduction to Series/Recap
Introduction to Series/Recap
Today we will be in John chapter 14, however it is sometimes helpful when we look at a particular passage to be aware of the larger context of the book in the Bible that it takes place.
So instead of listing off and going through a recap of three weeks of lessons I’m going to first read this passage from the beginning of John.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. 14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In the beginning - God was revealed through Creation
He was in the world- God was revealed through Presence
The Word- Broad in meaning but- God was revealed through his Word
now this Word became flesh and dwelt among us- God is revealed through example.
Revelation through Example
Revelation through Example
As we read the beginning of John’s Gospel we make our way to the middle of the Gospel of John.
Leading up to chapter 14 however, John gives 6 specific signs, and 5 of the 7 I am statements Jesus said, and then one can’t ignore looking through John without remembering chapter 3 where he talks with nicodemus
John set’s his gospel readers to the point in chapter 13 (which starts off with Jesus washing his disciple’s feet before passover) when the narrative of the Last teachings and acts of Jesus starts.
I for a class this week a portion of a sermon from Paul Tillich a theologian from the early 1900’s which is actually pretty helpful for us today
he says that faith and theology have 3 stages
That all who ask the ultimate question (the existence of God or our purpose in life) actually already are conscious or have access to the answer (this is like what we focused on in week 1)
“although mankind is never without the knowledge of God, it is ignorant of God” we constantly place other things in the spot of God by seeking the presence of someone else or looking to the words or teachings of others
When it comes to the point to address Jesus we either reject it immediately or postpone the decision to reject or accept it
This is where John has lead his readers to now as we read chapter 14, who is Jesus.
If you know me you know the Father
If you know me you know the Father
1 “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way to where I am going.” 5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who lives in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.
The way Jesus is going :
Jesus is making a way, all the signs and sayings up to this point show us that Jesus is preparing a way, and here he is saying that soon he will complete preparing that way to the Father.
Thomas’ question: How can we know the way?
Jesus response: I am the way, the truth, and the life
How do we get to the point to where Jesus is going, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
The One Jesus is showing:
If you know me you will also know my Father
Philip’s request: show us the Father
Jesus Response, To see me is to see the Father
This means that through all that Jesus does we see what the Father is doing.
If you believe in me you will represent the Father
If you believe in me you will represent the Father
12 “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.
Belief and greater works leads to the glorification of the Father,
True Faith inspires all works.
Faith should move towards work
imbalance of works coming first
Love and faithfulness leads to the counselor
-Special access
-circle of asking
Jesus is leaving, but he is also leaving the Holy Spirit
Jesus is leaving, but he is also leaving the Holy Spirit
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. 21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me. 25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. 27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me. 31 On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me. “Get up; let’s leave this place.
How do we Further Christ’s Example
How do we Further Christ’s Example
We have been looking at this for the past few weeks now this idea of revealing to others what has been revealed to us.