Our Blessed Assurance                           

John 14:1-20

Over the years I have really learned to love that old song we often sing in church called, “Blessed Assurance.”  It seems that people don’t have much to be sure of in the day and time in which we live.  But we do!!!    

For example, in the 14^th chapter of the gospel of John, Jesus was telling His disciples of His coming death and departure, and they were having a difficult time understanding all that was about to happen.  Jesus then began to assure them of a number of things.  

Therefore, as we gaze into God’s Word, we find that we have the same assurances today that Jesus taught His disciples:   

1.      Assurances concerning the future (John 14:1-6).  

A.     First, Jesus told them that Heaven is a real place.   

Sometimes I feel as though many think of Heaven as some fairy land off in the clouds somewhere.  Heaven is as real as anywhere that you have ever been!  It is not some state of mind that you can achieve.  

B.     Second, in addition to telling them about Heaven (place), He discussed who would live there (saved people) and His way to get there (plan).  

C.     Simply stated, there is only one way into Heaven, and that is by Jesus Christ.  

- Faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God  

- Faith in God’s love toward us - in that while we were yet sinners  
  Christ died for us.  

D.  A great illustration of the love of God is the parable of the prodigal son
      found in Luke 15.   Contrasting this parable with Christ’s ministry, we
      find the following parallels:  

1.      The son was ignorant – Jesus said, “I am the Truth.”

2.      The son was lost – Jesus said, “I am the Way.”

3.      The son was dead (figuratively) – Jesus said, “I am the Life.”

2.  Assurances concerning the Father (John 14: 7-11).  

A.     I am proud to be the father of two wonderful children that I love dearly.  Some of you reading this may also be fathers.  

B.  Just as we fathers have responsibilities to our children, 
      likewise our Heavenly Father has many responsibilities to those of us
     who are saved - His children:

            1.      To instruct us (Prov. 1:8)

2.      To guide us (1Thes. 2:11-13)

3.      To chasten us (Heb. 12:9-11)  

3.  Assurances concerning our faithfulness (John 14:12-15).  

A.     These four verses speak to three areas of our lives:  

1.      Our productivity (John 14:12).   

We are left here to do something for the Lord.  We are not left
here to merely occupy space.  The Lord wants us to let our light so shine before men that they might see our good works and glorify God.  

2.      Our prayers (John 14:13-14). 

      I feel that one of the things that we all fail to do is pray as we
      should.  The Bible tells us that "You have not because you ask not."   

      The great author and preacher, Dr. John R. Rice, said that most of the
      failures in our lives can be traced back to prayer failures.   

Let’s learn to be a praying people.  

3.      Our practice (John 14:15).  

God wants us to do the things that He commands us.

4.  Assurances concerning the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-20).  

            A. The comforter, "One called along side of to help."  

                        1.  I thank God we are not left here alone.  

2.  In verse 18 Christ said these words, “I will not leave you
     comfortless; I will come to you.”

It is my prayer that you can face each day with a new awareness that the Lord is with you to help, comfort, and keep you.  This can only be true, however, if you have accepted Him as your Savior.

If you have never accepted Christ as your Savior, I pray you will do so now.  Click on How to be Saved.  

May the Lord bless you and a very special thank you for your visit to our site.