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Feb 12, 2023

John - The Way (click for resources)

Passage: John 14:1-14

Speaker: Brian Land

Series: John: Come and See

Category: Grace Brevard

Keywords: truth, heaven, faith, hope, life, way, comfort

Before the word “Christianity” was created in Antioch (which literally means “little Christs” or “followers of Christ”) people referred to Jesus’ gospel as “The Way.” Jesus himself uses this term not to categorize his spiritual teachings but to reveal who He is; His character and DNA, not his precepts. The Way isn’t a philosophy or morality but the person of Christ who has not only paved the path to Life itself, but now comes back for us, picking us up and carrying us into the life that is truly life.

Theme: Before the word “Christianity” was created in Antioch (which literally means “little Christs” or “followers of Christ”) people referred to Jesus’ gospel as “The Way.” Jesus himself uses this term not to categorize his spiritual teachings but to reveal who He is; His character and DNA, not his precepts. The Way isn’t a philosophy or morality but the person of Christ who has not only paved the path to Life itself, but now comes back for us, picking us up and carrying us into the life that is truly life.

CENTRAL PASSAGE: 

1 “Let not your hearts 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 go to prepare a place for you?[fn] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

 

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 

When have you been stuck or lost to the point that you were really anxious?

Why is it really emotionally comforting to have somebody with you when you are stuck/lost?

Explain why the way Jesus offers comfort is powerfully effective:
That He and the Father are intertwined
That We are being brought into the dance.

Talk about the 3 words for where we are going in this passage -- not just the more literal, but also the more intimate/relational:
House 1) A safe place to go
2) The Family (i.e. “his whole house believed”)

Room 1) My own space in God’s House (“mansione” in Latin)
2) Where my heart rests / abides

Place 1) Where we’ll live for eternity
2) My state of being and inclusion (“my place at the table”)

How does all of this describe “Heaven”?

How is the Cross & Rez the means by which Jesus prepared this place?

Talk about the 3 “I AMs” in this passage
Jesus as THE WAY -- (rather than behavior being the solution)
Jesus as THE TRUTH -- (rather than being a truth)
Jesus as THE LIFE -- (the offer of true hope, intimacy and satisfaction)

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do” has created a lot of confusion and misunderstanding. What are ways to look at this verse?

What does “IN MY NAME” mean?
(How have we misused this?)

Talk about this:
You have MORE power than you could imagine
YOU have less power than you think