Believer's Benefits
The Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17) is one of my most favorite passages in all the Bible. For this weekend's devotional we'll just look at John 14. As brief as I can be on this profound passage, notice the benefits we have.
1. We Have The Remedy For Trouble "Let not your heart be troubled...." 14:1
At this time the disciples were much troubled. From the jockeying for position to Jesus washing their feet, to being told by their Master that He was going to die, their emotions were on a roller coaster. Then Jesus gave them and us the remedy for trouble: "...you believe in God, believe also in Me." The remedy for trouble is trust. Trust in Jesus. And even when you can't see His hand, trust His heart, for He truly cares for you.
2. We Have The Hope of Heaven 14:2-6
Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you--personally--you and me. He then adds the qualification: "I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Heaven is a a real place, but it is a restricted place. Only those who place their faith in Jesus Christ will ever go there. Have you made your reservations? Do so today by trusting in Jesus and His atoning work on the cross for you.
3. We Have The Privilege of Prayer 14:12-14
In addition to having the remedy for trouble and the hope of heaven, we have this awesome privilege of prayer. We can speak with the Creator of the universe and ask Him anything. Dear Christian, don't neglect this great privilege. Talk to your Heavenly Father today. Ask Jesus for the things you have need of. James says, "We have not because we ask not." James 4:2.
4. We Have The Comfort of the Holy Spirit 14:15-25
We also have been given the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." How? Through the Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Comforter, the One who empowers us to be witnesses for Him (Acts 1:8). Go back to v.12. Pay attention to that verse. Jesus told the disciples that they would do greater works than He did. How's that possible? Through the Holy Spirit. Think about it this way. While Jesus was physically on earth, in 3 1/2 years of ministry, He had roughly a little over 500 followers (see 1 Cor.15:6). On the day of Pentecost, Acts 2, Peter gets up and preaches one sermon and over 3000 get saved. Greater Works! How? Through the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit that indwells every believer.
5. We Have The Peace of Jesus Christ 14:27-28
Finally we have been given the peace of Jesus Christ. Even though I might not understand what's going on, I have a peace that bypasses my brain and permeates my heart. We may not understand all the reasons why certain things and tragedies and troubles occur, but we have the peace of Christ that bypasses our intellect and permeates our heart. Paul said, "...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil.4:7. We don't need the answer to 'why?'. The greater need is God's peace. What blessings and benefits Jesus left us! "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." Ps.103:2.
1. We Have The Remedy For Trouble "Let not your heart be troubled...." 14:1
At this time the disciples were much troubled. From the jockeying for position to Jesus washing their feet, to being told by their Master that He was going to die, their emotions were on a roller coaster. Then Jesus gave them and us the remedy for trouble: "...you believe in God, believe also in Me." The remedy for trouble is trust. Trust in Jesus. And even when you can't see His hand, trust His heart, for He truly cares for you.
2. We Have The Hope of Heaven 14:2-6
Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you--personally--you and me. He then adds the qualification: "I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Heaven is a a real place, but it is a restricted place. Only those who place their faith in Jesus Christ will ever go there. Have you made your reservations? Do so today by trusting in Jesus and His atoning work on the cross for you.
3. We Have The Privilege of Prayer 14:12-14
In addition to having the remedy for trouble and the hope of heaven, we have this awesome privilege of prayer. We can speak with the Creator of the universe and ask Him anything. Dear Christian, don't neglect this great privilege. Talk to your Heavenly Father today. Ask Jesus for the things you have need of. James says, "We have not because we ask not." James 4:2.
4. We Have The Comfort of the Holy Spirit 14:15-25
We also have been given the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." How? Through the Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Comforter, the One who empowers us to be witnesses for Him (Acts 1:8). Go back to v.12. Pay attention to that verse. Jesus told the disciples that they would do greater works than He did. How's that possible? Through the Holy Spirit. Think about it this way. While Jesus was physically on earth, in 3 1/2 years of ministry, He had roughly a little over 500 followers (see 1 Cor.15:6). On the day of Pentecost, Acts 2, Peter gets up and preaches one sermon and over 3000 get saved. Greater Works! How? Through the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit that indwells every believer.
5. We Have The Peace of Jesus Christ 14:27-28
Finally we have been given the peace of Jesus Christ. Even though I might not understand what's going on, I have a peace that bypasses my brain and permeates my heart. We may not understand all the reasons why certain things and tragedies and troubles occur, but we have the peace of Christ that bypasses our intellect and permeates our heart. Paul said, "...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil.4:7. We don't need the answer to 'why?'. The greater need is God's peace. What blessings and benefits Jesus left us! "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." Ps.103:2.
posted by Royce Hendry at
6:06 AM
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