Connecting with the Father John 14:21-31

Adolescence is a relatively new phenomenon It is characterized as an in-between zone One is no longer a child, but not yet an adult In bygone years there was no such designation Today the time of adolescence has expanded We also find ourselves in an in-between zone It could be called a “spiritual adolescence”

I. We have a Personal Connection with the Father “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21, NKJV)

A. Obedient love is the means of contact with the Father God expressed His love for us by giving His Son We receive the gift by faith in His provision We express our love by responsive hearts of obedience

John 14:22-24 “Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” (NKJV)

B. Obedient love will result in a special manifestation of God Loving obedience yields intimacy with God Loving obedience results in distinction from the world Failure to keep the words of Christ is a rejection of the word of God

II. We have a Personal Trainer to Bring Us to Maturity “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:25–26, NKJV)

A. The “Helper” is clearly identified as the Holy Spirit He is our legal advocate who is called along side to provide enablement in the physical absence of Christ He is sent by the Father in the name of the Son He will be there to help the disciples understand Jesus’ words when He is gone from them

B. The “Helper” will be present to provide practical assistance He will provide teaching to understand the revealed Word of God He would help them remember the details of what Jesus said and did when He was with them

2 Peter 1:20-21 “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV)

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (NKJV)

III. We have a Personal Promise of Ultimate Security “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.” (John 14:27–28, NKJV)

A. We have the truth that should give us peace We routinely find ourselves needing peace John 12:27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” (John 12:27, NKJV) We usually find that knowing the truth gives peace

John 14:29-31 “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.” (John 14:29–31, NKJV)

B. We have the truth that should make us secure There is encouragement in being forewarned There is encouragement in knowing whom we are dealing with There is encouragement in knowing the source of truth