John 14:12-24 The Call of Discipleship

 The Call of Discipleship -John 14:12-24

Background

• Jesus is in the upper room celebrating the Passover with the disciples. 

• Jesus is about to leave his disciples, who believed he would remain will them and usher in a new “permanent” kingdom, which would overthrow the current Roman occupiers.

• Jesus shares with them 3 important aspects of discipleship which equates to his promises.

• In Matthew 28’s great commission, Jesus commands the disciples to go into all Nations and make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”

Disciples

The Greek term μαθητής (mathētēs) refers to any “student,” “pupil,” “apprentice,” or “adherent,” as opposed to a “teacher.” In Hebrew, the term Talmid refers to student.

The three main characteristics of a disciple: To follow the Rabbi where he went; to do what he saw the Rabbi do and continue the Rabbi’s mission when they left him.

Jesus is about to leave his disciples and is imparting to them, what is probably the most important message they need to remember as disciples.

1. “Whoever believes in me…..will do greater works then these…” Hard to believe, knowing all the things that Jesus did. Yet when we examine the combined works of the church today, it is amazing what has been done by the power and name of Jesus.

Consider the gov organisations which help countless thousands of people every day. Not to mention the churches on every street corner who continually and tirelessly preach the good news. That’s without knowing the countless acts of service which are committed by believers everywhere which see lives dramatically transformed.

The basis of these works has to be that we “believe” in Jesus. See Heb 11:1

Jesus asked the disciples what they believed about him and Peter replied “you are the son of God” and Jesus said this was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit and …he would build his church and the gates of Hades would not prevail against it. See Matt 16:16-18

Again, Jesus said in Matt 18:19 “that which you bind on earth, would be bound in heaven…” Jesus even went on to say that we would forgive people their sins and they would be forgiven. See John 20:23

2. If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

The word for love in Hebrew (Ahava) is an action word which is associated with giving. As a father, I first understood how this felt the moment I looked at my new born child. It’s almost impossible not to give them all they desire. 

Jesus commanded us to love one another – see John 13:34-35

• Jesus demonstrated true leadership by washing his disciples feet.

• John 3:16 God so loved…that he gave…”

• 1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

• Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

• John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

• Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Jesus said three times in the garden of Gethsemane “not my will but your will be done”, before going to the cross. See; Luke 22:42

• Jesus continually sought out and obeyed the will of the father. See Isa 50:7

Jesus commanded us to love one another and said the basis of the whole law hinged on two key commandments, that is: Love the Lord your God with all you heart, mind, soul and strength” and “love others as you love yourself”. See Mat 22:36-46;Deut 6:5

Jesus said we must “Seek first the kingdom of God…” – Matt 6:33 

3. I will send another comforter in my name. 

Jesus promised to send another comforter, one like himself.” In other words, the other comforter be do the things Jesus did for the disciples.

• Jesus was reassuring them that though he was leaving, he would send them one “like” him in his name. In other words, the Holy Spirit would come with the same character and mission that Christ had. They could trust the Holy Spirit to empower them to continue the work that Christ had begun.

• Paul said we have a spirit of adoption, sealed by the Holy Spirit that joins us into the family of God. See Rom 8:15

This word comforter comes from the Greek to mean advocate, that is one who stands alongside such as a lawyer in court. Jesus promised he would abide in you also and later promised he would come upon you with power to be his witnesses. See Acts 1:8

• Jesus as the Rabbi would have been responsible to ensure the disciples had everything they needed, such as food, lodgings etc. 

• The disciples’ believed Jesus was ushering in a new kingdom which would overthrow the current reign of Ceaser the Emperor of Rome had over the land of Israel. They would have been very fearful of losing Jesus and being tortured and killed as a result of their allegiance to Christ. See Acts 1:6

Walking in the Light by James Kenny

 Walking in the Light – 1 John 2:1-16

1. The purpose of this letter is so that you do not sin

• Romans 3-6 is one of the most comprehensive teachings we have on sin and grace.

• Romans 3:23 says “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. Jesus was the only exception to this as he was not born with a sin nature (Adam’s seed) but born of the Holy Spirit.

• Genesis and elsewhere says sin results in death. Genesis 3:3; Rom 6:26

• Sin is rebellion or disobedience towards God. 1 Sam 15:23

• Adam and Eve’s sin was that they disobeyed God’s command. As a result of their sin their eyes were opened to their nakedness and were ashamed resulting in them hiding from God. Genesis 3

• God hates sin because it separates us from him. Isa 59:2

• Sin means to “miss the mark” whilst repentance means to “turn around”.

• Sin is often done in darkness due to the feelings of shame and guilt it produces.

• The story of the Prodigal defines sin and repentance. Sin is when we turn our back on the father and choose our own path. Repentance is when we turn our back on sin and turn back to the father and the path he has for us. Luke 15:11-32

• There are many great men and woman of the bible who sinned. David was one such man, yet God referred to him as a “man after his heart”. Acts 13:22

• The difference between believers and non-believers is the attitude of their hearts to repentance and conviction. 

• Grace does not give us a free ticket to sin, but the power to overcome. Rom 6:1-2

• Grace (unmerited favoured of God) is receiving something we don’t deserve. Mercy (our debt paid) is not receiving what we do deserve. Eph 2:8

2. Jesus is our advocate when we do sin

• Advocate comes from the Greek “paraclete” and means to come along side. 

• Jesus is in heaven, at the right hand of the Father, in the courts of heaven. Rom 8:34

• Jesus is our atonement (propitiation = make right) for sin and sprinkled his own blood on the mercy seat of heaven. 1 John 2:2

• Jesus Justified (paid the penalty of sin) by taking our place on the cross. Rom 5:1

• When we go to court, there are 3 positions of advocacy, in front, behind or beside.

• When the accuser comes before the throne with his allegations against us, Jesus stands with us and proclaims, “inadmissible your honour”, and shows the father our clean slate which is stained by his blood. Zech 3:1-2; Rom 8:33

• Jesus was tempted in every aspect, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life. Matt 4:1-11; 1 John 2:16

• Jesus overcame temptation by the power of the Spirit (baptized in power prior) and the word of Truth (quoting God’s word).

• The Holy Spirit is also the advocate, who is now living in us, meaning he made his home in us. He continues the work of Sanctification (Holiness) in us, bringing us to perfection. John 14:26

• We are temples of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit which was in Jesus when he walked the earth. We are able to be and do like Jesus. 1 Cor 3:16; Rom 8:11

3. When we are in Christ, our fruit is that we walk in Light

• God (Trinity) is light, there is no darkness in them. 1 John 1:5

• Light indicates that we have Christ but also indicates we have knowledge and understanding of good and evil. 2 Cor 4:6

• Evil deeds are done in darkness. 

• Light shines in and dispels darkness. At night a city lit by light stands out.

• Jesus is Light to the World, but metaphorically and spiritually, bringing illumination to our hearts and symbolizing a light to those in darkness.

• We are a city on a hill, light of the world, called to spread light in the world. Matt 5:14

• Love is a direct result of walking in light. If we hate, then we are not walking in Light. Matt 22:35-40

• Love is a fruit of the Spirit, indicating we have the Spirit at work in us. Gal 5

• Walking in Light, results in our spiritual develop. From “children” to “young men” to “fathers”. Children need their parents; young men need guidance; whilst fathers bring direction and correction. Rod and Staff

LIGHT Acronym

L = LIGHT results in LIFE and is displayed in LOVE

I = ILLUMINATION, the work of the Holy Spirit in us to God’s truth.

G = GROWTH, which comes from being in the Light (SON).

H = HARSH, when we are in darkness, light can feel harsh, it expels darkness and often results in conviction of sin.

T = TRUST, we won’t be ashamed of our sin and honour God with our lives and remain in him and be at peace and safety.