Living With Angst
May 30, 2004 - John 14:25-31
Open It
What people, things, or experiences in life bring you comfort and peace of mind?
How do the people you love (whether close friends, spouse, or family members) know that you love them?
What relationship in life brings you the most satisfaction? Why?
Explore It
What did Jesus say the Counselor would do? (14:25-26)
What did Jesus leave with His disciples? (14:27)
Why were the disciples to be glad that Jesus was leaving them? (14:28)
Why did Jesus tell His disciples about the future? (14:29)
Why did Jesus say He wouldn't speak much longer? (14:30)
What did Jesus intend to show the world? (14:31)
Get It
What is the peace that Jesus has given us?
How can we experience the peace Jesus has given us?
What concerns trouble you or cause you to fear?
How should we deal with the fear in our lives?
What example has Jesus set for us in His relationship with God?
Apply It
In what specific way can you show Jesus that you love Him today?
What can you do today to experience and enjoy the peace Jesus has given you?
What troubling problem or fear do you need to turn over to God?
NOTES
John 14:26: Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would help them remember what he had been teaching them. This promise ensures the validity of the New Testament. The disciples were eyewitnesses of Jesus' life and teachings, and the Holy Spirit helped them remember without taking away their individual perspectives. We can be confident that the Gospels are accurate records of what Jesus taught and did (see 1 Cor. 2:10-14). The Holy Spirit can help us in the same way. As we study the Bible, we can trust him to plant truth in our mind, convince us of God's will, and remind us when we stray from it.
John 14:27-29: The end result of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives is deep and lasting peace. Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance; with Christ's peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future. If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ's peace (see Phil. 4:6-7 for more on experiencing God's peace).
John 14:27-29: Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Jesus says he will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from him.
John 14:28: As God the Son, Jesus willingly submits to God the Father. On earth, Jesus also submitted to many of the physical limitations of his humanity (Phil. 2:6).
John 14:30-31: Although Satan, the prince of this world, was unable to overpower Jesus (Matthew 4), he still had the arrogance to try. Satan's power exists only because God allows him to act. But because Jesus is sinless, Satan has no power over him. If we obey Jesus and align ourselves closely with God's purposes, Satan can have no power over us.
John 14:31: "Come now; let us leave" suggests that John 15-17 may have been spoken en route to the Garden of Gethsemane. Another view is that Jesus was asking the disciples to get ready to leave the upper room, but they did not actually do so until John 18:1.