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? 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. —John 14:1-14

Big Idea: If you believe in the

Introduction: This morning we examine Jesus’ response to His concerned disciples at the news of His impending departure. Jesus comforts them with one of the most beautiful pictures of heaven with clear instructions on how to get there and how we can live in the way of Jesus.

1. Believe in the Hope of heaven

• a. The reality of heaven is comforting (v.1-2)

  1. A vast ‘country’ (Hebrews 11:16)

     But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. —Hebrews 11:16

  2. A ‘City’ of many (Revelation 21)

  3. An orderly ‘Kingdom’ (2 Peter 1:11)

     For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. —2 Peter 1:11

  4. A delightful ‘paradise’ (Luke 23:43; Rev 2:7)

     And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” —Luke 23:43
     He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ —Revelation 2:7

As you face the hardships of today, remember that grace has purchased you a ticket for the paradise that is to come. —Paul Tripp

• b. Jesus will dwell with us in heaven. (v.1-3)
  
  1. ”A place for you” (v.2)
  2. “Where I am you may be also” (v.3)

God deeply desires us to delight in both the

• c. The way to heaven is accessible (v.4)
  

2. Believe in the way of Jesus

• a. Jesus is the way to the Father (v.6-11)
  
  1. He is truth because He embodies God’s supreme revelation
  2. He is life because He contains and imparts divine life
  3. He is the only way to the Father

Jesus is the

• b. Jesus is the example of the way we are to live (v.12)

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. How does the hope of heaven comfort you while enduring the challenges of this world?

4. In John 14:6, Jesus states that “No one comes to the Father except through me.” How do you approach this when sharing the Gospel with an unbeliever?

5. As a group reflect on the way Jesus lived His life in what we have seen in the Gospel of John. Pick some things from the way of Jesus that you want to imitate this week and pray for The Spirit to help you live as Jesus did.