John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.… I. CHRIST SITS AND DISCOVERS HEAVEN TO US. 1. Its nature. His home. "This is not your rest." 2. Its extent. "Many mansions." "Yet there is room." 3. Its reality. "If it were not so I would have told you." Christ knew it — came from it — went to it. Stephen saw its open door and its glory when his breath was being beaten out of his body. II. CHRIST ASCENDS AND PREPARES HEAVEN FOR US. "I go to prepare a place for you." He prepares heaven for us — 1. By making it accessible. The angel with the flaming sword no longer guards the tree of life, and the veil of the Temple no longer hinders man's approach to God. 2. By gathering its people. Heaven becomes richer to us as Christians die. It is daily more home-like. 3. By supplying its blessings. Who knows so well as He the kind of heaven that will meet our needs? Yes, and He prepares it all. III. CHRIST RETURNS AND ENTERS HEAVEN WITH US. "If I go," etc. This applies to — 1. All the journey of life. "My presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest." 2. All the labours of life. "Go ye into all the world and preach, etc....and lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." 3. All the trials of life. "When thou passeth through the waters I will be with thee," etc. 4. The close of life. He is there with the dying saint. IV. CHRIST ABIDES AND BECOMES HEAVEN TO US. "That where I am there ye may be also." This was Paul's idea of heaven — having a desire to depart and to be with Christ. (W. H. Burton.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.WEB: "Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. |
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