Sermon notes:

Sunday, Feb.23, 2008    Abiding in God        John 14

                 “Living With and In God”
( the cure for the troubled heart - John 14:1-3 )

 Intro:    There will always be reasons to be troubled.  ( Jn.15:20; 16:33 )

 A “troubled heart” = worried, upset, anxious, afraid, no peace, no true rest, no joy, in turmoil…
A “not troubled” heart = at rest, in peace, with joy, having confidence, being content, feeling assured …

14:1)    Jesus gives 2 commands  - a don’t and a do

             “…You believe in God, believe also in me.”  ( trust me, have faith in me )

 Dwelling with and in God and God dwelling in us:
        “mone” = a place to stay and rest, a permanent home;  “meno” = to be at rest, to stay and live in one place, to dwell there, to abide.

 14:2      “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places.”  ( mone )
14:10    “…the Father dwells ( stays ) in me…”  (meno )
14:16-17   “…Comforter…may abide ( stay ) with you…
                 and shall be ( stay )  in you…”  ( meno )
15:4-7   “…abide ( stay ) in me and I in you…”  ( meno )
15:10    “…abide ( stay ) in my love…abide ( stay ) in His love…” ( meno )
15:11    “…that my joy might remain ( stay ) in you…” ( meno )
15:16    “…that your fruit should remain…( stay )”  ( meno )

Dwelling ( staying ) in God in the present:          Jn.17:21-23
Dwelling ( staying ) with God in the future:         Jn.17:24
Dwelling ( staying ) in Heaven in the present:    Eph.2:6

The place where we can stay that cures a troubled heart is also the place where we can stay that brings unity (17:22), love (15:10,17), joy (15:11; 16:22,24), peace (14:27; 16:33) and comfort (14:16-18).  Staying there is not by chance, but by choice.  ( believe, 14:1; 15:4, 7)

 “Do you believe ( trust me, have faith in me ) now?”  ( 16:31 )