Today on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. Three anchors then to help you survive in life's crisis. Anchor number one: trust Jesus in every circumstance. Anchor number two: heaven, not earth, is your final destination. Anchor number three: Jesus is coming again.
Welcome to the verdict, featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe. No matter how high we build our walls or how deep we dig our shelters, trouble eventually comes to us all.
So, the question isn't whether or not you'll be faced with crisis. The question is: how do you survive? Today, John shares three anchors we need to stay secured through life storms.
Now here's Pastor John Monroe with his message titled, Surviving Life's Crises. Today, we continue encountering Jesus as we look at what may be very familiar verses in John chapter 14. Picture this. The disciples have been following Jesus for around three years. And now he is explaining that he is going to leave them.
they're thrown into great turmoil and confusion. Their world is shattered. Yet in this context Jesus gives us words of comfort, of hope, of strength. We live in an uncertain world full of crises and conflict. We never know what's going to happen from one day to the next.
Today, some of you are in the middle of a personal crisis. your health, your family, your work situation. Jesus knows all about it and he cares. Let's learn from Jesus how to survive in the crises of life. For over three years, the disciples followed Jesus.
They left their homes, their fishing boats, their families, their fishing nets. everything they had, their businesses. And they followed Jesus. They followed. the master.
But now they are told they cannot follow him, he is about to leave them. And the disciples are thrown into confusion and turmoil. And crisis. Life, as they now know it, is about to change and to change abruptly. It seems as if Jesus is going to abandon them.
Everything in the future is now uncertain. and unclear. They are In Trouble. If you look at your Bible in John chapter 14, verse 1, Jesus says, Let not your hearts be troubled.
So this word, translated trouble here in John fourteen, verse one, refers to the turmoil, the agitation, the confusion, the distress felt by all of us from time to time in the crises of life. When our whole world is shaken, And when the future seems black. and foreboding. How do we survive life's troubles and crises? People handle them in all kinds of ways.
Some people are plunged into despair and depression. Others try to mask their pain with alcohol or drugs or pornography or immoral relationships. Others are paralyzed in self-pity and bitterness. Others get very, very angry and lash out at anyone and everything. Others put on a brave front.
But inwardly are dying. How are the people of God? to handle the crisis. and the problems of life unless you're very young. you have experienced troubles.
and crisis. From John chapter 14, verses 1, 2, and 3, we will learn three truths for troubled hearts. three anchors which will secure us In the crisis of life. Here is the first anchor, verse one, trust. Jesus.
John fourteen verse one, let not your heart be troubled.
Now, how can you tell us not to be troubled, Lord, when you're telling us you're about to leave us? Very simple. Believe in God? believe also in me. Trust in God, trust also in me.
The answer to your troubles is to trust Jesus. The disciples, very understandably, at least from our perspective, are clearly troubled. They are facing a catastrophic loss. Jesus is going to leave them and they're thrown into confusion. But Jesus now gives the answer to their troubles.
The answer is not to minimise the trouble. People say, oh, it doesn't really matter, things will work out. That is never particularly helpful, is it? It's not to pretend that the problem doesn't exist. It does exist, we know that.
The answer is not to be self-sufficient and to say, well, you can do it. This problem has come, but you will survive. No, the answer. to trouble It's to trust. It's to believe.
The answer to fear is faith. You believe in God, Jesus says. You trust in God? Of course they did. These are of the Jewish faith.
They've been brought up to trust in Yahweh, the great God. All right, believe also in me. Place your faith in God. Place your faith in Jesus. In fact, literally.
That little preposition is into. Jesus is saying, believe into God, believe into me. Trust absolutely in me. The answer to your trouble, your anxieties, your problems, and uncertainties in life. Is to trust in trust into Jesus.
You say, why trust Jesus? Why believe in him? Trust Jesus, first of all, because of who He is. He has. In this Gospel, as we have learned, John brilliantly presents who Jesus is.
Who is He? He is the Word become flesh. He's the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is the Christ. He's the Messiah.
He's the Son of God. He's the Savior of the world. He is the bread of life who comes down out of heaven to this world and gives life. He's the light of the world, so that if you follow him, you won't walk in darkness, but you'll have the light of life. Why trust him?
Because of who he is. He's the great I am. He's God. Trust him. You trust your doctor?
You trust another individual. Surely you can trust Jesus The Saviour, the Lord of all, God incarnate. Jesus can be trusted. John is telling us brilliantly in this Gospel because of who Jesus is. But also, you can trust Jesus because of what he can do.
We have learned in this Gospel that John has presented seven signs, seven miracles, so that people may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Are you going to trust someone who can turn water into wine? Are you going to trust someone who can heal a nobleman's son at a distance? Surely, you can trust someone who can go to a man who's been paralyzed for 38 years and make him walk. Surely, you can trust someone who can take a man who has been blind from birth and give him sight.
Surely you can trust someone who takes a little boy's lunch, only five loaves and two fish, and feed thousands? Surely you can trust someone who can walk in water. Surely you can trust someone who can go to a tomb where a man has been dead for four days and bring him To life.
Now what's your problem? What is your problem? What is your difficulty? compared with these, of course we can trust our Saviour. I realize that problem and that difficulty, that anxiety in your life seems enormous.
I don't want you to focus on that. John is saying, focus on Jesus. Number one, think of who he is. Number two, think of what. can do.
And you can trust them. With all of your troubles. All of your crisis. All of your fears, let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.
Jesus will never ever fail you, He'll never let you down, He will bring you through the crises of life. Trust Jesus. In every circumstance of life, that's anchor number one. Will you do that today? Take that trouble.
and bring it to the Saviour. Trust Jesus. In every circumstance of life, and that anchor. will secure you. In the crisis of life.
Now anchor number two, and it's found in verse two. In my father's house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you. Here is anchor number two Heaven, not earth.
is your final destination. I love that. Heaven Not earth Is your final destination. Jesus is saying here in John chapter 14 that he is returning to the father's house, he's going home. He's leaving the disciples and returning to the Father's house.
Remember, we saw last week from John 13, verse 3, that Jesus says, I came down from God and I'm going back to God. He came to do the Father's will. He came to fulfill the Father's plan of salvation. He's saying, I'm going to fulfill that. I'm going to glorify my Father.
And when I completely fulfill perfectly the Father's plan. I'm going to go home. I'm returning. to heaven. In my father's house are many dwelling places, many rooms.
If it weren't so, I would have told you. For I go. I'm going. It is true, I'm going to leave you, but I go. to prepare a place for you.
Jesus has prepared a place in heaven for all of his disciples. In heaven there are many rooms Many dwelling places. And Jesus then is emphasizing that there is ample room in the Father's house for all who are saved by the grace of God. I go. to prepare a place for you.
Do you understand that you could never prepare a place for yourself in heaven? I sometimes hear people thinking that they can somehow get into heaven. By themselves, by what they do. by who they are. Absolutely impossible.
We are too sinful. We could never ever prepare a place for ourselves in heaven. No, our Savior comes and He prepares a place for us in heaven. What did Jesus mean when he says, I go to prepare a place for you? Jesus preparing a place for his disciples is probably a reference to his death on the cross, his burial, his resurrection, and his ascension.
That is, his redemptive work is the means by which we get into heaven. We're going to see next week that Jesus says in verse 6: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father apart. From me. All of the preparation is done by our Saviour for his children to get in.
To heaven. Do you understand that you don't get into heaven by your own works? but rather by trusting In Jesus, who atoned for your sins on the cross, died for our sins, rose again. He's done all of the work. He prepares a place for for all of his disciples.
Now when guests come to stay in our home and We've had quite a number since we moved to Charlotte. It seems, of course, we're delighted to receive them all. But when guests come to stay in our home. We take time to prepare the room or, more accurately, my wife does. Before guests come into our home, preparation takes place in the home in anticipation of the guests coming.
And we may personalize the preparation for that room to show our love for our guest. Knowing the kind of individuals they are. We prepare it.
So that the room is ready for them. How wonderful to know, how gracious of our Lord to know. For us to know that our Lord Jesus. has gone ahead. And he is preparing a place for his people, for you and me who love Christ, in the Father's house.
So in the crises of life, remember that Jesus is preparing a place for you If you're a follower of Christ, if you love Christ, if you're saved by His grace, He's preparing a place for you in heaven. And the point of verse 2 is this: Because heaven is your final destination, don't be troubled by crises on this earth. Remember. That you're going home. Remember that heaven, not earth, is your final destination.
I'm sure you have the experiences I do. Uh during the day You sometimes experience problems at work. problems in my ministry. It may have been a very long day. and I may be in a meeting at nine or ten o'clock at night.
And I sometimes wonder if I'm I'm ever gonna get out of this meeting. But you know something that really helps me? in life to survive. which is a great motivation to me. To know as I sit there.
that this meeting is going to end. And this problem I am going to leave. And these people, I am going to leave. Because I'm going to go home. And when I go home I know that I'm going to some home to someone who loves me and who accepts me and who may make me a wonderful cup of hot tea, not sweet tea, please.
Hot tea. This is at night. I'm at my home where I am accepted and where I am loved. And what can motivate us during a difficult work day is to know: listen, this is going to end, and I'm going to go home. You know what I mean.
And as we follow Christ, Life can be hard. Life can be difficult. Pastor Vale prayed for some families that are in trouble through bereavement. Through ill health, through crisis in their lives, and life is hard, and life is difficult. Yes, even for the people of God.
But we know. That our Lord Jesus Christ has prepared a place for us in the Father's house. Therefore, don't fear, don't be troubled. Look beyond this world to the world which is yet to come. All my trials, Lord.
What?
Sony soon be over. And I, for one, soon. I'm going home. and my final investment It's not in this world, but it's in that world. And that's my final destination.
If you're a child of God, your final destination is in heaven.
So don't allow the crises of life to discourage you, to depress you, to disillusion you. Keep going. Paul says, keep seeking the things which are above. Where Christ is seated at the Father's right hand. Keep looking up.
The circumstances are difficult. I understand that. But in my father's house are many dwelling places. If it weren't so, I would have told you. I go to prepare.
A place. For you. He's prepared A place for you. Brother, sister, hold on. To that anchor of the soul.
Heaven, not earth, is your final destination. Horatius Boner writes. We are but as wayfaring men wandering in the lonely night who see dimly upon a distant mountain peak. The reflection of a sun that never rises here, but which shall never set. In the new heavens thereafter, and this is enough.
It comforts and cheers us in our dark and rugged way. Heaven, not earth. is your final destination. Now that's an anchor, isn't it? That is an anchor.
That will keep you secure. in the crisis. of life. Anchor one, trust Jesus. in every circumstance of life.
Anchor two, heaven not earth as your final destination.
Now anchor three, verse three. And if I go and prepare a place for you. I will come again. And receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also. What's the third anchor?
Jesus is coming back for you. Jesus is returning. It's true, he says, I'm going, but if I go, I will come again. There is. A promise.
Of the Savior. I'm going, but I'm coming back. And when I come back, I'm coming back for you.
So that where I am, that is in heaven, there you will be also. to troubled and confused disciples. In the first century. to troubled and confused disciples here in the twenty first century. As we face life's crisis, Jesus says, I will come again and receive you to myself.
He's coming. It's true, he says. I'm going to the father's house. It's true I'm preparing a place for you. But I'm coming back for my own.
He's coming back, and Jesus always. Always. Yeah. his promises. How gracious of our Saviour.
He's coming back himself. When he comes, he will receive us to himself.
Now, here in John chapter 14, Jesus doesn't describe when or how he will come, but he's emphasizing the fact of his return. Jesus is returning. Jesus will come again. For many people, life is hard, life is unfair, it's unjust, it's a veil of tears. Jesus himself says in John 16, verse 33, In the world you have tribulation, you've got troubles, but rejoice.
Don't let your heart be troubled. Don't be depressed. Don't give up. Jesus is coming back. for you.
He's returning. For those Who left him? Isn't that a wonderful truth? That Jesus is coming Back for us? We know what it is to be separated from a loved one.
It's one of the toughest things in life. But there is no question As to whether or not we'll ever see Jesus. He's saying, Yes, I'm going. I'm going to leave you for a little while. I'm going to prepare a place for you.
But I guarantee I will come again. And when I come, I'm coming just for you, so that where I am, there you will be also. And never, ever again will we separate. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4, So we shall be forever. Did you get that?
How long is forever? One of the little boys asked me this week about God being eternal. Third graders can ask much tougher questions than adults. What does it mean? To be with the Lord forever and ever and ever and ever, never separated.
I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also. This is our blessed hope. In the midst. of the crisis. of life.
Geoffrey Bull was a British missionary to Tibet. And when the Chinese Communists conquered and occupied Tibet, he was imprisoned. Many years later, I had the privilege to hear him speaking at a missionary conference in Scotland.
Some of you may have read his book, which I commend, When Iron Gates Yield. As a prisoner of the Communists, he was subject to torture. They tried to brainwash him. He was subject to unbelievable hardship. Many of his fellow Prisoners were killed.
by the Communists. Geoffrey Bull himself was often threatened with execution. The Communists would come into his cell and say to him, In an hour or tomorrow morning, we're going to shoot you. And he knew. that many others were in fact Shots.
And I remember him saying, I used to wonder. What will I do? when I'm about to be executed. In these moments just before They take my life. Will I pray?
Will I recite scripture?
Well, I preach to them. What will I do? And he had decided that he would sing. And then he thought, What will I sing? And I remember so vividly him singing.
This is why I will sing.
some golden daybreak, Jesus will come.
Some of you know that old hymn.
Some golden daybreak, Jesus will come.
Some golden daybreak, battles all won. He'll shout a victory, break through the blue, some golden daybreak, Jesus. will come. to think That here's a man. who at any moment May go from time into eternity.
You think of trouble, of being brainwashed and tortured and threatened with your own life. How are you going to respond? What's going to sustain you? Not some little psychological trick you can play on yourself. But here was the reality that Jesus is Yeah.
And that perhaps before they ever shoot him. Jesus. will come. in that golden Daybreak.
So we shall be forever with the Lord. Brother, sister, do you think about the Lord's return? I know you believe it. We have it in our articles of faith that Jesus is coming, but does this great truth sustain us? that soon and very soon our Lord is coming.
And we will be with him for all of eternity. Here is hope for troubled hearts. Jesus is coming. Again. Three anchors then to help you survive in life's crisis.
Anchor number one, trust Jesus in every circumstance. Anchor number two, heaven, not earth is your final destination. Anchor number three, Jesus is coming again. He's coming. Yeah.
This is the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. and a message titled, Surviving Life's Crises. Be sure to keep listening because John will return in just a few moments with some closing remarks for today's lesson. When trouble does come to our door and we find ourselves in a crisis, we need more than just the knowledge of God. What we need is the presence of God.
In times of uncertainty, it's crucial that we put our trust in God and refocus on Him. And to help you do that, no matter what you're going through, John has written a wonderful personal booklet called Trusting God in Tough Times. and we'd like to send you a copy, completely free, as our gift to you. To receive a copy of Trusting God in Tough Times, just go to our website, theverdict.org. While you're there, you'll also have the opportunity to take a new step towards reaching others with the gospel by supporting the work of this radio ministry.
We're grateful for listeners like you who help us share God's word across the globe by sending a financial gift of any amount. We've made it quick and easy to give on our website at theverdict.org. You can also give over the phone by calling us at 833-551-2231. The verdict is a ministry of Calvary Church in South Charlotte. were located on the corner of Highway fifty one and Rayroad.
If you're looking for authentic Bible-based teaching and a community of Christ-centered fellowship, then we encourage you to visit us this coming Sunday. For more details and directions, visit theverdict.org.
Now, here's Pastor John Monroe.
Well, what's your verdict? Are you going through a difficult time? There are crises in life which threaten to devastate us and change our world. Jesus knows about it. Jesus cares for you.
He's with you. Allow his supernatural comfort to overwhelm you. And look forward to the glorious hope we have as followers of Jesus, He's coming again.
Soon all of those who love him will be eternally with him. Don't miss the next broadcast as we continue in this marvelous passage with the words of Jesus to his disciples. Thanks for joining us today on The Verdict. I'm Michelle Davies. Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
