What Does the Bible Say About Trouble and Finding Peace in Jesus?

Thank you. It wasn’t around. Beautiful. I’m tall. I don’t want Good morning everyone.

We are glad to be gathered today.

So if you’re able, let’s all stand. We’re gonna begin by singing praise to the Lord. Here now your presence is here. Sing together. Here now your presence is here now. All around I feel you all around. So rain down. Spirit come rain down. There’s no doubt. Glory will pour out. Yeah, we are ready for the Lord. Sing again to him. Jesus, we’re ready. We’re ready. Jesus, we’re ready. We’re waiting. Anticipating. The veil torn into now made you. The empty grave is that you live in me. Your presence in me. Your spirit breathing life. Heaven is open wide. This freedom is a sign that you’re living in me. Your presence in me. So let hope rise because of the Lord. So let hope rise. Let hope rise. Oh, the fire in his eyes now burning on the inside. Oh, the veil is torn into now. The empty grave is proof that you’re living in me. Your presence in me. Your spirit breathing life. Heaven open wide. This freedom is a sign that you live in me. Your presence in me. Presence in me. The farthest light of the night just takes a moment to go. One thing I know will spread disease. Freedom’s released. Heaven is open. Heaven is open. Heaven is open. Heaven is open. The veil is torn into what’s dead now made new. The empty grave is proof that you live in me. Your presence in me. Your spirit breathing life. Heaven is open wide. This freedom is a sign that you live in me. Your presence in me. The daily is now made. The empty bra is that you’re living in me. Your presence in me. Your spir open wide. This freom is a sign that you’re living in me. Your present. Take a moment. Silence and light up. Just make some moment. Your name is spoken. Heal our disease. Freedom is released. Heaven is open. Heaven is open. Heaven is Amen. Amen. Amen.

Introducing a new song 8 min mark

All right, we’re going to teach you a new one this morning, which is always fun because everyone kind of looks at me lost like, “Oh, where are we going to go?” But this song has been on my heart for a couple weeks now, and I have been looking forward to introducing it for a while. So, we’re going to need some help from all of you. We’ve got these amazing things that God has given us. They’re called hands, and we’re going to be doing a lot of clapping on this one.

All right, it’s not a hard clap. It’s not like a like really trying to it’s just going to be a constant just and we’re going to have a lot of fun because this song has a very simple simple message and that is we have a God who’s working every day for us and that there is nothing that’s impossible for him. Amen.

He made a way for us. Didn’t he part the waters? Didn’t those walls come crashing down? Wasn’t he in the fire? Hasn’t he kept his promises a thousand generations? Hasn’t he made a way? Didn’t he make a way? Won’t he make a way for us?

All right, here we go. He’s working. He’s working. He’s working everything for good. He’s working. He’s working. He’s working everything for good. Hasn’t he even been so good to us? Didn’t he heal the broken? Doesn’t he give his life when the veil torn open? He will spread and he be so good working it all good. Won’t he be so good to us? He’s working. He’s working. He’s working everything for good. He’s working. He’s working. He’s working everything for good. Oh. Oh. He’s working everything for good. Oh. Oh. He’s working everything for good. He’s will work right here in this moment. So we pray for the impossible and we believe that he will do it. Working mirales right here in this moment. So we pray for the impossible and we believe through it. He make a way. Did he make a way? Won’t he make a way for us? Can he make a way? Did he make a way? Won’t he make a way for us? He will make a way for us. He’s working. He’s working. He’s working everything for good. He’s working. He’s working. He’s working everything for good. Oh. Oh. He’s working everything for good. Oh. Oh. He’s working everything for good. He is working. He’s working everything for good. He is working. He’s working everything for good.

The meaning of the song and Jesus on the cross 13 min mark

All right. We learned a new one. We know that’s true. That the Lord is working everything for good. That’s what we read in scripture. Even when the Lord’s son went to the cross, even when he was beaten, arrested unjustly, all the suffering that he went through, that was done purposely, the Lord Jesus gave his life over because there was a good work happening there for the world to be able to receive salvation should they believe in him. We here together, we gather because we believe in him. Amen.

It’s such a blessing to take a moment and consider what he’s done on the cross because it refreshes our hearts of our faith, our minds of the work he’s done and all the goodness that we receive because of that.

Communion reflection and practice 14 min mark

So, we’re going to take communion in a moment. And right now, let’s go ahead and take our time quietly to head over to the tables to the left and the right in front of this the stage to receive our elements and we’ll have communion in just a moment. If all I have is Jesus, I have all I need. All I have is Jesus. I have everything. All I have is Jesus. I have all I need. All I have is Jesus. I have everything.

So, scripture tells us that when we do this, it’s important to take the time to reflect. You can stand or sit however you’d like during this time, but that’s exactly what we’re going to do, to reflect on the Lord Jesus Christ and what he went through, the pain and the suffering. We’re just going to be quiet for a moment. Some of us may you know, not know about what Jesus did. Some of us may may know that. Some of us do know that for sure here. So, let’s be silent for just a moment considering what he did. What a blessing it is for us to receive after what he’s done. Thank you, Lord.

And so with this, we practice and we do what Jesus told his disciples when he began this. This is what it says in scripture that when Jesus on the night he was betrayed, he took the bread and he had given thanks, he broke it and said this, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” So that’s an important part as we reflect on what he’s done. We’re remembering. We don’t ever want to forget the Lord Jesus went through. because that is the basis of our faith. The cross is central to our lives in him. So we remember and we hold on to it as truth and we tell the rest of the world through our lives, our actions, our words.

Let’s pray and we’ll eat together. Heavenly Father, what is more valuable than the gift that you’ve provided us? Through your death, you began the steps of overcoming the world and everything that we could not do on our own. How desperately we need you. And so together we remember and we do pray that you would help us to always hold on to this daily and to live according to what you’ve done. In your name we say this. Amen. Let’s eat together.

Further on in scripture, it says this. In the same way, after supper, he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” There will be a day for where the Lord will come back and we will be with him. There will be a day where we can celebrate that moment. Until that time, we do this not only to remember but also to proclaim to the world that this is the way to salvation. There is no other way only through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s pray once more. Jesus, when we consider this truth and how we are blessed by your sacrifice, how overwhelming it can be to take it in. that you would be

kind enough to give your life for us when we did not even realize the depth of our situation, the darkness of what we’re surrounded in, what we were living. Thank you. Thank you. And we do we do want to proclaim this to the world. In your name we say this. Amen. Let us drink together and then we’re going to continue to sing.

Now, as we sing, our prayer team will be available to the left and the right. If anybody here has any prayer requests, anything that’s going on in their lives they want to seek prayer for, feel free to head over to those areas and they’ll pray with you. And the worship team is going to continue to lead us.

Why should I worry what tomorrow brings and place my hope in temporary things? All that I’m holding would to slip away from home by one whose name will never f all I have is Jesus. I have all I need. If all I have is Jesus, I have everything. I have everything. Here in your presence, there is always peace that surpasses all I know in all I see. You are my treasure worth more to me than what riches of this world could ever brea.

If all I have is Jesus, I have all I need. If all I have is Jesus, I have everything. I have everything. Jesus nothing else, no better thing. You’re all I want. You’re all I need. There’s nothing else. Oh, baby. You’re all I want. You’re all I need. There’s nothing else, no better thing. You’re all I want. You’re all I need. is nothing else, no better thing. You’re all I want. You’re all I need. You’re Heat. Heat.

If all I have is Jesus, I have all I need. If all I have is Jesus, I have everything. I have everything. I have everything. If all I have is Jesus, I have all I need. If all I have is Jesus, I have everything. Sing that again. All I have is Jesus. I have all I need. All I have is Jesus. I have everything. I have everything. I have everything.

Freedom in Christ 23 min mark

All right, we got one more song. Chains are broken. You have spoken. It is finished. On the cross, now I’m living in your freedom. Jesus, you have set me free. By the power of your spirit, every captive is released. For this purpose, I am living. Jesus, you have set me free. Nothing’s going to hold me back. Nothing’s going to keep me down. Jesus has set me free. I’m free indeed. I will give you praise. With everything I am, my praise. Whatever may come my way. You have won the victory. You set me free. Oh. Oh. Oh. I’m surrounded by your goodness. I am covered by your grace. My heart is grateful. Forever thankful. Jesus, you have set me free. Nothing’s going to hold me back. Nothing’s going to keep me down. Jesus has set me free. And I’m free in need. I will give you praise. With everything I am, I’ll praise whatever may come my way. You have won the victory. I will give you praise. With everything I am, I’ll praise. Whatever may come my way. You have won the victory. You set me free. We are free. We are free and we have the victory. We are free. We are free. And we have the victory. We are free. We are free and we have the victory. We are free. We are free. And we have the victory. Oh, oh, oh. I will give you praise with everything I am. I’ll praise. Whatever may come my way, you have won the victory. I will give you praise. With everything I am, I’ll praise. Whatever may come my way, you have won the victory. You set me free. Oh, you set me free. Oh. Amen. We have freedom this morning. Amen.

Because we have a God who is right now alive and working for each and every one of us. It is so good to worship with every single one of you. Go ahead and turn around, find someone next to you, give them a high five, a handshake, or a hug, and tell them you love them. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Good morning. It’s so good to see all of you. I see a sea of red, white, and blue coordinated outfits. We should all take a group picture. I hope you had a beautiful Fourth of July.

Welcome and announcements 30 min mark

Um, if you are here visiting for the first time, maybe you’re in town for this weekend or you’re here with family or friends, we just want to say welcome to Crossroads and we would love a chance to get to know you better and welcome you into our church family. In your seat back pocket, we have something called a connection card and if you’d like to turn this in and take it to our welcome center, we would love to give you a welcome gift. We also have an app called Church Center. And if you’re a regular at Crossroads, I really encourage you to download this app so you can hear more about what’s coming up. You’ll get reminders. You’ll be able to see our church calendar. Uh and you can submit a prayer request on there as well.

So at the bottom of the connection card is a space for you to put a prayer request. And we have a whole team who prays for your needs throughout the week. And we would love to include you in our prayers this week. So, please feel free to drop that in one of the black boxes at the back or visit our app or take that to the connection center this morning. The welcome center, I’m sorry. Um, just for a quick announcement, every Tuesday night in the summer, we are having a life group here at the church called the story. And this is a walk through the Bible with Pastor Gary. So, it’s not too late to join. And we’d love to invite you to attend that on Tuesday nights.

For those of you who call Crossroads home and you are faithfully giving your tithes and offerings, we just want to say thank you. Your gifts help us to be able to do work, the work of the ministry, the work of the kingdom every week here at the church. And we’re able to do amazing things, including sending our kids to camp today and our youth to camp this week. And I encourage you to keep them in your prayers this week. So, thank you for your gifts. I know Pastor Gary will be praying in just a little bit for that. Um this morning our middle school students are staying in the service. We have a fun day planned with after the message we have a potluck upstairs that Pastor Gary will tell you more about in just a moment. But let’s turn our attention toward the screen for a short video.

America’s blessings 35 min mark

This is America. The beautiful spacious skies reminding us of the width and breadth of the heavens. The amber waves of grain echoing our calling to the harvest. The purple mountain majesties revealing the strength and might of our redeemer. The vast fruit of plains giving us a visual reminder of how far God has removed our transgressions. The shining seas bringing to mind the new life we have in Jesus. May God shed his grace on America.

Amen. You know, it’s uh it’s quite a weekend when we have the opportunity, as we did, to celebrate 250 years. It’s uh it’s a milestone that is extraordinary. I don’t know if any of you watched the celebrations yesterday, we kind of had it on all day. And then last night to watch 851,000 uh pieces of fireworks go up, that was just it was kind of sat there in awe of what we were watching. But all around a great topic. uh the celebrating of this great land and we are blessed as Americans to have the freedoms that we have. And I I I trust that we will never take them for granted, but that we will always remember our creator and the opportunities that he has provided for us in this great nation. And we’re going to pray for our country in a few moments. But as Jamie mentioned, I have a couple of things that I want to chat with you about.

Community gathering and invitation 36 min mark

The first one is immediately following the service today. We have a wonderful lunch planned. And if you said, “Well, I didn’t know anything about it.” You’re still invited. Come and be a part of us. We’re going to we have more food than we can ever eat. Uh so, please come and join us. It’s it’s just a very casual gathering. It’s just an opportunity to be together and continue to kind of celebrate this weekend, but also to celebrate each other. You know, it’s important for us to be together and share relationship with one another and grow in connection and community. So I want to encourage you to be a part of that this afternoon immediately following the service. uh also uh

Earthquake Relief and Convoy of Hope 37 min mark

Something that is uh very very challenging and that is the earthquake that we have seen in Venezuela that has been a devastating a devastating earthquake and and convoy of hope has reached out to the churches throughout our fellowship and asked if there is help that we could provide and we want to make that available to you today. So on our website you’ll or rather on our giving platform up tidly you’ll see a drop-own menu for convoy of hope. Please give a generous gift. We want to be able to send this to help relief efforts. Convoy will be providing all kinds of logistical support on the ground but also physical needs of that the folks need in Venezuela. We want to be able to assist and partner with them. They are our main partner for relief and disaster around the country and also around the world. It’s a marvelous organization. Encourage you to to check them out, but also this is a great opportunity for us to be a blessing to many that we will never meet this side of eternity.

Water Baptism and Public Profession of Faith 38 min mark

And then also in one of the things that um is so critical to our journey of faith is being baptized in water. And I want to encourage you if you have not been baptized in water after professing faith in Christ to do so. You can sign up at the welcome center before you go. And let me just let me just I I usually do this and I haven’t had a chance to most recently, but I want to this morning. We come from many different traditions and backgrounds. That’s that’s a given. And sometimes uh we may have been you may have been baptized as a child and that is a marvelous expression of the faith of your parents. But it’s also important for you to make a public profession of faith once making a declaration to Christ as savior. And that’s what baptism is. It is a profession of your faith publicly that you are following Jesus.

So if you have not been baptized after professing faith, giving your life to Christ, can I encourage you to do so? Sign up so that we can celebrate [snorts] that with you and your family can celebrate with with you in that incredible milestone of faith. I would so be honored to be a part of that celebration in your life.

New Board Member and National Blessing 40 min mark

And one a couple more things. Still got a couple more. Number one, this past week, we selected a brand new board member onto our leadership board. And I want Brian Ambrose if you would just stand real quick. Brian, bless you. Thank you for your willingness to serve. We appreciate it so very much. And then finally, finally, I was considering this past week this scripture. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. I thought about it and I said, you know, within a within a the the specific context of that verse, God is speaking to his people Israel and he’s saying to them, he’s challenging them in this way. Follow me, obey me, live for me, and blessings are going to follow.

Now, in a very general context, what does that mean to you and me? I believe with all of my heart that God will bless us as we dedicate ourselves to him, whether individually and also as a nation. I don’t think anyone would deny the fact that America has been blessed over its 250 year history. Are we perfect? By no means. Do we have issues? More than I would like to think. However, I believe that God still has an incredible plan for America to be an agent of good within our world.

Prayer for the Nation 41 min mark

And I want us to pray this morning to that end. And I’m going to ask you to stand with me as we pray. We’ll pray for our kids as well for camp. But we’re going to pray as [sighs and gasps] Solomon as Solomon was directed of the Lord. He said, “The Lord told him,” he says, “sf my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways and I’ll hear from heaven, I’ll forgive their sin and heal their land.” We’re going to pray to that end.

Jesus, thank you for today. And we we begin by just worshiping you as we have and we’re so grateful for your blessings on our lives and in our church. And we pray you bless the children and the students as they go away this week to camp. Let them be let them be encouraged and blessed, strengthened. Let this be a lifealtering week. We thank you. And we’re going to pray for them this week to that end.

And I pray this morning, Lord, for our country. Lord, what a great nation America is. We are not without our faults. And so, Lord, as we come before you this morning, if my people who are called by my name, that’s us, would humble themselves and pray. So Lord, in a in just an overture of humility, we just bow our heads. We close our eyes and we realize Lord that you are the ultimate answer for our nation and for our world. And we pray this morning in this posture of humility, Lord, that you would forgive us of our many transgressions, Lord, that where we have failed you and where we have ignored you, where we have forgotten you, Lord, forgive us.

Forgive us for the outright [snorts] disobedience that we as individuals and as a nation have committed. We ask your forgiveness today. And Lord, we pray just as you instructed Solomon, if my people were called by my name would humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from the wicked ways we turn from our sin and disobedience, [snorts] Lord, that you would hear us when we pray. So God, I pray that you would hear this congregation of believers as we call out to you, oh God, heal our land. Heal our land. Begin right here in Tmacula and the surrounding areas. Lord, let us sweep through the state of California. Lord, let us sweep through the West Coast in the entire nation and then to the world.

>> Let it be so. >> Heal our land. We thank you, Jesus, that you hear us. And Lord, I pray that we would make a new commitment and pledge to continue to pray for our nation and believe that as our nation, as we individually and as a nation turn towards you, we believe that blessings will follow. And for these things, we give you thanks and we give you praise. Open up our hearts to your word this morning. We ask in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. You may be seated. Bless you. Come on, give the Give the Lord a hand of praise, but also a celebratory hand for our great country. God bless you. God bless you.

You Got Trouble and The Music Man 44 min mark

You ready? You got trouble. It’s all I’m going to say. You got trouble. Now, that’s kind of an interesting phrase, isn’t it? Well, actually, it comes from the 1962 award Academy Award-winning movie, The Music Man. The Music Man. Robert Preston was Let me tell you just a little bit of the story. All right, just a little bit. Not much. This Robert Preston plays a character by the name of Harold Hill in River City, Iowa in the 1910s. Okay. But he’s a con man and he comes into town with a con on his mind of what he’s going to do. He is going to raise up and begin a boy’s band and they’re going to sell uniforms and going to get instruments and he’s going to take all the money and he’s going to skip town. That was the plot of the movie. However, he has a change of heart. He falls in love and that’s kind of the end of the story. There’s the spoiler effect. But I would encourage you watch the movie. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a lot of fun.

But why would I do that? Well, that phrase, you got trouble, is how he builds this idea that River City needs a boy’s band to protect them from trouble. And it was all about, ready for this, pool. Okay, pool. There was a pool hall that had come into River City and that was going to corrupt the young boys of this city. So, he’s the answer. A boy’s band is going to make all the difference in the world. Well, here’s just a little bit of that song. I’m not going to sing it, so don’t get your hopes up, but here are some words. It said, “Friend, either you’re closing your eyes to a situation you do not wish to acknowledge, or you are not aware of the caliber of disaster indicated by the presence of a pool table in your community. Well, you got trouble, my friend, right here, I say trouble right here in River City.”

The Nature of Trouble 46 min mark

But it’s interesting when you look a little deeper, there’s actually, I think in some respects, an unexpected warning in the midst of those words, and it’s on your screen, and I’m going to read it again for you. So, look at this. Friend, either you’re closing your eyes to a situation you do not wish to acknowledge, or you are not aware of the caliber of disaster indicated. What do I mean by that? Well, I don’t think anyone in the room and that’s why I started the way I did by saying you got trouble. Trouble is a natural occurrence within our lives. And that’s what last week was about. This week also as we talk about trouble.

You know what’s interesting to me is that we can close our eyes to the trouble. We would rather be oblivious than to acknowledge it. And that can be very detrimental. Or or or I think also we live with trouble. Oh well, it’s just a natural it’s just a natural thing. Therefore, I must live with it. And I think that’s a false belief that there’s no way forward. Trouble is just a lot of life and I have no way.

I have no path of getting through the trouble that I am currently facing. And the other part of that, it appears at times is that trouble never ends. We see no path forward. Well, last week we began with John 16:33. It’s not in your notes, but it was just these words. In this world, you will have trouble. The truth of the matter, Jesus said, is it is a natural part of life. However, there’s something more and that’s where I will spend the morning. We’re going to spend the morning discussing. And so, one verse of scripture as we begin today, John 14:28, do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Two times in John chapter 14, Jesus uses the same phrase. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Same phrase. However, here in verse 28, he adds to it. And do not be afraid. So, we’re going to talk about trouble again today. You got trouble. But there’s also a pathway forward.

Living and obeying Jesus 48 min mark

The first thought this morning is living and obeying Jesus. Living and obeying Jesus. John 14:1 15. If you love me, keep my commandments. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. Then Judas, not Judas the Scariot, said, “But Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My father will love them and will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own. They belong to the father who sent me.

One of the biggest words in the English language is the word if. If no not by not by amount of letters that that award goes to Titan Ti T I N which is a protein and that word you ready for this has 189,819 letters and it would take approximately 3 to four hours to pronounce it. So I’m going to dispense with pronouncing it for you today. So while the time constraints keep us from pronouncing that word anyway the the the point that I want you to grasp is the word if though small is huge because hear this because it allows for the possibility possibility of inaction and I’m going to go back and say something that is so incredibly important for all of us today. No matter where you are in your faith journey, start here. If you love me, so I would just ask this question. Do you love Jesus? Do you love Jesus?

The proof of our love for Jesus is in the next clause. Then keep my commands. In fact, other translations would say it this way. If you love me, you will keep my commands. It’s not a matter of if. But the word if, if you love me, re shows us the possibility of an action. It shows us that we might not love him. Therefore, the commands, they just kind of disappear. And it leads it leads to this next question. Are we then living in obedience to Jesus? If we love him, we will obey him.

I’ve said on many, many different occasions, obedience is a topic that is so often spoken of in scripture and it shouldn’t be overlooked and nor should because it’s so frequent should we dismiss it or or or overlook it by any means. It is vital to our walk of faith. It provides amazing blessings and it’s altogether better duh than disobedience. And here in John chapter 14, it is a genuine proof that we love Christ. So I’m going to ask again, do you love Jesus? Because if you love Jesus, you will obey him.

And it is not just the areas where you really want to obey and you really think, “Oh, that’s cool. I’ll do that.” But what about the way we speak to people? Are we being said, “Well, Jesus didn’t talk specifically.” Well, he actually did, but you can grab something and say, “Well, he didn’t talk exactly specifically about that.” But remember, one of the things that we have to understand about the gospel of John, Jesus is the living word. The word, he is the word. Therefore, when we study the word, we’re studying the word. And his words, his words are important that we heed. So I’m going to ask again, do you love Jesus? And if you do, then we’ll be obedient to his commands. All of them. Not the select few, but all of them. Do we love Jesus?

I believe I could make a case that connects our lack of obedience and much of the trouble that we experience. You wonder sometimes, why does trouble just keep coming on me? Why do I keep going down the same pathway? Why is it the the the same song 1,02 verses later? It’s the same thing again. Could it be that we lack [snorts] a measure of obedience to the Lord? Listen to what the prophet Daniel in a prayer. He said, “I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed.” “Oh Lord, you are great and you are great and an awesome God. You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.”

Sounds a little familiar. But we have sinned and done wrong. We’ve rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to your service. the prophets who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land. We have not obeyed the Lord our God. We have not followed the instructions he gave us through the his servants the prophets. All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away refusing to listen to your voice. So now, so now the solemn curses and judgments written in the law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin. Man, that should that should cut to the heart of every one of us.

Do you love Jesus? Because if you love Jesus, you’ll keep his commands. But if we’re not keeping his commands, trouble will follow. And so, so the remedy, the remedy is this. You got trouble? If so, do an obedience inventory. Begin to take a look at the things of your life. Even the smallest of things. What about this? What about this? Not in a legalistic sense. No. but truly obeying the Lord all for his glory and honor and the blessing that will come back upon us as we do.

Secondly this morning, oh, let me just add this real quick. Does my does my life reflect the works of the flesh or the fruit of the spirit? Do I take captive every thought making obedient to Christ? Or do I think on things contrary to the godly things? Let’s be mindful when we say we love Jesus that we are also living in obedience to him.

We are not alone 56 min mark

Secondly this morning we’re not alone. We are not alone. John 14 verse 16. And I will ask the father and he’ll give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. The spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him or or knows him. But you know him for he lives with you and he be he will be with you. I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you will also live. And on that day, you will realize that I am in I am in my father and you are in me and I am in you.

I wonder if I could get just a little um audience participation. How many of you would agree with this statement? I love my alone time, but I don’t like being alone. Right. I honestly I I love my alone time where nobody is around and it’s just me, okay? You know, I have great conversations with myself. I never disagree with me. I’m always right. I’m always a, you know, it’s a great place to be. I love my alone time, but also I don’t like being alone, man. loneliness. That loneliness can be such such a a a bad place and I think we feel neglected or forgotten, overlooked and unimportant and a host of other emotions that only the lonely can really express alone.

You’ll recall that when Jesus started this conversation, there was questions back and forth that the disciples were asking him. And one of the questions that was asked of him, you know, that Jesus answered, he said, “I’m going away. I’m going away.” And they said, “Where where are you going? Where are you going?” And there was a perceptible difference in the way that the disciples were looking at Jesus. They were they were perplexed. And it caused a number of questions to be asked in that conversation. And then his answer to that was this. The father will give you another advocate to help you and to be with you forever. the spirit of truth. That was his answer. I’m going away, but the father is going to send someone, the advocate. I love that word advocate. We’ll talk about that in a minute. But he used this word. He used another. Another another. And in the original language of the Old Testament, another means rather another of the same kind. Okay. So, what do we have? We have a reinforcement. of of the Godhead is what we have certainly, but also the promise that they’re not going to be alone, that Jesus is going to remain with them in just a unique and different way. Another another of the same kind. And it’s the spirit of truth, the pariclete, the one who comes alongside is the promised gift of the father at the son’s request. the advocate who represents us, the comforter, the

Counselor. This is the another of the same kind. I want to tell you, we’re not alone in the midst of our trouble. God is always with us by his spirit that lives within us. And Jesus made that promise to us. He made it clear. And so what happens is you and I benefit as Jesus Jesus disciples did when he was glorified and ascended.

The Holy Spirit himself, listen, the Holy Spirit himself came and took residence in your life. You and I, as Paul would say, are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The very presence of God lives within you and within me. Talk about not alone. He’s with us always. Matthew 28 Jesus promise and I will be with you always even to the very end of the age. Hebrews chapter 13 never will I leave you never will I forsake you.

You know that there is a uh and I have been challenged in my you know I I I um I don’t want to go too far a field here. I’m always God is always working on me for messages and things I should teach and preach and I can’t get away from one particular topic and it kind of is about this. There’s I think there’s an unhealthy interest in the fact that we are not alone. You know what I mean? We are not alone. you know, these little used to call them when I was a kid, flying saucers. Now they’re you not UFOs anymore. They’re used something else. You know, whatever. There’s I think there’s an unhealthy interest in all of it.

I also believe it’s a sign of the times in which we live. And I believe that the Lord wants me to do a message at some point talking about those topics. So, all that to say, this unhealthy interest that we’re not alone in the universe, uh, man, I don’t I’m not so sure I buy into this. However, I would say this. We are not alone. God is with us.

God’s presence in corporate worship 61 min mark

Not only is he with you individually, but he is with us in the corporate setting as we are this morning. I’m gonna say something as your pastor. So, I’m coming down where it’s a little bit more um confrontational. Uh did I just say that? I came that came out of my Wow. Here’s what I mean. I’m so glad you’re here today. I’m so glad you’re here today. Make this a priority.

Why? Because in the corporate presence of the people of God, the power of God and his Holy Spirit is unleashed in ways that cannot be experienced by yourself. It just cannot. I have great times of prayer and worship by myself, but I have so much more when we’re gathered corporately. Make this a priority. Parents, teach your children the priority of worship in this house. I’m going to say that again because there needs to be greater amens. Parents, teach your children that this there is a priority to worship in this house. And it’s not just this house. It’s the corporate gathering of the people of God is so incredibly important and vital to our faith. We’re not alone.

The exclusivity and invitation of Christ 62 min mark

There’s something else too is the companionship that we share is exclusive to Christ followers. Jesus was very clear. He said this. He says the world cannot accept him because it neither sees him or knows him. You see, the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers. So they cannot see the light of the gospel of the truth of Christ.

You you see you and I the the presence of the spirit within us is unique to us as followers of Christ. And that is something to be treasured. It is something that is exclusive. While it is exclusive, Jesus invitation remains to those who do not share that companionship. That is the most amazing amazing truth. Everyone coming to faith in Christ, the presence of God himself will inhabit your life. What an honor and a privilege to carry to carry the spirit of God. everywhere that I walk. It’s also a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. Matthew 28, if Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me. I’m struggling and burdened and I will give you rest.”

Why? Because the rest that we are provided by God’s spirit when we’re in trouble is the indwelling presence and power of the spirit.

The Holy Spirit as greatest teacher 64 min mark

The third thought this morning is the greatest of all teachers. John 14:2. and all this I have spoken while I’m still with you. But the advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. What a powerful powerful reminder.

names like Arnison, Thomasson, Dempster, Lou, Bobo, Rying, Heiser, Wyman, Drestle House, Ben Venudi mean little or nothing to anyone in this room. But every one of those individuals, extraordinary men and women, teachers of God’s word and the principles of faith. And I have been blessed over the years to have the opportunity to sit under some of the most amazing teachers of God’s word and learn. I I remember in one particular setting I walked out and I went, I have never in my life heard anybody that smart and I kind of look in the mirror and go, give it [snorts] up, dude. Just give it up. Amazing individuals.

And you know, there have been great teachers down through history. And but Jesus speaks of a teacher that eclipses all teachers past, present, and future, the advocate, the Holy Spirit. By the way, if you’ve forgotten, who lives in you, who will be with you always, always. THE GREATEST TEACHER OF ALL time lives in you. Man, that is so powerful.

And remember the teacher is the spirit of truth. In John 14:17, the Holy Spirit is described as spirit of truth. His truth is inward and spiritual not received or understood by the world. Don’t limit what Christ by his spirit can teach you and speak to others through you as you depend upon him to do so.

1 Corinthians chapter 2. When I was among mature Christians, I do speak with words of great wisdom, but not the kind that comes from here on earth. Not the kind that appeals to the great men of this world who are doomed to fall. Our words are wise because they are from God. telling of God’s wise plan to bring us into the glories of heaven. The plan hidden was hidden in former times, though it is made for our benefit before the world began. The Apostle Paul nails it.

You’re looking for wisdom everywhere. You’re looking for knowledge. You’re looking for information. I want to tell you something. As a follower of Jesus Christ, the spirit of the living God is within you. And he will teach you all things. And he will give glory to Christ as he does. You’re not alone. You’re not alone. This the greatest teacher of all lives within us.

Characteristics of the Holy Spirit teacher 67 min mark

Second, the teacher is sent by the father. It’s not only references the unity of the godhead, but we can be assured that what the holy spirit teaches is in harmony with the father’s heart. The father’s heart. Third, the teacher comes in the name of Jesus providing authority and power and credibility. And fourth, the teacher has an all-inclusive message. He will remind us of everything that Jesus said. I want you to hold on that a moment. He will remind us of everything that Jesus has said.

This allows for no room for new revelation. Hope you heard that. This allows for no room of new revelation. Revelation is finished and complete. It’s right here. It’s right here. And as we are more and more in touch with God’s spirit within us, the more we’ll understand what Jesus has said. And he will illuminate, hear this, he will illuminate the word of God in your life. He will bring it to life. It will come to life. It will it will light up. And it will light up your life.

Jesus as teacher and more 69 min mark

So, as I was kind of walking through this portion of the scripture the other day, I decided to uh to to explore AI a little bit. Okay. Now, that has I decided to explore AI a little bit. I asked one simple question. Ready? Who was the greatest teacher in all of human history? Number one answer, Jesus of Nazareth. So, hey, I Hey, I got it right. Okay. Now, now wait, let me let me finish. Let me finish. Let me finish. And I wholeheartedly agree.

But understand Jesus is more than a teacher. He is the King of Kings and he is the Lord of Lords. He is the savior of the world. Great teacher and number one all time. But he is more and the he is more. He lives in you. He is with you. He’ll never forsake you. He’ll teach you all things. He’ll remind you of what Jesus said. That’s our advocate. That is the spirit of truth.

Peace in Christ 70 min mark

also a unique and perfect peace. A unique and perfect peace. Jesus said, “My” He says, “Peace I leave you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” If that verse of scripture is not underlined or highlighted in your Bible or committed to memory or both, it needs to be. This is the second time in John 16 that Jesus says, ‘ Don’t let your hearts be troubled. And then he adds, he adds, “Do not be afraid.”

Nation’s anniversary reflection 70 min mark

In verse 28, now today we are recognizing the 250th birthday of our country. It’s a really special time. Uh Marcy and I were watching some of the celebration last night and uh we we got married in on the bicesentennial two in 1976. So, now we’re celebrating the 250 and I’m really looking forward to the 300th anniversary. Why are you laughing? Okay. I’m I’m a little offended this

morning that you would laugh. Uh it’s a pretty special It’s pretty special, isn’t it, to think of um 250 years. And I’m not ashamed this morning to say that I love my country. I love my country. And you know something, this is really important for you to understand. Patriotism is not political. I love America. Love America. My family uh mentioned this before. My family has been at least to this point what we figured out. We’ve been here in the continental United States since 1671. Been here a long time. My family, my roots go deep into this nation. I’m grateful for our country. I’m grateful for those who serve this country in the armed forces. God bless them. They what they do for us is words really do not describe. And I’m grateful for them. I’m grateful for those who lead us at every level. Does it mean that I agree with everything they do? Goodness, no. But it doesn’t mean that I’m not patriotic. It doesn’t mean that I don’t love my country. Right.

Concerns about the nation 72 min mark

But I got to say this, and I say this with um hurt, concern, um a lot of things. Our nation is in peril. You say, “Well, Gary, how do how do you say that?” Well, I’m going to show you a a graphic. It’s ain’t great, but it’s it makes the point. Socialism is rising in our country and that’s concerning. Just so you know, it’s never worked anywhere around the world ever. It’s only led to tens of millions, hundreds of millions of death. Crime is continuing to increase in our cities. Uh, it’s tragic the normalization of the normalization of fraud and corruption, calling good evil and evil good.

Now, what I’m going to say next shocked me. I’ve known this is happening. But the rise of Islam within our country should cause all of us to pause and to say, “God, help us. How do we address this in a godly way? Did you know? Did you know that 21 states in the United States of America, in the center of our country, the second largest religion in those states is Islam. Almost half of our nation, the second largest religion is Islam.

Jesus’ promise of peace 74 min mark

Now, it reminds me of something that Jesus is saying. He He says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.” Remember, “And do not be afraid.” Fear has a way of kind of pushing and pressing itself into our lives when we see the violence in our nation just continuing to seemingly out being out of control. when we see the rise of uh a variety of religions, not just Islam, that that confront Christianity in a way that is is foreign to us. It raises concern and often translates to fear.

Now, it’s really interesting that peace sounds really good, doesn’t it? And Jesus said, “My peace I give to you.” Now, think about this for a moment. The reason peace sounds good is because fear is the outcome when things like we’ve just mentioned are in front of us 24/7, 365. We seem to never hear the good things that are happening, do we? It’s always the opposite. And so, fear can easily rise within us. But remember Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” His peace, hear me, his peace is the answer. It has to start with us. Just like the prayer we prayed a little bit ago, if my people who are called by my name, it starts with us.

The difference between worldly and divine peace 75 min mark

Few things are are more sought after than peace. And when and when Jesus is speaking there is a context that this rolls off Roman peace pax Romana what what does that mean? The the Romans had created a sense of peace around the world but it was maintained understand it was maintained through warfare violence maintained with force thus giving rise to the image that the peace the world gives. Jesus contrast it very clearly it’s not like the world gives. The world can offer peace in a variety of ways, but it’s not the peace that really has causes us to that transcends our understanding and that gives us peace of heart and mind that only comes from Christ.

You see, the peace that Jesus offers is solely upon a living personal relationship with Jesus and a growing surrender of our lives to his gracious rule. If we want peace, if we want peace, truly want peace, we surrender our lives to Jesus. We allow him to control our thoughts, our actions, our ways. Galatians 5, the Holy Spirit, remember the advocate, the comforter, the counselor, the pariclete. The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives. Love, joy, peace, peace. Do you have peace? Not just the absence of conflict, but a peace that transcends understanding.

Shalom: the richness of God’s peace 77 min mark

There’s a word in in Hebrew that you’re familiar and you’ve heard it many times. Shalom. Shalom is a word that we’ve heard and maybe even used. It provides a richness for a richness of the kind of peace Jesus makes available that dispels our fear in times of trouble. Bruce Mily wrote this about shalom is a considerably richer notion than a mere absence of stress which tends to be our understanding of peace today. In its Old Testament context, shalom basically means well-being in its fullest sense. It gathers up all the blessings of the kingdom of God. Hear this. Shalom is life at its best under the gracious hand of God. I don’t know about you, but I want the peace that Jesus provides for me. Oh God, I’m not going to let my heart be troubled. I’m not going to be afraid. Your peace I receive in Jesus’ name and I live under the full measure of the blessing and presence of God. Let that be what you experience today.

The example of calm 79 min mark

And finally, the example of calm. Verse 28. You heard me say, “I’m going away and I’m coming back to you. If you loved me, you’d be glad that I’m going away for the Father. For the Father is greater than I. I’ve told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the Grinch of this world is coming. He is told he has no hold over me but he comes but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the father and do exactly what my father has commanded me.

Alexander and the terrible day 79 min mark

Come now let us leave Alexander and the terrible horrible no good very good very bad day by Judith. It’s a classic children’s book about a boy, I love this, about a boy named Alexander who experiences a series of unfortunate events from waking up with gum in his hair to getting LMA beans for dinner, leading him to conclude it’s the worst day ever and he should move to Australia. I’m not sure why Australia figures into that. And we’ve all had bad days, haven’t we? And they’re no fun at all. We get worried. We get anxious and we might even get troubled because of it all. Right?

Well, I want you to think for a moment as Jesus concludes this portion of these of his discourse with his disciples, he’s facing something above and beyond terrible. You realize that just in a few hours he will be betrayed. He will be denied. He’ll be beaten. a crown of thorns in his head and he will be given to be crucified. That was all just a few hours from this conversation with his disciples. And yet, what does Jesus do? He remains absolutely calm and on mission and on purpose. What an incredible statement for you and me.

The calm it displays is not just admirable. It’s a reminder, hear this, it’s a reminder of his obedience that even to death on a cross cross, it sets the perfect pattern for us when we find ourselves alone in torrential downpour of faithful circumstances. You see, you go right back to the very beginning. If you love me, you will keep my commands. You will obey me. Obedience is a key to helping us navigate the trouble that is so prevalent and it comes upon us so strongly. Isaiah the prophet said, “You’ll keep him in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.”

Closing prayer and invitation 82 min mark

So, one final thought this morning as we close. There it is. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Jesus, thank you for this morning. And I pray Lord that anyone in this room that senses trouble in their life, Lord, they will they will see the pathway that Jesus outlines lays before us so that we can find peace. No fear, no anxiety. Stress is going to happen, but we manage it properly. Lord, the presence of the spirit within our life gives us such incredible resource with which to live and not just to live but to to thrive within this life. Let it be so I pray for each person in the room in Jesus name. Amen.

A question for the congregation 82 min mark

Stand with me if you would. Everybody stand. Now I’m gonna ask one question. One and one question only. Okay. ready. And I’m looking around to see who doesn’t answer. I’m watching. Okay. I’m watching. Okay. And I’m not going to get off of this until I check everybody. All right. You can’t leave. I’ve got people at the door ready to hold you in. I’m kidding. I don’t. You ready? Here it is. Here it is. I’ve already got my hand raised because I know the I know the answer. I know my answer. Have Have you ever had any trouble in this life? Come on. I’m looking. I’m looking. I’m looking. Okay, you guys are good. All right, you’re good. You’re good. Why do I do that silly little thing? Just to let you know that we’re on common ground this morning. Trouble trouble is a part of us. But what does Jesus

say? Do not let your hearts be troubled. He the first time he said it, he added this. If you believe in God, believe also in me. There’s the answer. His peace is yours when you believe in him. When you believe in him, his spirit lives within you. You’ll never be alone. All he’ll he’ll remind you what Jesus said. He’ll teach you all things. Wow. What a what a promise. What a promise. One more. I lied. A god, that’s not good. I’ll I’ll soften that. I wasn’t quite as forthright as I should have been. How about that? How many of you like to be filled with peace, [snorts] no fear, walking through this life knowing that Jesus is with us. Lord, I pray to that end to every person in this room. Let the peace of God settle in on this room. Lord, those in the room this morning that have stress because of work, I pray Lord that the next breath they take, [snorts] it just dissipates in Jesus name. Lord, those under the sound of my voice where there’s family crisis and challenge, questions being asked, in the name of Jesus, I pray that peace would sweep over their soul, and the reassurance of your presence in them would say, “It’s going to be okay. I got this.” Give them that assurance. those within the room facing a medical issue or maybe have already received a diagnosis that just causes all kinds of stress. It’s trouble, anxious worries and fear. Perfect love drives out fear. And there’s no greater example of perfect love than Jesus. And I pray that that fear, that worry, that anxiety, that trouble would disappear. And that the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard their heart and mind in Christ. Let it be so. For those in the room this morning who are on online say, you know, I’m just so lonely. I’m so alone. Lord, I pray two things. Number one, bring someone close in relationship where community and that that deep connection can happen on a personal level. But Lord, even on a deeper level, assure them that you are with them. You are God with us. And the advocate, the comforter, the counselor, the spirit of truth will be with us always. We are not alone. And Jesus, I pray that as we move from this place to a time of celebration and just fun and joy, I pray once again for our country. We need you, Jesus. We need the peace, not that the world gives, but the peace that you provide. And I pray this morning that the peace of God would settle in upon our land. Restore us, oh Lord, to a nation that in every way honors you, recognizes your authority over us and the blessings you have provided. Thank you for America. We pray that she will continue strong and faithful in all the years to come. We pray. And Lord, we offer all of this to you for one reason and one reason alone, that you would be glorified above all in Jesus wonderful name. Amen. Amen. Let’s worship the Lord before we go and we’ll look forward to a time together. Let’s lift our voices to the Lord in praise and let God just solidify [snorts] in your heart what he has done by his word and presence. What are you? [singing] Open the eyes [music] of the blind. No one like you. None like you. >> Into the darkness [singing and music] you shine. >> Out of the ashes we rise. There’s no [singing] one like you. >> None like [singing] you. [music] >> Our God is gater. [music and singing] Our God is stronger. God, you are higher than any other. Our God is healer. [music] Awesome in [singing] power. Our God. Our God. Through the darkness we shine [music] out of [singing] the ashes we rise. There’s no [music] one like you. >> None [singing] like you. >> Our God [music and singing] is gater. Our God is stronger. God, you are higher than any other. Our God is [music] healer. Awesome in power. [singing] Our God. Our God. Our God is [music] greater. Our God is stronger. God. You are higher [music] than any other. Our God is healer. He’s awesome in power. [music] My God. My God. And if [music] our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if [singing] our God is with us, then what can stand [music] against? And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what can stand [music] again? If our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? If [music] our God is with us, then what can stand again? If our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? If our God [music] is with us, then what can [singing] stand against? [music] Our God is greater. Our God is [music] gater. Our God is stronger. God, you are higher [singing] than any other. Our God is [music] healer. Awesome in power. Our God. Our God. Our God is gater. Our God is stronger. [music and singing] God, you are higher than any other. [music and singing] Our God is healer. Awesome power. Our God. Our God. [music] And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what [music] can say again? And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our [music] God is with us, then what we sin again. [music] [music] Our God is greater. Our God is stronger. God, you are higher than any other. Our God is [music] healer. Awesome in power. Our God. Our God. Sing that again. Our God is [singing] gater. Our God is stronger. God, you are higher than any other. >> Our God is heer. He is awesome and [singing] power our God. >> Our God. >> We serve a great God. Amen. >> It is always the pleasure to worship with you every week. Have an amazing Sunday and have an amazing weekend and have a great week this week and we will see you guys here next weekend. Blessings.