Hey, man. And good morning once again. It's good to see each one of you. And I am thankful for this opportunity to administer God's Word today. I. And to reconnect with the Shaw family. We do pray for you. And we are so thrilled to see each one of you and how the Lord has brought you here today. I have a message that a large part in my heart from John Chapter 14. If you could turn back to that passage. John. Chapter 14. As part of the upper room discourse. It's called that by that name, because it occurred in the guestroom where Jesus and the disciples met to observe the Passover. We're told that in 14 verses 14 and 15, it is the final teaching opportunity that Jesus has with His disciples before the events of the next day that will culminate in the cross. It would be that event that would take Jesus from them. And if you're in John Chapter 14, he says. Multiple times I go, He's preparing the disciples for this. He says in verse two. I go to prepare a place for you in verse three, and if I go and then again in verse four, and whether I go ye ye know and the way you know. And if you extend your search for those words, you'll find them again in chapter 13, verse 33, and again in chapter 13, verse 36. And again and chapter 16 and verse seven, where he says, nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is expedient for you that I go away. For if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you. But if I depart, I will send him unto you. So Jesus is really repeating this multiple times. He is leaving them. And the words of the upper room message. Chapter 13, verse 31 two, Chapter 17, if you include his prayer in Chapter 17, are perfectly suited to do two things. They are suited to comfort them. That's why he says in chapter 14, verse one, Let not your hearts be troubled. The promises that he makes in Chapter 14. The parable that he uses in Chapter 15, the parable of the Branch and the true vine. The provisions that he makes in chapter 16, verse four, through to the end of that chapter, and then his prayer in Chapter 17. All four of those are designed to comfort the disciples on the prospect that he is going. But secondly, these words, the words of the upper room discourse are also perfectly suited to instruct them. He is expecting and preparing that they would live as disciples in the world in his absence. So there is a great deal of instruction here. And originally I wanted to do to follow both of those themes. I discovered that that would be far too much for one man, for one message, if you all want to go to that barbecue today. So we're going to restrict our attention to that first theme, the comfort that Jesus intends that these words would have for His disciples. John, Chapter 14, verse one If I could draw your attention there once again. I. These words are uniquely selected. To comfort the disturbed heart of Jesus 11 disciples. But not only them. These words are also specifically chosen to comfort the disabled, the troubled hearts of all his disciples. All of those who are disturbed. And he does that. He does that with the certainty of a promise. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you and to myself that where I am there you may be also the answer to all that troubles them. Is provided the. The answer to all that troubles you here will be resolved. But not here. They're not now. But then. What a great comfort the Lord has for you in this promise. They're in the father's presence in that permanent dwelling that he has pre-prepared for you. He desires that you would be comforted. No person should be moved more by the thought of our place at his side for all it eternity. That certainty, however, does not comfort unless we do something. If you look again in chapter 14, verse one, he says. Believe. He makes the promise. He makes the promise that he's coming again to take us to be with him, that he is preparing a place that is an eternal dwelling and the father's house for us, but it does not accomplish its purpose until we believe it. Do you have toothpaste at home? I'm sure you could locate it, but it doesn't do any good until you use it. And it's the same with the promise. It does not comfort until you trust it. And notice. Please, he says. You believe in God. Believe also in me. That doesn't mean believe God. And then, in addition, believe Jesus. It is seeing believe him the same way that you believe the father's promise. We know that from John, chapter 17, verse eight, where Jesus tells us that the words that He gives to us are the Father's words. John 17 eight for I have given unto them the words, which though gives me and they have received them. No, that is wonderful. That you should have this comfort that to be absent from your body is to be present eternally with the Lord. But if you would look now, please, you would see that this. Certainty that Jesus gives this statement that He makes. Draws out a question in the heart of one of his disciples. That disciple feels confident. Confident enough. That He can interrupt the Lord and ask this question, Thomas sayeth unto Him. Ward We know not whether the ghost and how can we know the way? But this. Sets the scene for one of the most helpful teachings that address the same or similar question in many human hearts, even people's hearts today. How can we know that we're going there? How can we know that we have a place that Jesus is preparing for us? That He is coming for us? How can we know? How do I get to those dwellings in the father's house? Well. Thomas question demonstrates for us that there is confusion about the way to the father's house. Jesus ministry. Is not the sort that makes Thomas afraid. He feels confident enough that he can interrupt and ask this. And not only in his ministry, but in Jesus person. He is the kind of person that you can tell your inmost concerns to. There is no friend like Jesus. There is no one who cares for you like Jesus. But the problem may be. Uh, that we may not have a willingness to hear Jesus answer to Thomas's question. I wonder, do you have a willingness to hear Jesus answer? How does he answer Thomas's question? He shows that there is confusion about heaven, even amongst those who would call themselves Christians. Even amongst those who are followers of Jesus at some level, this is the case with Thomas, is it not? But he is demonstrating some confusion. How can we know? That is that is very like people today who if you were to ask them. About heaven, they would not be able to give you a clear answer. They might be reluctant to answer you. So, for example. If you eye on the Royal Mail and someone came to you and asked for directions to greyfriars Bobby. What would you think if you were listening in on this conversation and the person asked, says, Just go the way that suits you? Or turn right or just maybe turn left. It doesn't really matter. You would think, wow, that person really doesn't know. They're very reluctant to say because they're unsure. There's some confusion there. Some people also have the notion that a notion is enough. But they have a notion about heaven or a notion about spiritual things. But not an accurate or scriptural knowledge. So on Wednesday we wanted to get from Cooper to Guard Bridge. There is a fish and chip shop in Garde Bridge. That is very good. And I have a notion of the direction to go. I know that when I grew up there, I've driven those roads. I could drive them. Blindfold, maybe. So I have this notion that if I go to this village and I turn up the hill, there's a ridge that goes between if we are serious as and where Gah bridge is. Or if I go that way and I go over the hill, I'll come to our bridge. You can ask my mom how many three point turns we did. Because we got to blab Craig's. We got to come back. We. We ended up in St Andrew's. And then I had to come on the main road because my notions, though they were well-intentioned, they were not the same as accurate knowledge. And then there are also today there is confusion only because some are reluctant to commit. Some think that a notion is good enough, but also because there are some contradictions about the way to the father. Some Christians at some level are followers of Jesus, and they say this is required to go to the father's house. You've got to do this. And if you're to go to the father's house, then you have to go to this kind of church. And then equally there are others who are followers of Jesus who would call themselves Christians at some level. They would say, No, you don't. That's not required. And not that kind of church. This kind of church. And this is required. And so for many, they see that confusion and they just throw up their hands and say, well. There's so much confusion, we can't really know the way to the father's house. But now if you would look back, please, with me, John 14, verse six. You would see that Jesus does not leave Thomas question unanswered. It is not left in confusion. Jesus has a very clear, a very certain answer to this confusion, and he corrects it. So how does he correct it? Verse six. Jesus saith unto him. I am the way. Jesus answers. He makes a statement about himself. And notice, please be very clear on this. Jesus does not see I show the way. He is not like a person giving directions. He is not like a guide pointing in the right in the right direction. What does he see? He says, I am the way. And in fact, the emphasis was so strong that you could see he is saying, I myself am the way the emphasis is on him, not the point he is showing. The emphasis is on him as a person, not his teaching. It is him. But how can that be the case? How can a person be the way to something? Well, Jesus doesn't explain that for us in the Gospels. But the rest of our New Testament is filled with letters, with epistles, and in Hebrews Chapter ten, the Holy Spirit, they are, gives us an explanation of how our person is the way to the Father's house, a way to heaven. A week that believers can. No. That we can be cleared from this confusion. So if you turn with me, please, to see this for ourselves in Hebrews Chapter ten. This whole passage. Hebrews ten verses 19 through 20 address this. But these verses explain how a person. Is the way. It is his blood and his flesh that make the way to the father's house. Hebrews ten, verse ten. By the way, which will we are sanctified through the offering of what's the next word? The body. Jesus is the way by offering his body. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. So in some way, Jesus is the way in offering his body once. And notice also that he offered this once for all. Verse 12. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God. This one offering of his body is called by a different name here. Do you see what it is? It's the word sacrifice. And what is that sacrifice for? Four Sens. But this man, after he had won, after he had offered one sacrifice for sons forever, sat down on the right hand of God. He is seated. Whatever Jesus did does not require repetition. Whatever He did to make himself the way involves his body and whatever he did, it involves him becoming a sacrifice for sin. And then in verse 18. No we are remission of these is there is no more offering for and nothing more is required wherever Jesus is as the we. You don't need anything more. He is all of it. Not some of the time. Not for some of the people. Not for some of the sins, but for all. The way into the father's house is Jesus through his once for all, shedding of his blood as the payment for my sins. This is how he is. The way. This is how he answers the confusion. This is how he declares what he declares. What he states about himself. I am the way. And then he goes on to make a second statement. I am the truth. Notice, please, that he is not stating that he is some of the truth. He is not stating that he is part of it. He is stating this is the truth. Not a truth amongst many. Not a truth in part, but the truth. This is the truth about the way to the Father. It's Jesus. He's the way. This is the truth. And then thirdly, he makes a third statement about himself. He is the life. And first, John, chapter five, verse 11, we are told that the world is encompassed with two kinds of people, those who have life and those who do not have life. And that scripture verse says He that hath the sun half life, and he that have not. The Son of God hath not life. Those two are linked. Jesus and life. If you have one, you have the other. Is not stating that life is through following him. That life is through learning or being educated in his teachings about how to live. Life is him. Just as. The way is him, and the truth is him. Then verse seven, Jesus concludes with an even clearer word. He is exclusive with us. There's no other way to the father's house. He's the way. Are you willing to take his answer now? You remember the certainty about going to the father's house that Jesus has is preparing a place for us. He makes this promise and it comforts us if we believe it. But then there's this confusion to be. Just as there was confusion in Thomas's heart. There is confusion in many people's hearts today. Can we know the way? How can we be sure? Well, Jesus answers that with the certainty, does he not? About himself. But then he says. No man cometh unto the father, but by me. He is exclusively this. There's no other way to the father's house. Well, that doesn't sound white enough for today, does it? Well, he makes one wear that certain, but that means that not always lead to the father. There are wrong ways that people are following because there's only one and it's him. It means that not all are true, that there are lies and there are delusions. There are entire religious systems that are deceiving people. Giving them a false hope. Because there is no other hope than Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, the life. And not all. Not always give life. Many ways. Give death. Not just the end of physical existence, but eternal death. We began. With Jesus, encouraging his disciples with this comfort. Let not your heart be troubled. It almost seems that troubles are something that would be in progress in his believer's hearts. I wonder today, are there troubles in your heart? Troubles about the things of this life, the issues, the things that are pulling you apart on the inside, the problems of living as a disciple in this world. What will things be like in the next year? What will things be like for my children growing up? All of these problems uncertainties, divisions, problems. Well, can I remind you that the first way that Jesus gives comfort is with the promise of heaven? When the Apostle Paul was in prison. Do you know what encouraged him when he was facing the prospect of standing before Nero and not coming back from that court hearing? That he had a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which was far better. We get so focussed in on our jobs and on our families and on upon the things of this life that we become. So tunnel vision here that we forget as believers where we are going. Another passage that Paul says that our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exciting and eternal weight of glory. In his high priestly prayer in John Chapter 17. Do you know why Jesus wants you to go to heaven? I know. So that you can lie on that long chair. Or maybe it's a cloud so that you can just have a rest. Do you know what he says? That you may behold my glory. Join 1724. And we have such an amazing prospect, such an amazing comfort. And yet we become so bogged down and focussed with things on the earth that our faces start to show it. One commentator said, what with 85 years of misery be compared to 85 million years in the Lord's presence? John Knox on his deathbed, asked his wife to read to him from John chapter 17 because it was there. He first cast his anchor, Isaac Watts, who is a prolific songwriter and also a preacher and a writer. He observed on his deathbed that it is the simple gospel truths that give comfort. Well, there is comfort for you, dear believer, in the prospect that you will be forever with the Lord. I wonder today, is it not trouble that's in your heart? But like Thomas, there's confusion in your heart. I will. The quest Well, the question does not lack an answer. Jesus answers that confusion. He's the way, he's the truth. He's the life. The problem, then, is not that there is a lack of answer. The problem, then, is a willingness. Will you take his answer? Will you accept that he is the payment that you do not have to try? You do not have to work. You do not have to do your part. He has done the part. The only part. He is the one for all. Forever. Sacrifice for sense. He has sacrificed enough. To pay for your sins. Will you trust them? He is the answer. Will you turn from that vagueness and questioning and accept his promise? The certainty that Jesus gives. Restores that. Excuse me? The correction that Jesus gives restores certainty. No one comes to the father any other way. He is the way. Will you trust him as your way? The only way to the father. Frank Sinatra is famous for of all that he sang. Perhaps he is most famous for his song, I Did It My Way. You can't do that by disagreeing with God. He says, there's one way to the father and it's Jesus. Would you bow with me in prayer, please? Before I closing, before I close in prayer, I'd like to ask. You two questions. Is your heart troubled? The trouble that Jesus gives these words especially to address, we tell us that there is comfort for the troubled heart. The troubles of our lives will be resolved. Not here. But they will be resolved there. For those who trust them as their saviour. Will you trust them? Will you believe what he has said? Will you lift your gaze from the things of earth that trouble you? To his promise to come for you. My second question is. If it's not trouble that's in your heart. Perhaps it is confusion. That's in your heart. And the big question then is not that there is not an answer for that confusion. The question is, will you be willing to accept Jesus answer? To that confusion. You can. No. That you're on your way to heaven. You can know that your sins are washed. Through the the sacrifice for Sens. That Jesus is and Jesus made. There's anyone like that here today. Would you put your trust? In Jesus. Would you turn from that vagueness and questioning? And trust them. Blessed Father, we praise you today for the words of Jesus and how you would have us. That our hearts would not be troubled. The in your bodily absence, we would be looking forward to anticipating that time that we shall be in your presence. I pray, Lord, that you would cause us to have an appetite, a desire to know these things, that our lives would be moved and excited about this prospect that we shall behold Jesus glory. And would you please also Lord. Take care of the needs and hearts to the eye who may not know Jesus as their saviour, who are confused. Would you draw them and help them? To accept Jesus answer to the way to the Father in Jesus name. Amen.