John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.… I. GOD'S MOST FAITHFUL SERVANTS ARE SUBJECT TO TROUBLES OF HEART. 1. What troubles? (1) Inward, arising from — (a) Sin (Psalm 51:4-8). (b) Corruption (Romans 7:24). (2) Outward, which are — (a) Spiritual: Christ's absence. (b) Temporal: outward afflictions (Lamentations 1:4). 2. The reason. (1) Weakness of faith. (2) Imperfection of other graces. II. FAITH IN GOD AND CHRIST IS THE BEST CORDIAL TO A TROUBLED HEART. 1. It is the surest and most infallible (Matthew 11:28). 2. The strongest (Isaiah 59:1). 3. The pleasantest (1 Peter 1:8). 4. The readiest (Psalm 46:1). 5. The most suitable (Isaiah 43:2, 3). 6. The most constant (Hebrews 13:5). 7. The most universal. III. APPLY THIS to — 1. Temporal troubles. Art thou troubled with — (1) Poverty? (a) Faith is the best riches (James 2:5). (b) It will turn thy very poverty into a blessing (Romans 8:28). (2) Disgrace? (a) By faith thou mayest see the emptiness of honour (Psalm 42:11). (b) Faith will procure thee honour (Hebrews 1:14; 1 Samuel 2:30). (3) Sickness and pains.? By faith — (a) Thou mayest see God's love in them (Hebrews 12:6). (b) Thou mayest get good by them (Psalm 119:71). (c) Thou mayest receive more comfort in them than in health. (4) Losses and crosses? (a) Faith will show thee from whence they came (Job 1:21). (b) Why (Hebrews 12:10). (c) And so turn them to thy gain (2 Corinthians 4:17). (5) Fears of death? Faith will show thee — (a) That the sting is out (1 Corinthians 15:55). (b) That death is but the entrance of life. (c) And so turn thy fears into hopes (Philippians 1:23). 2. In spiritual troubles. Art thou troubled — (1) For thy sins? (a) God is merciful (Psalm 103:8; Isaiah 43:25). (b) Christ is all-sufficient (1 John 2:1). (2) With thy lusts? (a) God is almighty. (b) Christ will send His Spirit (chap. John 16:7). (c) Faith conquers them (1 John 5:4). (3) With desertions? If thou believest — (a) God will never forsake thee wholly (John 13:1; Hebrews 13:5). (b) Christ will pray that thy faith fail not (Luke 22:31, 32). (Bp. Beveridge.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.WEB: "Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. |
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