May 15, 2005
Morning Sermon Outline
”Christ’s Comforting Table Talk”
John 14
The original observance of our Lord’s Supper was much more than a ceremonial meeting. After the ceremony, there was great discussion. The discussion started with Christ’s death and the disciple’s professed willingness to follow Him, which we spoke of last week. The discussion continued with Christ’s comforting words about the purpose of His going away (His ascension into Heaven).
In order to provide for their comfort and ours, Christ speaks to His disciples about these things:
I. He comforts them with teaching about Heaven - :1-3
1. His ascension has this first purpose, He is preparing a place for them
2. It is a place with abundant room
3. It is a place He will share with them and us
4. This is an important reassurance because He just spoke to them about their failure
5. This is equally important to us, our sins also put Him on the cross
II. He tells them that He is the Way to the Father - :4-11
1. His sacrificial death is our only way of salvation
2. He is the express image of the Invisible God
III. They will prevail in prayer and power because He will be representing them before the Father - :12-14
1. Greater things refer to more coming to know Him
2. We see the start of this at Pentecost
3. This is due too to His intercessory prayer
IV. His ascending to Heaven means He will send another Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Who will also teach them - :15-17; :25-26
1. The Holy Spirit is Christ’s replacement
2. He is a Comforter, Helper, Advocate to us –
3. He will teach them the truth about Christ –
V. His continued spiritual fellowship with us though He will be with the Father in Heaven - :18-24
1. This we experience when we are obedient to Christ commands, when we love Him
2. This we experience in the observance of the Lord’s Supper, He is spiritually present with us
3. We have the bread and the wine as tokens of His continued love for us.
VI. He leaves them (us) His peace -:27
1. Jesus’ peace is different from the world’s
2. True reconciliation with God purchased with His own blood (death).
3. A peace that passes understanding
VII. He tells them His ascension is preferred to His staying with them for His own sake - :28
VIII. He closes His Lord’s table discussion as what was symbolized in the Lord’s Supper would shortly happen before their eyes - :29-31
Application for Today
1. In the Lord’s Supper we celebrate a love feast He has given us as a token of His love till He returns
2. Our Lord’s ascension into heaven was and is for our benefit and blessing:
(1) We know He is preparing a better place for us
(2) We have the Spirit of Truth as a Helper, Comforter and Teacher
(3) We have Jesus representing us in heaven
(4) We have peace with God and peace in this dread world
