Friendship Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA May 18, 2014
John 14:1-12 - 5th Sunday in Easter
This morning’s sermon is about our quest for certainty and satisfaction.
There is a deep satisfaction that comes with certainty. Because, life is full of uncertainties…
so much is out of our control. Some might say nothing in life is certain…
In the midst of uncertainty our hearts can be troubled.
Jesus begins this passage in John by saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God, Believe in me.”
Surely, someone somewhere has made a t-shirt quoting that verse.
If only life and belief were so simple at a t-shirt or a bumper sticker.
Jesus, taking on a pastoral role for his anxious troubled disciples, who know he won’t be with them much longer--
and, a pastoral role for the fledgling first century christian community which has already been left--
to these, Jesus, simply says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Believe.”
And yet, my heart is troubled for many reasons.
Troubled by the political turmoil in Ukraine and war in the Sudan.
Troubled by the pain and anguished faced by the kidnapped Nigerian girls; and those who love them.
Troubled by the pain and anguished faced by the kidnapped Nigerian girls; and those who love them.
Troubled by the pervasive violence in our society….
while at the same time guns are allowed to become more prominent parts of our everyday lives.
Troubled by raging fires in California and fearsome floods in Bosnia,
a troubled earth which will be the inheritance of all of our offspring.
Troubled by friends and family who suffer from illnesses
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Do you have a troubled heart?
What is troubling your heart?
What is troubling your heart?
