Passing The Torch

Temple Baptist Church - 3-13-2024

John 14:7-15

 

Introduction:

 

A.  I used the title “Passing The Torch” because of an example that many of us older folks possibly remember.  When the Summer Olympics was ready to start some years ago, I remember that the torch that was to light the Olympic Torch at the beginning of the games was carried by individual runners who passed a lite torch from one runner to another until the job was done.

 

B.  John, chapter 14 shows the same thing spiritually.  The hearts of the disciples are troubled about the absence of the Lord but now Jesus lets them know that the work is theirs to maintain.

 

C.  Lets look at the introductory verse of this chapter.  John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

 

1.  “Ye believe in God” speaks of God their belief in the Father.  God the Father did what He needed to do to redeem and restore mankind. John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 

a.  The Father sent His Son, heaven’s Glory, Jesus Christ who never knew sin to become sin for us.  The Way, the Truth, and the Life.  The Creator of all that is.  The almighty Jehovah God of the Old Testament. 

 

b.  The Father place His divine approval upon Christ Jesus when He spoke these words: “And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)  And again in Matthew 17:5, “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”

 

2.  “Believe also in me” speaks of Jesus Christ, Israel’s Messiah.  Jesus Christ went to the Jew first through the Gospel.  He never set foot outside of Israel!  The Father sent Jesus Christ to pay the price of sin in full.  Paid In Full is a term that we all know and revel in.  The “burning of the note!”

 

a.  Jesus Christ suffered everything that we suffer as He got hungry, tired, spit upon, scourged, shame, and would be nailed on the cross like the two thieves He died with.

 

b.  Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God would become SIN for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

 

Philippians 2:6-8  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

D.  Then, it was the disciples turn to “put their hand to the plough!”  John 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

 

1.  God the Father loved the World and gave His Son.

 

2.  Jesus Christ died for the sin of the World.

 

3.  Now, the message of salvation needs to be spread to the World through the believers.

 

Matthew 28:16-20  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.  (17)  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.  (18)  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  (19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

These men turned the World upside down.  Acts 17:6  And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

 

E.  Now, it is OUR turn.  2 Corinthians 5:17-19  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  (18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

 

1.  Our turn to show and present the Gospel.  a) As salt and light through our good works which they shall behold and glorify our Father which is in heaven.  b)  to plant and water the seed of the Gospel to everyone that we come into contact with.

 

Matthew 5:13-16  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  (14)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  (15)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  (16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

 

2.  Our turn to send men of God to the world through raising, and commissioning those whom God calls.  (Acts 13) 

 

The Lord’s Prayer Request.  Matthew 9:35-38  And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  (36)  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  (37)  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;  (38)  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

 

3.  Our turn to support through prayer and giving those who surrender to God’s call and go.

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-5  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (2)  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  (5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

 

Philippians 4:14-19  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.  (15)  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  (16)  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  (17)  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  (18)  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  (19)  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.