John Chapter 14:1-6

When we die we don't just slip off into oblivion or annihilation is a far better place and be ready to go. You know when I go to the beach or to the mountains or wherever it is a big thing. Getting ready get ready get signatures ready and get the directions and all that I am with you to go.

I mean, it would make much sense of my in a wife to me. Are you ready to assure. In fact, I don't know how were going what directions were going to hell in their picturesque that I spent time because the destination is important to have in the destination is important so we should have this mental image even as the Scripture says you know your sojourners, your pilgrims are just passing through. We should have this mental image of sitting at the door with her suitcase in hand ready get go. Welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina today were blessed to have one of David McGee's associate pastors here with us, DA Brown welcome Pastor DA Bob.

As Christians we should be living our life that were ready to go at any moment.

Today Pastor Dave explains how we can be ready if he continues in the Gospel of John chapter 14. Now here's David McGee with his teaching choose to believe Jesus John chapter 14 verse one says let not your heart be troubled you believe in God believe also in me me point out something here.

The chapter divisions came much later in the verse divisions came even later in that chapter divisions came in 1228 A.D. meaning before that a book was just a book with no chapter divisions. The verses came the Hebrew Scriptures can 1448 and the New Testament verses came about hundred years later, and in the 1551 and so until that time it was one continuous caught.

Now I am really I really appreciate the fact that they did that, they divided it by chapters and divided by verse because it really it helps us and helps us in reading a helpless and stunning you now imagine this morning. If I had to say would turn the book of John and Ann turned about where you know Jesus predicts some of Peter's denial somewhere in there and you know you're flipping through going on. The worry is so it's really helpful, but sometimes we miss the continuing salt so what I want to do is less backup to verse 37 of chapter 13, when Peter said to him, Lord, why can I not follow you now.

I was laid on my life.

For your sake. Jesus answered him, will you lay down your life for my sake.

Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow to you and did not meet three times. Let not your heart be troubled you believe in God believe also in me. You see how that's a continuing thought and Jesus actually speaking Peter saying don't be troubled. One amazing thing. As I look at this in Jesus knows he's about to be crucified. He's predicted that he's talked about in this upper room discourse yet look what he's saying, look who he's concerned with. He's not going all you know woe is me look guys, you know you know you know you only do get put a circle around me and pray for me and not his concern for the disciples.

He's getting ready to suffer the farce of a trial. The mockery and the injustice is getting to be beaten. Not once. Twice, possibly three times and crucified in his concern is for the disciples and he says don't let your heart be troubled. It's an amazing thing because Jesus is considering the others, and you understand that is the true earmark the watermark if you will, of Christianity, biblical Christianity begin concerned with others. See that's to be honest that's the real problem I have with what's termed the self-esteem movement. The self-esteem movement basically says that the problem with us is that we don't think highly enough of ourselves. That's a problem as matter fact, some would suggest is one prominent Christian psychologist has said is that the problem and the reason everybody sends the day is from a lack of self-esteem have a problem with that statement.

The I don't think the problems stem from not thinking of ourselves highly enough. I think a lot of our problems stem from the fact that we think of ourselves to Holly and that needs to be adjusted as we consider others even as Jesus was doing here. That's the first life lesson we should consider others. We should consider others.

I understand when I say this in all of us to some degree or another, are self-centered in the natural. That's the way worldwide following nature in the sense we think about ourselves a lot.

As I pointed out before, you know you wouldn't bring some money and you photograph whose the first person that you look at the photograph of your and their don't be afraid were all thinking the same thing you you look at you when I look like all and what you say.

Well if you look good you go. That's a good catcher copies of this, but if you don't look good. What you say that's not good photo. Now everybody else in the photo can look wonderful.

But if your eyes are shot or anything weird that's a bad photo yesterday by copier by the negative or you know the one I used the one I used often as you know, when you wake up the morning. You don't wake up in the morning to Chi out at you now wonder what Pastor Davis can wear sure that some I came up to me and I said yeah actually I do wonder that sometimes know you you think okay what am I gonna wear my gun a that Kenneth thing I noticed an out some of the mothers you may be going on though I think about what my children are going where, why, just being honest because you know that if you brought a man like the pajamas. People look at you funny. It gives a jot wire your kids and so there's a preoccupation with ourselves. But take heart, the Holy Spirit can help us to become preoccupied with others to become preoccupied with Jesus and that's what we want to do.

Philippians chapter 2 verses three enforces don't be selfish. Don't live to make a good impression on others, being humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others to what they are doing now. This word believes could also be trust trust you trust in God, trust also in me which you know you can't read that without sin. Jesus once again is aligning himself is defining himself as deity you trust in God, you should trust me because I am God understand the bill of the Bible in many places affirms the deity of Jesus Christ and you know it's interesting, there's kind of a line drawn on the if you thought about this when you read the verse it says you believe in God believe also in me. A lot of people think being a Christian is believing in God is not saying you believe in God. The only thing that means is that you're not an atheist doesn't mean your Christian to because were told in the book of James that even the demons believe, and tremble severe definition of a Christian is in a just believing in God than by that definition, demons are Christians. That's some messed up theology there so where's the line is that you believe in Jesus and you make that personal is not just an academic knowledge of the living, vibrant faith in verse two in my father's house are many mansions were not so I would've told you.

I go to prepare a place for you. Well, first thing was really on a deal within that verses is the word mansions. It it it's it's more there are many dwelling places. There's many places to stay in my father's house, now known Ginter to mess with some of your theology because you know there's so many songs out there talk about mansions and that and all those things but this word is more, there's plenty of places to stay in my father's house.

I'm not going to run out of places to stay. So if you work out I get worked up about get the mansion.

It's not going to matter anyway, the reason heaven is heaven is because God's sight because you got a mansion coming in and technically what does that matter anyway.

I mean, you know whether it's a mansion on her little cottage or are you a sleeping bag. It doesn't matter.

You be in heaven you'll be in heaven that's that's the thing to get off them. The mansion think the coolest thing when you stop to think about this is in verse three it continues and says in if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also. She's preparing a place he's going to come again and receive us to himself. Now if you thought about this but you know God.

Jesus created all the earth and the heavens in six days, but apparently he's been working on heaven for about 2000 years so I you look around you see the beauty of this world, you ain't seen nothing yet when we get to heaven we will be amazed at the beauty I think when we read the book of Revelation.

It's hard to even get a grasp on the beauty this being described their it's going to be a phenomenal place but again a place of beauty because the Lord will be there as I was reading, as I will study and you know that phrase I go to prepare a place for you and Scott humbled as I thought about it when when we go somewhere to eat and a guy comes out and he's no God like a torn T-shirt and he comes out in these hey hang I get you seated in a you really unsure about how the meals going to go you know but of a guy you know I can a tuxedo or something comes up and you know the says party for how many know what.

Usually when I know I'm in the wrong place, but I'm sorry this is know know when that happens is can be some I know when this gout seeks me to the table and there's a nice setting and stuff. I know you know what this program will be forgotten immediately.

Compare that to the fact of who is preparing your place in heaven. None other than Jesus Christ himself. That so humbles me as a servant of the Lord that Jesus himself is looking over the set up. Okay that's right that's right need to turf okay all right this is all right.

This is also and then the think at some point because Jesus says no Mendoza. They are the hours of the father and I get a picture. I get kind of excited about that because I get this picture that Jesus is up there like on a about now about now follows not yet. I now but someday sooner than most of us think of belief follows a look at them and say okay go get him to bring them home and don't think I don't think we think about that enough. Waking up in the morning going is good be. This might be now understand were told that it the Lord not been select torches promise he's waiting he's walking people to repent and if you think of all the people who been saved here in the last year. If Jesus would've returned. If you would a rapture the church a year ago. Those people would've made so I'm I'm glad he's waiting but at some point he waits no more, and I don't know if you've ever thought of this but I sure have as people come forth to ask the Lord to forgive them of their sins. I've often wondered whenever this is one of these are the last ones I wonder after this happens were called home. That's a way to live in excitement.

That's the way to live.

Which brings us to our next life lesson. Live your life so that you are ready to go live your life so that you are ready to go. You know when when we die we don't just slip off into oblivion or annihilation is a far better place and be ready to go. You know when I go to the beach or to the mountains or wherever it it's a big thing. Getting ready to get ready get suitcases ready and get the directions and all that I am Morrissey to go. I mean, it wouldn't make much sense of my my inner wife Kimmy, are you ready to assure unpacked. I don't know how were going what directions were going or how were in their picture Liska now I spend time because the destination is important exactly with heaven.

The destination is important so we should have this mental image even as the Scripture says you know what your sojourners, your pilgrims are just passing through. We should have this mental image of sitting there at the door with her suitcase in hand ready get going.

We should have will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now. Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown want to take just a minute to pray for seven cities in our listening audience. South Portsmouth Westport, Kentucky, Baton Rouge, Denham Springs or Woodinville Heflin and Jennings, Louisiana, Lord, thank you for the cities.

Thank you for those mayors. The police chiefs the government officials. The town councils will we pray that you give them wisdom and discernment. We pray that they would look to your word for advice on how to lead Lord help us to be praying for them consistently and be a place of encouragement, not division and their lives. Father anyone in the city's who hasn't yet put their trust in you.

We pray that you would convince them and encourage them to recognize how much you love them so much that you died on the cross for them.

Hello, we pray for revival in the 20 cities in Jesus name, amen.

Hey man, thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse.

We should be excited about having your allies that it's okay to be excited about heaven and all the stuff is all this so Scott and he understands now it's different this is if you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. If you don't friend. I got bad news for you. This is as good as it gets. But for those of us who know Jesus.

This is as bad as it gets. It only gets better from here. That's not when an unbeliever.

Somebody's been really miserable really ornery or whatever. I don't feel the need to be ornery back because you know what this is all they will ever experience is the best it will ever be for them to realize that this is as hard and is taught as it will be for us. Heaven is a real place and we can look for. This is not it is not a place to know if drill I can live as long as I can hear Paul said, you know I'm I'm ready to go in writing a review of your heard that joke you know I got these these four guys that play golf all the time. They said you know what, if any of us die less pop now this is a joke. This is theologically not correct and I understand this but it's it's a joke so the four guys are there golf buddy silly so you know, hey, let's make a deal that you know whoever dies first in the come back and let us know you know if there's golf in heaven.

See I told you it's scripturally on sound so services search okay great. You know, so the one of them passes away any in any comes back and goes hey hey you know there's good news and bad news goes with the good news. Good news is there's golf and have is also bad news eases you not to y'all Saturday at nine see it but that's not really bad news. You know if you told me that this Saturday. I was going to go be with the Lord not be like spray sky. I would be concerned. Don't we know what happens here and stuff but to be with the Lord is is an awesome thing is an awesome thing Jesus continues in verse 20 says, and where I go you know in the way you know now watches Thomas is getting ready, blow, beautiful moment here.

Verse five Thomas said to him, Lord, we don't know where you're going. How can we know what you need for the moment, take off your religious glasses because we we grow up with these real misconceptions about the disciples. The disciples are very real people. They messed up sometimes they didn't get it. Sometimes, sometimes the Lord would have to explain in fuller detail with as you read the Scriptures understand that and appreciate do because you even the first-timers redo the gospel you know Jesus would tell a story and even I would understand it, and yet the disciples, and usually after everybody else is left and they had Jesus alone that you know what you mean by that. To be honest I Knows of as as a young believer kept waking and I kept thinking Jesus was good. What weren't you listening I mean in a maybe this disciple things not gonna work out for you.

Your levels of comprehension or what they should be. But that didn't do that. He always explained it in your voice okay let you know there's the solar and there's the sea going too fast for you with this. Okay so you have and would always go very carefully go back see here Jesus is going let you know where I'm going. You know I'm I'm going to make a place and you know how to get there and then Thomas goes on around me were you going only when I get there. He's probably saying what the others were thinking verse six. But you know it's cool for intersect.

If you didn't have verse five, you would have verse six the verse that were getting ready to read it has come to mean so much to so many we wouldn't have if Thomas witness spoken up and said what's the deal where we going and how we going to get there. And Jesus says in verse six Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.

What an awesome verse. Notice what he says was pay careful attention, he doesn't say I am one of the ways.

One of the many truths and one of the lives somebody said he uses a singular expression. I am the way, the truth and the life seat understand exactly what he said nobody goes to the father except through Jesus. Nobody will now Pastor David, are you saying are you insinuating that Jesus is the only way to know Jesus is saying that I'm just a grand wedding that I got some of your summary.

I was that's what Jesus is saying. I'm simply agreeing what Jesus understand what this means that if I want to take the stance that there's many ways to heaven. I am taking a direct direct stance against Jesus. I am in essence calling Jesus a liar. I want to do that.

I'm not going to do that. It's not that you know and and I've used this analogy before.

It's not. Imagine if you were dying of a dreaded disease and you went into the doctor and the doctors have all got great news there's a cure for what you have. Would you sit there and go was only one we have. There's only one cure well that's narrowminded that's very bigoted if you've just got one cure I don't think I'm going to take you wouldn't do that because there's a cure for sin and it is a disease is taken out more people than we can imagine there's a cure for. I don't care that there's only one cure I'm just grateful that there is a cure and Jesus with one statement wipes out any possibility of any other world religion leading to have.

That's the same in a Jesus. That's not the statement of Pastor David. That is the stance of Jesus. If you've got a problem with that you got a problem with Jesus.

Jesus is the way in which we go.

He is the truth in which we know he is the life by which we show the way in which we go. The truth in which we know in the life by which we show these is the way understand.

There has never been a more simple and straightforward way to come to God all the other world religions. If you looked at him and it gets so complicated and in 2000 years you know it's interesting. Nobody has been able to come up with a simpler way to get to heaven. Man has not been able to devise a more straightforward way of how you get to have that alone tells me it's God that God divides.

So sent something so simple, so straightforward that any of us can understand a six-year-old can go. Okay, Jesus only way is what they're learning all over the business warranties only way there. Okay, these are the way understand that I want to go to heaven.

I go through Jesus. He's the truth I like the way that Jesus is honest with us if you ever known somebody and you're always kind of wondered where you stood will as they were talking to your like well what you really say it when he you know what you thinking about me in, but you always know where you stand with Jesus. Jesus is like. If you believe in, meaning following your hand if you're not, you're not use God to repent of your sins. You've got asked forgiveness of your sins. And you gotta follow me loves us enough to tell us the truth to tell us you know what you messed up in your scarred by sin and you need a safe and because he says that to us. We can know that it's true we can follow mean imagine if he just looked at as a go and I think you're okay you before, just hope for the best because if we take away the message will he do if we quit presenting that good news was just all go home and quit playing games. We need to be presenting the truth as God's word presents friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now own Legion. A short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him.

God wants you to pray this prayer so much that he died to give you the opportunity and the ability to ask him to forgive you. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things.

Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen it friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes to him and he came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness. Those who were sick, not the righteous to congratulations bring you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make.

God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ.

Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life you're the Bible tells us that the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. But it does cost for us to come and bring that message to you and to others in your neighborhood through radio through the Internet and through the mobile technologies that God has gifted us to be able to use so if you like to support this ministry. Please go to cross the bridge.com.

Click on the donate button and ask God how much you would have you give either on a one-time basis or continuing basis each month to help ensure that the teaching of God's word continues to go out also. Thank you so much DA before we go. What are some ways bless our listeners days you can wake up with her is Casa David with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and the thought to meditate on throughout your day in the heart of David McGee.

Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the gospel of God