Bailey Methodist Church
5/25/2025
  • Battle Hymn of the Republic
  • Surely The Presence Of The Lord
  • Holy Spirit
  • Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow!
  • Revelation 21:10 ESV
    10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,
    Revelation 21:22–22:5 ESV
    22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
    John 14:23–29 ESV
    23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.
    Introduction:
    Have you ever faced a season where you felt deeply alone? Maybe it was after a major loss, a move to a new city, or during a time of suffering that others just couldn't understand. Even when people were around, something was missing: the deep, steady assurance that you were not abandoned.
    In John 14, Jesus addresses a group of men who were about to feel very alone. He has just told His disciples that He is going away — and they are troubled. Fear creeps into their hearts: What will happen when Jesus is gone? Will we be left to ourselves?
    Into that fear, Jesus speaks words of incredible hope: "I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you." (John 14:18) And in John 14:23–29, He tells them what that will look like — the gift of His ongoing presence with them through love, the Holy Spirit, and His peace.
    Today, we see three truths about The Gift of His Presence.

    1. His Presence Is for Those Who Love and Obey Him (vs. 23-24)

    1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV
    11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
    Jesus begins with a promise:
    “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (v. 23)
    Love for Jesus is not merely an emotion — it expresses itself in obedience.
    To keep His word is to treasure His teachings, to let them shape and guide your life.
    But notice the stunning reward Jesus promises:
    He and the Father will make their home with the believer.
    Key truth: Christianity is not merely believing doctrines or following rituals — it is living in communion with the living God.
    The God who once dwelt in the tabernacle, then the temple, now dwells within His people. Not visiting occasionally — making His home.
    Illustration: Imagine a friend who doesn't just visit your house once a year — but moves in, builds a room, and shares every meal. God doesn’t merely check in on Sundays — He takes up residence in the believer’s life.
    But there's a warning, too: Jesus says,
    "Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words." (v. 24)
    Love leads to obedience. Lack of love leads to disregard.
    Application: If you want more of God's presence, start by growing deeper in love for Christ — a love that naturally expresses itself in obedience.
    Question: Does your daily life reflect a love for Christ that welcomes His abiding presence?

    2. His Presence Comes Through the Holy Spirit (vs. 25-26)

    John 12:16 ESV
    16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.
    Jesus understands that His physical departure could leave His disciples feeling lost. So He promises them the gift of the Holy Spirit:
    "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (v. 26)
    Who is this Helper?
    The word means Comforter, Advocate, Counselor — someone who comes alongside to strengthen and defend.
    The Spirit is not just a feeling; He is the very presence of God dwelling within us.
    What does the Spirit do?
    He teaches us — guiding us into truth, illuminating Scripture.
    He reminds us — bringing back the words of Christ when we need them most.
    Illustration: Imagine a student studying under a master teacher. Even when the teacher is absent, the student remembers the lessons, applies them, lives by them. That’s the Spirit’s work in us — bringing Christ’s teaching to life in our hearts.
    Without the Spirit, the Christian life would be impossible. With the Spirit, the words of Christ become living power in us.
    Application: Rely on the Holy Spirit daily. Ask Him to teach you, to remind you of the words of Jesus, and to strengthen you for obedience.
    Question: Are you depending on the Holy Spirit’s voice, or are you trying to follow Christ in your own strength?

    3. His Presence Brings True Peace (vs. 27-29)

    Philippians 4:7 ESV
    7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
    Then Jesus offers one more promise:
    "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you." (v. 27)
    The peace Jesus gives is radically different from the world’s peace:
    The world’s peace depends on circumstances: health, wealth, comfort.
    Jesus’ peace depends on His unchanging presence and promises.
    Even as Jesus speaks, He knows that suffering, betrayal, persecution, and even death await His disciples. Yet He says,
    "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (v. 27)
    How? Because He is with them — and no circumstance can take away His presence.
    Illustration: Picture a ship in a raging storm. The sailors do not panic because the anchor holds fast. The storm rages, but the ship is secure.
    Jesus’ peace is the anchor for our souls — strong, steady, immovable.
    Application: When the storms of life come — and they will — you don’t have to be ruled by fear. The Spirit of Christ anchors you in peace that surpasses understanding.
    Question: What storms are you facing today? Are you anchored in His peace, or are you being tossed by fear?
    Conclusion:
    As Jesus prepared to leave, He did not leave His disciples empty-handed. He left them the greatest gift: The gift of His ongoing presence — through love, through the Spirit, through His peace.
    Love Him — and He will dwell with you.
    Trust His Spirit — and He will guide and strengthen you.
    Rest in His peace — and you will not be shaken.
    No matter where life takes you, no matter what hardships you face — you are not alone. The living Christ is with you, within you, forever.
    Receive the gift of His presence today — and live with His love, His power, and His peace.

    Closing Prayer:

    "Lord Jesus, thank You that You have not left us as orphans. Thank You for the gift of Your presence — the Father's love, the Spirit’s power, and Your peace that passes understanding. Teach us to love You more deeply, to obey You more faithfully, and to walk each day in the assurance that You are with us. Anchor our hearts in Your peace. Fill us with Your Spirit. Let our lives reflect the beauty of Your presence. In Your mighty and faithful name we pray, Amen."

      • John 14:23–29ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 6:11ESV

      • John 12:16ESV

      • Philippians 4:7ESV

  • We've A Story To Tell To The Nations
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