mySundaySermons

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. [NRSV]

1. An Emphasis on Exceptional connection over Exclusive access.

Many times I have heard this passage be used as a definitive and exclusive statement that there is one way to God and that is to come through the ‘gate’ of Jesus. We talked about the gate some last Sunday. Rather than focus on the exclusive side of this statement, focus on the “Look no further” perspective.

Jesus makes clear that what we see in him, we receive the clearest picture of the father, our creator, God.

Through conversation, feeding and breaking bread together, in showing grace, forgiveness and loving-kindness, we see the character and nature of God through Jesus Christ.

Do you ever see Jesus being jealous, power-hungry, interested in revenge? Does Jesus show us how to belittle others, take advantage of the foolish, disregard the sick or elderly? Does Jesus ignore the children or avoid discussing politics? In fact its just the opposite.

2. Making the connection with God. The target of every system of religious practice and organization.

The thing that Jesus repeats his lesson for is to make certain that disciples, believers look to him for the path and way of salvation. John Wesley, the founder of our denomination, lifts up the process of grace to give us a handle for guiding our way to God.

First God is ahead of us drawing us God-ward. Second, it is through Jesus that we see and experience the example of Grace that affects us all even before we believe. Third is when we accept that loving Grace and Four are the moments that we walk hand-in-hand. Me holding your hand, Christ hold your hand, Jesus holding God’s hand. Together we are connected.

3. Are you Connected? Do you believe.. then show me the works of God in you:

Here is the difficult part of this passage that is inferred to disciples both then and now. “Those who believe will do what Jesus does and even greater things because of the connection.”

One of the under rated words in our United Methodist Vocabulary is being ‘connectional’ in ministry. It is the connection that work through the appointive process for clergy moving from one church to another. It is the connection that makes us not in competition with other church but journeying together in the same direction. It is the connection that is shared in music, our educational material, our ordination and communion. That which connects us is our common worship of Christ… not our methods rather our savior.

4. Go Ahead, Ask, Make my day..

Jesus puts disciples and the connection of faith and belief into action: Go ahead and ask and I will show up in your witness and belief.

Jesus asks us as disciples do you believe? If so, let’s see the grace work in you. Let’s hear the words of praise! Let’s see how you treat children and those who are weak. Let’s see how you treat strangers and preachers? Let’s hear how Christ is present, connecting us to God and God to the world around us… Are there missing links? Is there anyone who we have yet to share Christ’s grace with? If so, the we have our work cut out for us. Let’s get busy.