On the night Jesus would be arrested, he took his disciples to an upper room to celebrate Passover with them and to prepare them for his death, even though they still didn’t understand the full purpose of the gathering. Jesus ultimately used that time to fill them with hope to get them through the dark days that lie ahead.
It is hope that gets you through the darkness, and Jesus is the ultimate hope dealer! This message, preached Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020.
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Sermon Notes: How to Prepare for the Darkest Days of Your Life
On the last night of his life, Jesus gathered together in the upper room with the disciples to share the Passover meal with them, to institute the Lord’s Supper, and to prepare them for the darkest days they would ever see in this life.
One of the greatest things he did in that upper room meeting was to give them hope.
It is hope that gets you through the darkness,and Jesus is the ultimate hope dealer!
John 14:1-7 NIV
[1] Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. [2] My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. [4] You know the way to the place where I am going.”
[5] Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” [6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [7] If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
When Jesus said the word “troubled,” he used a word that means to toss and churn like the sea during a violent storm.
The disciples were about to see Jesus die on the cross and then endure three days of waiting for all the answers. Their whole world would be turned upside down momentarily, and Jesus was getting them ready.
How about some HOPE you can hang onto?
These truths never change and always inspire hope…
1. You can trust Jesus to do what is best.
Believe in God… believe in me.
2. There is always room for you in God’s family.
In my Father’s house are many rooms…
There is always room for one more in the house! Come on in!
3. Jesus will come back and fix it all.
The days are actually going to get even darker than they are right now.
4. We know the One who is the Way, the Truth, the Life.
Jesus told us…
When you don’t know what to do, I am the Way, walk me.
When you don’t know what to believe, I am the Truth, know me.
When the darkness is overwhelming, I am the Life, live me.
Hang onto hope, and give it away.
