Question #3 is ....

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: JOHN 14: 8-17, 25-27 (MESSAGE)

Philip said, “Master, show us the Father; then we’ll be content.”

“You’ve been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don’t understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, ‘Where is the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you aren’t mere words. I don’t just make them up on my own. The Father who resides in me crafts each word into a divine act. Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.

If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!

I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught”

“Make it plain!”  I’ve heard this a time or two shouted from a pew when I was preaching and perhaps being more than a little unclear.  “Make it plain!” This is what the disciples keep saying to Jesus.  “Make it plain!  We don’t understand what you are saying. Show us the Father.  What do you mean we can’t go where you are going?  Where ARE you going?  Make it plain!”

Have you ever wished that you could understand what your loved one was really saying – what was behind the distance, the look, the statement?  Have you ever felt like everyone else was given the rule book but you are just trying to figure things out as life is happening?  Have you ever just wanted to shout, “Make it plain!”?

If you have ever felt this way, then Sunday’s service is for you.  We would love for you to join us for the third part of our New Creation:  Questions for a Changing Church sermon series this Sunday, May 19 at 10am in Christ Church as we celebrate the birthday of the Christian Church or Pentecost.  The Holy Spirit, showered on those gathered in worship so long ago, continues to be our Friend who helps to make things plain in our confusing world and our chaotic lives.  Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!