Text: John 14:1–6
Topic: How our troubled hearts can find rest

• Illustration: A Time magazine cover story on the topic of fear shows how many phobias cripple us in America.
• There are a lot of things that worry us and fill us with stress.
• Life is filled with many disappointments.
• Circumstances are a source of trouble.
• I want to share with you the words Jesus gave 2,000 years ago to stressed-out, agitated people—God's cure for heart trouble.
• The disciples were afraid when Jesus offered these words to them, because he had just dropped a number of bombshells on them.
• Jesus offers them three reasons why they didn't have to be worried, and I think the same principles apply to us in our agitated, stress-filled world today.

• Jesus' first cure for heart trouble was to take God at his word.
• When you become a Christian, God takes residence inside you and begins to reveal to you his plan for your life.
• God has given us the user's manual of life.
  • Illustration: Laurie shares the importance of an instruction manual when working with a new gadget.
• In the same way, we run off and never read the user's manual for life—the Bible.
• The Bible tells me there are certain things I should not do, and it tells me there are certain things I should do if I want to live a life that is full and meaningful.

• The second reason you don't have to have a troubled heart is you're going to heaven.
• Now, this is only true for the person who has put their faith in Jesus Christ.
• When I die, I'll go immediately into the presence of the Lord.
• No matter what happens to you on this earth as a Christian, it pales when compared with this great hope.
• This fills us with joy, because deep down inside, we're all longing for a place we have never been.
  • Illustration: C. S. Lewis writes of humanity's "inconsolable longing."
• We long for something more, because there's a sense in us that there's more to this life.
  • Illustration: Continuing his illustration concerning gadgets, Laurie explains how we chase one new thing after another, because we long for something that cannot be fulfilled by the things of this world.

• The third reason you don't have to have a troubled heart is because Jesus Christ is coming back again.
  • Illustration: When mega-events transpire, newspapers use what they call the Second Coming type for the their headlines.
• There is no event bigger than the Second Coming of Christ. 
• The Second Coming is closer than we may realize.
• Jesus is coming not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him. 
• Are you ready for the return of Jesus?
• You're either going to get right, or you're going to get left.
• Jesus says, "Where I go you know, and the way you know."
• Thomas said: Excuse me, but I have a question—we don't know where you're going, and we don't know the way.
• That question gives Jesus a chance to reply: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me."
• This is one of the most controversial aspects of our faith, because we are saying that Jesus is the only way to a relationship with God. Some people don't believe that.
  • Illustration: A Barna poll revealed that half of all Americans believe if a person is generally good and does enough good things for others during their life, they will earn a place in heaven.
• Whose definition of good are we going to use?
• We are all going to be judged by a set standard—God's set standard.
• Sin means to cross a line or trespass; it also means, "to fall short."
• Jesus came into the world to redeem it; that may seem narrow and not "how you feel," but it's the truth.
  • Illustration: Just as you wouldn't want a pilot or a surgeon to be wish-washy about truth, so it is with salvation and eternity.
• We all need Jesus' forgiveness, and he offers it to you right now.

• How do I get right with God and know I'll go to heaven when I die?
• First of all, I have to admit I'm a sinner.
• Second, I need to realize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for me.
• Third, I need to repent of my sin.
• The fourth step is to receive Christ into my life.
• The fifth step is to commit to Christ publicly.
• Finally, I must do it now.

• Don't let anything or anyone keep you back from Jesus Christ.
• You can walk out with your sin forgiven, knowing that you'll go to heaven when you die or when Christ returns.