} stickyFooter(); $(window).resize(function(){ stickyFooter(); }); });

Do not let your hearts be troubled

Jan 27, 2021

It’s always sad to say goodbye to someone you really care about, especially if you are not sure when you will see them again. We have been especially aware of this during COVID-19. Saying goodbye can feel overwhelming, even crushing.

But although separation can be painful, sometimes it is necessary, and even beneficial. Think of the fledgling bird pushed out of the nest to learn to fly, the child dropped off at the school gate to study or the married couple who leave their parent’s home to start their own family.  

Jesus’ Spirit and his words are there to guide us each step of the way.

Jesus knew that the time for this kind of separation had come for his disciples.

We are starting a new sermon series in the book of John, studying Jesus’ final teaching just a few hours before his death. In the intimate setting of the last supper, he told his disciples that he would soon leave them – that he would go to the cross and die, and then ascend to be with this Father in heaven.

The disciples were stunned and confused by this. Jesus had been the centre of their existence for the last three years – they had left their homes and families to follow him. His popularity in Jerusalem seemed to be sky high, why would he choose this as the time to disappear?

In these chapters, Jesus explains to his disciples that his departure was both necessary and beneficial. He needed to go to be with his Father to prepare a place for them in heaven, and he would not leave them alone. He would send his Holy Spirit to comfort and counsel them, so that even though he was not with them physically, it would be an amazing time of personal growth and gospel fruit.  

These chapters are a great encouragement to us as well. Like the disciples, we too are tempted to be troubled when faced by the trials of this world. These chapters give us hope and purpose in the storm of life, because Jesus’ Spirit and his words are there to guide us each step of the way.    

Al Gibbs
Associate Minister

Latest stories

A life of worship

A life of worship

Reading this week’s passage in Luke describing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, I’m pretty struck by the simultaneously humble and yet grand entrance it all is. On the one hand, he is being praised and welcomed with great joy by a great crowd. But on the other, he is...

read more
A community woven together

A community woven together

Often, I think of the St Andrew’s community as an ornate tapestry. Just as individual threads in a tapestry are woven together to produce something more beautiful and strong, so it is when people join together to form our vibrant community. Each of us come to our...

read more
Sherman’s Story

Sherman’s Story

I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Growing up, I was immersed in a few Christian schools, but never imagined I would turn to the Lord Jesus one day. I was confused and thought the Bible was boring. I did not take scripture lessons seriously. As long as I passed the...

read more

Weekly Email
If you would like to learn more about what’s happening in our community, receive stories, scripture reading, prayer points and catch up on previous sermons, click to subscribe.