The Father's House - Stelios Ioannides
This Sunday, as we celebrated Father's Day, Stelios Ioannides shared a message on finding our way to God, based on a passage from the Gospel of John - John 14:1-14. He explored how Jesus, through His own words and actions, reveals the heart of our Heavenly Father and provides a path to a place of hope, peace, and belonging.
This blog post is based on his sermon and will delve into the profound truths of this passage and explore how they can transform our lives. You can find the full audio and video of the sermon below.
The Father's House: A Place of Belonging
In John 14:1–14, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, who are troubled and anxious about His imminent departure. Jesus's words are a deep comfort, as He says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms... I am going there to prepare a place for you."
But what does Jesus mean when He talks about His "Father's house"? In the context of the time, the Jewish temple was considered the dwelling place of God—a place where heaven and earth met. However, to enter this holy place, one had to adhere to strict rules and standards. It was a place for the righteous and morally upright.
Jesus introduces a new idea: a Father's house with many rooms, a place prepared not for the few, but for everyone. This isn't a literal house, but a dwelling place in the presence of God. It's a place where you don't have to earn your spot or live up to an impossible standard. The work has already been done for you by Jesus.
"And if you read carefully, it's actually Jesus who sets your place there. It's not you."
This promise directly addresses our troubled hearts, offering a safe, secure, and welcoming place with God. If Jesus is comforting someone, He's doing a pretty good job! This promise removes the burden of striving for perfection and places it squarely on Jesus, who has already secured our place.
Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
The disciples, particularly Thomas, are confused. "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Thomas asks. It’s a question humanity has been asking for centuries: "How do we get to God?"
Jesus’s answer is one of the most profound and clear statements in all of scripture: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
There’s no ambiguity here. Jesus isn’t saying He’s one of many paths. He is claiming to be the way to God, the source of truth, and the fullness of life. He is the ultimate solution to our deepest problems: our separation from God, our search for meaning, and our ultimate end in death. He is God revealing Himself to us in a way we can understand.
"Jesus isn’t just after worship. He is after transformation. That is the heart of the Father."
This is the very essence of the Gospel. It’s not about following a set of rules or a religion; it's about following a person. When we look at Jesus's life—how He served the outcasts, healed the sick, and loved the unloved—we see the very heart of God in action. God didn’t come to Earth to demand worship; He came to serve, to suffer for us, and to transform us from the inside out. He is a God who understands our pain, because He chose to experience it.
Connecting to Our Lives
So, how does this message apply to us today?
In a world that offers countless "ways" to find happiness, meaning, and peace, Jesus offers the definitive path. We are often told that we need to work harder, achieve more, or be "better" to feel worthy. Jesus's message flips this on its head, reminding us that we are made worthy not by our own efforts, but by His grace.
The promise of the Father's house is a powerful truth for our anxious and troubled hearts. It reminds us that no matter what we face—be it suffering, loss, or uncertainty—we have a secure place in God's presence. We don't have to earn it; we simply have to accept it.
If you’re not a Christian or are new to faith, consider this: God has set eternity in your heart. You were made to know Him. And in Jesus, He has reached out His hand. He has come to you. The question is, what do you lose by taking hold of it?
Jesus's words in John 14 are an incredible message of hope, assurance, and transformation. They remind us that our heavenly Father sees our pain and has provided a way for us to have a relationship with Him. This way is not based on our performance but on the person and work of Jesus. He is the way to the Father, the truth that sets us free, and the life that is eternal.
One Way to Live it Out This Week
This week, take a few minutes each day to reflect on the love of God revealed through Jesus. You might try closing your eyes, opening your hands, and simply praying, "Jesus, show me Your love. I want to know You."
A Short for your Week
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be the way, the truth, and the life. Thank you that He has prepared a place for us in Your presence. We confess that our hearts are often troubled, but we choose to put our trust in You and in Your son. Help us to know You more deeply and to live in the light of Your grace and love. Amen.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
For Personal Reflection
How does the idea that Jesus has already "prepared a place for you" in the Father’s house make you feel?
In what areas of your life are you still trying to "earn" God's love or approval? How does the truth of Jesus's grace challenge that?
Think of a time when you felt God was distant. How does Jesus's life and actions, as the "image of the Father," change how you see God?
For Small Groups
Read John 14:1–6 together. What stands out to you in this passage, and why?
Jesus says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." What are some of the things that trouble our hearts today?
How does the "Father's house with many rooms" challenge the idea that God is only for a select few?
Jesus makes a powerful claim to be "the way and the truth and the life." What are some other "ways" the world presents for finding peace and purpose, and how are they different from what Jesus offers?
Stelios said that Jesus isn't just after worship, but transformation. What's the difference between these two things, and how have you experienced God transforming you?
Stelios pointed out that Jesus is God revealing Himself to us in a way we can understand. What aspect of Jesus’s character or life helps you understand God better?
The sermon ended with a question: “What do you lose by holding on to Him?” How would you answer that question?
Take a moment to share one thing you are currently struggling with and, as a group, pray for one another, asking God to reveal His love and presence to you in that specific situation.