"FOR THIS I HAVE JESUS"

John 15:4                                                          

Pastor Rick Jackson

Many years ago in a small church in Ireland a message was given in which the minister said that Jesus' words "Abide in me, and I in you," mean to simply say in every circumstance, "For this I Have Jesus," and Jesus will say," For This You Have Me."

While he was speaking, a telegram was delivered to the young pianist. It read: "Mother very ill, take first train home."

At the conclusion of the message she shared the telegram with us, and she added: "I have never traveled alone, but, ‘For This I Have Jesus. I must take a midnight train, but, 'For This I Have Jesus.’ I must cross the channel and make connections on the other side, but, 'For This I Have Jesus.' Then I take a long train trip to the south of England, but 'For This,' and all the suspense along the way, 'I Have Jesus'." As she spoke these words, we saw the Light of Heaven upon her face.

Several weeks later a letter came from her which was a song of praise. She wrote, "As I traveled that long sorrowful journey, I continued to say, 'For This I have Jesus,' and He answered, 'For This You Have Me.'”

"As I reached home my sister fell sobbing on my shoulder saying, 'Oh, if you had come ten minutes sooner you would have seen Mother who so longed to see you.' Instantly I looked up and said, 'For This I Have Jesus,' and He came between me and my sorrow, and vain regrets had no power over me. We had never had a death or funeral in our family, and they all depended on me for every decision. Acknowledging my ignorance, I said softly, 'For This I Have Jesus', and He gave me His wisdom for every detail. There was also His perfect peace for all legal matters that needed attention.”

"Now life has become joyous and victorious as in every circumstance I continued to say, 'For This I Have Jesus'.”

-Story taken from a tract published by the Gospel Tract Society, Inc.

No matter what happens, no matter the situation we find ourselves in, no matter who supports us or who opposes us every child of God can say “For this I have Jesus”. What are some specific areas in which we can claim to have Jesus?

I. “FOR THESE TEMPTATIONS I HAVE JESUS”

1. No matter the Temptation We have the Examples of the Scriptures [1 Cor. 10:1-12]

2. No matter the Temptation We have the Escape by God [1 Corinthians 10:13]

3. No matter the Temptation We have the Example of Christ [Luke 4:1-14]

II. “FOR THESE TRIALS I HAVE JESUS”

1. No Matter the Trial We have the Presence of Christ [2 Timothy 4:16-17a, Hebrews 13:5]

2. No Matter the Trial We have the Promises of Christ [2 Timothy 4:17b-18a]

-the promise of His Presence [#1]

-the promise of His Power [v. 17]

-the promise of His Preaching being productive [v. 17]

-the Promise of His Protection until we have finished our ministry [v. 17-18]

3. No Matter the Trial We have the Peace of Christ

-a Peace that can give Joy [2 Cor. 8:2, 1 Peter 4:12-14] How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

-a Peace that can give Purpose [Hebrews 11:36-40]

-a Peace that can give Praise [1 Peter 1:7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

III. “FOR THESE TASKS I HAVE JESUS”

1. The Task of Great Commonality [Heb. 13:5] Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

2. The Task of Great Conquests [Dt. 31:1-8]

3. The Task of the Great Commission [Mt. 28:18-20]