On Sunday 26.04.2020, many New Apostolic brethren from the English speaking countries in the world experienced a wonderful divine service conducted by the Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider - live-streamed on YouTube from Strasbourg, France.
The Chief Apostle read a text word from the gospel according to John 14:5-6, “Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Beginning the sermon, the Chief Apostle shared an inspired thought on the expectations we have when we pray, having had an intrinsic revelation from planting a flower seed and expecting it to grow in a certain manner. “Each time we pray, it is like a seed that we have sowed. We entrust it to our God. And then God begins to work, quite often we see just nothing. Trust God. The seed is growing, and if we do the right thing, and pray in the right manner, with faith and trust, God will provide us what we need.”
Explaining the text word, the Chief Apostle remarked that just as Thomas and the disciples were confused and at a loss, so does it happen to us when we follow the Lord. We love Him, and want to remain with Him, but instead we experience things we don't understand, things we never expected and don't know how to deal with. However, Jesus gives us comfort in His words “I'm the way, the truth and the life. This is our comfort in all times of our life.” Jesus as the way, means we have to follow Him, do His will, trust in Him, believe in Him, live His word and teachings. We need His grace to enter the Kingdom of God. Also, we must follow His example and imitate His likeness. He was tempted to destroy His relationship with God but overcame. He suffered injustice but rather loved and forgave.
“He is the truth” said the Chief Apostle, “That means He revealed God to us as He is.” Through Jesus Christ, the nature of God and His will was known to mankind. He continued: “The other meaning is that His teaching is true, His words are true. He tells us the truth.” Although this is not always easy to believe, as experienced by the disciples during His tribulation and crucifixion,
His words are always fulfilled, as the disciples found out on His resurrection. “Jesus tells us, ‘trust me, I am truth, My words won’t pass away.’” he said. “Trust the truth of Jesus!”
Chief Apostle Schneider further explained that “Jesus is the life because He is the Living One. Death could not restrain Him.” He also explained: “His life is the true life. He lived in oneness with God, His Father. That is the true life, being one with God, in fellowship with God.” He explained that Jesus wants us to experience life now, that we are one with God and He is with us. He also wants to give us this fellowship with God in eternity. He is also our spiritual life insurance; in Him we can find solace and comfort in difficult times.
Summing up, the Chief Apostle encouraged all that no matter the circumstances. “We must go the way of Jesus, we must trust His truth, and in doing so, He will give us His life in His Kingdom.”