Sermons on John 14:23

John 14:23 Interpretation:

Embracing Relationship Over Rules in Following Jesus (Shepherd Of The Valley Church) interprets John 14:23 as a profound invitation to relationship rather than mere rule-following, using the analogy of Jesus going to Levi’s (Matthew’s) home to illustrate how God desires to make His home in us. The sermon draws a parallel between Jesus’ physical act of entering Levi’s house and the spiritual reality of the Trinity making their home within believers, emphasizing that obedience is not about external control but a relational response to being loved and belonging. The preacher highlights the tension between grace and obedience, suggesting that true obedience flows from a place of belonging and relationship, not from a need to earn acceptance. The metaphor of “home” is used to convey intimacy, safety, and transformation, suggesting that God’s indwelling presence is both the source and the goal of Christian life.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Commonplace Church) offers a unique perspective by connecting John 14:23 to the theme of “divine homesickness.” The preacher describes the Christian experience as one of longing for a true home with God, noting that while believers are exiles in this world, God makes His home with them through the Holy Spirit. The analogy of homesickness is used to express the ache and yearning for ultimate union with God, while also affirming that God’s presence is already a reality in the believer’s heart. The sermon also references Isaiah 57:15 to reinforce the idea that the Holy God dwells with the contrite and lowly, further deepening the sense of God’s intimate, indwelling presence as both comfort and challenge.

Embracing the Holy Spirit: Love, Obedience, and Presence (David Guzik) provides a detailed linguistic insight into John 14:23, focusing on Jesus’ use of the word “home” and the Greek term for “another” (allos), meaning “another of the same kind.” The sermon emphasizes that the presence of God in the believer is not a lesser substitute for Jesus’ physical presence but is, in fact, the same kind of help and intimacy. The preacher notes that Jesus’ choice of “keep my word” rather than “obey” alone suggests a broader, more affectionate relationship with Jesus’ teaching—one that involves cherishing, guarding, and loving His words. The metaphor of “manifestation” is explored, with the preacher explaining that Jesus is revealed to and among His disciples through their love, obedience, and union with the Father and Son, making the presence of God tangible and experiential.

The Transformative Role of the Holy Spirit (Ligonier Ministries) interprets John 14:23 through the lens of the Holy Spirit as the “homemaker,” drawing a vivid analogy between the Spirit’s work and the role of a homemaker who prepares, organizes, and transforms a house into a home. The preacher explains that the Spirit’s indwelling is not mechanical but relational, contingent on love and obedience, and that the Spirit’s ultimate goal is to make the believer’s life a fit dwelling place for the Father and the Son. The sermon also highlights the Greek distinction between “another of the same kind” (allos) and “another of a different kind,” reinforcing the continuity between Jesus’ presence and the Spirit’s presence. The “homemaker” metaphor is used to illustrate the Spirit’s ongoing work of sanctification, deconstruction, and transformation, making the believer’s life a “palace for God to dwell in.”

Experiencing God: Assurance, Transformation, and Intimacy (weareresonate) interprets John 14:23 as a profound promise of God’s indwelling presence, emphasizing that the “touch of heaven” is not a rare or elite experience but the normal Christian life. The sermon uniquely frames Jesus’ words as a distinguishing mark of Christianity: that God’s home is made within the believer, not as a fleeting visitation but as a continual, transformative presence. The preacher uses the analogy of “touch deprivation” to describe Christians who know about God but do not experience His nearness, contrasting this with the biblical invitation to intimacy and ongoing encounter. The sermon also draws a parallel between the physical need for touch and the spiritual need for God’s presence, suggesting that just as infants fail to thrive without human touch, so believers languish without the experiential reality of God’s indwelling. This analogy is extended to argue that the “home” God makes is not a theological abstraction but a lived, daily reality, accessible through expectation and intentional pursuit.

Finding Peace Within: The Inward Journey to Christ (SermonIndex.net) interprets John 14:23 through the lens of Thomas à Kempis’s classic spiritual treatise, “The Imitation of Christ.” The passage is cited to support the idea that Christ’s indwelling is the fruit of inward detachment from the world and the cultivation of a “worthy mansion” within the soul. The sermon uses the metaphor of the heart as a home or mansion for Christ, emphasizing that the believer must “prepare a worthy mansion for him within thee” for Christ to come and dwell. This interpretation is distinct in its focus on the interior life, humility, and the necessity of inward purification as prerequisites for experiencing the abiding presence of Christ. The language is meditative and mystical, stressing that the indwelling of Christ is both the source of true peace and the goal of the spiritual journey.

Embracing Christ's Love: A Call to Devotion (SermonIndex.net) interprets John 14:23 as a passionate invitation from Christ for a love relationship so deep that it transforms the believer’s entire outlook and experience. The sermon frames Jesus’ promise as a divine proposal, likening Christ to a bridegroom seeking the love of his bride, and stresses that the indwelling presence of God is not a mere theological abstraction but the fulfillment of God’s longing for intimate, mutual love. The preacher uses the metaphor of Jesus knocking at the door of the heart, not just for occasional blessing but for ongoing, abiding fellowship, and insists that the true mark of this indwelling is a heart set on fire by divine love, not mere religious activity.

Finding True Fulfillment as God's Living Temple (SermonIndex.net) interprets John 14:23 within the broader biblical theme of believers as the temple of God, where the indwelling of the Father and Son is conditional upon obedience and holiness. The sermon draws a detailed parallel between the Old Testament tabernacle and the believer’s body, emphasizing that just as God’s presence filled the physical temple, so too does He desire to fill the believer’s life—provided the "temple" is kept pure. The preacher underscores that the promise of Christ and the Father making their home is not automatic but requires the believer to "keep my word," and uses the analogy of "higher help" coming from above, not from earthly sources.

Becoming Living Temples: Embracing God's Presence Within (SermonIndex.net) interprets John 14:23 as the fulfillment of God’s ancient desire to dwell among His people, now realized in the New Testament believer as God’s temple. The sermon uniquely frames the indwelling as both privilege and responsibility, warning against defiling the temple with sin and urging believers to present themselves as "living sacrifices." The preacher uses the metaphor of the Old Testament altar, now internalized, where the believer’s self is continually offered up, and stresses that the indwelling presence of Christ and the Father is the source of "higher help" for holy living and bold witness.

John 14:23 Theological Themes:

Embracing Relationship Over Rules in Following Jesus (Shepherd Of The Valley Church) introduces the theme of “belong, believe, behave” as a reversal of the traditional religious order, arguing that belonging in relationship with Jesus precedes belief and behavior. The sermon uniquely frames obedience as a relational act rather than a transactional one, suggesting that God’s love and presence are not rewards for good behavior but the foundation from which transformation flows. The preacher also explores the idea of surrendering control as a spiritual discipline, linking it to Jesus’ own surrender at the cross and the invitation to “let go and let God.”

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Commonplace Church) presents the theme of “divine homesickness” as a distinctive theological motif, positing that the ache for home is itself a sign of God’s indwelling presence and a call to deeper intimacy. The sermon also explores the paradox of being both “haunted and holy,” emphasizing the “already/not yet” nature of salvation and the tension between exile and indwelling. The preacher’s use of Isaiah 57:15 adds a fresh angle, highlighting God’s willingness to dwell with the lowly and contrite, thus reframing holiness as both transcendence and immanence.

Embracing the Holy Spirit: Love, Obedience, and Presence (David Guzik) develops the theme of the Trinity’s unified work in the believer, emphasizing that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not a lesser experience than Jesus’ physical presence but a continuation of the same divine intimacy. The sermon also introduces the idea that “keeping” Jesus’ word involves more than obedience—it encompasses cherishing and guarding His teaching, making love the true source of obedience. The preacher’s focus on the manifestation of Jesus through love and obedience offers a nuanced understanding of how God’s presence becomes visible in the life of the believer.

The Transformative Role of the Holy Spirit (Ligonier Ministries) advances the theme of the Holy Spirit as the “homemaker,” responsible for making the believer’s life a suitable dwelling for the Father and the Son. The sermon uniquely connects the Spirit’s work to the biblical narrative of the tabernacle and temple, suggesting that the Spirit’s indwelling is the fulfillment of God’s desire to dwell among His people. The preacher also highlights the relational and transformative nature of the Spirit’s work, emphasizing that sanctification is an ongoing process of making the believer’s life “homely” for God.

Experiencing God: Assurance, Transformation, and Intimacy (weareresonate) introduces the theme of “touch-deprived Christianity,” arguing that the absence of experiential intimacy with God leads to spiritual malnourishment, much like infants deprived of physical touch. The sermon asserts that the indwelling presence of God is not only a theological truth but a practical, transformative reality that changes perspective, enables forgiveness, and empowers believers to carry God’s love into the world. The preacher also emphasizes the audacity of expectation—naming one’s place of prayer as a “tent of meeting”—as a way to cultivate faith for God’s manifest presence.

Transformative Faith: The Journey of Eugenia Price (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme of continual newness and surrender, teaching that the indwelling of Christ (John 14:23) is not a one-time event but requires daily yielding of the “new self” to God. The sermon uniquely highlights that the promise of Christ’s abiding is experienced most deeply in seasons of weakness, darkness, and need, and that victory is found not in striving but in allowing Jesus to “be himself” in the believer’s life. The preacher also introduces the idea that the greatest possession after Christ Himself is one’s ongoing need for Him, reframing spiritual neediness as a gift rather than a deficiency.

Finding Peace Within: The Inward Journey to Christ (SermonIndex.net) develops the theme of the “inward mansion,” teaching that the indwelling of Christ is contingent upon the soul’s detachment from worldly things and the cultivation of humility, purity, and simplicity. The sermon adds the facet that the indwelling presence of Christ is the source of all true peace, joy, and spiritual fruitfulness, and that the believer’s task is to “give therefore place to Christ and refuse entrance to all others.” This theme is distinct in its emphasis on the contemplative and ascetical dimensions of Christian spirituality.

Experiencing Christ's Transformative Presence in Our Hearts (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme of the indwelling Christ as the believer’s hope of glory, not as a static doctrinal fact but as a dynamic, deepening reality that can and should be pursued with holy discontent. The sermon adds the facet that faith is never passive; rather, it is an active, persistent pursuit of greater intimacy with Christ, involving the will, desires, and appetites of the heart. The preacher also explores the paradox that seeking deeper indwelling often exposes hidden sin, which is not a sign of failure but of God’s refining work to prepare the heart for greater communion.

Embracing Christ's Love: A Call to Devotion (SermonIndex.net) presents the unusual theological theme that God’s command to love Him is itself a revelation of His deep desire for reciprocal love from His people, and that the indwelling presence is the consummation of this divine romance. The sermon adds the facet that losing "first love" is not merely a lapse in emotion but a spiritual crisis that grieves Christ, who seeks not just obedience but the passionate devotion of the heart.

Finding True Fulfillment as God's Living Temple (SermonIndex.net) develops the theme that the indwelling of God is conditional, paralleling the strict requirements for purity in the Old Testament temple with the believer’s call to holiness. The sermon adds the angle that the believer’s body is not only a temple but also an altar, a place of continual sacrifice and surrender, and that the indwelling presence is both a privilege and a solemn responsibility, with warnings against defilement.

Becoming Living Temples: Embracing God's Presence Within (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that the indwelling presence of God is the source of supernatural courage and witness, enabling believers to overcome fear and boldly testify to Christ. The sermon adds the facet that the indwelling is not just for personal comfort but for mission, and that the "sweet aroma" of a life surrendered to God will have an impact—either drawing others to life or provoking rejection.

John 14:23 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Embracing Relationship Over Rules in Following Jesus (Shepherd Of The Valley Church) provides historical context by referencing the social status of tax collectors in first-century Judea, explaining how Levi (Matthew) was seen as a traitor and outcast. The sermon also contrasts the Pharisaic model of “behave, believe, belong” with Jesus’ radical invitation to relationship, situating the passage within the broader context of Jewish religious norms and the disruptive nature of Jesus’ ministry.

Embracing the Holy Spirit: Love, Obedience, and Presence (David Guzik) offers detailed historical context regarding the setting of the Upper Room discourse, describing the physical environment, the significance of Passover, and the emotional weight of Jesus’ impending departure. The preacher also explains the Jewish practice of discipleship, noting that Jesus’ three-year training of His disciples was shorter than the norm, which adds urgency and poignancy to His farewell words. Additionally, the sermon discusses the Old Testament experience of the Holy Spirit, noting that under the New Covenant, the Spirit is given permanently to all believers, unlike the selective and temporary anointing in the Old Testament.

The Transformative Role of the Holy Spirit (Ligonier Ministries) situates John 14:23 within the broader context of the Upper Room discourse, emphasizing the intimacy and gravity of Jesus’ final hours with His disciples. The preacher also references the Jewish legal system to explain the role of an advocate, drawing a parallel between the Holy Spirit’s advocacy and the function of a close friend in ancient Jewish society. The sermon further connects the Spirit’s indwelling to the biblical themes of the tabernacle and temple, highlighting the continuity of God’s desire to dwell among His people throughout salvation history.

Finding Peace Within: The Inward Journey to Christ (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by referencing the medieval spiritual tradition, specifically Thomas à Kempis’s “The Imitation of Christ.” The sermon situates John 14:23 within the broader context of monastic and mystical theology, where the “indwelling” of Christ is understood as the culmination of the inward journey, requiring the soul to become a “worthy mansion” through detachment, humility, and self-examination. The cultural norm of the time emphasized the interior life over external religious observance, and the sermon reflects this by urging listeners to forsake “this miserable world” and seek rest in the inward presence of Christ.

Experiencing Christ's Transformative Presence in Our Hearts (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by referencing the Eastern understanding of table fellowship, explaining that in the ancient Near East, sharing a meal signified the deepest form of intimacy and acceptance. The preacher also alludes to the cultural significance of the heart in Pauline and biblical thought, as the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and desire, thus deepening the meaning of Christ dwelling "in your hearts."

Finding True Fulfillment as God's Living Temple (SermonIndex.net) offers extensive historical context by detailing the structure and rituals of the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, including the significance of the Holy of Holies, the sacrificial system, and the role of the high priest. The sermon explains how these elements foreshadow the New Testament reality of God dwelling within believers, and draws attention to the seriousness with which God regarded the purity of His temple, both then and now.

Becoming Living Temples: Embracing God's Presence Within (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by describing the dedication of Solomon’s temple, the massive scale of animal sacrifices, and the manifestation of God’s glory filling the temple. The preacher also explains the tearing of the temple veil at Christ’s death as a historical and theological turning point, granting believers direct access to God’s presence.

John 14:23 Cross-References in the Bible:

Embracing Relationship Over Rules in Following Jesus (Shepherd Of The Valley Church) references Mark 2 (the calling of Levi/Matthew) to draw a parallel between Jesus entering Levi’s home and the promise of God making His home with believers in John 14:23. The sermon also alludes to the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father, who art in heaven...”) as a model of surrender and relationship, reinforcing the theme of belonging and intimacy with God.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Commonplace Church) cross-references Isaiah 57:15 (“I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit...”) to support the idea that God’s holiness is both transcendent and immanent, and that God chooses to dwell with the humble. The sermon also references Genesis (the Garden of Eden) to illustrate God’s original intent for humanity to be at home with Him, and 1 Peter (the theme of exile) to frame the Christian life as a journey toward ultimate homecoming.

Embracing the Holy Spirit: Love, Obedience, and Presence (David Guzik) references John 13 (Jesus washing the disciples’ feet), John 14:1 (Jesus’ command to trust in God), John 13:34 (the command to love one another), and 2 Corinthians 5:6 (“even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer”) to support the idea that knowing Jesus by the Spirit is even more intimate than knowing Him in the flesh. The sermon also alludes to Acts 1:8 (the Holy Spirit coming “upon” believers) and the Old Testament experiences of the Spirit (e.g., King Saul) to contrast the New Covenant reality.

The Transformative Role of the Holy Spirit (Ligonier Ministries) references John 15 and 16 (the ongoing discourse on the Holy Spirit), 1 Corinthians 2:10 (“the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God”), and John 17 (Jesus’ prayer for unity) to elaborate on the themes of union, intimacy, and the Spirit’s teaching ministry. The preacher also draws on the biblical narratives of the tabernacle and temple to illustrate the Spirit’s role in making believers a dwelling place for God.

Transformative Faith: The Journey of Eugenia Price (SermonIndex.net) cross-references several passages to illuminate John 14:23: Acts 4:31 (the repeated filling of the Holy Spirit), John 15:5 (“abide in me and I in you”), 2 Corinthians 5:17 (“if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature”), Romans 6:13 (presenting oneself to God as alive from the dead), and Psalm 73:25 (“Whom have I in heaven but you?”). Each passage is used to build a cumulative picture of the Christian life as one of ongoing surrender, newness, and intimacy with Christ. The preacher explains that these verses, when experienced in sequence, led Eugenia Price to a personal encounter with the indwelling Christ, reinforcing the promise of John 14:23 as a lived reality rather than a mere doctrine.

Finding Peace Within: The Inward Journey to Christ (SermonIndex.net) references Luke 17:21 (“the kingdom of God is within you”) and Hebrews 13:14 (“here we have no continuing city”), using these to support the idea that the true dwelling of God is within the purified soul. The sermon also alludes to 1 Samuel 16:7 (“man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart”) and 2 Corinthians 10:18 (“not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends”), connecting these to the necessity of inward transformation for the experience of Christ’s abiding presence.

Experiencing Christ's Transformative Presence in Our Hearts (SermonIndex.net) cross-references Revelation 3:20 (Christ knocking at the door and promising to come in and sup with the one who opens), Colossians 1:27 ("Christ in you, the hope of glory"), Galatians 2:20 ("Christ lives in me"), and various Pauline prayers in Ephesians 1 and 3, using these to reinforce the reality and possibility of Christ’s indwelling presence. The preacher also references the Song of Solomon as an allegory for the intimacy Christ desires with believers, and Psalm 81 ("open your mouth wide and I will fill it") as an invitation to seek more of God.

Embracing Christ's Love: A Call to Devotion (SermonIndex.net) references the seven letters to the churches in Revelation, especially the letter to Ephesus about losing "first love," and the commandment to love God with all one’s heart (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37). The sermon also cites John 14:23 directly, as well as passages about Christ’s intercession (John 17), and the promise of the Spirit’s indwelling (John 14:16-17).

Finding True Fulfillment as God's Living Temple (SermonIndex.net) cross-references 2 Corinthians 6:16 ("I will dwell in them and walk among them"), 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 6:18-20 (warnings about defiling the temple), Galatians 2:20, John 3:16 and 3:36 (entry to the temple through faith in Christ), Romans 12:1-2 (presenting oneself as a living sacrifice), Matthew 3:11 (baptism and the Holy Spirit), John 8:12 (Jesus as the light of the world), John 6:33-35 (Jesus as the bread of life), Revelation (prayers as incense), and Matthew 27:51 (the tearing of the temple veil).

Becoming Living Temples: Embracing God's Presence Within (SermonIndex.net) references 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 6:18-20, 2 Corinthians 6:16, John 14:23, 1 John 4:4, Galatians 2:20, John 3:16 and 3:36, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 3:11, John 8:12, John 6:33-35, Matthew 5:14-16 (believers as the light of the world), Revelation (prayers as incense), Matthew 27:51 (the torn veil), and Ephesians 4:30 (do not grieve the Holy Spirit), weaving these together to build a comprehensive theology of the indwelling presence.

John 14:23 Christian References outside the Bible:

Embracing the Holy Spirit: Love, Obedience, and Presence (David Guzik) explicitly references Charles Spurgeon, summarizing Spurgeon’s sermon on “I will not leave you as orphans.” Spurgeon’s points include: orphans have dead parents, but Jesus is alive; orphans are alone, but the Spirit draws believers close; orphans lack provision, but the Spirit provides; orphans lack instruction, but the Spirit teaches; and orphans lack a defender, but the Spirit protects. These insights are used to deepen the understanding of Jesus’ promise not to leave His followers as orphans.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Commonplace Church) explicitly references Henry Nouwen, quoting him on “abandoning every other false way of obtaining love,” and Frederick Buechner, who described faith as “a kind of homesickness.” These references are used to frame the experience of longing for God as both a challenge and a comfort, reinforcing the sermon’s theme of divine homesickness.

Finding Peace Within: The Inward Journey to Christ (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references Thomas à Kempis and his work “The Imitation of Christ” as the interpretive framework for John 14:23. The sermon quotes at length from à Kempis, who writes, “if any man love me he will keep my words and my father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him,” and develops the idea that the soul must “prepare a worthy mansion for him within thee.” The preacher uses à Kempis’s meditative and mystical language to encourage listeners to pursue the inward life as the path to experiencing Christ’s indwelling.

Experiencing Christ's Transformative Presence in Our Hearts (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references Charles Spurgeon, quoting his analogy of Christians wading in the shallows versus diving into the ocean of God’s fullness, and also cites Lloyd-Jones, who warns against a faith that is merely intellectual assent without experiential reality. The preacher also references the hymn by John Newton ("I asked the Lord that I might grow") to illustrate the process of God exposing hidden sin as part of deepening communion, and mentions Edward Payson’s concentric circles analogy to describe varying degrees of intimacy with Christ.

John 14:23 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Embracing Relationship Over Rules in Following Jesus (Shepherd Of The Valley Church) uses the story of Olympic rifleist Matt Emons, who lost a gold medal by hitting the wrong target, as an analogy for how Christians can focus on the wrong goals—emphasizing rules and control rather than relationship and belonging. The illustration is used to challenge the congregation to realign their focus on relationship with Jesus rather than external performance.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Commonplace Church) draws on the personal experience of the preacher’s connection to the band 21 Pilots and the song “Creature” by Half Alive. The lyrics (“I am creation, both haunted and holy, in glory. Even the depths of the night cannot blind me when you guide me, creature only.”) are used to illustrate the tension between sin and holiness, and the sense of being “half alive” during quarantine is paralleled with the Christian experience of longing for fullness in Christ. The story of attending a concert after quarantine serves as a metaphor for God’s attentive, detail-oriented love and the experience of being pursued by God in unexpected ways.

Experiencing God: Assurance, Transformation, and Intimacy (weareresonate) uses a detailed secular illustration from medical research on premature infants to illuminate John 14:23. The preacher recounts a study in which premature babies who received not only food and medical care but also regular physical touch grew 47% more than those who received only their basic needs. This analogy is used to argue that, in the same way, Christians who have all the “right” spiritual inputs but lack the experiential “touch” of God’s presence fail to thrive. The illustration is developed at length to make the case that the indwelling of God is not a luxury but a necessity for spiritual flourishing, and that a “touch-deprived” Christianity is as deficient as a touch-deprived infancy.

Experiencing Christ's Transformative Presence in Our Hearts (SermonIndex.net) uses the scientific analogy of concentric circles around the sun (from Edward Payson, but the imagery itself is secular in origin) to illustrate the varying degrees of closeness believers can have with Christ, likening those closest to the sun to those most absorbed in Christ’s presence, and those further out to those distracted by worldly concerns.

Finding True Fulfillment as God's Living Temple (SermonIndex.net) employs the story of a pig under a peach tree, originally told by a persecuted Chinese Christian, as a metaphor for people seeking fulfillment from earthly sources rather than looking to "higher help" from above. The pig, after eating fallen peaches, digs in the dirt for more, not realizing that true help comes from above, paralleling the believer’s need to seek God’s indwelling presence rather than earthly solutions.

Becoming Living Temples: Embracing God's Presence Within (SermonIndex.net) provides several detailed secular illustrations: the preacher recounts a personal story of giving a Japanese Bible to a Shinto businessman, which led to the discovery of Christian ancestry and a spiritual awakening, illustrating the impact of God’s indwelling presence on bold witness. Another story involves a hospital nurse who believed in many gods, and through a conversation about the uniqueness of Christ, is confronted with the truth of the gospel. A third story describes witnessing to a gang leader in Brooklyn, using the analogy of a court of law to explain the gospel, demonstrating how the indwelling presence of God empowers believers to overcome fear and share their faith in challenging circumstances.