Shift the Weight – Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts

Whenever I study or prepare for a message, I begin by praying, asking God to help me see the present moment—this season, day, and age—through His eyes. I pray for the ability to align with what He is doing in the world. God gave me the scripture for this message on a Tuesday night, and I thought I had plenty of time to study and prepare. But early the next morning, at 2:00 a.m., my daughter became very ill, vomiting every hour until 10:00 a.m., with a fever that lasted all day. She was sick for days, and then I started feeling sick too.

Despite these challenges, I chose to persevere because I believe God has a breakthrough connected to this message. I recognized that I was experiencing spiritual warfare, and I knew I needed prayer from those who intercede to help me deliver what God had placed on my heart. As I move forward, I trust that God will move supernaturally in this space, whether here or wherever you’re watching.

The message I want to share today is titled “Shift the Weight.” We begin in John 14, where Jesus is preparing His disciples for His impending crucifixion. He gathers them together, washes their feet, and shares a meal with them. But then He tells them difficult things: that He will be crucified, Peter will deny Him, and their close-knit group will fall apart. Despite this, Jesus reassures them that God is still present, even in the midst of what seems like chaos. The disciples, understandably, struggle to comprehend how things could go from miracles and triumphs to such devastation.

In verse 8, Philip says, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Essentially, he’s saying, “If I could just see God in this moment, I could accept everything you’re saying.” Jesus responds, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” Jesus emphasizes that if they’ve seen Him, they’ve already seen the Father, reminding them that His words are not His own but come from the Father who dwells in Him.

Jesus’ words are more than just speech—they carry divine authority, and they bring about what they declare because they are backed by the Father. In verse 10, He says, “The words that I speak to you, I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.” This is a reminder that what we witness in Jesus’ life is not just talk—it’s action, God’s work being fulfilled through Him.

Jesus challenges the disciples: “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.” He tells them they’ve seen too much to doubt. They’ve witnessed miracles and breakthroughs, so even if they struggle to fully understand, they should believe because of the works they’ve witnessed.

But Jesus takes it further. He says, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” Jesus is telling them that if they have faith not just in the works but in Him, they’ll move from merely seeing miracles to performing even greater ones themselves.

So, I want to talk about “Shifting the Weight.” Sometimes we carry the weight of our struggles, responsibilities, and doubts. But God is calling us to shift that weight onto Him. In prayer, we can say, “Lord, this is Your mission, not mine. This is Your church, not mine. This calling came from You, and I need You to take over.” Whether you’re at home, at work, or in the car, let God take up space in your life. Trust that He sees you, hears you, and has a plan for your life in this season.

Let our response to God’s word be one of obedience and conviction, not just hearing but also doing. Let’s shift the weight onto God, and trust in His divine plan.

Conclusion: As you navigate life’s challenges, remember that God is with you, and He is calling you to shift the weight onto Him. He will take up space in your life and guide you through every season with purpose and love. Let your faith lead you to greater works, trusting in His divine power.