WHERE COULD I GO – The Church Of Christ, 15 Grey Street, Warri

Text: John 6:38

By: Sanni, John

Supporting Texts: Psalm 46:1–3, 10–11

Psalm 61:1–2 • Isaiah 43:2 • Mark 4:35–41 • John 14:6 • Acts 2:38 • Hebrews 9:27

INTRODUCTION — WHEN LIFE NO LONGER MAKES SENSE

There are moments in life when a person does not need an explanation. He needs somewhere to run.

On Sunday evening, January 27, 2002, the Ikeja ammunition-depot explosions plunged many people into such a moment. Explosions continued for hours.

People ran through streets in confusion and terror, not knowing exactly what was happening or which direction was safe. Many fled toward canals; hundreds eventually died there.

The tragedy raises a question that is larger than Ikeja: WHERE COULD I GO?

That question is not limited to a disaster scene. Life itself can suddenly become chaotic. A marriage can shake. A career can collapse. A diagnosis can arrive. A child can go astray. Money can disappear. A loved one can die. Temptation can become fierce. The heart can become overwhelmed.

“But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’”
— John 6:68

Peter gives the Christian answer: when every earthly refuge becomes uncertain, there remains a refuge that cannot fail—Jesus Christ.

LIFE WILL BRING STORMS

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
— John 16:33

Jesus never promised His followers a storm-free life. He promised victory in the midst of trouble. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Notice the words: in trouble. God may not always prevent the storm, but He can meet His people inside it.

Storms do not make appointments. Trouble can arrive when everything seems normal.

The important question is therefore not whether storms will come, but whether we have refuge when they do.

The storm reveals where we have built our confidence.

CHAOS EXPOSES FALSE REFUGES

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
— Psalm 20:7

When life is calm, money, education, connections, position and human strength can appear sufficient.

But crisis exposes their limits. These things may be useful blessings, but none can carry the ultimate weight of the human soul.

Some people run to substances, unhealthy relationships, anger, isolation, endless distraction or self-reliance.

Others simply say, “I can handle it.” But Jeremiah 17:5 warns against making human strength our ultimate trust.

The problem with trusting ourselves completely is that we are part of the thing that needs rescuing.

DAVID KNEW WHERE TO GO

“From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” — Psalm 61:2

David did not pretend that his heart was never overwhelmed. He acknowledged the storm, but he also knew where to turn. He asked God to lead him to a Rock higher than himself.

Sometimes God’s answer is not to make the storm smaller immediately. Sometimes He lifts us above it by giving strength, perspective, endurance and His presence.

An overwhelmed heart needs a higher Rock, not merely a temporary escape.

JESUS IS WITH US IN THE STORM

“Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” — Mark 4:38

The disciples experienced a storm on the Sea of Galilee. The boat was filling with water, experienced fishermen were frightened, and Jesus appeared to be asleep.

They cried out. Jesus arose, rebuked the wind and said, “Peace, be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

The disciples learned something profound: the greatest security was not merely the absence of wind. Jesus was in the boat.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.” — Isaiah 43:2

The promise is not always NO STORM. The promise is GOD’S PRESENCE IN THE STORM.

THERE IS A GREATER STORM—THE STORM OF SIN AND JUDGMENT

Physical storms remind us how fragile life is, but Scripture points to an even greater issue: every person must ultimately face death and judgment.

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”— Hebrews 9:27

Money cannot answer that judgment. Education cannot. Social status cannot. Family name cannot. Religious appearance cannot. Good intentions cannot erase sin. The deepest human crisis is separation from God because of sin.

Isaiah 59:2 says our iniquities separate us from Him. Therefore our greatest need is not merely relief from circumstances; it is reconciliation with God through Christ.

PETER’S QUESTION—“TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?”

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”— John 6:68

Notice that Peter did not ask, “Where shall we go?” He asked, “To whom shall we go?” Christianity is ultimately about a Person—Jesus Christ.

Who else has the words of eternal life? Who else can forgive sin? Who else can reconcile sinners to God? Who else conquered death?

Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
— John 14:6

When every other refuge fails, Jesus remains.

YOU CANNOT RUN TO CHRIST FROM A DISTANCE

It is possible to admire Jesus without belonging to Jesus. It is possible to know Bible stories without surrendering to the Lord. It is possible to sit in church while the heart remains far from God.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

The invitation is not merely to think about Jesus, discuss Jesus or occasionally remember Jesus. It is: COME TO ME.

Running to Christ means faith, repentance and obedience. When the people heard the gospel in Acts 2 and asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”, Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

DO NOT RUN IN THE WRONG DIRECTION

The Ikeja tragedy contains a sobering spiritual lesson. People were running because they knew they were in danger, but some ran toward places that became deadly. They were trying to escape one danger and encountered another.

A person can spend a lifetime running—from guilt, loneliness, pain, failure, temptation, disappointment and fear—without ever running to Christ.

It is possible to spend your whole life running and still end up lost.

The gospel does not merely tell us to run away from sin. It tells us where to run: to Jesus.

THE CROSS IS GOD’S ANSWER TO OUR DEEPEST CHAOS

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him.” — Isaiah 53:5

At Calvary, Jesus entered humanity’s deepest crisis. Sin had separated us from God, and we could not rescue ourselves. Christ bore the penalty of sin and opened the way of reconciliation.

Then He rose from the grave. The empty tomb means death is not the final word for those who belong to Christ.

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”— John 11:25

Jesus is not merely the answer to the storm; He is the refuge for the soul.

WHERE COULD I GO?

When your heart is broken—where could I go? To the Lord.
When your family is in trouble—where could I go? To the Lord.
When your plans collapse—where could I go? To the Lord.
When temptation becomes fierce—where could I go? To the Lord.
When guilt overwhelms your conscience—where could I go? To the Lord.
When death approaches—where could I go? To the Lord.

Peter’s answer remains: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

CONCLUSION — WHERE WILL YOU RUN?

Perhaps the deeper question is not merely, “Where could I go?” It is, “Where will I go?”

The storm is coming for every life in one form or another.

One day every person will face eternity. At that moment, earthly refuges will have no power. Bank accounts, certificates, positions, connections and possessions cannot save the soul.

There is one sufficient refuge:

JESUS CHRIST.

Do not wait until the next crisis to discover that Jesus is enough. Do not wait until sickness, bereavement, family collapse or death forces you to think seriously about eternity.

There was a time when terrified people in Ikeja ran because they knew something was terribly wrong. They did not know which direction was safe. The gospel gives us what fear cannot give: a clear direction.

RUN TO CHRIST. RUN TO THE CROSS. RUN TO THE ONE WHO DIED FOR YOU AND ROSE AGAIN.

Perhaps you have spent years running—running from guilt, conviction, God, pain, loneliness, disappointment or the consequences of sin. Today the Lord calls you to stop running away and start running home.

“Come to Me…”— Matthew 11:28

Not because you are worthy, but because He is merciful. Not because your past is clean, but because His blood can make you clean. Not because you deserve another opportunity, but because grace is giving you one.

While you can still hear His voice—COME.

While your heart can still respond—REPENT.

While grace is still extended—OBEY.

While the door of salvation is still open—ENTER.

When everything else has failed, when the noise has stopped, when possessions are gone and eternity stands before you, one question will matter:

“TO WHOM SHALL I GO?”

“LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE.”— John 6:68