Last time we learned that a true follower of Jesus will bear fruit and to bear fruit we must remain in Him. Jesus told his disciples that they were to love one another and that they should expect persecution from the world. He knew after He left to return to heaven the disciples would face difficult opposition. He wanted them to know exactly what to expect and how they should respond. He is telling them and us this so we won’t stumble. The closer you are to Jesus, the more the world will hate you.
John 15:26-27 – 16:7 – The Work of the Holy Spirit
Even though Jesus would be leaving the earth, He would not leave the disciples alone. He would send them another Counselor to be with them. This is the Holy Spirit. He told them it was for their own good that He was going and that they would be glad He was going, because the Holy Spirit will come to be with them and guide them in all truth. This Spirit would convict the world of guilt and sin.
Jesus could not be everywhere while He was here on earth, but the Holy Spirit can be. He had to leave because the disciples couldn’t fully understand all that He was teaching. They also lacked the power the Holy Spirit would bring them. Only the Holy Spirit can convince people salvation is found in no one else, but Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is our Helper. He intercedes in prayer for us before the Father. He helps us remember God’s Word. He equips all believers. He convicts the world of sin. He is the Convicter of sin, righteousness and judgment. He will guide us to all truth. He will disclose to us what is to come.
Convicter of Sin – The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin as well as our attitude toward Christ. He convicts us that God holds us responsible for that attitude both inward and outward. He convicts the stubborn attitude of unbelief and that it’s a choice of darkness rather than light. “Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” – John 3:19.
How has the Holy Spirit convicted you of a sin?
Convicter of Righteousness – “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”. – 2 Cor. 5:21. Jesus is the standard for righteousness. He never sinned and always obeyed God. He is the only one who could die in the place of sinners. God put His stamp of approval on Him and returned Him to sit on His right hand. He makes everyone righteous who believes in Him.
Has the Holy Spirit ever convinced you of the righteousness of Jesus and that by His death and resurrection He secured that righteousness for you?
Convicter of Judgment – Satan is the ruler of the world, but he was judged at the cross. He is doomed. He still roams around trying to tempt and deceive. He and his subjects will be judged at the final ultimate judgment and be thrown into the Lake of Fire. Believers will not be judged. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; he who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” – John 3:18.
If you are not a believer, has the Holy Spirit ever convinced you that you are under the same judgment as Satan?
Jesus described the persecution the disciples would face. They would be put out of the synagogue; a time would come when anyone killing them would think they are giving an offering and service to God.
The key to enduring persecution is to expect it. Be prepared and trust in Jesus. He knows the future and the trials we will face. He warns us in advance so we will trust Him. We are not to focus on our feelings and needs, but focus on Jesus’ glory and in spreading the gospel. Even in persecution His glory should be our aim.
In John 16:5-7 Jesus told them it was for their good that He is going away. Unless He goes, the Counselor won’t come to them. When He comes He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23. “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” – Romans 3:119-20. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” – John 3:36
When He said ‘the world’, He meant all unbelievers. The root of their sin is they do not believe in Jesus. They will not only realize their sins, but they will realize who Jesus is and that they will perish if they don't believe in Him.
John 16:12-15 - The Holy Spirit will help believers by guiding them into all truth – that is spiritual truth. He will bring glory not to Himself, but to Christ. All things that are of the Father belong to Jesus. The Holy Spirit teaches and reveals the meaning of Scripture to believers the way Jesus would. “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” – John 14:26
Principle: The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity and is our Comforter, Counselor, Convicter, Helper, Intercessor and guides us to all truth.
John 16:16-33 – Grief Will Turn to Joy
Jesus told the disciples that in a little while they would not see Him anymore. This confused the disciples. Jesus knew their thoughts. He knew there would be sorrow and joy over the next 3 days. He would be arrested, falsely accused and tortured. They would watch Him die. They would spend the next days in fear and hiding, but in 3 days they would rejoice like never before. They would see Him alive again. Jesus uses a woman in childbirth as an example. She is in pain while giving birth, but when the baby is born all the pain is gone and there is joy for the birth of her child.
In John 16:22 He warned them that sorrow is on the way, it will be intense, and it is coming soon. What He meant was He will be dead, but their sorrow will be short because He will rise again. They would experience sorrow, but it will turn into joy and no one would be able to take that away.
Jesus promised them when they pray they were to ask the Father in Jesus’ name. When they do this they will receive what they ask and their joy will be complete. The Father loves them because they have loved Jesus and have believed He came from God. By praying in Jesus’ name it shows we come to the Father because of Jesus and God will treat us as His own Son. We come in the authority and power of Jesus, because of the salvation we have in Jesus.
Now, finally the disciples think they understand. Jesus said “you believe at last”, but the time is coming when they will run away in fear. Still Jesus loved them and will never forsake them. The same is true for us. We may run from God, but He still loves us. We are not to be afraid of the world and all its troubles. Jesus Christ has overcome the world. The Father is with Jesus and Jesus is always with us.
He told them these things so they would have peace even though they will have troubles in this world. The peace he’s talking about is peace and less worries about our security in our salvation. He not only promised peace and joy but - “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
What circumstances in your life test your commitment to follow Jesus?
The Holy Spirit reveals the truth. No one can be neutral. Either Jesus, the Prince of Peace rules your life or the prince of this world, Satan rules your life. We all have a choice. Do you believe Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God was sent by God or not? Where will you spend eternity?
Principle: Jesus has overcome the world!
Next week we will study John 17. Have a blessed day. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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