John Lesson 21 – John 15:26-27 – 16:33

 

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?

How has Jesus comforted you in a time of trouble?

How does your life show joy that no circumstance or person can take you away from the   joy of the Holy Spirit?

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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John Lesson 20 – John 15:1-25

 

Last time Jesus promised the disciples that He would send them the Holy Spirit who would comfort their troubled hearts.  We learned the Holy Spirit is also referred to in Scripture as the Advocate, the Comforter, the Counselor, the Strengthener, the Helper, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of God, the Convicter, the Spirit of Life, the Teacher.     

John 15:1-8 – Relationship to Jesus

Jesus teaches about the vine and the branches.  Here again Jesus calls Himself “I am”.  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” – John 15:1.  In this Scripture Jesus is the perfect vine and God is the gardener.  Believers are the branches.  God owns the vineyard and takes care of the vines.  We are like the branches of the vine.  Anyone who believes in Jesus belongs to God.  He expects fruit from His vineyard.  If we don’t bear fruit, He will cut us off.  Just as a vine with branches that bear no fruit, the gardener cuts off those dead branches.  Jesus tells us that branches that bear fruit are pruned so they will bear more fruit. 

Jesus is teaching that we need God to remove everything that is wrong in our lives so we can produce fruit.  God prunes our lives so we will grow and become more like Him and bear more fruit.  Pruning may be painful, but we need to submit to this pruning process and trust God for the outcome.  When we are going through hard times, it seems that God is nowhere to be found.  Actually that’s when He is closer than ever.  He is pruning us because He loves us.  Parents discipline their children because they love them, don’t they?

Where do you need pruning?

Are you joyfully submitting to His loving pruning in your life?

In John 15:3 Jesus is teaching that those who have saving faith in Him are the ‘clean’ ones as are His disciples. Of course Judas was not as we read in John 13.

What is the fruit in John 15:5-8?  Doing good works is not the fruit He’s talking about. To bear fruit is to see God produce Christlikeness in us.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Gal. 5:22-23.  These are the kinds of fruit we are to bear.  Fruit is Christlike character and conduct.   1 Peter 1:5 tells of more fruit we are to bear, “… make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” 

Notice it says nothing about happiness.  A fruitful Christians leads a godly life.  It’s all about godly behavior.  It takes time for fruit to grow.  These qualities will increase as you grow in Christ.

Those without a love for Christ cannot live what God calls a fruitful life.  Followers of Jesus are the branches and God is the vine.  According to John 15:4, if they detach from Him, the source of life, they will not produce fruit.

Jesus said He was the “true vine” suggesting there are other vines.  Many people get their source in life from many other things like money, possessions, relationships, status, financial matters, and their own plans.  He is the True Vine and without Him we can do nothing.

Where are you relying too much on other vines in your life?

Where are you rooted?

What is keeping you from being rooted in Jesus?

Do all Christians bear fruit?  Yes, if they are truly Christians.  However, it takes time to grow your fruit, but you should see growth as you mature in your faith.  If you are not growing, ask yourself why?  If you are not producing fruit, then maybe you are a counterfeit Christian.  Maybe you should examine yourself and ask God to show you where you are failing.  Judas Iscariot professed to believe and followed Jesus, but his real god was greed.  He was a counterfeit Christian.  Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5b.

There is a key to bearing fruit.  Jesus said to remain or abide in Him.  How can we abide in Him?  Abide means to continually reside in and not depart from.  We stay in His Word and in prayer.  We need to keep His commandments.  If you are not experiencing the peace and joy in your Christian walk, maybe you aren’t walking in obedience.  If you are abiding in Christ, you will be producing fruit in your life.

Are you abiding in Christ, making Him at home in your heart?

What area in your life do you lack bearing fruit?

Are you showing patience and brotherly love and kindness to others?

Do you maintain self-control?

Principle:  A fruitful Christian leads a godly life.

John 15:7 Jesus said “ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you”.  That doesn’t mean that He will give you anything you ask, but that He will give you whatever you need to help you further His kingdom and when it’s part of the will of God.

John 15:9-17 – Relationship to One Another

Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.” – John 15:9.  This should be the greatest motive for why we want to grow closer to Jesus.  Love is the foundation of our Christian faith.  Without love, we would be lost.   Love is God’s command and the fulfillment of all the law.  It’s an expression of your love for God.  He said there is only one way to be really happy and that is to remain in a close relationship with Him.  He said we must obey His commands and then we will remain in His love.  He commands us to love one another as He loves us.  He loves us completely.  He loves us so much that He died to save us.  He said there is no greater love than to lay down your life for another. 

Jesus called His disciples His friends.  He gives us a choice to obey Him or not.  He wants us to obey Him because we love Him.  He had a purpose for His disciples.  He chose them and appointed them to bear fruit that will last.  He has chosen us, too, to do work for Him and to bring glory to God by what we do.  “This is my command:  Love each other.” – John 15:17.  It is important for Christians to encourage each other and love each other at all times even if we don’t always agree.

Would Jesus call you His friend?

How will you show love to someone this week?

Principle:  Friends of Jesus love one another, obey his commandments, understand His truths, and are chosen to bear fruit.

John 15:18-25 – Relationship to Unbelieving World

Jesus knew after He returned to heaven the disciples would face difficult opposition from the world.  The world didn’t listen to Jesus so they wouldn’t listen to them.  He wanted them to know exactly what to expect and how they should respond.  He told the disciples that the world hated them and that He was hated first.  He wanted them to be able to endure the hostility.  Their response to the hostile world was to bear witness of Him. 

The world wants nothing to do with Jesus.  The closer you are to Jesus, the more you should expect some form of persecution.  It may be mockery.  It may be your work, school, or sports team that meet at the same time as Sunday services.  You may lose a promotion because you refuse to do dishonest practices.  It may be persecution from your family who are critical and don’t understand.  Persecution is all around even in small things.

There are some countries where Christians are persecuted.  They are imprisoned and even put to death.  The only reason for this is that they believe in Jesus.  When Jesus is rejected, God is rejected.  Much of Europe is turning away from Christianity and many in our own country are watering down the basic teachings of Christianity.

The “world” refers to the organized system under Satan’s domain which is opposed to God and all He stands for.  Most unbelievers don’t really hate Jesus, but they don’t follow Him either.  By not following Jesus they are following the devil, even though they don’t realize it.  They ignore God and live with godless values.  “He who is not with me is against me ….” – Matt. 12:30.  Either you love or hate Jesus and the Father.  There is no gray line.

The world hates what Christians stand for.  The battle lines are being drawn between God’s people and Satan’s people.  Every person will have to make a decision which side to be on before it’s too late.  Each must choose eternal life in heaven or eternal life in hell.

There is immorality that surrounds us.  I am embarrassed by it.  We should not buy into the movies and videos with adultery and profanity and the promotion of homosexual and transgender lifestyles.  Enjoying this immoral garbage as entertainment is wrong and I know God doesn’t like it.  He’s not going to stand for this much longer.  Remember what happen to Sodom and Gomorrah?  God destroyed the cities for their wickedness.

There are thousands of unborn children killed daily in their mother’s wombs.  The ACLU is supposed to be our ally and protect our rights, but is files ridiculous lawsuits trying to stop free expression of our faith.  We have a highly secular media and liberal anti-Christian colleges with atheistic views.  What is really going on is the reality of the preparation and coming on the prophesied Antichrist who will rule the world the last 7 years before the end of the world. 

Which side are you on, Satan’s or God’s?

Why does the world hate Jesus?  It’s because they don’t know Him and because He exposes their sin.  “The light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were ever.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” – John 3:19-20.  The people heard Jesus and saw His miracles, but still they rejected Him because He exposed their sin.  There is evidence of that today.  They enjoy their sin too much.  The world hated Jesus first so we should expect to be persecuted for our faith.

How should we respond to the world?  We do not need to be afraid or withdraw from the world.  We also don’t need to fix everything.  Christians should not retreat from the world, but remember that God is in control and trust Him.  We need to live in peace and unity.  We need to continue to spread the gospel.  The unbelieving world needs to see Jesus’ love and you need to be able to witness to them.  You can’t do that if you are not in the world.  We are to be in the world, but not imitate the world.  We need to pray for divine appointments – opportunities to speak about Jesus and be to good examples.  Pray for the ability to speak boldly without fear. 

Does the world hate you?  If not, maybe it’s because the world can’t tell the difference between you and them.  “Woe to you when all men speak well of you …” – Luke 6:26.  When we have public approval and are satisfied with what the world offers, we are in danger of God’s judgment.

How do you respond to the world’s hatred?

Do you retreat?

Should you live in a Christian bubble?

Is there no persecution in your life?  If not, maybe you are not bearing fruit.

Principle:  While the world hates believers, we should testify to the world the truth about Jesus.

Jesus didn’t leave them without hope.  He promised the Holy Spirit would come.  Jesus said when He comes, He will testify about Him.  He will continue to be a witness to Christ.  He does that through His Word and through believers.  Jesus told them they should all testify to others because they were with Him from the beginning.  They saw His miracles and heard His teachings.  As Christians we have the Holy Spirit in us.  He will help us to understand who Jesus is, help us as we study His Word, and help us to pray.

Next week we will finish up John 15 and study John 16.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below. 

Resources:

The Holy Bible NIV

Bsfinternational.org

Bibleref.org

Enduringword.com