John 16:7-14
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
 
There’s no doubt the Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood and ignored member of the Trinity. I recognize that we cannot possibly cover everything the Bible says about Him in one message so we’re going to ponder the promises that Jesus gives us in our text. We will be having another Bible Study on “The work of The Holy Spirit”.
 
The Holy Spirit is often the most overlooked person of the triune Godhead. The Holy Spirit is not a force or power… He is a person. He is God – God, the Holy Ghost. His mission is to bring glory to God the Father by declaring the work of God…the Son. The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer seeking to bring them into full spiritual maturity and empowering them for service.
 
From our selected text, we’ll lock into four passages that will help us understand and engage with the Holy Spirit. After learning about the person of the Holy Spirit we’ll conclude with ways we can live in the power of the Spirit.
 
Here’s some brief background to put these texts into context. Jesus has just announced that He will be leaving His disciples and they are now distraught and no doubt disappointed. They are extremely unsettled and so the Savior takes three chapters to assure them that they will not be left alone.
 
I want to draw your attention to the word “Helper” that is used to describe the Holy Spirit in all four of these passages in John 14:16-17…
 
John 14:16-17
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
“Helper” literally means, “One who comes forward on behalf of and as the representative of another, one who is called alongside to assist. It’s meaning is rich and deep and can be translated with words like… “comforter, counselor, attorney, encourager, adviser, pleader, proxy and advocate.”
 
Notice the entire Trinity is involved here, Jesus asks the Father who gives another Helper, the Spirit of Truth. That in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct… harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
 
The word “another” means, “one of the same kind or quality.” The idea is that of “sameness.” Jesus is saying the Holy Spirit will be like Himself and will take His place.
 
The Helper will be us forever. In the Old Testament the Spirit is mentioned nearly hundreds of times and came upon people to enable them to accomplish God-given tasks and then would depart. That’s why David prayed in Psalm 51:11…
 
Psalm 51:11
Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
 
We don’t have to worry about that now because the Holy Spirit comes in at conversion and stays forever. In John 14:18, Jesus says, “I will not leave you as orphans.”
 
He is the Spirit of truth. Those who don’t know Christ cannot receive the Holy Spirit. Believers “know” Him, meaning He is personal, not just a mystical force like in Star Wars or an impersonal power. He’s not a power to experience but a Person to know. Related to this, the Holy Spirit is a “He” not an “it.” Bible uses masculine pronouns “He” and “Him” to refer to the Holy Spirit. He’s not an “it,” He’s a He!
 
John 14:26
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
 
Notice the Trinity again – the Father sends the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to teach believers. He brings new truth to the disciples and also helps them remember all that Jesus has said in the past. BTW, that’s why the Holy Spirit was so involved in the inspiration of the Scriptures. We’re taught and we’re reminded as we study the Word of God.
 
Surprisingly enough, one Jesus’ Apostles would say this…from our bible study…
 
2 Peter 1:21
For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
 
Although the Bible came to us through redeemed men, and therefore displays many of their traits and unique ways of communicating the message…the message is directly from God and relays what He wanted to say. That is why I cannot stress enough or encourage you all enough of the importance of reading your Bibles. Your Bibles are your very source of life in this world. It is through Scriptures that we can know, learn, live, be transformed into the image of Christ.
 
Moving on…
 
John 6:7
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
 
The word “nevertheless” is used as a contrast to what the disciples are feeling. Jesus then says something to get their attention, “I tell you the truth…” Jesus always told the truth but it’s as if He’s saying, “Listen up guys. This is really important.”
 
What He says next is shocking, “it is to your advantage that I go away…” This word means, “useful, profitable or beneficial.” There was no way the disciples were thinking that it was a good thing that Jesus was about to leave them. How could it be to their advantage that Jesus was going away? Of what benefit would it be for Jesus to be gone from them?
 
Jesus tells them why His departure would be profitable for them, “for if I do not go away, the Helper (there’s that word again), will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.” to help the disciples understand that He was about to leave them. But it would be to their advantage because the Helper could then arrive. His going is essential to the Spirit’s coming.
 
Now, let me be quick to say that that the Holy Spirit will never be taken from us but it’s worth asking ourselves what is it that we’re doing in our own power. Would you notice if the Holy Spirit was no longer in your life? The Holy Spirit will not be withdrawn but we can withdraw from Him. Notice if you will… “We can grieve the Holy Spirit.”
 
Ephesians 4:30-31
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
 
So…How do we grieve the Holy Spirit? By continually doing the things mentioned on v31.
To “grieve” means, “to make sad or sorry.” We can grieve Him by holding on to gross stuff in our lives. We can also, quench the Holy Spirit….
 
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not quench the Spirit.
 
To “quench” means, “to put out a fire.” When we ignore the Holy Spirit by continuously, compromising our morals and biblical convictions, the fire of the Holy Spirit can be reduced to smoldering embers. One of the best ways to make sure we’re not “grieving or quenching” the Holy Spirit is to keep short accounts with God and with others. When you mess up, own it. When you sin, confess it. When you’ve wronged someone, make it right.
 
We’ve learned about the Holy Spirit and now we must live by the Holy Spirit…
 
Galatians 5:25
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
 
This is a military term meaning that we’re to march in a straight line, taking our orders only from Him. As we yield to the Spirit, we will experience His power and people should notice. I like what Francis Chan wrote…
 
“I don’t want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit. I want people to look at my life and know that I couldn’t be doing this by my own power.”
                                                                                                                                             -Francis Chan-
 
                                                                       POWERPOINT
 
You see… I just love hearing testimonies like this. A saint, not taking any credit for what he’s done. Or for who he is but gives all glory to God.
 
Here then are some ways we can keep in step with the Spirit. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. It’s so easy to fill our lives with things that don’t satisfy, isn’t it? Some of us are drinking deeply of substances that end up controlling us.
 
Ephesians 5:18
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.
 
This is a command that literally means, “Keep on being filled with the Spirit.” I’m reminded of what the great preacher Charles Spurgeon did before he climbed the stairs to the pulpit every time he preached. For every step he would take, he would say these words…
 
 “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” Ask Him to fill you every day and many times during the day.
                                                                                                                              -Charles Spurgeon-
                                                                         POWERPOINT
 
The presence of the Holy Spirit should have a purifying affect in our lives. Before Christ came, God’s Spirit dwelt in the tabernacle and now… He dwells inside His people and within His church. If you are born again, your body is now the temple of God!
 
God displays His beauty and glory today through believers, and as such, we must treat our bodies carefully and make sure they are dedicated to His purposes. This is spelled out clearly in…
 
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
 
The way we live should declare to the world that the Holy Spirit is present within us. Or to say it another way, the world will learn about God based upon the way we are living. That’s a weighty responsibility and a holy charge. There should be evidence in every believers of the Spirits fruits…
 
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
 
Don’t be surprised that this is what…to be expected in the lives of every believer. Our bodies are not our own. The life of the believer belongs to God, purchased by the blood of His Son. 
 
In Conclusion:
 
I do hope and pray, that this message has given all of us a clear understanding of the Holy Spirit.
Again…the Holy Spirit is not an “it”, but a person of the Godhead. He has a very important role in ones’ salvation, especially in knowing and becoming like Christ!
 
I want to speak to two different groups of people….
 
 
 
1: Christians who need to surrender. If you’re saved, you have all of the Holy Spirit. But here’s a question, “Does the Holy Spirit have all of you?” Have you been living in your own might and do you think you’re always right? Have you been saved by grace but now you’re trying to do everything in your own grit or through you own wit? Paul addressed this issue of self-praise when he said…
 
Galatians 3:3
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
 
It is all the work of the Spirit. By Gods Spirit, one is drawn to His Son. By believing in The Son, the gift of the Spirit is given. By the Spirit, the believer is being transformed into the likeness of His Son.
 
2: Non-Christians who need to get saved. If you’re not saved, you are in a very dangerous position. There will be a final exam one day and you will fail it if you don’t put your faith in Jesus Christ. Listen to what the Holy Spirit is doing right now according to John 16:8-11…
 
John 16:8-11
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
 
Who is the “He” here? the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin. The word “convict” means to prove one is wrong and He does it in three main areas.
 
• Concerning sin, because they do not believe in Jesus. Admit you are a sinner. According to this verse, the biggest sin is to not believe in Christ.
 
• Concerning righteousness, because I go the Father. Jesus is our standard for righteousness. Admit that you are unrighteous.
 
• Concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. Where sin and unrighteousness meet, judgment follows. If you do not believe in and receive Jesus Christ, you will be judged forever in a place called Hell.
 
The good news of the gospel is that Jesus Christ paid the price for all of your sins and when you repent and receive Him into your life you will be declared righteous and will avoid the judgment you deserve. Believe in Christ and Christ alone!!! No one else can save you!!!
 
Listen to what Jesus said…our last verse for tonight…
 
John 3:3
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
 
Cry out to Jesus and be saved!!!
 
Let us Pray!
 

Thanks To Calvary
1 Peter 4: 1-6
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh but live according to God in the spirit.
 
We just had just finished our studies in the letters of Peter, so this will be a great reminder of what we had learned. Tonight, we will be examining the change that the believer goes through, thanks to the work of Christ in Calvary.
 
On August of 2004 everything in my life changed. Of-course it didn’t happen all at once or instantly. That was the day I met the real Jesus of the Bible. The day I was drawn to Christ. I am far from perfect, you have been around me long enough to notice that. Nor did I ever claim to be. I have my weaknesses, and reach failures from time to time, just like everyone else. Any type of victory in my life is all because of Christ. I knew who I was before Jesus came into my life. That is something that I cannot deny. A SINNER SAVED BY GRACE!!!
 
The Apostle Paul puts it clearly when he said…
 
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
 
If you have been saved, then you are a new person. You were lost and now you are found... You have gone from death unto life... You were a sinner now you are a named a saint... You were condemned now you have been set free. And this is possible because of the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. I would like to walk through these verses and consider the thought "Thanks To Calvary”, things are different. The first thing I would like to examine is…
 
1: Because Of Calvary We Have A Different Calling.  
The Christian life begins with a calling. The Holy Spirit calls us unto repentance. Jesus gives us an invitation to salvation! This calling does not end with our conversion. It is not enough to trust Jesus as Savior we must make Him Lord of our lives.
Notice if you will, as Christians we are called to follow the Savior…
 
1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
 
Peter says that we should "arm ourselves with the mind of Christ". We are to continually focus on Him. And we are to follow Him each and every day of our lives. Even if this means that we will face some sort suffering from time to time. Christ suffered the cruelty of the cross of Calvary for us. We should be willing to suffer for Him if that is God's will. The Christian life is a constant battle. Here Peter uses the terminology that Peter refers to that battle - "Arm yourselves". Before we will reach a place of willingness to suffer for Christ. We must put Him in His proper place...as our number 1 priority.
 
There was a time in Peter's life where he professed that he was willing to suffer for Christ. In fact, he was so bold as to say that he would die for Christ. But peter failed, he denied Christ 3 times in one night. But that was not the end for Peter. Jesus did a great work in his life and Peter did suffer greatly and he did so willingly. Even as he penned these words, he knew that there would come a day when he would die for the cause of Christ. Jesus told him that there would come a day when he would be killed for his faith. Knowing what he knew and enduring the suffering that he had endured Peter still faithfully followed his Savior.
 
Peter was called to be an Apostle. And if you are saved you have been called to follow Jesus. Your life should not be the same as it was before Christ. Your plans, purposes and priorities should be different. Are you faithfully following Jesus each day? Are you willing to continue to follow Him even if it brings suffering and pain? Remember this... the worst that can happen to you and is death. And when you look at what is waiting for you on the other side it is also the best thing that could happen to you!
 
“Death for the Christian is to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus and waking up and finding out that youre home”.      
                                                                                                                                                    -Alister Begg-
 
We are called to follow the Savior… as Christians, we called to forsake/fight sin…
 
1 Peter 4:2
2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
 
 
We have been changed by Jesus and we have been cleansed by His blood. We are not to return or to continue in the sin that we have been delivered from. We are to pursue the Holy will of God. This is not possible if we follow after the desires of the flesh! As I mentioned Jesus is not only Savior, He is Lord. When Jesus is Lord of our life, we are controlled by His Spirit. We cannot forsake sin on our own, but it is possible through Christ! Paul said it clearly, when he said…
 
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
 
Thanks to Jesus' work at Calvary you have the opportunity for a different life. Do not waste your time pursuing the lusts of the flesh and the pleasures of this world.
 
1 John 2:15-16
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
 
Our life before Christ was empty and meaningless. Now that we are saved, we have a purpose. We have been called to be a part of something special. And this is possible “Thanks to Calvary”.
 
2: Because Of Calvary We Possess A Different Character…
 
1 Peter 4:3
3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
 
Here, Peter describes the life of the believer before their conversion. It was a life of sin. Their actions were marked by evil and wickedness. These are the same actions we see in the lost man today. "Immorality, lust, drunkenness, wild parties and idol worship" - Many of Peter’s readers had been involved in such sins before salvation. Here they are told that they must never return to this lifestyle ever again. All of the sins mentioned are results of following the lust of the flesh. Christians must separate from this type of lifestyle.
 
Galatians 5:16
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
 
Because of Calvary we run with a different crowd. In the past I ran with a different crowd of people. By the world's standards they were "bad" people. And so was I. And we were more than acquaintances, we were close friends.
But when I fully surrendered to the Lord these things changed. There were things that I did that I quit doing. There were places that I went that I quit going to. My conduct changed... My conversation changed... My interests changed. Thankfully the Lord brought a new crowd into my life. I don’t call them friends, but my family. The people that I spend the majority of my time with now are born again believers. Ones with the same interests…to follow Christ.
 
But there are some of those old friends who just don't understand our new life. Consider if you will, why we avoid our old selves, our old crowds…
 
1 Peter 4:4
4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
 
Peter says, “They think it strange”. The old crowd does not understand the change that Jesus has brought in our lives. They may become offended or resentful when we refuse to do what we used to do. When we are no longer interested in the wicked pleasures of this world the old crowd may become confused. Not only do they not understand our new life, they may attack us because of it.
 
“speaking evil of you”. These people who you thought were your friends may begin to slander you. Some will mock you. They will watch you and wait for you to fail, then they will quickly point out your faults. When you refuse to partake in their sinful acts, they will call you self-righteous. When you do falter, they will call you a hypocrite. And, this hurts! These actions may come from people who you have known your entire life. But Peter gives us some encouragement a few verses down.
 
1 Peter 4:14 (NIV)
14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
 
When we live as faithful Christians in front of our lost friends and acquaintances it will convict them! The question we must ask ourselves is, are we living in such a way? Do we offend the old crowd because we follow Christ? Or, do we still belong to the old crowd, because we never really followed Christ?
 
Whether we realize it or not, our example leaves an impression on others. We should live as examples in front of the old crowd and we must be concerned about their spiritual condition.
Consider for a moment, the condition of the old crowd…
 
1 Peter 4:5
5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
"Those who are not saved"... those who are guilty of walking in the wickedness that is descried in verse 3, will one day stand before the Great White Throne. Jesus Christ will preside at that judgment. There they will "give an account to Him". And it is there that they will be condemned to the Lake Of Fire…FOREVER!!!
 
That old crowd may mock you for your faith, they may blaspheme the name of Jesus, but on that day… they will bow before Him! This should motivate us to live as examples in front of the old crowd, and not join them. Or else we too, will face the same judgement!
 
In Conclusion:
 
“Thanks to Calvary”, We are on a different course…
 
1 Peter 4:6
6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh but live according to God in the spirit.
 
"Those who are dead", in this verse refers to those who had been saved while they were alive but had died before Peter penned this epistle. Though they were dead physically, they were alive in their spirits. These people heard the preaching of the Gospel and trusted in Christ as Savior. And those of us who have heard the preaching of the Gospel and have been born again can live this life with the same hope that they possessed.
 
Because of Calvary we walk a different path, we are on a different course. We have a different future and eternal destiny. We possess eternal life through Jesus Christ! Jesus spoke of this in…
 
Mathew 7:13-14
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
 
Those who are saved are on the path that leads to eternal life. And this is only possible because of Jesus' work at Calvary.
 
Short Story:
Some Deacons were questioning young boy who wanted to join church and was asked about his salvation. How'd you get saved? He said, "Well, I done my part & God done His part." When asked about what he meant, he said, "My part was the sinning. God's part was the saving".
 
That is true for each of us. who are saved, And all thanks to Christ's finished work at Calvary!!!