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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!
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February 2021
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