F.W.G - Week 12 - God, the Holy Spirit

Advent:

#1 Hope/Promise Candle:- Karen & John Winkelman

#2 Preparation/Prophecy/Bethlehem Candle:

#3 The Joy Candle (also called the Shepherds’ Candle)

Matthew 2:10-11, “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (NIV)

Intro/Welcome

Good Evening — Good to be with You

Tonight I want to introduce you to God, the Holy Spirit

When you think of the Holy Spirit what comes to mind?

A dove?

a flame?

The Force?

The Holy Spirit is THE ANIMATING power for the Church.

Having a correct understanding of the Holy Spirit is critical to the mission of the Church and our expereince of God

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit is perhaps simultaeously the most neglected and most abused doctrine by different streams of the Church.

Today we hear from the mouth of Jesus what is the role and ministry of the Holy Spirit.

If you and I can learn to walk by the spirit, be empowered by the Spirit, rely upon the Spirit — God can move in powerful ways.

Series

We are continuing in our FWG Series

Last week was some hard stuff

But he ended on the coming of the Holy Spirit

We are going to unpack 7 roles of the Holy Spirit found in John 13-17

Then we are going to answer the question: Why is this so important for us?

Bible

We are going to be in John 16:8-15 today.

Go there in your Bibles

Pray

Isaiah 61:1–3 (ESV)

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Last Week

Last week was hard to hear.

Jesus said that persecution, hardship and tribulation are coming

The World is going to hate you — but only becuase i hated me first, and now you are of Me rather than of the World

Their response was understandably, sorrow and grief.

But Jesus promised the Holy Spirit

The solution to Jesus’ absence is His presence

Text

John 16:4–15 (ESV)

4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.

5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’

6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.

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 go, I will send him to you.

8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning 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 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Meet God, the Holy Spirit

A. Holy Spirit is a Person

Notice it is always “he” not “it” in scripture

3rd Person Singular Masculine

Holy Spirit — He — is a person

just like you and I are a person.

We should say “Holy Spirit” rather than “The Holy Spirit”

1. Personality

He has a personality

There is a humility about the Holy Spirit

We can quench Him, quiet Him, not pay attention to Him

He Whispers to Us

He can speak (Acts 13:2, Acts 8:29, Rev 2:7)

Acts 13:2 “2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.””

Acts 8:29 “29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.””

Rev 2:7 “7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”

He can be spoken to (prayer)

He prays for us (Rom 8:26-27)

He Gives gifts to the Church (1 Cor 12:11)

He can be grieved (Eph 4:30)

He can be quenced/quieted (1 Thess 5:19)

Do you interact with Holy Spirit as if He’s a person?

B. Seven Roles of the Holy Spirit in John 13-17.

1. To Teach FOLLOWERS of Jesus

John 14:26 (ESV)

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 that I have said to you.

The First role mentioned is to be a teacher.

The Holy Spirit will teach you things — specifically he will teach you Scripture

and he’s the author of it, so he knows best.

Illlustration: You ever wanted to meet an author of a book and ask them even more questions about their world/charaters

We get to do that with Scripture

The Holy Spirit lives inside of us and he will teach us scripture // he will illuminate it

Ephesians 1:17–19 (ESV) 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

2. To Remind FOLLWERS of Jesus

John 14:26 (ESV)

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 that I have said to you.

He will bring to rememberance what he has taught you

He will bring to remembrance his very words — the Words of Scripture

He will bring them to mind at just the right time.

Maybe for you or for another

You ever had that happen?

Maybe you are praying, or you are in a time of need

Or your sitting with a friend who is going through something

A verse comes to mind

That coudl be the Holy Spirit ministering through you.

3. Testify / Bear witness ABOUT Jesus

John 15:26 (ESV)

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

We touched on this last week

That especially in themidst of persecution, it is the Holy Spirit that will bear witness

The Holy Spirit will empower and gives words to testify to the goodness of Jesus and the Truth of the Gospel

See: Acts 5:29-32, Acts 7:54-56 (Stephen) Mark 13:11.

Mark 13:11 “11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 5:29-32 “29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.””

In our time of need the Holy Spirit will show up.

Maybe you’ve had that experince

You are witnessing to someone about Jesus

And a verse or a picture or illustration comes to mind

that helps witness to Jesus

If we are obedient to witness and rely on Him, I believe he will give us words to speak.

4. To Convict the WORLD

John 16:8 (ESV)

8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

This word means to Expose/Rebuke/Convince

② to bring a pers. to the point of recognizing wrongdoing, convict, convince someone of someth., point someth. out to someone

What does that mean?

Jesus elaborates:

John 16:9–11 (ESV)

9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;

10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;

11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

A. Sin

John 16:9 (ESV)

9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;

The Holy Spirit brings conviction of Sin

He is the only one that can bring this awareness to individuals

But what is the Sin underneath all sins?

John seems to be saying here that it is ‘unbelief’ —

distrust/mistrust of Jesus and his mission and therfore ultimatetly of God and his plan.

1. Unbelief in the Beginning

This really was the first sin in Genesis 3.

Adam and Even did not trust/believe the Word of God

but rather followed the Word of the Enemy.

A word that, through deception, cast into doubt the goodness of God.

2. Unbelief in us

Just think:

If you really trusted God 100% for all of your needs, for all of your satisfaction, for everything in your life

Would you ever sin?

Isn’t it our unbelief, our doubts, our fears and anxieties, our insatiable desire to control things and ‘feel’ pleasure that drives us into sin? (James 1:13-18)

So the primary sin that drives all other sins is ultimately unbelief.

3. Unbelief in Jesus

But it is also unbelief in the person and work of Jesus that condemns people.

Jesus came to save sinners, and offer his life as a sacrifice

When people reject Jesus’s work on the cross they are rejeted the only means of salvation.

If you don’t believe there is sin, evil, rebellion you won’t see your need for a savior.

The Gospel of Jesus is the only solution to Sin

His death in our place

It is the Key to the Front Door of Heaven

Front Door Key

Just like there is only one key to your front door

only one key will unlock it and allow you to come home

The gospel is the one key to coming home to God.

The second thing the Holy Spirit convicts the world is righteousness

B. Righteousness

John 16:10 (ESV)

10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;

What does this mean?

‘world’s - self righeousness’

There is only one true righteousness — The Righteousness of Christ

Why b/c I go to the father?

The resurrection was the vindication of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross

It mean that Jesus was the perfect (perfectly righeous) sacrifice

The lamb without blemish

that the resurrection vindicated both Jesus death for our sins, and Christ’s perfect righesousness which is gifted to us.

Romans 4:25 (ESV)

25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

This is basically the central gospel message.

This is the Holy Spirit’s role is to apply the gospel to our hearts and lives.

Finally, the third judgment.

C. Judgment

John 16:11 (ESV)

11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Why?

B/C the ruler of this World — that is Satan

He is judged. His Work is Judged

Sin is Judged

He is judged at the Cross of Christ — He is cast down

He is disarmed

Sin is defeated, condemnation is no more, freedom is proclaimed.

1. Thus the work of the devil is condemned.

By Killing Christ, Christ killed sin.

Hebrews 2:14 (ESV)

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

2. Sin is condemned

Romans 8:1–2 (ESV)

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:3–4 (ESV)

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

3. The enemy is disarmed

Colossians 2:13–15 (ESV)

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Satan, sin and death have all been judged at the cross.

The World has been Judged and Jesus has been declared victorious

D. Summary

This is the conviction that Holy Spirit and only Holy Spirit can bring

Holy Spirit applies the truth of the gospel to our lives.

Jesus goes on.

5. To Guide FOLLOWERS of Jesus

John 16:12–13 (ESV)

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Jesus can’t tell them everything now, it’s too much

And he’s going away

But notice —

the Solution to his absence is actually his Presence

He’s going to indwell by his Spirit

and the Holy Spirit will continue the work that Jesus began.

He’s going to guide them into All Truth

This will directly lead to the writing of the NT by these very men

Derivatevly

The Holy Spirit also leads every follower of Jesus into all Truth

into the Truth — who is jesus

The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth

This probably means the “whole Truth” rather than “all truth”

i.e. the full (and fuller) revelation of Jesus who is the truth

Note: Other Guidance of the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit does guide our lives

Rom 8 “those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God

Gal 5 - “Walk by the Spirit, Keep in step with the Spirit

But the immediate context is guiding into truth, the whole truth about Jesus.

A. The Relationship

He only speaks what he will hear from whom?

God the Father, God the Son

The Holy Spirit speaks to us the very words and thoughts of God.

This is true for the first disciples in a unique way b/c this is how they would write the New Testament

But it is generally true for followers of Jesus in every age.

We have a direct line to God the Father — it’s one of the most amazing things.

See 1 Cor 2:8-12

1 Corinthians 2:9–12 (ESV)

9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

6. To Declare things to come to FOLLOWERS of Jesus

John 16:13 (ESV)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

A. For John, The Apostle

Now immediately this means that for John the writer of this Gospel, years later he would write the book of Revelation

which is all about the ‘the things that are to come”

Revelation 1:19 (ESV)

19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

B. For the Church

The Spirit of God knows the mind of God and knows all things

Holy Spirit knows the Future

Could he choose to reveal this to some?

it’s certainly possible.

Furthermore we see this in the book of Acts

Agabus — the prophet —

prophesizes a famine (Acts 11:27-30)

prophesizes that Paul would be persecuted and arrested (Acts 21:10-11)

There is some precedent for this.

Finally, and most importantly

7. To Glorify Jesus

John 16:14 (ESV)

14 He will glorify me, for/because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus

Just as Jesus glorified the Father

The Holy Spirit glorifies the Son and the Father

What does this mean?

It means all credit goes to God for good in our lives

It means we are dependant on God not independent of God

Getting our needs met by God,

John Piper “God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him”

How does the Spirit glorify Jesus?

John 16:15 (ESV)

15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you

by the Holy Spirit taking what is Jesus’ and delcaring it to us

He emphasizes this point:

All that the Father has is mine (I am drawing from limitless power)

B/c that is true

I have the authority

He (Holy Spirit) will take what is mine and delcare it to you.

All things

What does this mean?

A. Salvation

This certainly means the righteousness of Christ — our very salvation

Jesus accomplishes it and the Holy Spirit declares it to our hearts

B. Revelation

All that comes from the Father is declared to You

Holy Scripture

C. The Blessings and Promises of God

But all the benefits of being in Christ as well

Ephesians 1:17–20 (ESV)

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 2:5–7 (ESV)

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

And it is precisely these things that Holy Spirit brings to our minds in times of trouble, affliction and persecution

Remembering the End Game

The promises of God

The Greater Story that is playing out.

Transition

You say “that’s great”

Those are really cool things that the Holy Spirit is going to do.

Why does this matter so much?

and this is really important for us to get.

Holy Spirit works through People

The Holy Spirit is not some impersonal force out there in the ether

The Holy Spirit doesn’t primarily dwell in buildings, in programs and methods.

The primary vehicle through which the Holy Spirit moves/works is the church / people.

EM Bounds Quote.

Power through Prayer (1 Men of Prayer Needed)

What the Church needs to-day is not more [or better] machinery, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but [people] whom the Holy Ghost can use—people of prayer, people mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through people. He does not fill machinery, but on men and women. He does not anoint plans, but men and women—men and women of prayer.

Examples from Today’s Text

How is Holy Spirit going to convict the World of Sin, rightesousness and Judgment?

Is he going to just act on certain individuals? — he does do that

He is revealing Jesus to muslims in dreams and visions all over the world.

But that’s not his primary vehicle.

It’s you — the Church

Holy Spirit is going to convict the World of Sin, rightesousness and judgment through his people!

Answer: The Church

Spirit Filled people willing to tell the truth

And willing to declare the Gospel of Salvation

See Romans 10:14-15

Romans 10:14–15 (ESV)

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

How is the Holy Spirit going to guide people?

often through other Spirit-Filled People

How is Holy Spirit going to glorify Jesus?

in and through spirit-filled people who testify to the goodness of God and the power of the gospel in their lives

especially in hardship and affliction

How is the Holy Spirit going to Teach and Remind people about who God is through God’s Word?

Often through people! — the Church

The Big Picture

Do you get it?

Are you seeing the picture here?

You and I have been called into the most glorious relationship with God Himself

You and I have been called to complete the mission that Jesus began.

John 17:18 (ESV)

18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

How are we going to do this?

Ans: Holy Spirit

You and I have been given relationship with the most powerful being in all the universe.

Holy Spirit is going to do this through His People

His people are going to do this by the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.

Does that get you excited?

Look at one of the last things Jesus says to his disciples:

John 20:21–22 (ESV)

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Listen to how Paul prays in Eph 3.

Ephesians 3:19-21(ESV)

19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Do you see it?

Are you getting it?

God is with us! God has a mission for us!

Closing Exhortation

God gives us the Holy Spirit for a reason — we’ve some of them today.

You and I have been sent into the World, just as Jesus was

to finish the mission

to bring the Kingdom of God

to make, mature and multiply disciples of Jesus.

This is your kids, your family, your co-workers

whoever God has put in your path.

We have the God of the universe, Holy Spirit with us

to empower us, to guide us, to lead us, to teach us, to remind us

to bring the gospel and the very presence of God into people’s lives.

If we can get connected to Holy Spirit, and walk in His power, we can see a move of God in our day.

God is Here

Holy Spirit is here with us today — God’s presence is in this room.

Just as Jesus was sent into the World

The Holy Spirit was sent into our hearts

B/C we are sent into the World just as Jesus was.

You have been sent

God has sent you to where you are right now

Perhaps he is fixing to sent you somewhere else and you have been avoiding it

God is on the move here.

He has moved us out of the YMCA — so clearly an Act of God

Where is he sending us?

That is an exciting question.

Closing Prayer