Pentecost 2023 (2)

John 16:5–11 NIV84

5 “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

A significant event in the WELS occurred last Thursday morning in Mequon, Wisconsin. It was the annual Call Day worship service at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. The decisions that were announced that morning impacted most directly a number of trained students who were eligible to be assigned into the public ministry. In the next two months they will be moving to new locations and starting their careers as called workers in our synod. Those assignments will also impact their immediate families, extended families, as well as the people to whom they are sent.

What are those who are sent expected to do? In the majority of cases it is what our current pastors are already doing in the congregations in which they serve. (Summarize).

Lead worship services in which the word of God is read, sermons based on the Bible are preached, prayers are offered to our God, inspirational hymns are sung.

Teach or coordinate the teaching of God’s Word to all who are willing from young to old.

Call on members, pray for the sick, comfort the dying. Baptize, confirm, marry, and bury those associated with the congregation.

This is just one example of who people who are sent are often given a task to carry out and that they are to meet certain expectations.

Teacher sent to instruct students.

Doctor sent to perform medical procedures.

Plumber sent to repair pipes.

Contractor sent to put on new siding.

Farmer sent to plant and harvest the fields.

In the Bible we learn about people that God had sent to do specific tasks (examples).

Noah was sent to build the ark and save mankind from total annihilation.

Abraham was sent to the land of Canaan to establish a future home for Israel.

Moses sent to lead Israelites out of Egypt.

Prophets send to speak God’s word.

Kings sent to rule the nation

The ultimate example of someone who was sent to carry out God’s work is Jesus (passage)

Hebrews 10:5–7 (NIV)

5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but a body you prepared for me;

6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings

you were not pleased.

7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—

I have come to do your will, my God.’ ”

Isaiah 6:8 NIV

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

In John 16, we read about Jesus on the verge of the completion of his task. When it is finished, he says that he would be going to him who sent me. It is a reference to Jesus’ ascension into heaven after his resurrection.

When someone is sent, there may be different reactions. Joyful anticipation or nervous expectations on the part of the one who is going. Excitement and hope by the ones to whom that person is going to. Relief or grief on the part of those that the person sent is leaving. Sometimes when a pastor is sent from one congregation to another his former members may be glad to see him go. At the same time some of them are sad that he is leaving.

I don’t think any of the disciples were glad to see Jesus leave. In fact, they were filled with grief and for obvious reasons. But Jesus reassures him and encourages them that his leaving is not the worst thing in the world. He promises that after he leaves, he would be able to do what is necessary for the next stage in the development of the true religion. Only by leaving would he be able to send the Holy Spirit to them.

John 16:5–7 NIV84

5 “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Pentecost is the celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit who was sent to the church by our God.

Here Jesus teaches us why he was sending the Holy Spirit. In other words, what the Holy Spirit’s purpose would be and still is. (Review and summarize commentary.)

John 16:8–11 NIV84

8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

The Defender’s Study Bible Chapter 16

JOHN 16:8

when he. Note that the Holy Spirit is “He,” not “it.” He is the third Person of the triune Godhead, not a spiritual influence of some kind. The Greek word (pneuma) is neuter, sometimes translated also as “wind” or “breath.” Consequently, the pronoun “it” has occasionally been used when referring to the Holy Spirit, even in the King James translation. This should be corrected to “He” or “Him” whenever that is the meaning. It is correctly translated thus in every case here in the Lord’s message in John 14; 15 and 16.

reprove. Here “reprove” has the thrust of “convict” or “bring under conviction.” Thus, in addition to His personal ministry to each believer, the Holy Spirit also has a ministry to the ungodly world at large, speaking to each unbeliever regarding his need of salvation, and restraining general wickedness (see note on 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7).

JOHN 16:9

believe not on me. Since Jesus died for the sin of the whole world (John 1:29), the only unforgivable sin is rejection of Jesus Christ and His offer of free salvation. It is this sin, therefore, which the convicting Spirit must stress. Those who seek to win others likewise must center their own witness on the vital necessity of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

JOHN 16:10

righteousness. The Spirit, through those who would win others, must emphasize the gift of imputed righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), through faith in Christ. There is “none righteous” (Romans 3:10) in himself, but Jesus lived a sinless human life and thus can offer His own blood to the Father in sacrifice for sins.

JOHN 16:11

judgment. To those who remain unforgiven, because they reject Christ’s righteousness, there remains only judgment (Hebrews 10:26–31). Satan, the prince of this world (see John 12:31) has been judged already because He rejected God, being irrevocably destined for the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). Those who likewise reject Christ must share the same judgment (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:15).

On Pentecost Jesus sent out the Holy Spirit as had been prophesied by Joel and promised by Jesus. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the apostles proclaimed the law and the gospel and through God’s word the Holy Spirit has been convicting people ever since. Luke describes it in this way in Acts.

Acts 2:37 NIV84

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

1 Corinthians 14:22–25 NIV

22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Hebrews 4:12–13 NIV

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Undoubtedly, you have experienced this yourself as the word of God has spoken to your heart and convinced you.

The Holy Spirit still comes to us today and continues his work of convicting. As modern day people who have been sent out, we have the responsibility to proclaim God’s Word and our church administers the sacraments so that the Holy Spirit can continue to do this through the means of grace. That is why we pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful people, and kindle in them the fire of your love.