God's Objectives in Communicating

John 14:16–17; 16:13

John 14:16–17 (NLT)

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.

17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

John 16:13 (NLT)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

Introduction:

God never, never says anything to us that is not important. The others no vain words. He is always to the point. What he says, he says clearly and concisely.

God has three specific objectives in mind whenever he speaks. What are they?

I- THAT WE COMPREHEND THE TRUTH (JOHN 16:13)

John 16:13 (NLT)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

A. The truth about himself.

1. His majesty. (Psalm 93:1)

Psalm 93:1 (NLT)

1 The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.

2. His Holiness. (Exodus 15:11).

Exodus 15:11 (NLT)

11 “Who is like you among the gods, O Lord— glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?

3. His power. (Matthew 28:18)

Matthew 28:18 (NLT)

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

4. His love. (Ephesians 3:17–19)

Ephesians 3:17–19 (NLT)

17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

5. His grace.

a. To be saved.

b. For life.

6. His joy. (1 Peter 1:8)

1 Peter 1:8 (NLT)

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

B. The truth about ourselves.

1. Our importance in his plans: every believer has an important role in the functioning of the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4)

2. Our peculiarities that hinder us.

3. Our position and privilege in Christ.

C. The truth about others.

1. They are souls for whom Christ died.

2. They, too, are chosen instruments of God.

a. God spoke to Ananias about Paul. (Acts 9:15-16)

Acts 9:15–16 (NLT)

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.

16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

D. The truth about passive listening, versus aggressive, listening.

1. The aggressive listener. Actively listens to hear gods message for him. (James 1:25)

James 1:25 (NLT)

25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

(Matthew 7:24)

Matthew 7:24 (NLT)

24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

a. Example of the Berean Christians.

(Acts 17:10–11)

Acts 17:10–11 (NLT)

10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.

11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

2. The passive listener does not really listen… Does not seek to learn.

Jesus’ teaching about the two builders. (Matthew 7:24-29)

One built house on sand

One built house on a rock

II- THAT WE MAY BE CONFORMED TO THE TRUTH. (John 14:21–26)

John 14:21–26 (NLT)

21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.

24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.

25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you.

26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

A. Conformity through obedience. (John 14:21–24)

John 14:21–24 (NLT)

21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.

24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.

1. Do not just hear… Do! (James 1:23–24)

James 1:23–24 (NLT)

23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.

24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.

2. Obedience proves our love.

B. Conformity and example.

(1 Timothy 4:12)

1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)

12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

(2 Timothy 1:5)

2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT)

5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

1. He wants us to be an example in:

a. Word

b. Conduct

c. Love

d. Spirit

e. Faith

f. Purity

C. Continuing conformity. (2 Timothy 3:14–15)

2 Timothy 3:14–15 (NLT)

14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

D. Conformed to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29)

Romans 8:29 (NLT)

29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

1. Jesus is the ultimate truth that we are to be conformed to.

III- THAT WE MAY COMMUNICATE THE TRUTH TO OTHERS. (Matthew 28:20)

Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

A. God never gives us anything to hoard, but to give away.

(Money, joy, etc.)

(Acts 20:35)

Acts 20:35 (NLT)

35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

(Matthew 10:8)

Matthew 10:8 (NLT)

8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

1. There is nothing that he gives, that if we hoard it, that will bring us happiness.

2. Hoarding his gifts will bring misery. He intends for us to give them freely.

B. He gives the truth, so we can share it! (Matthew 28:19–20)

Matthew 28:19–20 (NLT)

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

1. We are to share the truth with others. (2 Timothy 2:2)

2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)

2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

2. We are gods, ambassadors, whose sole purpose is to relay his message to others. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)

20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Conclusion:

We must be honest in evaluating our response to gods communication. Considering what God has told us over the years, are we deliberately applying these truths on a daily basis? When we comprehend the truth, or we conforming ourselves to the image of Christ? Or within communicating his truth to others?