You Can't do it Alone

Lent is flying by. We have completed 28 days of the 40 day season of Lent today. Now that may appear confusing, especially if you look at a calendar. The calendar would say we are 33 days into Lent, and if you counted the days from Ash Wednesday to Easter, you would count 46 days. However, Lent is the 40 day season of fasting. If you remember the ten commandments, we are supposed to rest on the seventh day, which would be Saturday. The Jews worship on Saturday. The Lord Jesus rose from the dead early on the first day of the week. As a result, the early church decided to gather for worship on Sundays. They also decided that Sundays are a day of celebration and rejoicing, and they are not to be days of fasting or mourning. Lent was then to be 40 days of fasting not including Sundays. It was necessary for Lent to be 46 calendar days long, to have 40 days of fasting.

Here is a brief recap of where we have traveled on our 40-day journey. Now, it is not too late, to come along. Maybe, you have not been able to join us in the beginning, and that is ok, don't tune out. Easter is still two weeks away, follow along, find something interesting as it comes by, and grab on as we head toward Easter.

We began on Ash Wednesday. We tried to rid our lives of things that perhaps get in our way to come to Jesus. It could be anything, we searched our hearts, found things that interrupted our connection to Jesus, and are trying to rid our lives of them. We celebrated, on Mn Adult and Teen Challenge Sunday, when we heard testimonies of how these men were in the process of ridding their lives of drugs and alcohol and having Jesus transform their lives.

Here is a brief recap of where we have traveled on our 40-day journey. Now, it is not too late, to come along. Maybe, you have not been able to join us in the beginning, and that is ok, don't tune out. Easter is still two weeks away, follow along, find something interesting as it comes by, and grab on as we head toward Easter.

Next, we didn't look at the raising of Lazarus, but rather we looked at how Jesus is life. We saw how he is more important than all the blessings he gives us, and how we should focus on Him alone. Randy then illuminated a passage for us that demonstrated what it is like to love Jesus, to love Jesus so much that you treasure secondary.

We began on Ash Wednesday. We tried to rid our lives of things that perhaps get in our way to come to Jesus. It could be anything, we searched our hearts, found things that interrupted our connection to Jesus, and are trying to rid our lives of them. We celebrated, on Mn Adult and Teen Challenge Sunday, when we heard testimonies of how these men were in the process of ridding their lives of drugs and alcohol and having Jesus transform their lives.

Next, we didn't look at the raising of Lazarus, but rather we looked at how Jesus is life. We saw how he is more important than all the blessings he gives us, and how we should focus on Him alone. Randy then illuminated a passage for us that demonstrated what it is like to love Jesus, to love Jesus so much that you treasure secondary.

And last week we studied the vine and the branches and studied what it means to abide in Jesus and produce fruit. We learned that worship, reading God's word and prayer help us to abide in Jesus.

So, even if you haven't kept up, here is your chance to jump on. I will list the items here very simply.

Next, we didn't look at the raising of Lazarus, but rather we looked at how Jesus is life. We saw how he is more important than all the blessings he gives us, and how we should focus on Him alone. Randy then illuminated a passage for us that demonstrated what it is like to love Jesus, to love Jesus so much that you treasure secondary.

We began on Ash Wednesday. We tried to rid our lives of things that perhaps get in our way to come to Jesus. It could be anything, we searched our hearts, found things that interrupted our connection to Jesus, and are trying to rid our lives of them. We celebrated, on Mn Adult and Teen Challenge Sunday, when we heard testimonies of how these men were in the process of ridding their lives of drugs and alcohol and having Jesus transform their lives.

1. Rid your Life of that which is not Jesus

So, even if you haven't kept up, here is your chance to jump on. I will list the items here very simply.

And last week we studied the vine and the branches and studied what it means to abide in Jesus and produce fruit. We learned that worship, reading God's word and prayer help us to abide in Jesus.

2.Realize Jesus Jesus is most important.

1. Rid your Life of that which is not Jesus

3. Respond to Jesus with Love

Next, we didn't look at the raising of Lazarus, but rather we looked at how Jesus is life. We saw how he is more important than all the blessings he gives us, and how we should focus on Him alone. Randy then illuminated a passage for us that demonstrated what it is like to love Jesus, to love Jesus so much that you treasure secondary.

So, even if you haven't kept up, here is your chance to jump on. I will list the items here very simply.

2.Realize Jesus Jesus is most important.

4. Reside (Abide) in Jesus

3. Respond to Jesus with Love

So those are the tools, and they are all laid out on the floor in front of you, you just need to put the pieces together. And that reminds of a story. I have seen it happen in the workplace and I have seen it happen at home. Dads and mom do it with kids.

1. Rid your Life of that which is not Jesus

And last week we studied the vine and the branches and studied what it means to abide in Jesus and produce fruit. We learned that worship, reading God's word and prayer help us to abide in Jesus.

Mom steps in the kid's room, and she is exasperated and exclaims, "This room is a mess!" "Clean it up at once!" "I'll be back in one hour, and I expect to see all these toys put away!"

4. Reside (Abide) in Jesus

What happens? Well maybe not in your house, but when I was a kid here is what would happen. I would hang my head in shame. I would begin to put a few toys away, and them I would look at the mess and be overwhelmed. I wouldn't know where to start or how to organize it. I would see a toy I hadn't played with in a while, and get completely sidetracked. Pretty soon an hour would go by, and my mom would come back into the room, and I hadn't done a thing. Once again, I would hang my head in shame and vow to do better. My poor mother, bless her heart. She was trying to manage the household, teach me to be responsible, and I just couldn't get it done. It is not that I didn't want to. It was just too much, too overwhelming, too distracting. I couldn't do it on my own.

2.Realize Jesus Jesus is most important.

So those are the tools, and they are all laid out on the floor in front of you, you just need to put the pieces together. And that reminds of a story. I have seen it happen in the workplace and I have seen it happen at home. Dads and mom do it with kids.

As grown-ups, we do it all the time,

So, even if you haven't kept up, here is your chance to jump on. I will list the items here very simply.

Mom steps in the kid's room, and she is exasperated and exclaims, "This room is a mess!" "Clean it up at once!" "I'll be back in one hour, and I expect to see all these toys put away!"

3. Respond to Jesus with Love

At some of my past jobs, for instance, a busy supervisor would assign what he views as a simple task to the new guy. The supervisor thinks to himself; this is so basic that even this new guy can do it. He maybe even adds the phrase, "Don't mess this up!"

What happens? Well maybe not in your house, but when I was a kid here is what would happen. I would hang my head in shame. I would begin to put a few toys away, and them I would look at the mess and be overwhelmed. I wouldn't know where to start or how to organize it. I would see a toy I hadn't played with in a while, and get completely sidetracked. Pretty soon an hour would go by, and my mom would come back into the room, and I hadn't done a thing. Once again, I would hang my head in shame and vow to do better. My poor mother, bless her heart. She was trying to manage the household, teach me to be responsible, and I just couldn't get it done. It is not that I didn't want to. It was just too much, too overwhelming, too distracting. I couldn't do it on my own.

He returns some time later, and not only is the job not done but what was done, was all wrong. Had he walked the new guy through through it, step by step, the results would have been different. It wasn't that he wasn't willing to do it, maybe he even had the tools, it was just that he couldn;t do it on his own.

4. Reside (Abide) in Jesus

This type of situation is so prevalent in our lives that it infiltrates our churches. We give people a lot of puzzle pieces, but we do not stand by and help them put it together. Sometimes this thinking is even in our minds, and we think we have to do it all alone, and we don't ask for help. We are perhaps in fear of the busy supervisor who will snap at us and say what couldn't you figure out?

As grown-ups, we do it all the time,

1. Rid your Life of that which is not Jesus

Let me return to our list for Lent. Let's have that back on the screen for a minute. Imagine that all the tools are laid out in front of you, or a big mess or a puzzle, and perhaps you are looking at it overwhelmed, and you are saying to yourself, How am I going to do this.

So those are the tools, and they are all laid out on the floor in front of you, you just need to put the pieces together. And that reminds of a story. I have seen it happen in the workplace and I have seen it happen at home. Dads and mom do it with kids.

At some of my past jobs, for instance, a busy supervisor would assign what he views as a simple task to the new guy. The supervisor thinks to himself; this is so basic that even this new guy can do it. He maybe even adds the phrase, "Don't mess this up!"

1. Rid your Life of that which is not Jesus

He returns some time later, and not only is the job not done but what was done, was all wrong. Had he walked the new guy through through it, step by step, the results would have been different. It wasn't that he wasn't willing to do it, maybe he even had the tools, it was just that he couldn;t do it on his own.

Mom steps in the kid's room, and she is exasperated and exclaims, "This room is a mess!" "Clean it up at once!" "I'll be back in one hour, and I expect to see all these toys put away!"

2.Realize Jesus Jesus is most important.

2. Realize Jesus is most important.

This type of situation is so prevalent in our lives that it infiltrates our churches. We give people a lot of puzzle pieces, but we do not stand by and help them put it together. Sometimes this thinking is even in our minds, and we think we have to do it all alone, and we don't ask for help. We are perhaps in fear of the busy supervisor who will snap at us and say what couldn't you figure out?

3. Respond to Jesus with Love

What happens? Well maybe not in your house, but when I was a kid here is what would happen. I would hang my head in shame. I would begin to put a few toys away, and them I would look at the mess and be overwhelmed. I wouldn't know where to start or how to organize it. I would see a toy I hadn't played with in a while, and get completely sidetracked. Pretty soon an hour would go by, and my mom would come back into the room, and I hadn't done a thing. Once again, I would hang my head in shame and vow to do better. My poor mother, bless her heart. She was trying to manage the household, teach me to be responsible, and I just couldn't get it done. It is not that I didn't want to. It was just too much, too overwhelming, too distracting. I couldn't do it on my own.

4. Reside (Abide) in Jesus

Let me return to our list for Lent. Let's have that back on the screen for a minute. Imagine that all the tools are laid out in front of you, or a big mess or a puzzle, and perhaps you are looking at it overwhelmed, and you are saying to yourself, How am I going to do this.

3. Respond to Jesus with Love

How am I going to eliminate that which keeps me from Jesus, I love it that is why it keeps me from Jesus? How am I going to accept that Jesus is the most important thing necessary? How am I going to Love Jesus, and abide in Him, when I can't even see Him?

1. Rid your Life of that which is not Jesus

As grown-ups, we do it all the time,

I have good news for you today. You do not have to do it alone.

2. Realize Jesus is most important.

God does not leave us a list of things to do and then expect us to complete them before we die. He does not leave us alone. It says so right here. Let's open our Bibles to John chapter 16, starting with verse 5.

At some of my past jobs, for instance, a busy supervisor would assign what he views as a simple task to the new guy. The supervisor thinks to himself; this is so basic that even this new guy can do it. He maybe even adds the phrase, "Don't mess this up!"

4. Reside (Abide) in Jesus

John 16:5–6 NIV

but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.

3. Respond to Jesus with Love

He returns some time later, and not only is the job not done but what was done, was all wrong. Had he walked the new guy through through it, step by step, the results would have been different. It wasn't that he wasn't willing to do it, maybe he even had the tools, it was just that he couldn;t do it on his own.

The disciples and Jesus are eating their last meal together before Jesus heads to the cross. Jesus has told them several times that he is going to be arrested, beaten, and crucified. The disciples are grief stricken, and why shouldn't they be? They are going to lose their best friend; they are going to lose their teacher, they are going to lose their Messiah. They can see the writing on the wall. They aren't stupid. It might very well be occurring to them that they are soon going to be left alone with the overwhelming task of carrying on the mission. The insurmountable task of bringing the kingdom of God to a world governed by cruel, heartless enemies of God. Bringing the kingdom of God to a world of self-centered, people trapped in their desires and sin and unbelief.

4. Reside (Abide) in Jesus

Perhaps, Jesus saw it on their faces as it dawned on them what was ahead of them. That sick feeling of impending defeat, and fear as they stared back at Him. We can't do it they thought, not without you. We can't do this alone. So Jesus comforts them with these shocking words.

So those are the tools, and they are all laid out on the floor in front of you, you just need to put the pieces together. And that reminds of a story. I have seen it happen in the workplace and I have seen it happen at home. Dads and mom do it with kids.

How am I going to eliminate that which keeps me from Jesus, I love it that is why it keeps me from Jesus? How am I going to accept that Jesus is the most important thing necessary? How am I going to Love Jesus, and abide in Him, when I can't even see Him?

This type of situation is so prevalent in our lives that it infiltrates our churches. We give people a lot of puzzle pieces, but we do not stand by and help them put it together. Sometimes this thinking is even in our minds, and we think we have to do it all alone, and we don't ask for help.

John 16:6 NIV

Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.

John 16:7 NIV

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

I have good news for you today. You do not have to do it alone.

But it is for your good that I am going away! Is is for our good? Come on Jesus. You have been giving us some difficult things to swallow, but this one? What could be better than having Jesus leading the kingdom of God advancement in the world? Jesus says unless I go away the Counselor will not come to you. The Counselor, the Advocate, the Helper, the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. Jesus says he needs to go so that the Holy Spirit can come to us. And this he says is better. Jesus is saying that having the Holy Spirit is better than us having Jesus right here leading us.

Let me return to our list for Lent. Let's have that back on the screen for a minute. Imagine that all the tools are laid out in front of you, or a big mess or a puzzle, and perhaps you are looking at it overwhelmed, and you are saying to yourself, How am I going to do this.

God does not leave us a list of things to do and then expect us to complete them before we die. He does not leave us alone. It says so right here. Let's open our Bibles to John chapter 16, starting with verse 5.

Mom steps in the kid's room, and she is exasperated and exclaims, "This room is a mess!" "Clean it up at once!" "I'll be back in one hour, and I expect to see all these toys put away!"

Jesus is telling the disciples, and us, that something big is going to happen. On this side of the cross, they only have Jesus, but on the other side of the cross, they will get the Holy Spirit. It is the same for us. If you have not yet gone through the cross, you don't have the Holy Spirit. It is better for you if you go to the cross, and come out the other side. Then you will have the Holy Spirit.

1. Rid your Life of that which is not Jesus

The Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity. Our Advocate, our Helper, our Counselor, will be right there with us helping us put the pieces together. He will be helping us to live this Christian life. He will be alongside us helping us advance the gospel, and perfect Christ's church. But first we need to go through the cross, and it is the work of the Holy Spirit that helps us do that.

John 16:8 NIV

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:

John 16:8–11 NIV

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

The disciples and Jesus are eating their last meal together before Jesus heads to the cross. Jesus has told them several times that he is going to be arrested, beaten, and crucified. The disciples are grief stricken, and why shouldn't they be? They are going to lose their best friend; they are going to lose their teacher, they are going to lose their Messiah. They can see the writing on the wall. They aren't stupid. It might very well be occurring to them that they are soon going to be left alone with the overwhelming task of carrying on the mission. The insurmountable task of bringing the kingdom of God to a world governed by cruel, heartless enemies of God. Bringing the kingdom of God to a world of self-centered, people trapped in their desires and sin and unbelief.

What happens? Well maybe not in your house, but when I was a kid here is what would happen. I would hang my head in shame. I would begin to put a few toys away, and them I would look at the mess and be overwhelmed. I wouldn't know where to start or how to organize it. I would see a toy I hadn't played with in a while, and get completely sidetracked. Pretty soon an hour would go by, and my mom would come back into the room, and I hadn't done a thing. Once again, I would hang my head in shame and vow to do better. My poor mother, bless her heart. She was trying to manage the household, teach me to be responsible, and I just couldn't get it done. It is not that I didn't want to. It was just too much, too overwhelming, too distracting. I couldn't do it on my own.

2. Realize Jesus is most important.

Here we see some of the tasks of the Holy Spirit. Jesus lists three things the Holy Spirit does. These aren't the only things the Holy Spirit does, but just three of many. Also, these are some of the few things that we see the Holy Spirit do in the world. Biblically, when we hear the term, the world, it usually refers to the people that are not believers in Jesus Christ. The world is made up of people that have not come to the cross.

Here we see some of the tasks of the Holy Spirit. Jesus lists three things the Holy Spirit does. These aren't the only things the Holy Spirit does, but just three of many. Also, these are some of the few things that we see the Holy Spirit do in the world. In the world is different than in the lives of Christians. Biblically, when we hear the term, the world, it usually refers to the people that are not believers in Jesus Christ. The world is made up of people that have not come to the cross.

Perhaps, Jesus saw it on their faces as it dawned on them what was ahead of them. That sick feeling of impending defeat, and fear as they stared back at Him. We can't do it they thought, not without you. We can't do this alone. So Jesus comforts them with these shocking words.

Jesus says the Holy Spirit, when he comes will come to the world, to convict the world of guilt regarding

3. Respond to Jesus with Love

1. sin (9)

As grown-ups, we do it all the time,

But it is for your good that I am going away! Is is for our good? Come on Jesus. You have been giving us some difficult things to swallow, but this one? What could be better than having Jesus leading the kingdom of God advancement in the world? Jesus says unless I go away the Counselor will not come to you. The Counselor, the Advocate, the Helper, the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. Jesus says he needs to go so that the Holy Spirit can come to us. And this he says is better. Jesus is saying that having the Holy Spirit is better than us having Jesus right here leading us.

2. righteousness (10)

4. Reside (Abide) in Jesus

3. judgment (11)

Jesus is telling the disciples, and us, that something big is going to happen. On this side of the cross, they only have Jesus, but on the other side of the cross, they will get the Holy Spirit. It is the same for us. If you have not yet gone through the cross, you don't have the Holy Spirit. It is better for you if you go to the cross, and come out the other side. Then you will have the Holy Spirit.

How am I going to eliminate that which keeps me from Jesus, I love it that is why it keeps me from Jesus? How am I going to accept that Jesus is the most important thing necessary? How am I going to Love Jesus, and abide in Him, when I can't even see Him?

At some of my past jobs, for instance, a busy supervisor would assign what he views as a simple task to the new guy. The supervisor thinks to himself; this is so basic that even this new guy can do it. He maybe even adds the phrase, "Don't mess this up!"

John 16:9 NIV

about sin, because people do not believe in me;

The Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity. Our Advocate, our Helper, our Counselor, will be right there with us helping us put the pieces together. He will be helping us to live this Christian life. He will be alongside us helping us advance the gospel, and perfect Christ's church. But first we need to go through the cross, and it is the work of the Holy Spirit that helps us do that.

1. It is the action of the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sin. People know right and wrong. captures this idea.

I have good news for you today. You do not have to do it alone.

Romans 2:14–15 NIV

(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)

He returns some time later, and not only is the job not done but what was done, is all wrong. Had he walked the new guy through through it, step by step, the results would have been different. It wasn't that he wasn't willing to do it, maybe he even had the tools, it was just that he couldn;t do it on his own.

Here we see some of the tasks of the Holy Spirit. Jesus lists three things the Holy Spirit does. These aren't the only things the Holy Spirit does, but just three of many. Also, these are some of the few things that we see the Holy Spirit do in the world. Biblically, when we hear the term, the world, it usually refers to the people that are not believers in Jesus Christ. The world is made up of people that have not come to the cross.

We know what is right, we know what is wrong. God writes it on our hearts, and on our consciences. The Holy Spirit brings this guilt upon us. For instance, although we don't always do it, we know in our hearts that at least on some basic level, we are supposed to love our fellow man, and we know when we haven't done that. We know, when we look outside at the stars or the mountains, or when we see a newborn baby that somehow there must be an intelligent designer behind it. And we know, that one way or the other we haven't properly acknowledged Him, or followed Him. And what Jesus is saying, is that this conviction of guilt upon our hearts is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings this upon our hearts. And we are convicted. However, it doesn't stop with our conviction.

God does not leave us a list of things to do and then expect us to complete them before we die. He does not leave us alone. It says so right here. Let's open our Bibles to John chapter 16, starting with verse 5.

John 16:10 NIV

about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;

Jesus says the Holy Spirit, when he comes will come to the world, to convict the world of guilt regarding

John 16:5–6 NIV

but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.

2. Regarding righteousness, because Jesus went to the Father. By Jesus going to the Father, the Holy Spirit reveals to us that Jesus is fully righteous. The Holy Spirit shows us who Jesus is. He reveals to us that Jesus is not just a good teacher, not just a man, but the Holy Spirit reveals to us that Jesus is fully God and fully Man, that He is without sin, that He is righteous. That is the work of the Holy Spirit.

This type of situation is so prevalent in our lives that it infiltrates our churches. We give people a lot of puzzle pieces, but we do not stand by and help them put it together. Sometimes this thinking is even in our minds, and we think we have to do it all alone, and we don't ask for help. We are perhaps in fear of the busy supervisor who will snap at us and say what couldn't you figure out?

1. sin (9)

John 16:11 NIV

and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

2. righteousness (10)

The disciples and Jesus are eating their last meal together before Jesus heads to the cross. Jesus has told them several times that he is going to be arrested, beaten, and crucified. The disciples are grief stricken, and why shouldn't they be? They are going to lose their best friend; they are going to lose their teacher, they are going to lose their Messiah. They can see the writing on the wall. They aren't stupid. It might very well be occurring to them that they are soon going to be left alone with the overwhelming task of carrying on the mission. The insurmountable task of bringing the kingdom of God to a world governed by cruel, heartless enemies of God. Bringing the kingdom of God to a world of self-centered, people trapped in their desires and sin and unbelief.

3. If you did not already have a sense of it, this passage is using courtroom words. And if you haven't caught it yet, Jesus is speaking about the Holy Spirit's work as if it is taking place in a courtroom, at a trial. In verse 9, Jesus used the word prove, or convict in some translations, concerning our guilt, and hear Jesus uses the words judgment and condemned. He says that the prince of this world stands condemned. The prince of this world is Satan.

3. judgment (11)

In the garden, God said, that if you eat the fruit of the tree, you will die. After Adam and Eve had sinned, God could have instantly killed them. Instead, he had mercy on them and allowed them to live for a while. But not in the garden. They were cast out into the world. Since they decided to follow Satan they were out in the world where Satan ruled. They were captive to Satan. The entire human race was then born into the world and under Satan's captivity.The Bible says that the wages of sin is death.

Let me return to our list for Lent. Let's have that back on the screen for a minute. Imagine that all the tools are laid out in front of you, or a big mess or a puzzle, and perhaps you are looking at it overwhelmed, and you are saying to yourself, How am I going to do this.

Perhaps, Jesus saw it on their faces as it dawned on them what was ahead of them. That sick feeling of impending defeat, and fear as they stared back at Him. We can't do it they thought, not without you. We can't do this alone. So Jesus comforts them with these shocking words.

Then Jesus came. He lived a life without sin. So when he went to the cross, he had no sins to pay for on his own, he did not earn the wages of death. So when the righteous one, Jesus died, he can free those that have sinned. And with Jesus's death, the Holy Spirit condemn Satan and set Satan's captives free.

Let me explain 9, 10 and 11, all at once and in other words so that we can see the work of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:6 NIV

Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.

1. It is the action of the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sin. People know right and wrong. captures this idea.

1. Rid your Life of that which is not Jesus

The entire world is made up of sinners. Written on everyone's heart is the sense of right and wrong. The Holy Spirit brings the guilt upon us. We then see that we have somehow done wrong in the eyes of God. The Holy Spirit brings people to an understanding that Jesus is righteous. He is fully God, and fully man. He is without sin, and He has died on the cross for our sins. The Holy Spirit brings us to this point. He has brought us to the cross. Then we have our part. Our part is to go through the cross. Our part is to place our faith, to place our trust, to turn over our life to Jesus, to accept that he died for our sins. When we do that when we go through the cross, we are born of the Spirit, because we are no longer captive to Satan. We are set free. Satan is not our prince any longer. Instead, he is condemned, and our new King is Jesus.

But it is for your good that I am going away! Is is for our good? Come on Jesus. You have been giving us some difficult things to swallow, but this one? What could be better than having Jesus leading the kingdom of God advancement in the world? Jesus says unless I go away the Counselor will not come to you. The Counselor, the Advocate, the Helper, the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. Jesus says he needs to go so that the Holy Spirit can come to us. And this he says is better. Jesus is saying that having the Holy Spirit is better than us having Jesus right here leading us.

With can we take from that go from here into the world outside of these walls. There are several but today let's just take one point as it relates to our culture and try and take it with us.

We know what is right, we know what is wrong. God writes it on our hearts, and on our consciences. The Holy Spirit brings this guilt upon us. For instance, although we don't always do it, we know in our hearts that at least on some basic level, we are supposed to love our fellow man, and we know when we haven't done that. We know, when we look outside at the stars or the mountains, or when we see a newborn baby that somehow there must be an intelligent designer behind it. And we know, that one way or the other we haven't properly acknowledged Him, or followed Him. And what Jesus is saying, is that this conviction of guilt upon our hearts is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings this upon our hearts. And we are convicted. However, it doesn't stop with our conviction.

This is warning or a caution. If we ignore the Holy Spirit, he will go away, and our hearts will be hardened. God has written the sense of right and wrong on our hearts. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, at first. When we ignore that conviction, when we fail to let Him bring us to Jesus, and when we fail to come to Jesus for forgiveness, eventually the Holy Spirit leaves us alone. Picture a young man or young woman trying smoking for the first time. Now please don't get me wrong, I am not picking on smokers. But if you are a smoker, yu might be able to relate to this illustration. Picture a young person trying smoking for the first time. They try it out with a few friends in a back alley, or out by the railroad tracks, hiding. At first they become racked with guilt, and they do everything they can to hide it from their parents. They spray on cologne and carefully hide the cigarettes. Eventually, as time goes by, they are not so concerned about hiding it anymore. Soon, they are smoking in the car, or at work. The feeling of guilt is less and less. Eventually, they make the switch from someone who tries smoking, to it becoming thier identity, I am a smoker.

2. Realize Jesus is most important.

Jesus is telling the disciples, and us, that something big is going to happen. On this side of the cross, they only have Jesus, but on the other side of the cross, they will get the Holy Spirit. It is the same for us. If you have not yet gone through the cross, you don't have the Holy Spirit. It is better for you if you go to the cross, and come out the other side. Then you will have the Holy Spirit.

Same is true with sin in our life, At first, instinctively, we might now that a certain sin is wrong. The Holy Spirit brings that to bear on our conscience, and we know it is wrong. But when we ignore that, when we don't bring it to the cross, or hold it up against the righteousness of Christ, the guilt feeling gets less and less. Soon our heart becomes hard, and sin becomes part of us. In society, we see it all time. One hundred years ago society viewed certain levels or behavior or immorality as shameful. Common sense, our conscience just told us some things were wrong, they were not part of God's plan. Eventually, people started ignoring that conviction, and the behavior became more ingrained in society. Eventually, it moved to being part of our identity. Brothers and sisters, God has given us a conscience, the Holy Spirit convicts us of right and wrong, do not be confused about what is going on the world, rather listen to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and bring your sin to the cross of Christ.

Sins require justification. As the Holy Spirit convicts, we either come to Christ and His cross, or we try and reason our way out of it. When the Holy Spirit convicts us, it is almost as if we are standing in a courtroom and we try and come up with an excuse to reason our way out of it. An excuse like, "well now-a-days everyone is doing it", or "he can't help it, life was unfair", or "that is just who he is". If we have an excuse for an action, it is a warning.

The Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity. Our Advocate, our Helper, our Counselor, will be right there with us helping us put the pieces together. He will be helping us to live this Christian life. He will be alongside us helping us advance the gospel, and perfect Christ's church. But first we need to go through the cross, and it is the work of the Holy Spirit that helps us do that.

2. Regarding righteousness, because Jesus went to the Father. By Jesus going to the Father, the Holy Spirit reveals to us that Jesus is fully righteous. The Holy Spirit shows us who Jesus is. He reveals to us that Jesus is not just a good teacher, not just a man, but the Holy Spirit reveals to us that Jesus is fully God and fully Man, that He is without sin, that He is righteous. That is the work of the Holy Spirit.

We only use excuses, to try and justify a wrong action. We only do it to avoid conviction. It is our side of the argument in the courtroom

3. Respond to Jesus with Love

John 16:8–11 NIV

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

When we are not convicted, when something is right it does not need an excuse. We do not need an excuse to justify a right action. Right actions don't bring us into the courtroom.

3. If you did not already have a sense of it, this passage is using courtroom words. And if you haven't caught it yet, Jesus is speaking about the Holy Spirit's work as if it is taking place in a courtroom, at a trial. In verse 9, Jesus used the word prove, or convict in some translations, concerning our guilt, and hear Jesus uses the words judgment and condemned. He says that the prince of this world stands condemned. The prince of this world is Satan.

The Holy Spirit convicts each of us individually. It is His job. It is the action of the Holy Spirit, that convicts the world of guilt. As Christians we are not the ones who convict the world, the Holy Spirit does that. We are to preach the gospel; we are to preach Christ crucified, we are to preach the word of God. The Holy Spirit convicts. Sometimes Christians get that confused.

Here we see some of the tasks of the Holy Spirit. Jesus lists three things the Holy Spirit does. These aren't the only things the Holy Spirit does, but just three of many. Also, these are some of the few things that we see the Holy Spirit do in the world. Biblically, when we hear the term, the world, it usually refers to the people that are not believers in Jesus Christ. The world is made up of people that have not come to the cross.

4. Reside (Abide) in Jesus

The sins of the world are many. Your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow church members, all have different varieties of sins, but there is only one answer. The answer for all is Jesus Christ. Unless we are drawn by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, not the convicting power of us, unless we see our sin, unless we see who we are in light of the Righteousness of Jesus Christ we will never be free from the prince of this world.

In the garden, God said, that if you eat the fruit of the tree, you will die. After Adam and Eve had sinned, God could have instantly killed them. Instead, he had mercy on them and allowed them to live for a while. But not in the garden. They were cast out into the world. Since they decided to follow Satan they were out in the world where Satan ruled. They were captive to Satan. The entire human race was then born into the world and under Satan's captivity.The Bible says that the wages of sin is death.

Someone telling us to stop sinning will not do a bit of good. Only the Holy Spirit can bring us to the cross. Only the Holy Spirit can show us the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and only the Holy Spirit can free us from the bondage of Satan.

Then Jesus came. He lived a life without sin. So when he went to the cross, he had no sins to pay for on his own, he did not earn the wages of death. So when the righteous one, Jesus died, he can free those that have sinned. And with Jesus's death, the Holy Spirit condemn Satan and set Satan's captives free.

Jesus says the Holy Spirit, when he comes will come to the world, to convict the world of guilt regarding

In Jesus Name and for His sake.

Let me explain 9, 10 and 11, all at once and in other words so that we can see the work of the Holy Spirit.

How am I going to eliminate that which keeps me from Jesus, I love it that is why it keeps me from Jesus? How am I going to accept that Jesus is the most important thing necessary? How am I going to Love Jesus, and abide in Him, when I can't even see Him?

1. sin (9)

The entire world is made up of sinners. Written on everyone's heart is the sense of right and wrong. The Holy Spirit brings the guilt upon us. We then see that we have somehow done wrong in the eyes of God. The Holy Spirit brings people to an understanding that Jesus is righteous. He is fully God, and fully man. He is without sin, and He has died on the cross for our sins. The Holy Spirit brings us to this point. He has brought us to the cross. Then we have our part. Our part is to go through the cross. Our part is to place our faith, to place our trust, to turn over our life to Jesus, to accept that he died for our sins. When we do that when we go through the cross, we are born of the Spirit, because we are no longer captive to Satan. We are set free. Satan is not our prince any longer. Instead, he is condemned, and our new King is Jesus,

2. righteousness (10)

I have good news for you today. You do not have to do it alone.

3. judgement (11)

God does not leave us a list of things to do and then expect us to complete them before we die. He does not leave us alone. It says so right here. Let's open our Bibles to John chapter 16, starting with verse 5.

John 16:5–6 NIV

but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.

You Can't do it Alone

You can’t do it Alone