What is Unleashed

John 16:8-15 | Pastor John Hester

OPENING: THE CONTEXT

THE DISCIPLES' SITUATION (John 16 Overview)

A. Personal conversation on night of arrest

B. About to lose visible Christ

C. Would face suffering, martyrdom

D. BUT Christ gave them a promise (16:7)

John 16:7 KJV 1900

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

1. Comforter will come

2. Will send His Spirit as opposed to Him being visibly with them.

CHRIST'S PROMISE FULFILLED (In the Upper Room [he breathed on them] and later Spirits’ power demonstrated at Pentecost)

A. Spirit would come in Christ's place

B. Today's message: What the Spirit will do

Now, remember, that the underlying theme here is that we along with the Holy Spirit are to bear witness of Christ and the gospel to others around us.

THE PROBLEM: WHY WE STAY SILENT

THE STRUGGLE WE FACE

A. We wrestle with our witness for Christ

B. Christ expects us to witness (14:26 context) - John 14:26 “26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

C. Yet whenever opportunity comes, we "clam up"

D. We freeze. We become paralyzed.

THE ROOT CAUSE OF PARALYSIS

A. Fear we'll say the wrong thing

B. Fear we'll offend someone

C. UNDERLYING BELIEF: "Conversion depends on me"

D. If I don't say right things, use right arguments, push hard → they won't believe

E. Result: We do nothing

THE CRITICAL REALIZATION

A. "It is not our job to convert anyone"

B. "We are completely incapable of converting anyone"

C. This is the simple truth that changes everything

THE SOLUTION: OUR JOB VS. THE SPIRIT'S JOB

WHAT OUR JOB ACTUALLY IS

A. Simply to witness

B. Speak what we know

C. Testify to what He has done in our lives

D. How He has changed us

E. That is it. That is the assignment.

WHAT THE SPIRIT'S JOB IS

A. The deep work of opening closed, blinded conscience

B. Exposing sin

C. Convincing someone what they thought was true is actually a lie

D. The Spirit is much better at this than we could ever be

E. He is the One who opens eyes of those who are blind

OUR PROBLEM: SIGHT VS. FAITH

A. We cannot see the Spirit Himself

B. We often do not see Him working in people's hearts/minds

C. Since we cannot see it, we cannot measure it

D. Nothing to point to and say, "I did that"

E. So we don't trust it

F. In our reasoning: if we can't see it, it's not happening

G. Then we do the Spirit's job ourselves OR conclude that witnessing is useless

CHRIST KNEW THIS STRUGGLE WOULD COME

A. Christ knows all things

B. He knows how oriented we are toward what we see vs. what we cannot see

C. Disciples faced same struggle (about to lose visible Christ)

D. "Sorrow hath filled your heart"

E. They needed to release focus on seeing results

F. Learn to simply live by faith

G. What He was about to unleash: Holy and Powerful Spirit

H. Hard part: Trust the Spirit in ways they couldn't see

I. The Spirit’s Power just as great as physical miracles He performed

THE TEXT: WHAT THE SPIRIT WILL DO

THE SPIRIT'S THREE CONVICTIONS (John 16:8-11)

John 16:8–11 KJV 1900

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

A. FIRST: CONVICTION OF SIN (16:8-9)

John 16:8–9 KJV 1900

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

1. "Of sin, because they believe not on me"

2. NOT lust, theft, anger, etc.

3. The root sin: Rejecting Christ

4. How the world sees it:

a. "I am rational person"

b. "I am independent thinker"

c. "I refuse to believe in God I cannot see"

d. No guilt. No remorse. No thought.

e. Completely natural to reject God/Christ/Christianity

5. What happens when confronted with gospel:

a. Confronted not by us but by Spirit of God

b. Spirit working with God's Word

c. Immediately exposes their sin

d. Lays bare what they're unwilling to admit

e. They must accept Christ or reject Him

6. The heart of sin: Rejecting Christ

7. Root problem underlying all other sins

8. SPIRIT'S WORK: Convict of this root sin

9. WE CANNOT DO THIS:

a. Nothing we can do to make someone feel weight of rejecting Christ

b. Only the Holy Spirit can

10. OUR JOB: Live and speak Christ

11. SPIRIT'S JOB: Expose their sin

B. SECOND: CONVICTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (16:10)

John 16:10 KJV 1900

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

1. "Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more"

2. Many people know who Jesus is

a. For most, unfortunately a curse word

b. But acknowledge He lived

c. Many acknowledge He died

3. What the world sees:

a. Jesus crucified, executed, dead

b. "He lived righteous and good life"

c. "But His life was a failure"

d. "Nothing more than a good man who lost"

4. Why they think this:

a. Judge only what they can see

b. See: good man who died horrible, cruel death

c. That is all they see

5. When confronted with gospel (death, burial, resurrection):

a. Holy Spirit convicts of what they cannot see

b. Christ's vindication

Christ was more than mere man

Christ was God

Exalted by God the Father

True righteousness

g. Proven not by staying alive but by rising from dead

6. The spirit's challenge:

a. Must convict of truth contradicting visible evidence

b. No person today has resurrected themselves

c. Spirit's conviction = invisible work

d. Makes truth of what is not seen so real

e. A work you and I cannot do

7. WHAT WE CAN DO:

a. Speak what we know

b. "He arose from the dead"

c. "He is alive"

d. "He changed our lives"

e. Our testimony

8. WHAT THE SPIRIT DOES:

a. Use our testimony to reveal true righteousness of Christ

b. Behind invisible victory our eyes never saw

c. But our faith believes

C. THIRD: CONVICTION OF JUDGMENT (16:11)

John 16:11 KJV 1900

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

1. "Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged"

2. Everyone around us feels safe

a. "I'm okay"

b. "I'll make it to Heaven"

c. Even those admitting Hell think it's "one big party with all friends"

d. "I'm good and don't need religion"

3. What they don't know:

a. Enslaved to and serving Satan

b. Satan's confidence growing today

c. He feels in control

d. Believes he is winning

e. All under his control feel same way

4. When confronted with Christ:

a. They face judgment

b. Christ's word: "Prince of this world IS JUDGED"

c. PAST TENSE

d. Before going to cross, Satan already judged

e. Verdict already in

f. Satan stands condemned

g. It is written

5. WHAT THE SPIRIT DOES:

a. Uses gospel to convict

b. What feels safe = false security under already condemned master

c. Exposes spiritual tyranny as already defeated

6. WE CANNOT PRONOUNCE THE VERDICT

7. BUT WE CAN SPEAK OF IT:

a. "Jesus has already won"

b. "He defeated Satan"

c. "He conquered sin and death"

d. "He rose from dead"

e. "He demonstrated power over all our enemies"

f. "He is alive"

8. WHAT THE SPIRIT DOES:

a. Use your words

b. Convict conscience

c. Current power structure is doomed

d. Instead, Jesus Christ is their hope and future

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US

A. The Holy Spirit indwells each believer

B. He is the One Who convicts of sin, righteousness, judgment

C. It is His job, not ours

D. His work is invisible to naked eye

E. Yet it is powerful

F. Work that takes place at level of conscience

THE FOUNDATION: WHAT THE SPIRIT DOES FOR BELIEVERS

HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO TRUTH (16:12-15)

John 16:12–15 KJV 1900

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

What He (The Holy Spirit) receives from Christ, He shows to disciples

THE INTEGRATION OF OUR WORK + SPIRIT'S WORK

A. We speak and live the gospel

B. He guides

C. We sow the seed

D. He convicts

E. As all this happens, God gives the increase

THE APPLICATION: STOP TRYING TO DO THE SPIRIT'S JOB

YOU AND I ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CONVINCING OR CONVICTING ANYONE

OUR JOB IS TO SPEAK

A. Just open our mouths

B. Share our testimony

C. What He has done in our lives

WE DON'T NEED ALL THE ANSWERS

A. We need to know and share one thing

B. Jesus changed our lives

C. That is enough

D. Nothing more is needed

E. No perfect theology required

F. Just be honest as you share

1. "I believe in Jesus"

2. "Here's why He matters to me"

3. "Here's what He did in my life"

STOP FEARING YOU'LL SAY THE WRONG THINGS

A. God's promise is real

B. When we open mouths to share gospel

C. His Spirit will give us what to say in that moment

D. All He is waiting for: you open your mouth

E. He will do the rest

F. He does the convicting

THE ILLUSTRATION: THE SOWER

CHRIST'S PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Matthew 13)

A. Farmer sows seed

B. That is the only thing required of him

C. He sows it

D. It falls on thorny ground, hard ground, good ground

E. We never see farmer toiling in ground preparing for harvest

F. He just sows seed

G. Not trying to manage soil, weather, thorns and thistles

H. WHAT HAPPENS:

1. Some seed falls on hard soil—birds eat it

2. Some falls on rocky ground—withers away

3. Some choked out by thorns

4. Some falls on good ground—bears fruit

a. Thirtyfold

b. Sixtyfold

c. Hundredfold

THE SOWER'S FOCUS:

1. Not concerned with anything other than sowing seed

2. Goes around scattering here and there

3. The soil's condition—not his job

4. The sun—not his job

5. The rain—not his job

6. The harvest—not his job

THIS IS US! WE ARE THE SOWERS

A. We scatter the seed

B. The Spirit does the rest

1. He knows the soil

2. He sends the rain

3. He shines into the heart

4. He gives the harvest

C. What is our job?

1. Scatter the seed

2. Our testimony to how Christ changed our lives

3. That is our job

THE CHALLENGE: DO ONE THING THIS WEEK

TELL ONE PERSON HOW CHRIST CHANGED YOUR LIFE

A. No sermon is needed

B. No debate is required

C. Start with: "Jesus changed my life, and this is how He did it"

D. Say it, then let it go

E. No need to convince them

F. Don't watch their face for signs they are getting it

G. Just sow the seed

H. Allow the great convicting power of the Holy Spirit to do the rest

THE SECRET: HOW TO SOWER BY FAITH

THE GREAT SECRET OF A FAITHFUL SOWER

A. A faithful sower sows by faith, not by sight

B. Knows they are not responsible for the harvest

C. Does what is required of them: sow seed

THE FREEDOM THAT COMES

A. When you begin to live by faith, you experience great freedom

B. One of great things about being a believer:

1. His Spirit indwells us

2. Even though we cannot see Him

3. Often do not see Him working

4. He is there

5. This is the promise of Christ Himself

6. Trust Him

C. He, the Holy Spirit, indeed convicts

1. You know

2. You have felt it

3. You responded

4. Consequently, you know He works

5. Now, go be the witness that Christ expects you to be

THE FINAL CHARGE

OUR JOB: TO SOW

A. Do so faithfully

B. Do so repeatedly

C. Don't worry about the harvest

D. Don't fear what others may say or do

E. Just sow the seed

F. Leave the rest to God

WHEN YOU DO THIS, YOU ARE LIVING IN UNSEEN VICTORY

A. You are living by faith

B. You are trusting what can't be measured

C. You are believing in a power you cannot see

CLOSING

THE CALL TO ACTION

A. This week, be a sower

B. Not a converter

C. Not a preacher

D. Just a witness

E. Just a sower

THE CHARGE TO THE CONGREGATION

A. "Let's go scatter our testimony all around Bedford this week"

B. As we do, trust the Holy Spirit's wonderful convicting power

C. Let God work