The Believers Source for Living Life in the Spirit

Introduction:

I- A Heavenly Gift- The Indwelling Presence of God ().

John 16:5–7 NLT

5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.

A- Jesus warned his disciples of his impending departure.

1- On multiple occasions, Jesus warned about his impending death and resurrection.

2- Jesus also warned his disciples that he was going to return to the heavenly father.

B- Jesus promised his disciples to send his permanent presence.

1- Jesus gave his own promise that he would send the Holy Spirit as his permanent presence with believers.

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John 16:7 NLT

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.

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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.

II- A Powerful Attorney – Adding Power to the Witness of the Believer ().

John 16:8–11 NLT

8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

A- Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as an attorney (vs. 7).

1- “Advocate”= παράκλητος = lit., “called to one’s side,” i.e., to one’s aid, is primarily a verbal adjective, and suggests the capability or adaptability for giving aid. It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleads another’s cause, an intercessor, advocate.

παράκλητος

2- “ he will convict the world” convict = ἐλέγχω= “to convict, confute, refute,” usually with the suggestion of putting the convicted person to shame, “convicted” of his sinful state.

ἐλέγχω

lit., “called to one’s side,” i.e., to one’s aid, is primarily a verbal adjective, and suggests the capability or adaptability for giving aid. It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleads another’s cause, an intercessor, advocateB- Jesus defined the Holy Spirit’s role as a powerful attorney who would add convincing power to the believers witness.

B- Jesus defined the Holy Spirit’s role as a powerful attorney who would add convincing power to the believers witness.

B- Jesus defined the Holy Spirit’s role as a powerful attorney who would add convincing power to the believers witness.

“convicted” of, his sinful state

“to convict, confute, refute,” usually with the suggestion of putting the convicted person to shame

B- Jesus defined the Holy Spirit’s role as a powerful attorney who would add convincing power to the believers witness (vs.8).

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Acts 1:8 NLT

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

1- He convinces unbelievers that their unbelief is sin. (vs. 8a, 9).

“ἐλθὼν ἐκεῖνος ἐλέγξει τὸν κόσμον περὶ ἁμαρτίας”= he will convict (convince) the world of sin.

ἐλθὼν ἐκεῖνος ἐλέγξει τὸν κόσμον περὶ ἁμαρτίας

2- He convinces unbelievers that Jesus has provided the way to righteousness through his death and resurrection. (vs. 8b, 10).

“ἐλθὼν ἐκεῖνος ἐλέγξει τὸν κόσμον ... καὶ περὶ δικαιοσύνης...”= he will convince the world of righteousness (whatever is right or just in itself, whatever conforms to the revealed will of God.)

καὶ περὶ δικαιοσύνης

whatever is right or just in itself, whatever conforms to the revealed will of God, , , ; , ;

3- He convinces unbelievers that judgment awaits them if they continue in unbelief. (vs. 8c, 11)

“ἐλθὼν ἐκεῖνος ἐλέγξει τὸν κόσμον... καὶ περὶ κρίσεως.”= he convicts the world of judgement. (κρίσις= “the process of investigation, the act of distinguishing and separating”; hence “a judging, a passing of judgment upon a person or thing.”

κρίσις

denotes “the process of investigation, the act of distinguishing and separating” (as distinct from krima, see No. 1 above); hence “a judging, a passing of judgment upon a person or thing

καὶ περὶ κρίσεως.

III- A Perfect Guide – Enabling the Believers Journey ().

John 16:12–15 NLT

12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 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. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’

A- Jesus describes the Holy Spirit’s nature as truth (vs. 13a).

1- The descriptive title given to the Holy Spirit by Jesus (τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας) provides assurance that the believer will never be misled.

a- The phrase “Spirit of Truth” expresses far more than mere ethical truthfulness, but refers to truth in all of its fullness and scope. Truth is embodied in him. Truth is a perfect expression of his very nature.

τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας provides assurance that the believer will never be misled.

b- In combining the descriptive concepts of God, He sees all, knows all, has perfect understanding of the past, present, and future, and has perfect wisdom as to the correct course of action for all 3 time periods.

c- Given that he is the embodiment of truth and absolute perfect wisdom, it is impossible for him to mislead us. He is absolutely trustworthy.

2- Since the Holy Spirit is absolutely trustworthy and cannot mislead us, wisdom dictates that we follow his guidance.

B- Jesus describes the Holy Spirit’s task is to be a truthful guide for the believers journey.

1- The Holy Spirit provides guidance for the believer to find truth in every area of life and reality (vs. 13b).

a- “ὁδηγήσει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν ἀλήθειαν πᾶσαν”

ὁδηγήσει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν ἀλήθειαν πᾶσαν

(1) πᾶσαν (πα̂ς) radically means “all.” Used without the article it means “every,” every kind or variety.

(2) ὁδηγήσει (ὁδηγέω)= “to lead the way”, to guide or motivate actions.

(πα̂ς) radically means “all.” Used without the article it means “every,” every kind or variety.

b- “καὶ τὰ ἐρχόμενα ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν”= (lit.) He will tell you to come or to go (in the future).

(ὁδηγέω, 3594), “to lead the way”

καὶ τὰ ἐρχόμενα ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν

(1) ἐρχόμενα (ἔρχομαι, 2064), the most frequent verb, denoting either “to come, or to go,”

(ἔρχομαι, 2064), the most frequent verb, denoting either “to come, or to go,”

2- The Holy Spirit speaks in perfect unity with God the father and the Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 13c).

a-

3- The Holy Spirit’s purpose is to point people to the Lord Jesus Christ, not himself (vs. 14-15).

Conclusion: