Much Needed Guidence

Much Needed Guidance

Intro: People struggle to understand themselves. Often times, we as individuals think that the ideas and the philosophies that we have, are always right. The reality of it is, we don’t know as much as we think we know. I would like to suggest to you that what we find in John 16 is the answer to our misguided intellect.

Jesus begins this passage with a warning. He reminds his disciples that there are people who do not have their best interest at heart.

Up until this point the disciples had no idea about the Holy Spirit. All they had known was what they had seen with their own eyes, and the power that Jesus demonstrated with not only his words but his touch also.

What would the Holy Spirit do?

How would he change their life?

These must have been questions that crossed their mind when Jesus introduced the concept of the Holy Ghost.

Travel with me today through the Scripture and let us examine the necessity of the Holy Ghost and his purpose for the believer, then and today.

Trouble Is Inevitable

John 16:1–4 NKJV

1 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. “And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

Fortify yourself against the attack of the enemy.

v.1 Jesus reminded the disciples that there is a chance they could stumble if they don’t prepare for the attacks that could be coming. He said “these things I have spoken to you,” meaning that he has already had a conversation about the attacks of the devil.

v.2 Jesus spoke of the misguided religiosity of people who will persecute true believers thinking they are doing God a favor.

Example: We see it every day in politics. Leftist politicians acting as God in matters of faith.

v.3 Many will act in the name of God but never have known him. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13

Matthew 7:13 NKJV

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

d. v.4 Jesus reminded the disciples that he is already told them this was coming.

They acted just like we do. When everything is good ( Jesus was with them) they/we tend to overlook the real possibility that danger is just over the horizon.

I would suggest to you that the word of God warns us over and over there’s a real enemy and he is seeking after you.

The Cover Of Glossy Eyes

John 16:5–7 NKJV

5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

It’s common that when dramatic changes take place in a person’s life they form a glossy eye mentality. Simply meaning; the circumstances overwhelm us to the point it blinds us from seeing the bigger picture.

v.5 The disciples world was about to be rocked again.

Like most Christians they don’t understand or ask, “how does this bring you glory God,” instead the shock value of a trial or attacked draws the question, how does this affect me first.

v.6 The redirection of our emotions has to be something we surrender to God and ask him to help with.

God, I need you to change my initial focus from me to You

v.7 God’s plan is greater than our understanding.

The helper, comforter, deliver, guide, and director has eternal implications for our spiritual well-being. Jesus was now informing these disciples they would not be left alone.

The Great Missionary

John 16:8–11 NKJV

8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Left up to our own devices, we exist outside of a moral compass. It’s only when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin that we understand who we are, and the shape we are in.

The Holy Spirit will convict.

The world needs a moral gauge. The Holy Spirit introduces us to the standard of holiness through conviction.

The Holy Spirit will edify.

The righteous will receive edification for righteous living from the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit will remind us.

the political system of our day that is wicked God has judged.

Execution of that judgment is pending.

His Loving Guidance

John 16:12–15 NKJV

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

v.13 Truth uncovered

The disciples were going to be led into a deeper understanding of who Jesus was. Up until this point, they experienced a surface level interaction with Christ.

Now they will experience Christ in a much deeper way. Now they can experience Christ living in them and through them by the direction of the Holy Spirit.

His mission is to exalt Christ that we may have a deeper understanding Him.

He does not demonstrate his authority, but the authority of Christ

He does not glorify himself, but glorifies Jesus

His focus is not on himself, but on Christ.

Conclusion:

Without Jesus you and I cannot find real direction. Jesus explains to his disciples that greater things are coming. Never in their lives, up until that point, had they experienced the Christ life that only comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave them a great gift that day, and he has given us that same gift.

Today as we think about these thoughts. I trust that you will ask yourself the hard questions. Are you living the Christ life by the direction of the Holy Ghost, or are you living a me centered, self-absorbed, and misguided life?