THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

HOLY SPIRIT

Kenneth Gangel shared this story; The Los Angeles Times recently printed a sampling of signs from around the world that attempted to communicate in English. Here are just a few examples.

In a hotel elevator in Paris: “Please leave your values at the front desk.”

In a hotel in Zurich: “Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedrooms, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.”

On the door of a Moscow inn: “If this is your first visit to Russia, you are welcome to it.”

In a Soviet newspaper: “There will be a Moscow exhibition of arts by 15,000 Soviet Republic painters and sculptors. These were executed over the past two years.”

In a Bucharest hotel lobby: “The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.”

Communication can be a tricky thing, and not only when language translation is involved. We often think of communication as word exchange, but in fact, it is meaning exchange—two or more people sharing ideas and understanding what is meant, not just what is said.

In John 16 Jesus reviewed for the disciples many of the promises and challenges he had already put before them. In this chapter communication words abound—words like told, remember, warned, asks, said, speak, mean. And if that were not enough, we have communication expressions such as “now you are speaking clearly” and “without figures of speech” (v. 29).

Along with the disciples, we can learn much in these verses about what happens when Jesus speaks to us. Verse 20 seems to be the key: “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

This is the last chapter of Jesus’ teaching to the disciples in this Gospel. He had already mentioned the Holy Spirit twice, and now he explains in detail how the Holy Spirit would teach and lead the disciples, teach and lead us. In addition, he reminded us how important it was that they listen to him because when Jesus spoke, important things happened in the lives of those who heard.

Let Us Pray

John 16:1–15

“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going 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 go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Confusion Turns to Truth (16:1–16)

I. BECAUSE JESUS WARNED US —vv. 1–4

Followers of Christ will face a two fold persecution –

1. Excommunication – removal from the temple, the synagogue and any religious festival or ceremony

2. Murder – look at verse 2 anyone who kills you will think they are doing a service to God

Look at what is occuring right now around the world

A. Prediction—v. 1. Christ, who knows all, tells what would happen in the future. Though human, yet Christ was divine.

B. Punishment—v. 2. Not only persecuted, but even killed. By killing Christians, sinners feel they would be helping God. Muslims truly believe this

C. Problem—v. 3. All this would happen, because they knew not God. Ignorance of God and Christ always leads man to do strange things.

D. Prophecy—v. 4. Christ tells His followers these things, so they would know what to expect.

God’s people have always suffered—in the past, and even now in parts of the world. Also, they will suffer in the future. WE MAY EVEN HAVE TO DIE FOR HIM!

CONFUSION turns to truth because Jesus Warned us, confusion also turns to truth because He Ascended.

II. BECAUSE JESUS ASCENDED —vv. 5–11

A. The Savior—v. 5. The Savior was going to leave the earth and go to the Father in heaven.

B. The sorrow—v. 6. The followers were sorry Christ was leaving. No one asked where He was going.

C. The Spirit—vv. 7–11.

1. Helper—v. 7. If Christ did not go away, the Holy Spirit would not come.

Jesus uses the Greek word paraclete here. Paraclete is a military term used when two soldiers go into battle together and battle back to back – one soldier is the paraclete to the other covering his blindside. The Holy Spirit is our paraclete, fighting with us and for us covering our blindside and fights for our well being.

2. Character—vv. 8–11. Note the character of the Holy Spirit. He will reprove (correct with intent) the world of sin. He will show God’s goodness and deliverance from judgment. Deliverance from judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.

In regard to sin – sin in the believer’s life – have to acknowledge God to acknowledge sin – convict, convince, reprove

If you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life – through your life the Holy Spirit convicts unbelievers because your life radiates the message of Christ, your life resembles the life of Christ,

In regard to righteousness – the Holy Spirit produces the fruit in our life based on the righteousness of Christ; when we allow ourselves to be grafted into the vine, the Holy Spirit produces His fruit in us.

In regards to judgement – Satan is judged, he stands condemned it has already happened – why follow after a someone condemned unless you want to join them in condemnation.

Gangel says it this way, The Holy Spirit is not some super natural influence hovering in the clouds above. He comes to us, and through us; he carries out his ministry to the world. He is a significant part of the communication process when Jesus speaks and for us to hear from God

Finally, CONFUSION turns to truth because Jesus Warned us, He Ascended, but He did not leave us alone, by ourselves.

III. BECAUSE JESUS SENT THE HOLY SPIRIT—vv. 12–15

A. The wish—v. 12. Christ wished to tell the disciples more, but they would not understand. Later, the Holy Spirit would help them understand His words.

B. The work of the Spirit—vv. 13–14

1. Perception—“Will guide into truth.” Help understand the Bible.

2. Praise—“He shall not speak of himself.” Will speak of Christ.

3. Prophecy—“He will show you things to come.” Future events.

4. Pleasure—“He shall glorify me.” The Spirit will take pleasure in praising and honoring Christ.

5. He will convict us – when we walk away

6. He will convert us – born again

7. He will cleanse us – making us a new creation in Christ

8. He will control us – guiding us and producing fruit

9. He will complete us – filling the God sized – God shaped hole in our heart

C. The worship—v. 15. The Holy Spirit will help us worship and praise Christ the way God wants us too.

How has confusion prevented you from responding to the Holy Spirit?

How has confusion stopped you from doing what God is calling you to do?

Do you allow the Holy Spirit to reprove you? Correct with intentionality?

Do you allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in you? Or Do you still struggle with desiring your fruit to be developed?

Where do you struggle with the work of the spirit – perception? Praise? Prophecy? Pleasure – honoring the Father?

How do you respond when the Holy Spirit – convicts? Converts your plans to His plans? Cleanses you? Control to produce the fruit of the Spirit? In completing you?

Let us pray.