THE SPIRIT AT WORK
JOHN 16:5-15
Introduction:
Learning of Jesus’ departure brought depression to the disciples. They were obsessed by their coming personal loss of His immediate physical presence. If they could have understood why He was going and to whom He was going, then they would have rejoiced. Later Jesus predicted that their time of sorrow would be suddenly transformed into great joy, v. 22, “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
I. NOW I AM GOING TO HIM WHO SENT ME
A. Peter had started the question of where the Lord was going, John 13:36, “Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.”
B. But not even Thomas asked Him where He was going as he did before, John 14:5, “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”
1. Jesus was leaving on His own accord, John 17:4, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”
2. His life had not been extorted from Him, but deposited by Him, John 10:17-18, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
3. He had told them of the difficulties that they were to suffer, Luke 6:22, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.”
B. They had not heard “now” because of their own sorrow, v. 6; John 14:27-28, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.”
1. Christ had said enough to fill them with joy, John15:11, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
2. They were looking on the side of losing the Lord and not on the promise He had made, John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”
3. It was necessary for the Lord to go away, v. 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.”
a. For you this is profitable, Acts 20:20, “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you , but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,”
b. He was coming to abide with them forever, John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”
II. NOW THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BEGINS
A. His Work:
1. He will teach you all things, John 14:26, “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.”
2. He will convince the world…vs. 8-9…
a. Of SIN BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED NOT ON ME, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
b. Of righteousness, because they thought He was unrighteous, v. 10;Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
c. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged, v. 11; John 12:31, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
1) Jesus had spoiled the power of Satan, Colossians 2:15, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
2) By Jesus’ death, He defeated the devil, who held “the power of death,” Hebrews 2:14, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”
3) The coming judgment of both man and Satan should be considered by every man, Acts 17:30-31, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
CONCLUSION:
The Comforter, the Spirit of God, will help us through these difficult times. He will guide and teach us what we need to be successful for the glory of our Savior.