The Work of the Holy Spirit
Tell story of Taser power - how power intrigues us
Big idea: what to expect from the Holy Spirit - knowing the Spirit is joyful part of being a Christian
Continuing from last week - John 16:1-2 expect difficult times
John 16:1-2 "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
astray = skandalizo (Mark 14:27 "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: " `I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.
Verse 2. People will throw you out of the synagogue -
According to tradition: Paul persecuting Stephen
Matthew was killed by the sword in Ethiopia.
Mark died after being dragged thru the streets of Alexandria.
Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece.
John was boiled in oil, but escaped death in a miraculous manner, and was banished to Patmos.
Peter was crucified upside-down at Rome
James, the older, was beheaded at Jerusalem.
Bartholomew was skinned alive.
Andrew was bound to a cross, as he preached to his persecutors until he died.
Thomas was speared with a lance in the East Indies.
Jude was shot to death with arrows.
Matthias was first stoned and then beheaded.
Paul was beheaded at Rome by the Emperor Nero.
3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
For your own good I am going away - yeah right!
Why does Jesus leave? For our own good?
So the Counselor can come - not that the HS is absent but Jesus and the HS are so closely identified that when together we can't tell them apart. But If I go - the Counselor comes - incredibly great news!
Misunderstanding Holy Spirit
Paraclete translated here as Counselor other versions - Advocate Comforter - not soothing but moving - More of a personal trainer than therapist
Paraclete - stand with - Ancient warrior's term Greek soldiers went into battle in pairs so when the enemy attacked, they could draw together back-to-back, covering each other's blind side. One's battle partner was the paraclete
Comforter - literally make strong
The Holy Spirit is a person of the Trinity. Paul says "Do not Grieve the Holy Spirit of God"
Now, only a close friend can be grieved. Strangers can be annoyed. Business partners might be offended. Only a loved one can be grieved. Grief that doesn't drive away - but wounds.
The Holy Spirit does many things:
Earlier John said that the HS will " teach the disciples everything" - John 14:26
John 15:26 - bear witness to Christ
Now he adds some new dimensions. VS. 8-11 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
John 16:8 - Expose the world's error
Convict of sin Righteousness and of judgment
The Holy Spirit - like Jesus - didn't come to condemn.
Convict not the same as condemn. Elencho - expose, refute, convince - convict
There are three things going on
A - Convict the World of sin Sin not primarily misbehavior, actions - it is unbelief!
B - Jesus who though is condemned to death, vindicated and the justice of his cause is made known
C - the prince of this world seems apparently triumphant but ultimately is a failure
Can't stomp Jesus out! Here He is! The Holy Spirit is proof that Jesus was and is who He said He was
Spirit bears record to the world that Jesus was rejected, convicted, condemned and executed - without justice. It was the result of our world's refusal to believe - and that unbelief has another name, Sin and God calls us to turn away from sin, turn away has another name, repent
People - even church people - just don't get it. Repentance is not a negative - punitive thing
Most people repent their sins by thanking God they ain't so wicked as their neighbors.
Why is it so hard to get a child to say, "I'm sorry?"
Because they're not! People by nature are not sorry for their actions and see no reason why they should speak words that don't reflect the attitude in their hearts!
We can't truly be sorry unless we understand the cost of our rebellion and the greatness of our forgiveness
12 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
16 "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me. "
More to say - when does Jesus get around to saying more - all the rest of their lives - and ours too
Guide you to all truth
Guide means there is a journey - not parking lot Lead to all truth - remember truth
Prophecy and Preaching are ways that the Holy Spirit continues to speak forth
HS is not speaking on His own, as if an individual and separate - but on the part of the trinity
The last thing John tells us the Holy Spirit does is the best thing He does He will Glorify Christ vs.. 14
Vs.. 16 Peek a boo Jesus until his ascension
People today wish they had been around walking with Jesus.
No one considered themselves worse off because Jesus was gone. Not the apostles.
Their confident power was that the Jesus they knew on the outside was now & forever on the inside!
Demo on being filled with the Spirit (glass and pitcher of water)
How can I get the oil out of the glass I have in my hand without tipping it over?"
Pour a pitcher of water and watch it displace the oil.
Next Step
The Holy Spirit is our battle partner who covers our blind side and fights for our well being
He is our advocate - He confounds our adversary, defeats the enemy of our souls
He is our comforter, He alone makes us strong for battle
He is our Teacher, He will guide us to all truth
He dwells in me, Christ in me, the hope of Glory - He bears witness of Christ.
The Holy Spirit is a person, identical with Jesus - if you want to know Jesus you need to get to know the Holy Spirit
Your next step may be the Development of a relationship
Some people think that if I get up at 4 AM and seek God, I will find Him. Extreme actions should yield extreme results. What if that doesn't happen? What if the path to extreme is laden with unordinary disciplines - ones that build on one another. Jesus was a man of prayer, but during the day, we don't hear much of Him praying. Only one time of Him fasting - even the night before he was betrayed and eventually crucified, he did not fast. Gain a sense of your place at His table, not speaking as much as listening, not busy but resting
Treasure in vessels of clay.
Come Holy Spirit - fill me to overflowing. Have your own way in me!
