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Introduction:
Is there any topic that causes more confusion today than the work
of the Holy Spirit? Theories and practices abound. But what does
the Bible say? In John
16:7-15, Jesus promised to send the Spirit to the
apostles. But more than that, He explained the Spirit’s job.
Examine the text to learn what the role of the Spirit is and how
He continues that work today. Discussion: I.
“Guide you into all truth.” A. The NASB calls the Spirit “The Helper,” while the KJV calls Him “The Comforter.” Interestingly, as Jesus explained what the Spirit would do, He did not mention ushy-mushy, ethereal hand-holding. He did not talk about providing a shoulder to cry on. He said the Spirit would guide the apostles into all truth (John 16:13). This was more important than momentary emotional fulfillment. As Jesus taught in John 8:32, the truth is what sets people free. B.
That truth would be everything Jesus wanted them to know.
The Spirit would not make up his own teaching; He would take from
Jesus and give it to the apostles (John
16:14). Beyond that, what belonged to Jesus was actually
from the Father (John
16:15). Before Jesus’ death, the apostles could not
handle the truth. After His ascension, they would be made ready to
understand God’s full plan. Then the Spirit would come and guide
them, taking from Jesus what He wanted the apostles to know. This
promise was repeated in Acts
1:7-8 and fulfilled in Acts
2. C.
But what does this mean for us? Ephesians
3:3-4 shows how this impacts us. The Spirit gave
miraculous revelation to the apostles and prophets of the New
Covenant. They wrote what they received. By reading what was
written, we can understand God’s will. Consider some other
passages. II
Timothy 3:16-17 said the scriptures are inspired by God. II
Peter 1:20-21 explains that the scriptures are the work of
the Holy Spirit. Considering I
Corinthians 2:6-13, we recognize that the Scriptures
explain the mind of God. As Jesus said, we are guided into all
truth. D.
However, Jesus explained that the Spirit would accomplish
three things as it guided the apostles into all truth. The word of
God continues to accomplish those three tasks. II.
“Convict the world of sin.” A.
According to John
16:8-9, the Spirit would convict the world of sin, because
the world did not believe in Jesus. This ties back to John
1:9-11. When Jesus, the true light, came into the world,
the world did not know Him. He came to His own, but His own did
not receive Him. B.
However, despite that rejection, Jesus made another attempt
to convince us of our sins and the need for His sacrifice. He sent
the Spirit to convict us. The Spirit, using miraculous gifts among
His servants, convicted the world of sins. We see a great example
of this in Ephesus in Acts
19:11-20. Through the gifts and teaching of Paul, the
Ephesians were convicted their magic was sinful. Therefore, they
repented and burned their magic books. C.
Though the Spirit no longer grants miraculous gifts, His
Word remains. As II
Timothy 3:16, says, the inspired scripture is profitable
for reproof or for convicting. The scripture exposes our sins.
This exposure may be painful, but it is good for us. Only when our
sins come to light can we deal with them properly by the grace of
Jesus. Further, Hebrews
10:26-31 explains how important heeding this exposure and
conviction are. While Jesus gave one more opportunity for us to
believe following His own incarnation, this work of the Spirit is
the last step in the plan. If we do not heed the message regarding
sin, nothing else is coming to save us. If we turn our backs on
the convicting message of the Word, the work of the Holy Spirit,
we insult the Spirit of Grace and all that awaits us is vengeance. D.
The question then is whether or not we use God’s book the
way God intended. The Bible is here to convict us of our sins. Do
we use it that way? We need to read it with a view to find out
where we fall short. Further the Bible is here to convict others
of their sins. Do we use it that way? Do we expose sin and error
using the scripture or do we retreat to a corner and hope nobody
notices us. Jesus sent the Spirit to convict the world of sin. The
Spirit revealed the Word to continue that work. Let’s make sure
we use it that way. III.
“Convict the world of righteousness.” A.
According to John
16:8, 10, the Spirit would convict the world of
righteousness because Jesus was going to the Father and we would
no longer see Him. The point being that Jesus was the incarnate
revelation of what righteousness is. While on the earth, men could
simply look to His life and actions to learn righteousness.
However, He is no longer physically here. B.
We can still learn about righteousness, however, because
Jesus sent the Spirit. The Spirit, using miraculous gifts, trained
the world in righteousness. A great example of this can be seen in
Acts
15. Some of the early Christians thought people had to be
circumcised in order to be righteous before God. After much
debate, Peter, Paul and Barnabas stood up and told of the work of
the Spirit in their ministries and James referred to Old Testament
passages revealed by the Spirit that demonstrated circumcision was
not a requirement under the New Covenant. The Spirit had trained
these men in understanding righteousness. C.
Though the Spirit no longer grants miraculous gifts, His
Word remains. Again, II
Timothy 3:16-17 explains that the inspired scripture
trains us in righteousness and will equip us for every good work. Hebrews
5:11-14 demonstrates this as well. Our senses will be
trained to discern between good and evil by focus on the word of
righteousness. Further, I
Peter 2:1-3 explains that we will grow in respect to
salvation if we long for the word as a babe longs for milk. No
wonder Paul commended the Ephesian elders to God’s word in Acts
20:32. The word revealed by the Spirit is what builds us
up in righteousness and helps us receive our inheritance. D.
The question then is whether or not we use God’s book the
way God intended. The Bible is here to convict and train us in
righteousness. Do we use it that way? We need to read it with a
view to find out how we need to change to be more like Jesus
Christ. The Bible should never be a reference book to learn about
dead people and distant events. It must be a life-changing book
always, constantly purifying us and refining us as we allow it to
be our guide for life and righteousness. Further, The Bible is
here for us to convict and train others in righteousness. Do we
use it that way? Do we use the scriptures to teach people how to
serve and worship God or do we retreat from our convictions hoping
no one will ask us why we do what we do? Jesus sent the Spirit to
convict the world of righteousness. The Spirit revealed His word
to continue that work. Let’s make sure we use it that way. IV.
“Convict the world of judgment.” A.
According to John
16:8, 11, the Spirit would convict the world of judgment
because the ruler of this world has been judged. This ruler of the
world refers to Satan, our great enemy. Jesus reminds us of what
He said in John
12:31-33. The ruler of this world would be cast out and
judged when Jesus was crucified. The point being that judgment
concerning sin and righteousness is certain because Jesus came and
died. It reminds me of a game Marita and I play—Pente. There
come points in every game in which we know the game is over, one
of us has won the game and nothing can be done about it. However,
we always play it out to the bitter end to see exactly how it all
pans out. While that illustration pales in comparison to the
contest between God and Satan, the fact is in the crucifixion, God
won and Satan lost and nothing will ever change that. Right now,
Satan is simply trying to see how many of the playing pieces he
can capture before he finally has to surrender the field. B.
Jesus sent the Spirit to convict the world that judgment is
coming on those who choose sin over God’s righteousness. The
Spirit, using miraculous gifts, convicted the world of judgment. A
great example of this can be seen in Acts
13:6-12. When Paul miraculously brought God’s judgment
upon the magician, Elymas, Sergius Paulus believed. C.
Though the Spirit no longer grants miraculous gifts, His
Word remains. This word informs us of the coming judgment. How
many passages demonstrate the contrast between those who choose to
ignore the Spirit’s conviction regarding sin and righteousness
and those who are convicted and repent? In John
5:28-29, Jesus’ words about the coming judgment are
recorded. II
Thessalonians 1:5-10 describes the coming judgment as does
II
Peter 3:10-13. Remember the passage we read earlier from Hebrews
10:26-31. Interestingly, Jesus said in John
12:48, that the word He speaks is what will judge us.
Remember that the Spirit only revealed the word of Jesus. Judgment
is coming; we must be prepared. D.
The question then is whether or not we use God’s book the
way God intended. The Bible is here to convict us of judgment. Do
we use it that way? We need to read it with the view that this
book contains the words of life and if we reject them we are
asking for death. Further, the Bible is here to convict others of
judgment. Do we use it that way? Do we let people know that
judgment is coming or do we keep our mouths shut, afraid they will
accuse us of judging them? The next time someone asks, “Are you
judging me?” Tell them, “Absolutely not. I am simply using the
Spirit’s word to convict you that judgment is coming.” Jesus
sent the Spirit to convict the world of judgment. The Spirit
revealed His Word to continue that work. Let’s make sure we use
it that way. Conclusion: The Spirit came to reveal the freedom-bestowing truth. He revealed that truth through the apostles and prophets and they wrote it down. Now we need to read it, understand it and live it. God’s Book was given to convict us of sin, righteousness and judgment. We must not put it aside. We must use it and we must use it God’s way.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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