Conviction, Righteousness, and Freedom Through the Holy Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: The Guiding Voice of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers by convicting them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Sin is described as missing the mark of perfection, a standard that no one can achieve on their own. The Holy Spirit acts as a guide, much like a parent guiding a child, warning us when we stray from this mark. By listening to the Spirit's warnings, believers can align their lives with God's will and find the right path. This guidance is essential for spiritual growth and maintaining a close relationship with God. [04:03]

John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Reflection: In what ways have you felt the Holy Spirit guiding you recently, and how can you be more attentive to His voice in your daily life?

Day 2: The Unforgivable Sin of Unbelief

Unbelief in Jesus Christ is the only unforgivable sin because it rejects the sole provision God has made for salvation. While all other sins can be forgiven, unbelief remains unforgiven as it stems from a love for darkness and sin rather than any intellectual or moral objection to Jesus' teachings. Belief in Jesus is essential for forgiveness and eternal life, as it opens the door to a relationship with God and the promise of salvation. This understanding calls for a deep reflection on one's faith and the importance of believing in Jesus as the Savior. [08:13]

Hebrews 3:12 (ESV): "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you struggle with unbelief? How can you actively seek to strengthen your faith in Jesus today?

Day 3: Righteousness Imputed Through Faith

True righteousness is not about our deeds but about faith in Jesus Christ. Our own righteousness is insufficient to meet God's standards, but through faith, the righteousness of Jesus is imputed to us. This is the standard God accepts, as demonstrated by Jesus' ascension into heaven. Believers are called to trust in Jesus' perfect righteousness rather than relying on their own efforts. This understanding of righteousness through faith is foundational for a life that is pleasing to God and aligned with His purposes. [15:34]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: How does understanding that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus change the way you view your own efforts to live a righteous life?

Day 4: The Inevitable and Just Judgment of God

God's judgment is inevitable and just, focusing on one's relationship with Jesus Christ. While human justice systems may fail, God's judgment is certain and fair. For believers, the power of darkness has been broken, and they are no longer under sin's dominion. This assurance of God's just judgment provides comfort and hope for those who are in Christ, knowing that their relationship with Him is the determining factor in their eternal destiny. [25:51]

Ecclesiastes 12:14 (ESV): "For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."

Reflection: How does the certainty of God's judgment influence the way you live your life today, especially in your relationship with Jesus?

Day 5: Living in the Freedom of Christ

Believers are set free from the power of darkness through Jesus' victory over sin and death. This freedom allows them to live a life of righteousness and victory over sin, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's witness is a call to believe in Jesus, receive His righteousness, and live free from the bondage of sin. This freedom is available to all who choose to follow Christ, offering a life of victory over darkness and a deeper relationship with God. [29:25]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace the freedom that Christ offers, and how can you live more fully in that freedom today?

Sermon Summary

In John 16:7-11, Jesus speaks about the necessity of His departure so that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, can come. The Holy Spirit's role is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Sin, as explained, is essentially missing the mark of perfection, a standard none of us can claim to have met. The Holy Spirit guides us, warning us when we stray from this mark, much like a parent guiding a child. The story of Charlo, a young boy questioning his salvation, illustrates how the Holy Spirit speaks to us, often in simple, everyday situations.

The core sin, according to Jesus, is not believing in Him. While all other sins can be forgiven, unbelief in Jesus is the one sin that remains unforgiven because it rejects the only provision God has made for salvation. This unbelief often stems from a love for darkness and sin, rather than any intellectual or moral objection to Jesus' teachings.

Righteousness is another key aspect the Holy Spirit convicts us of. True righteousness is not about our deeds but about faith in Jesus Christ. Our own righteousness is insufficient to meet God's standards, but through faith, the righteousness of Jesus is imputed to us. This is the standard God accepts, as demonstrated by Jesus' ascension into heaven.

Judgment is also a reality, both for individuals and for the prince of this world, Satan. While human justice systems may fail, God's judgment is certain and just. The ultimate judgment will focus on one's relationship with Jesus Christ. However, for those in Christ, the power of darkness has been broken. Jesus' victory over sin and death means that believers are no longer under the dominion of sin.

The Holy Spirit's witness is a call to believe in Jesus, to receive His righteousness, and to live free from the bondage of sin. This freedom is available to all who choose to follow Christ, offering a life of victory over darkness.

Key Takeaways

1. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Sin is missing the mark of perfection, and the Spirit guides us back to the right path. Listening to the Spirit's warnings can help us align our lives with God's will. [04:03]
2. The Sin of Unbelief: The only unforgivable sin is unbelief in Jesus Christ. This rejection of Jesus is a rejection of God's provision for salvation. Belief in Jesus is essential for forgiveness and eternal life. [08:13]
3. Righteousness Through Faith: Our own righteousness is insufficient for salvation. True righteousness comes through faith in Jesus, whose perfect righteousness is imputed to us. This is the standard God accepts. [15:34]
4. The Certainty of Judgment: God's judgment is inevitable and just. It focuses on one's relationship with Jesus. For believers, the power of darkness is broken, and they are no longer under sin's dominion. [25:51]
5. Freedom in Christ: Believers are set free from the power of darkness through Jesus' victory. This freedom allows us to live a life of righteousness and victory over sin, empowered by the Holy Spirit. [29:25]
** [29:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Introduction to John 16
[00:40] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[01:21] - Understanding Sin
[02:36] - The Mark of Perfection
[03:42] - Listening to the Holy Spirit
[05:30] - Charlo's Story
[07:02] - The Sin of Unbelief
[09:34] - The Provision of Jesus
[11:04] - Love for Darkness
[13:13] - The Day of Judgment
[15:14] - Righteousness Through Faith
[17:02] - Jesus' Ascension and Righteousness
[19:03] - The Imputation of Righteousness
[22:38] - The Certainty of Judgment
[27:28] - Victory Over Darkness
[30:18] - The Witness of the Spirit

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 16:7-11
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- Romans 3:20-22

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Observation Questions:

What does Jesus say is the reason for His departure, according to John 16:7? How does this relate to the coming of the Holy Spirit? [00:19]
In the sermon, how is the concept of sin explained through the analogy of an archery game? What does it mean to "miss the mark"? [01:39]
How does the story of Charlo illustrate the way the Holy Spirit communicates with us? [05:30]
According to the sermon, what is the one sin that remains unforgiven, and why is it considered unforgivable? [08:13]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the Holy Spirit's role in convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment impact a believer's daily life? [04:03]
Why is unbelief in Jesus Christ considered the core sin, and how does this affect one's relationship with God? [09:34]
What does it mean for righteousness to be "imputed" to us through faith in Jesus, and how does this differ from achieving righteousness through our own deeds? [15:34]
How does the certainty of God's judgment influence the way believers should live their lives? [25:51]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt the Holy Spirit guiding you away from a wrong decision. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [04:03]
In what ways can you strengthen your belief in Jesus to ensure that you are not falling into the sin of unbelief? [08:13]
Consider your own efforts to live righteously. How can you rely more on faith in Jesus rather than your own deeds to meet God's standards? [15:34]
How does the knowledge of God's inevitable judgment motivate you to evaluate your relationship with Jesus? What changes might you need to make? [25:51]
Identify an area in your life where you feel bound by sin or darkness. How can you apply the freedom offered through Jesus' victory to overcome this? [29:25]
How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's warnings and guidance in your everyday life? What practical steps can you take to improve your spiritual sensitivity? [06:27]
Think of someone in your life who might be struggling with unbelief. How can you be a witness to them, sharing the freedom and righteousness found in Christ? [32:12]

Sermon Clips

Jesus declared, "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. And when he is come, he will reprove or convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." [00:00:26]

The Greek word for sin is "harati." It means to miss the mark. Our English word sin actually has its derivation in the same thought: to miss the mark. It comes from old England and an archery game in which they would take a pole in the field and put a hoop in the top of the pole, and then the men would shoot their arrows through the hoop. [00:01:26]

The Holy Spirit is the one who warns me when my aim is bad. He's the one who says, "You shouldn't do that," directing me toward the mark. The thing is, we don't always listen to the Holy Spirit when he warns us. I've shared with you concerning my grandson Charlo. He's 12 years old, and at night when the lights are out and everybody is supposed to be going to sleep, he starts thinking sort of deep philosophical thoughts. [00:03:50]

Jesus said, "Of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." Jesus is declaring that he is going to send the Holy Spirit when he departs, and the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. [00:01:10]

Jesus said, "Whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." He said, "The Father didn't send me into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world. And he that believeth on me is not condemned, but he that doesn't believe in me is condemned already, seeing he has not believed in the only begotten of the Father." [00:08:23]

Righteousness is doing the right thing. Sin is doing the wrong thing, and righteousness is just doing the right thing. It's living in a right way in your relationship with those around you: your family, your neighbors, classmates, fellow employees. It's just doing the right thing and living the right way. It is living the right way in your relationship with God. [00:14:30]

No matter how right or how moral you might be, your righteousness can never save you. At your very best, you have fallen short of God's standards of righteousness. As Paul said, we've all come short of the glory of God. In Ephesians 2:8, he said, "By grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it's a gift of God, and not of works, lest any man should boast." [00:15:14]

The Ascension of Jesus into heaven was God's declaration to mankind that this is the righteous standard that I will receive into the kingdom of God. If you want to enter the kingdom, this is the standard of righteousness that is necessary. God accepted him; he ascended into heaven because his righteousness was that which God required. Anything less than the righteousness of Jesus Christ will not do. [00:17:06]

The wonderful thing is that God imputes to me the righteousness of Jesus Christ by my faith in him. It's not my righteousness that I ask God to accept. I cast myself upon Jesus; I believe in Jesus, and as the result of my faith in Jesus, God puts on my account righteousness—the righteousness of Jesus Christ. [00:21:42]

The Holy Spirit will testify of judgment. Now, the scriptures do tell us that a day of judgment is coming. The Bible says it is appointed unto man once to die, and after that, the judgment. Death does not end your existence. As Longfellow said, "Tell me not in mournful numbers, life is but an empty dream, for the soul is dead that slumbers." [00:22:38]

Satan has no longer power or authority over you who are in Christ Jesus. Paul tells us in Colossians chapter 2 that Christ, through his cross, actually spoiled those principalities and powers, that in his cross he triumphed over them, making an open display of his victory. Now, as you are in Christ Jesus, you are no longer subject to those powers of darkness. [00:27:49]

The witness of the Spirit to your heart is that you have been set free from the power of darkness. It no longer needs to control you. You have now in you a greater power than that power that is in the world, and the light of Jesus Christ will dispel the powers of darkness from your life. Paul said, "For sin shall no longer have dominion over you because you're no longer under the law but under grace." [00:28:44]

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Conviction, Righteousness, and Freedom Through the Holy Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: The Guiding Voice of the Holy Spirit

Day 2: The Unforgivable Sin of Unbelief

Day 3: Righteousness Imputed Through Faith

Day 4: The Inevitable and Just Judgment of God

Day 5: Living in the Freedom of Christ

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Conviction, Righteousness, and Freedom Through the Holy Spirit

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