Jesus' departure was necessary for the arrival of the Holy Spirit, who would guide and empower believers. This transition was crucial because the Holy Spirit's presence allows Jesus to be with each believer, transcending the limitations of His physical body. The disciples, expecting an immediate earthly kingdom, were troubled by Jesus' talk of His death and departure. However, Jesus reassured them, promising that He would prepare a place for them and that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth. The Spirit's presence is vital for spreading the gospel worldwide, as it empowers believers to live according to God's will and share His message with others. [09:22]
John 14:16-17 (ESV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."
Reflection: How can you rely on the Holy Spirit today to guide you in a specific area of your life where you feel limited or inadequate?
Day 2: The Conviction of Unbelief
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, specifically the sin of not believing in Jesus. This conviction is not about individual wrongdoings but about the fundamental rejection of Christ, which is the only sin that can eternally separate us from God. The Spirit's role is to reveal the truth of Jesus' identity and mission, urging people to turn from unbelief to faith. This conviction is a call to recognize the gravity of rejecting Jesus and to embrace the salvation He offers. [14:25]
Hebrews 3:12-13 (ESV): "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who struggles with unbelief? How can you lovingly share the truth of Jesus with them this week?
Day 3: Righteousness as a Divine Gift
True righteousness is not achieved through our efforts but is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus' ascension is the standard of righteousness, and only by believing in Him can we be deemed righteous and enter God's kingdom. Our own righteousness is insufficient; it is only through faith in Christ that we can be considered righteous before God. This understanding calls us to rely on Jesus' righteousness rather than our own efforts, recognizing that His ascension demonstrates God's standard of righteousness. [29:54]
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: In what ways are you tempted to rely on your own righteousness? How can you shift your focus to trusting in Jesus' righteousness today?
Day 4: Judgment and Victory Over Evil
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of judgment because Satan has been judged through the cross. Jesus' victory over Satan means believers are no longer under the enemy's power and can live victorious lives through the Spirit. This judgment signifies the defeat of Satan, the prince of this world, and assures believers of their victory over sin. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, Satan's power is broken, and believers can live in freedom and victory. [39:15]
Colossians 2:14-15 (ESV): "By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel defeated? How can you claim Jesus' victory over that area today?
Day 5: Empowered Living Through the Spirit
Believers are called to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, experiencing victory over sin and the flesh. This life of victory is not achieved by human effort but through the Spirit's work, enabling us to live according to God's will. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a victorious life, free from the bondage of sin, and to fulfill God's purposes in our lives. This empowerment is a daily reliance on the Spirit's strength and guidance, allowing us to overcome challenges and live in alignment with God's desires. [45:32]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to walk more closely with the Holy Spirit and experience His power in your life?
Sermon Summary
In John 16, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, emphasizing the necessity of His leaving so that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, can come. The disciples, expecting an immediate earthly kingdom, are troubled by Jesus' talk of His death and departure. Jesus reassures them, promising that He will prepare a place for them and that the Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth. The Holy Spirit's work in the world is to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The sin is not believing in Jesus, the righteousness is demonstrated by Jesus' ascension, and the judgment is the defeat of Satan through the cross.
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin because the ultimate sin is the rejection of Jesus Christ. This is the only sin that can eternally separate us from God. The Spirit also convicts of righteousness, as Jesus' ascension is God's standard of righteousness. Our own righteousness is insufficient; only through faith in Christ can we be deemed righteous. Finally, the Spirit convicts of judgment because Satan, the prince of this world, has been judged. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, Satan's power is broken, and believers can live in victory over sin.
The message is clear: we cannot rely on our own righteousness or efforts to enter God's kingdom. Instead, we must believe in Jesus Christ, who offers us His righteousness as a gift. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a victorious life, free from the bondage of sin. This victory is not achieved by our strength but through the power of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to live according to God's will.
Key Takeaways
1. The Necessity of Jesus' Departure: Jesus' departure was essential for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would guide and empower believers. The Spirit's presence allows Jesus to be with each believer, transcending the limitations of His physical body. This divine presence is crucial for spreading the gospel worldwide. [09:22]
2. Conviction of Sin: The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, specifically the sin of not believing in Jesus. This conviction is not about individual wrongdoings but about the fundamental rejection of Christ, which is the only sin that can eternally separate us from God. [14:25]
3. Righteousness Through Faith: True righteousness is not achieved through our efforts but is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus' ascension is the standard of righteousness, and only by believing in Him can we be deemed righteous and enter God's kingdom. [29:54]
4. Judgment and Victory Over Satan: The Holy Spirit convicts the world of judgment because Satan has been judged through the cross. Jesus' victory over Satan means believers are no longer under the enemy's power and can live victorious lives through the Spirit. [39:15]
5. Living in the Spirit's Power: Believers are called to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, experiencing victory over sin and the flesh. This life of victory is not achieved by human effort but through the Spirit's work, enabling us to live according to God's will. [45:32] ** [45:32]
What reasons did Jesus give for His departure being necessary for the disciples? ([09:22])
How does Jesus describe the work of the Holy Spirit in the world according to John 16? ([11:34])
What is the significance of Jesus' ascension in relation to righteousness? ([24:27])
How does the sermon describe the judgment of Satan through the cross? ([39:15])
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Interpretation Questions:
Why is the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin focused on the sin of unbelief in Jesus, rather than on individual wrongdoings? ([14:25])
How does Jesus' ascension set the standard for righteousness, and what does this imply for believers? ([29:54])
In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can live in victory over sin through the Holy Spirit? ([45:32])
How does the sermon explain the concept of judgment in relation to the defeat of Satan? ([39:15])
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Application Questions:
Reflect on a time when you felt troubled by a change or loss. How can Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit as a Comforter provide reassurance in such situations? ([03:22])
The sermon emphasizes the necessity of believing in Jesus for salvation. How can you share this message with someone who relies on their own righteousness? ([21:19])
Consider the areas in your life where you struggle with sin. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power to overcome these challenges? ([45:32])
How does understanding the judgment of Satan through the cross change your perspective on spiritual battles you face? ([39:15])
Jesus' ascension is described as setting the standard for righteousness. What steps can you take to align your life more closely with this standard? ([29:54])
The sermon mentions living a life of victory through the Spirit. What practical changes can you make to live more in line with the Spirit's guidance? ([45:32])
How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence and work in your daily life? ([11:34])
Sermon Clips
Jesus has been saying things that are difficult for his disciples to receive because the disciples were anticipating the immediate establishment of the kingdom of God and they were thinking of the kingdom in a very materialistic sense and actually thinking about the positions that they would have in the kingdom and some of them even arguing who was going to be Prime Minister and Secretary of State. [00:59:69]
Now these things are all troubling them, they have not yet come to the realization that the kingdom isn't going to be established immediately and his talk of the postponement his talk of his death has troubled them greatly and that is why I said let not your heart be troubled their hearts were troubled very troubled Lord you're saying some weird things you're talking about your death don't let your hearts be troubled you believe in God now believe also in me. [03:14:09]
But I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you but yet a little while and the world will see me no more but you see me and because I live you too shall live and I'm going to pray to the Father and he is going to give to you another comforter even the Spirit of Truth that he may abide with you forever. [05:29:05]
It was necessary that he go away from them in order that he might send the spirit in order that this problem of locality might be solved because in the spirit Jesus can be with each of us wherever we are scattered during the day and wherever two or three are gathered together in my name he said I am there in the midst. [09:40:69]
Now when he has come he will reprove the world of sin or convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment so the work of the Holy Spirit in the world he will convict the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment now what did Jesus mean when he said the Holy Spirit would reprove the world of sin or convict the world of sin. [11:15:16]
The sin that the Holy Spirit is convicting people of is their failure to believe Jesus Christ now when we think of convicting people of sin we think of thievery lying stealing cheating fornication or things like this but the Holy Spirit is convicting of sin and it doesn't notice it's not plural it is sin singular and there is only really one sin that will damned a man eternally. [14:31:89]
The Ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven was God's witness to the world that this is the standard of righteousness that I will accept in heaven you want to go to heaven only the righteous can go there but one day Jesus said one of the most mind-blowing things to his disciples that he had ever said he said to his disciples one day unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees you're never gonna make it in. [25:44:35]
If you have any hope at all of entering into the kingdom of heaven you have to be as righteous as Jesus Christ who went about doing good who when he was cursed did not curse back but prayed for those that cursed him blessed though that despitefully used him one about demonstrating God's love to a needy world giving all that he had to help others. [28:49:72]
My righteousness as hard as I may try will never buy me an entrance into the heavenly kingdom I would have to be as righteous as Jesus Christ to make it there for my only hope is that of not trying in my own righteousness to make it but to receive a gift from God of a righteous standing by my believing in Jesus Christ. [30:43:96]
Christ through the cross brought judgment to Satan where he paid the price of your Redemption and this judgment that is being referred to here is that judgment whereby satan held authority over you because you were by nature a child of the flesh and of Wrath by nature children of Wrath Paul said even as others however Jesus received a new judgment by his death on the cross he defeated Satan. [42:54:05]
You can have power over the flesh and over the lust of your flesh they no longer reign and rule in your life when you walk after the spirit and Jesus redeemed you received a judgment whereby Satan had to release you from his hole he triumphed over these powers that held you in the bondage to the flesh in the cross he triumphed over them and now he gives you his victory. [44:21:01]
The Holy Spirit brings us to that life of victory through the resurrection of Jesus Christ and through that resurrection power so of judgment because the prince of this world was judged and you as a child of God can now live in complete victory in Jesus Christ you don't have to be a slave to your flesh anymore. [50:39:43]