The Holy Spirit: Conviction, Righteousness, and Judgment
Summary
In today's exploration of John 16, we delved into the profound work of the Holy Spirit, particularly His role in convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This passage reveals the Holy Spirit's essential function in guiding both unbelievers and believers towards truth and spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit's convicting work is not merely about pointing out wrongs but is a divine invitation to understand and embrace the righteousness of Christ and the reality of judgment.
For unbelievers, the Holy Spirit's conviction is primarily about the sin of unbelief. Jesus emphasizes that the refusal to believe in Him is the core sin that the Holy Spirit addresses. This conviction is crucial because it leads individuals to recognize their need for Christ's righteousness, which is the only means of reconciliation with God. The Holy Spirit's work is to illuminate the truth of the gospel, urging those who are skeptical or resistant to see the beauty and necessity of faith in Jesus.
For believers, the Holy Spirit continues His convicting work by guiding us away from sin and towards righteousness. We are reminded not to quench or grieve the Spirit, as His presence is vital for our spiritual growth and empowerment. The Holy Spirit helps us resist the temptation to revert to old patterns of unbelief and self-reliance, encouraging us to trust in Christ's righteousness rather than our own.
The Holy Spirit also uses various tools to accomplish His convicting work. A biblically informed conscience, the ordinary means of grace such as Scripture, fellowship, communion, and prayer, are all channels through which the Spirit works. These tools are designed to nurture our faith and align us with God's will, even when they are not what we naturally desire to engage in.
Ultimately, the Holy Spirit's convicting work is a testament to God's love and desire for us to live in the fullness of His truth. It is a call to embrace the righteousness of Christ, to be aware of the reality of judgment, and to live in a way that reflects our identity as children of God.
Key Takeaways:
1. Conviction of Sin: The Holy Spirit convicts the world of the sin of unbelief, urging individuals to recognize their need for Christ. This conviction is an invitation to embrace faith and the righteousness of Jesus, which is essential for reconciliation with God. [13:21]
2. Righteousness of Christ: The Holy Spirit reveals that our own righteousness is insufficient and that we need Christ's righteousness to stand before God. This understanding is crucial for both salvation and spiritual growth. [18:36]
3. Reality of Judgment: The Holy Spirit warns of the coming judgment, emphasizing the importance of accepting Christ's sacrifice to avoid eternal separation from God. This sobering truth should motivate us to live in alignment with God's will. [25:29]
4. Role for Believers: Believers are called to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, avoiding the temptation to revert to old patterns of unbelief. The Spirit empowers us to live out our identity in Christ and to trust in His righteousness. [33:28]
5. Tools of Conviction: The Holy Spirit uses a biblically informed conscience, Scripture, fellowship, communion, and prayer to convict and guide us. These tools are essential for spiritual growth, even when they are not what we naturally desire to engage in. [40:07]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[07:26] - Introduction to the Holy Spirit's Convicting Work
[13:21] - Conviction of Sin: Unbelief
[18:36] - Conviction of Righteousness: Christ's Standard
[24:17] - Conviction of Judgment: The Coming Reality
[25:29] - The Role of Judgment in Salvation
[26:27] - The Power of the Holy Spirit in Changing Hearts
[28:33] - Personal Testimonies of Conviction
[30:15] - The Rich Man and Lazarus: A Lesson on Judgment
[31:47] - The Holy Spirit's Role in Evangelism
[33:28] - Conviction for Believers: Avoiding Old Patterns
[34:42] - The Danger of Unbelief for Believers
[37:53] - Accountability and Judgment for Believers
[40:07] - Tools for Conviction: Conscience and Grace
[42:00] - Conclusion: Dependence on the Holy Spirit
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Convicting Work of the Holy Spirit
Bible Reading:
- John 16:8-11
- Romans 4:1-5
- Hebrews 9:27
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Observation Questions:
1. According to John 16:8-11, what are the three areas the Holy Spirit convicts the world of, and why are these significant? [07:26]
2. In Romans 4:1-5, how is Abraham's faith described, and what does this tell us about righteousness?
3. What does Hebrews 9:27 say about judgment, and how does this relate to the Holy Spirit's work as described in the sermon? [25:29]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers away from old patterns of unbelief? [33:28]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is the sin of unbelief considered the primary sin the Holy Spirit convicts the world of, according to the sermon? [13:21]
2. How does the understanding of Christ's righteousness, as discussed in Romans 4, impact a believer's spiritual growth and relationship with God?
3. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit using tools like a biblically informed conscience and the ordinary means of grace to convict believers? [40:07]
4. How does the reality of judgment, as mentioned in Hebrews 9:27, serve as a motivation for believers to live in alignment with God's will? [25:29]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the Holy Spirit convicting you of unbelief. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to strengthen your faith in those moments? [13:21]
2. In what ways can you rely more on Christ's righteousness rather than your own efforts in your daily life? Identify a specific area where you struggle with self-reliance. [18:36]
3. How can you be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in avoiding old patterns of unbelief? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are not quenching the Spirit's work in your life? [33:28]
4. Consider the tools the Holy Spirit uses for conviction, such as Scripture and prayer. Which of these tools do you find most challenging to engage with, and how can you incorporate them more effectively into your spiritual routine? [40:07]
5. The sermon mentioned the danger of ignoring the reality of judgment. How does this awareness affect your interactions with others, especially those who may not know Christ? [25:29]
6. Think about a specific situation where you were tempted to trust in your own righteousness. How can you remind yourself of the sufficiency of Christ's righteousness in similar situations in the future? [18:36]
7. Identify one person in your life who may be wrestling with unbelief. How can you pray for them and support them in their journey towards faith in Christ? [31:47]
Devotional
Day 1: The Holy Spirit's Invitation to Faith
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of the sin of unbelief, highlighting the necessity of faith in Jesus for reconciliation with God. This conviction is not merely about pointing out wrongs but serves as a divine invitation to embrace the righteousness of Christ. For unbelievers, the refusal to believe in Jesus is the core sin that the Holy Spirit addresses. This conviction is crucial as it leads individuals to recognize their need for Christ's righteousness, which is the only means of reconciliation with God. The Holy Spirit's work is to illuminate the truth of the gospel, urging those who are skeptical or resistant to see the beauty and necessity of faith in Jesus. [13:21]
John 12:46-48 (ESV): "I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day."
Reflection: Is there an area of unbelief in your heart where you need to invite the Holy Spirit to bring light and understanding today?
Day 2: Embracing Christ's Righteousness
The Holy Spirit reveals that our own righteousness is insufficient and that we need Christ's righteousness to stand before God. This understanding is crucial for both salvation and spiritual growth. For believers, the Holy Spirit continues His convicting work by guiding us away from sin and towards righteousness. We are reminded not to quench or grieve the Spirit, as His presence is vital for our spiritual growth and empowerment. The Holy Spirit helps us resist the temptation to revert to old patterns of unbelief and self-reliance, encouraging us to trust in Christ's righteousness rather than our own. [18:36]
Philippians 3:8-9 (ESV): "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."
Reflection: In what ways are you relying on your own righteousness instead of Christ's? How can you shift your focus to His righteousness today?
Day 3: The Sobering Reality of Judgment
The Holy Spirit warns of the coming judgment, emphasizing the importance of accepting Christ's sacrifice to avoid eternal separation from God. This sobering truth should motivate us to live in alignment with God's will. The Holy Spirit's convicting work is a testament to God's love and desire for us to live in the fullness of His truth. It is a call to embrace the righteousness of Christ, to be aware of the reality of judgment, and to live in a way that reflects our identity as children of God. [25:29]
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 (ESV): "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience."
Reflection: How does the reality of judgment influence your daily decisions and actions? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with God's will?
Day 4: Living Out Our Identity in Christ
Believers are called to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, avoiding the temptation to revert to old patterns of unbelief. The Spirit empowers us to live out our identity in Christ and to trust in His righteousness. The Holy Spirit's presence is vital for our spiritual growth and empowerment, helping us resist the temptation to revert to old patterns of unbelief and self-reliance. We are encouraged to trust in Christ's righteousness rather than our own, living in a way that reflects our identity as children of God. [33:28]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What old patterns of unbelief or self-reliance do you need to let go of? How can you actively live out your identity in Christ today?
Day 5: Tools for Spiritual Growth
The Holy Spirit uses a biblically informed conscience, Scripture, fellowship, communion, and prayer to convict and guide us. These tools are essential for spiritual growth, even when they are not what we naturally desire to engage in. The Holy Spirit's convicting work is a testament to God's love and desire for us to live in the fullness of His truth. It is a call to embrace the righteousness of Christ, to be aware of the reality of judgment, and to live in a way that reflects our identity as children of God. [40:07]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: Which of the tools for spiritual growth—Scripture, fellowship, communion, or prayer—do you need to engage with more intentionally this week? How can you incorporate it into your daily routine?
Quotes
"Understand that what the Holy Spirit teaches you about sin is true. Understand that even the fact that you have a moral compass, of what is right and what is wrong, is the work of the Holy Spirit. Understand that without a biblical understanding of this, morality makes no sense. If evolution was true, and it's just survival of the fittest, then who cares if murder happens? It's survival of the fittest." [00:14:24] (26 seconds)
"When Jesus said, because I go to the Father, it was a way of him saying that I'm approved of the Father. Okay? That I have access to the Father. That because Jesus is righteous, he can get to the Father. Because Matthew 25 says only the righteous will inherit eternal life. So when Jesus says, I'm going to the Father, he's saying there's the implicit understanding that I have the Father's authority. I have the Father's approval, and then I am righteous, and it's my righteousness that makes it so that I can go to the Father." [00:17:45] (32 seconds)
"You see, it is the Holy Spirit's work to convince us that our righteousness is as filthy rags, but it's Christ's righteousness that we need as our only hope for salvation. We don't have to figure this out on our own. The Holy Spirit's working to reveal this to us. And how do I know that? Because it's in the scriptures, and you've just heard it in a sermon." [00:23:58] (24 seconds)
"There is a judgment day coming. Hebrews chapter 9, verse 27 says, it's appointed for man once to die, and after this, the judgment. The proof of this, excuse me, in John chapter 16, back in there, verse 11, he says, because the ruler of this world is judged. I won't take time to go into all the things about the rule of the world there, but he's basically talking about how Satan has a temporary domain over the world." [00:24:51] (26 seconds)
"And he says that, but there's a promised judgment. The rule of this world will be judged. And we read about that in Revelation. We read about that he'll be in the lake of fire. And he says, there's the promise that there is judgment. But here's the sobering judgment. And he says, there's a promise that there is judgment. And he says, there's a reality is that if we die without Christ, there is judgment." [00:25:29] (25 seconds)
"So the Holy Spirit's convicting work is crucial to salvation. Titus chapter 3 says, Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing and regeneration of who? The Holy Spirit. See, the Holy Spirit's work is just so crucial in salvation. And he's here to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment here. So our evangelism efforts must be dependent on the Holy Spirit." [00:31:54] (31 seconds)
"So receive the instruction, the correction of the Holy Spirit. Don't go back to old way of thinking. Okay, I only got just a minute. to wrap this up here. So what are some of the typical tools that the Holy Spirit uses for His convicting work? Okay, there are, again, as I mentioned before, not exhaustive, but this is going to be helpful, I pray it's going to be helpful to us. Number one is a biblically informed conscience, a biblically informed conscience." [00:38:09] (24 seconds)
"Typical tools is the ordinary means of grace. Now, I am trying, you're probably picking up on the fact that I'm using that phrase, intentionally, more and more because I'm trying to recapture that phrase. It was a phrase that was used in Christianity for so long. And then it got kind of taken hostage, and then people stopped using it. Because a lot of times people hear to say, oh, is this meaning the means of grace in terms of salvation? Like how God gives us salvation through specific things." [00:42:36] (30 seconds)
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