THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

December 5, 2016

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

John 16:1–15

Scott Breedlove

Central Truth

Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to counsel us in truth and glorify Christ.

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7)

1 I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

God has revealed Himself and His long-term plan to me. Revelation 21-22 is one of my favorite revelations about Jesus Christ and His paradise that awaits us. Despite the privilege of knowing this Truth for many years, I am still often tempted by an evil desire for some short-term pleasure or worldly comfort that would ultimately lead to death (see James 1:13-15). If you think I’ve got problems now, imagine where I would be if the Lord hadn’t saved me at a young age and given me His Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is Christ’s gift to believers (see Acts 2:38 and Luke 11:13). For those who confess and follow Him as Lord, the Holy Spirit is our “Helper” (John 14:26) who intercedes for us even when we don’t know what we should be praying for (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit completely remakes us (see Titus 3:5-6), replacing our “heart of stone” with a “heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26-27) so that we have inexplicable love for others and other godly traits that are simply not natural, but supernatural (see Romans 5:5 and the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23).

In John 16, Jesus teaches His disciples about the Holy Spirit whom He would send after He went away. I don’t always remember that the disciples, while they had Jesus physically in their midst, did not yet have the Holy Spirit in them. After Jesus did go away and later gave the disciples this promised gift, the Church was born amidst powerful opposition and changed the world forever.

Today, we can call on the Spirit of Christ for intercession, for truth and understanding that completely escapes the unbelieving world, for a compassionate, gentle, committed, courageous love for those who don’t deserve it, and for power in our gospel witness, to the glory of God our Father.

1. In verse 12, Jesus tells His disciples that the “Spirit of truth” will come to them and guide them. In what ways have you felt the Holy Spirit guide you?

2. The Bible says that we as followers of Christ have received the Holy Spirit and that He intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27). What role does the Holy Spirit play in your prayer life?

3. Do your prayers reflect a desire to glorify the Father?

4. I didn’t really discuss the first four verses of the passage, but are you prepared to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Him in spite of persecution? (Luke 9:23) What are you doing to prepare and equip yourself? Consider opportunities like the Equipped Disciple ministry: http://www.watermark.org/dallas/ministries/equipped-disciple/.