The Holy Spirit’s Ministry
12 May 2013 PM – John 16:1-15 – Scott Childs
Introduction: What is the Holy Spirit to you? Do you think of Him as an influence? Do you view Him as an inner power? Or do you know Him as a personal Friend? If so, do you talk to Him as a Friend?
Jesus told the disciples of coming hatred and persecution because He did not want them to be offended when it happened. He predicted that religious people would kill them thinking they were serving God (1-4).
With these words of warning, the disciples were not truly interested in where Jesus was going, but they were filled with sorrow that He was leaving them (5-6). He then turned their attention the the Holy Spirit who would become their Comforter.
Transition: This evening we are going to examine four ministries of the Holy Spirit as Jesus described them.
I. The Holy Spirit Will Comfort in Jesus’ Absence (7)
A. Jesus’ departure was expedient
1. Expedient means profitable, better, or beneficial*
2. Jesus knew what was best for Christians. While it would be wonderful having Jesus with us on earth, while a human, He was limited to one location at a time. He knew that the indwelling Holy Spirit would be far more beneficial for us.
B. The Comforter would come after Jesus left
1. Again, Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Comforter.
2. Comforter means one who pleads another’s cause or in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant*
3. He would indwell each Christian all the time.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
II. The Holy Spirit Will Reprove the World (8-11)
This raises several questions in our minds.
A. What does “reprove the world” mean?
1. Reprove means to convict, refute, to find fault with, or to correct*
2. The world refers to the inhabitants of the earth.* The world primarily refers to unbelievers, but the Holy Spirit also convicts believers when they sin.
Constable in his Notes describes how God reproves men. “In each case it involves showing someone his or her sin with a view to securing repentance.”
B. Of what will He reprove them?
1. Concerning sin – to miss the mark of perfection*
2. Concerning righteousness – being right with God
3. Concerning judgment – separating, or a sentence of condemnation*
C. How will He reprove them?
1. He convicts concerning sin because they do not believe on Christ (9). “The gospel starts with a recognition of mankind’s sinfulness and the need for God’s righteousness.” Bob Utley
a) All people are sinners, but the one damning sin is unbelief in the atoning work and person of Jesus Christ.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
b) The Holy Spirit will convict unbelievers of their sinful condition and need of Christ.
There must be a conviction before we can turn in faith and trust to Jesus Christ. . . If you do not trust Him, you are lost. It is just as simple as that. (McGee)
2. He convicts concerning righteousness because Jesus, the Righteous One, has departed (10).
a) Since Jesus will be gone, the Holy Spirit will convict people that Jesus was righteous.
b) Christ’s righteousness exposes man’s sinfulness. No person can honestly look into the mirror of God’s holiness and not see his own sinfulness.
c) Because Christ was righteousness, He was able to pay the sin debt of every unrighteous person.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
3. He convicts concerning judgment because the prince of this world is judged (11).
a) On the cross, Christ defeated Satan and condemned him.
b) All who sin by not believing on Christ and who do not trust His righteousness actually side with Satan and will share in his eternal damnation.
c) Of this, the Holy Spirit convicts the world.
As you pray for the lost, ask the Holy Spirit to do His convicting work in their hearts. Remember, without conviction there can be no salvation.
III. The Holy Spirit Will Guide Believers into all Truth (13-14)
A. He is the Spirit of Truth
1. Remember, the Holy Spirit is God.
2. God is Truth.
B. He guides Christians into all truth
1. He guides Christians into all of God’s truth.
a) He authored the Bible.
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
b) He gave New Testament writers words that the disciples were not yet able to bear when Christ was with them (12).
c) He will lead the way into truth. When studying the Bible, we ought to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
2. He will not speak of Himself or literally “from” Himself. He will receive his words from the Father. The Trinity work together.
3. He would also reveal things to come. This He did in the New Testament epistles and in the Revelation given to John years later.
IV. The Holy Spirit Will Glorify Christ (14-15)
A. The Holy Spirit does not promote Himself.
1. He will glorify Christ. He will lift up Christ. He points our focus on Christ.
a) He convicts sinners of their need of Christ.
b) He convicts Christians when they stray from Christ. He makes them victorious for Christ.
2. This is the opposite of what is happening in many churches today.
As John the Baptist, His [the Holy Spirit] purpose is to make Jesus increase in prominence. This fact should make suspect any human attempt to glorify the Spirit above the Son. Such an emphasis is not in harmony with the Spirit’s purpose. Constable’s Notes
B. The Holy Spirit will support Christ.
1. He receives truth from Christ.
But he will never reveal anything contrary to that which Christ has revealed in his Word. That which is to be revealed is that truth which was from the beginning. As we are taught it by the Divine Spirit, it becomes fresh truth to us, though it was ever in Christ’s eternal mind. Charles Spurgeon
2. He shows this truth to us (15).
Conclusion: We who know Christ have a wonderful Friend in the Holy Spirit. He comforts us. He convicts sinners when we witness and convicts us when we stray. He guides us into truth from Christ. He promotes Christ in our hearts. Learn these truths well, lest false teachers confuse you. Lean on these truths to receive help as you serve Christ.
Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337
*Thayer’s Lexicon