The Work of The Holy Spirit
(A Night Like No Other – Part 9)
#145 in Series: “The Life of Christ – in a Harmony of The Gospels”
We are taking a lot of time to think through all that Jesus said to His disciples, the final night before going to the cross… The Lord preserved these words for every generation of Christians to follow, and He does so, not for our mere information … but for our transformation…
It will take us several more weeks for us to cover all that occurred that night… One of the most important is what we read in our text today…
Our focus will be on John 16:4b-15, but for context’s sake, we will read beginning with verse :1 –
John 16:1-15
1 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. 2 They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. 4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at 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 But 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 He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear themnow. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
As we think through Jesus’ words, we will learn more about just how The Holy Spirit works… Let’s consider first, how –
1. The Holy Spirit Possesses the Believer
For this point, we need to be reminded of what we’ve already read… Earlier in the night, Jesus told His disciples –
John 14:16-17
16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
As we now focus on our main text, let’s think about –
There are a few things Jesus says in the first few verses that point to this need for the Holy Spirit…
Up to this point, the disciples really didn’t … need the Holy Spirit, because they had Christ!
John 16:4b
These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
But, before long they will not have Christ!... He’s going to the cross, and within weeks after His resurrection, He’s going … back to heaven!
So, there will be the need for the Holy Spirit because of the absenceof Jesus’ physical presence!
In verses :5-6, we see Jesus speaking to two reasons for the need for the Holy Spirit in the life of a disciple! Think carefully with me about this… Jesus says –
John 16:5
“But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’
Stop there… This is rather sad!... It is an indictment against the disciples!... They have been so focused … themselves, that they express no concern for Christ at this point!...
I think David Guzik explains this best –
David Guzik – “Peter had asked this question earlier (John 13:36) and Thomas asked a similar question (John 14:5). Therefore Jesus must mean not only the words of the question, but the heart of it. Their previous asking was in the sense, what will happen to us when You leave, not in the sense Jesus meant here – what will happen to You when You leave.”
When a believer becomes so focused on self – that self is all they can see … they need the Holy Spirit!
We also see the need for the Holy Spirit, not just because of … selfishness – but because of … sorrow. Look at –
John 16:6
But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
Jesus is saying that their sorrow has … overwhelmed them!
So far, the words of Jesus certainly point to … the need for the Holy Spirit in the life of disciples…
Now let’s consider –
… specifically the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a disciple…
Consider Jesus’ words … words that inform and comfort!
John 16:7
But 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.
First, think about the statement; “I tell you the truth”... Why does Jesus say this? It was simply to … call attention to the fact, that what He is about to say, is something that they … really need to pay attention to, and take in… They need to “hear and receive” His Word!... Jesus knew they were having a hard time believing, and He is offering them … truth – encouraging truth they need to hear…
You recall the meaning of this special word, describing the ministry of the Holy Spirit… “Helper” is the word; παράκλητος (parakletos) – which literally “the called alongside one”... The Holy Spirit is “called alongside” us to provide, from the Father, exactly what we need! He is our Helper!
This is the fourth time John records that Jesus used the word “Helper” in referencing the Holy Spirit. This first time was in –
John 14:16-17
16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
Notice several truths about the “Called Alongside One” in this passage:
And finally, here in our main text –
John 16:7
But 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.
Jump down to verse :12 –
John 16:12-15
12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear themnow. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
What a great encouragement to the believer!... The Holy Spirit was promised by Christ, to come from the Lord after He ascends to heaven – and the Holy Spirit comes to take up residence in the believer, and will teach the believer – guiding us into all truth!... He imparts that truth / deposits that truth in us!... The truth revealed by God, which in turn – equips us and … transforms us – for our good and His glory!
The ministry of the Holy Spirit, in the life of the believer … is all good!
Now, you may have felt that we have skipped over something Jesus said – but let’s look to that now…
Right in the middle of all this … good news about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer – how He “possesses the believer” – we see that Jesus has something to say about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a non-believer… Let’s consider how –
2. The Holy Spirit Prosecutes the Unbeliever
John 16:8-11
8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
We get the concept of “Prosecutor” from the word; “convict”... This is not a mere, emotive term when one “feels” the sting of guilt. Indeed, that is a part of the Holy Spirit’s work, but we need to understand that this is a legal term – it speaks of the conclusion of a case adjudicated in court! At the conclusion of the trial, when the verdict is pronounced, and the accused is found … guilty – then … conviction comes!... That is the sense in which the word is used here!
I like how F.F. Bruce explains this particular role of the Holy Spirit –
F.F. Bruce – “The Spirit is the ‘advocate’ or helper of those who believe in Jesus, their counsel for the defence. But in relation to unbelievers, to the godless world, he acts as counsel for the prosecution.”
Let’s get into it… In His direct “ministry” to the world – the Holy Spirit does three things!
John 16:8-9
8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;
We’ve already discussed the legal aspect of the word “convict”, but we do need to remember that it also carries other significant facets of meaning. It carries the ideas to expose, to refute, and to convince(Bruce). This Holy Spirit’s work in the world and in the heart of the individual…
The New Testament scholar, and Greek Professor, Merrill Tenney said –
Merrill C. Tenney – “The Spirit does not merely accuse men of sin, he brings to them an inescapable sense of guilt so that they realize their shame and helplessness before God.”
And just what is the conviction concerning?... It is unbelief – the willful unbelief in rejecting the truth of Christ, and one’s need for Him!
Merrill C. Tenney also said – “The essence of sin is unbelief, which is not simply a casual incredulity nor a difference of opinion; rather, it is a total rejection of God’s messenger and message.”
Next –
John 16:8, 10
8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 10 … concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;
Think about Jesus’ statement, that He is going to the Father… How does that fact, necessitate the need for the Holy Spirit to now come and “convict the world of righteousness”?... It is because, while Jesus was present, here in the flesh, He demonstrated righteousness, and He exposed the world to its unrighteousness… and when He returns to heaven – Who will be present to explain, and convince one of the beauty and righteousness of Jesus?... Who will be the One present to convince and convict one of their own unrighteousness? – The Holy Spirit!
It was sad that many … rejected Who Jesus was while He walked upon this earth! He was indeed righteous in all that He was and in all that He said and did – but people rejected Him.
It is the same today. Jesus is still righteous – He is the way to righteousness! And people still reject Him … unless and until the Holy Spirit gets involved!
Eyes are not open, until He opens them! Ears are dull to hearing God’s voice in His Word – until The Holy Spirit opens them… People are determined to defend themselves as being righteous – until The Holy Spirit holds up the mirror and shows them their utter … bankruptcy and need for the Savior!...
This is why we pray for the lost… Only the Lord can convince one of their desperate need for the Savior – and only the Lord can convey the truth, beaty, and mercy in Christ!... Pray for the lost!
Why?... Why should you pray for that lost one to come to the knowledge of the truth about themselves and their need for the Lord?... Because if they continue in their sin, they are in trouble!
Consider the third thing Jesus says The Holy Spirit does toward the lost –
John 16:8, 11
8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 11 … concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
The one responsible for the sin that has come into the world – the one responsible for evil to reside in every heart is judged!... Satan is a defeated foe!
It is the Holy Spirit that makes us aware of this fact!... And this knowledge then, serves as the warning – that Satan, and all of those … who are in his camp – are under the sentence of the eternal condemnation of a righteous God!
Now, if you think the only one responsible, and the only one who will be condemned is Satan – think again.
Write these reference down – The Holy Spirit, through the writer of the book of Hebrews gives us the warning of the judgement … you deserve –
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
And –
how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
Listen, there awaits a judgement for the guilty… And the reality is … we are all guilty!
There is good news. There is the gospel… God, being rich in mercy (Eph. 2:3-5), has provided … a substitute, to absorb the just wrath of God in behalf of those who repent of their sin, and turn to Christ!
Write done –
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
God the Father, placed our sin upon His Son – “making Him to be sin us” – treating Jesus as if He had committed all of our sin… Jesus took that debt upon Himself in behalf of those whom He calls out of the world to become His Own…
The only hope one can have for deliverance from the judgment deserved – is to come to Christ!
There is a basic logic we should employ… The Lord is going to judge Satan and those who possess a rebellious heart like him… You don’t want to share in that judgement…
Marcus Dods says it well – “The world, the prince of it, is ‘judged’. To adhere to it rather than to Christ is to cling to a doomed cause, a sinking ship.”
Questions to Consider in Community Group:
David Guzik – “Peter had asked this question earlier (John 13:36) and Thomas asked a similar question (John 14:5). Therefore Jesus must mean not only the words of the question, but the heart of it. Their previous asking was in the sense, what will happen to us when You leave, not in the sense Jesus meant here – what will happen to You when You leave.”
F.F. Bruce – “The Spirit is the ‘advocate’ or helper of those who believe in Jesus, their counsel for the defence. But in relation to unbelievers, to the godless world, he acts as counsel for the prosecution.”
Merrill C. Tenney – “The Spirit does not merely accuse men of sin, he brings to them an inescapable sense of guilt so that they realize their shame and helplessness before God.”
Merrill C. Tenney also said – “The essence of sin is unbelief, which is not simply a casual incredulity nor a difference of opinion; rather, it is a total rejection of God’s messenger and message.”
Marcus Dods – “The world, the prince of it, is ‘judged’. To adhere to it rather than to Christ is to cling to a doomed cause, a sinking ship.”
