John 16:4b-11 - The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

John 16:4b-11

4b 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.

Message: The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: The farewell discourse that Jesus gives in John 14-17 continues and for me I feel like he is giving comfort to the disciples - assuring them in him going away that this is the better outcome for everyone and also assuring them that everything will be okay for them, namely because the Holy Spirit, the Helper, will remain with them. 

The Helper or Holy Spirit's ministry purpose Jesus states, "convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." John 15:26 said the Spirit would testify of Jesus. John 14:26 says the Helper will teach you all things and bring remembrance all that Jesus said. The Spirit will work in the Christian's life teaching all things and bringing to the forefront of people's minds all that Jesus said. What an amazing and well needed attribute and benefit the Christian receives. 

And then the Spirit will convict the world in their sin, righteousness and judgment. I know in my conversations with people in other parts of the world, especially the African countries, even parts of the Middle East, and Indian countries that people are coming to faith and eyes are being opened and the so the Holy Spirit is at work in convicting. At times in America though I don't see this happening currently at a great rate. I think we have Christians recommitting lives, but it seems we have a lot of people leaving the church or young people not starting church after leaving the homes in which they have been raised. For the world, I wonder at times if many God has given over or allowed them to pursue their sinful ways since they seem to love those ways so much - as this is talked about in Romans 1:24-31. I say this because the Gospel does not seem to be penetrating. Now I also think the church has diminished their evangelism as well. Granted, it is hard to continue in these efforts when the audience continues to ridicule, ignore, or be indifferent to the message. 

I think verses 9, 10, and 11 are interesting:

concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 

concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 

concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

Conviction for sin as people are not believing in Jesus so their sin needs to be exposed. That seems clear to me. Even more specifically it is rejecting the Lord Jesus. This is the chief sin people are guilty. People refuse to submit to him and instead choose to reign their own lives. This is the big regret that people will have as voiced by Zechariah 7:10, "And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and mourn." 

Second, the conviction concerning righteousness of Christ. The world would be convicted and convinced that He was indeed innocent for any crimes people have said he committed. And people will be amazed. His resurrection and ascension will show everyone that He is not an imposter. By Jesus being raised from the dead he would be shown to be innocent, and thus confirmed that He was sent by God. And Jesus will no longer be seen by them until he returns to judgment. 

Third, the conviction concerting the judgment or that God is just and He will execute judgment. By Jesus dying, Satan is judged or condemned. Jesus is victorious. Judgment will be executed on all of the foes of Jesus. 

And thus we have in these words the confirmation of the work of the Holy Spirit in converting man and woman. 

I am convinced of my sin and that Christ is perfect, not an imposter but the Son of God and Satan will be judged while Jesus will be victorious.  

Summary: Jesus confirms it is better for him to leave to the Father, as the Holy Spirit will be with us and convict the world of sin, Christ's innocence and Christ the victor over Satan. 

Promise: Great words from Tabletalk, "The Holy Spirit was active in the world before the ascension of Jesus, but the outpouring of the Spirit as the result of Jesus’ ministry has meant a mightier work of the Spirit among the nations. People around the world have been streaming into the kingdom of God as the Spirit has given them new hearts to believe in Christ. Because of the Spirit’s work, we can be confident that He will use our proclamation of the gospel to grow the kingdom of God."

Prayer: O Lord God, you are iindeed the great one and have lived the perfect life to be the perfect substitute and save me forever. You are coming again. Satan is vanquished. You are indeed King. O Praise the Name of Jesus. O thank you Holy Spirit for your comfort and reminding me always of my condition, my need for a Savior. Lord, I pray you would continue to awaken souls, especially in this land of America. Help your servants like me to be faithful to preaching Jesus and His gospel truth and turn hearts around to you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 16:1-4a - The Persecution to Come

John 16:1-4a

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.

Message: The Persecution to Come

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Well, onto Chapter 16. I am still in the middle of Jesus' farewell discourse with Chapter 15 having more of a focus on the relationship of believers in Christ, to each other, and to the world and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus continues to refer often to himself and then his position with His Father. Everything he says has a linkage to the Father to help us see that Jesus now is the Father's appointed sacrifice and from this point forward we must submit and surrender to Him, by faith. However, chapter 15 is specifically addressed to believers and so Jesus here in his message I think is speaking to believers in Christ. 

In Chapter 16 Jesus mentions that He is speaking these things in order that the disciple might be kept from stumbling. Stumbling is a reality. We hear things and we are not confident that they are always true, doubt creeps in and in the process we stumble. I think these things probably refers to the Holy Spirit and not necessarily the persecution words. 

In verse 2, Jesus says "they" in referring I think back to those who are persecuting and hating the disciples, again because of Jesus and believing in Him. Now Jesus seems to focus their minds more securely on the persecution that is coming. He mentions that those persecuting often believe they are doing God's work. The Pharisees are an example. It is tragic that much of the persecution that the church experiences is from other churches. I think there is a great tendency of competition between churches and even denominations. I think part of it simply how we are trained in society with the sports and even education and celebrating victors and not losers. In the process, people within the faith are competing against one another. I admit, at times it is an easier target and easier to think something we are better equipped in the Word of God than others. 

Now I don't think verse 3 necessarily applies to the attacks we often get within the church when it says, "These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me." I do believe that many of these attacks are more of competition than asserting that people don't know Jesus or God as Father. But, there also attacks between faiths. 

Jesus concludes in verse 4 that the words He speaks are to be an encouragement, to provide comfort to them. But not necessarily today, but in the future, "when their hour comes." We need to tap into these promises that the Lord gives and let them remind us so that when these difficult times come we can remember He is there with us. 

Summary: Persecution is coming, within the church and outside of it; Jesus encourages us to not stumble and remember the words of comfort He continues to speak. 

Promise: We need to stand firm in God's word, remembering God's promises, so that as difficulties and persecutions happen, we will stand firm. 

Prayer: Lord, you are with us at all times and I pray we would remember better and tap into that comfort that you provide and not react to tough situations but respond appropriately, trusting You. Lord, open the eyes of the blind and even those persecuting so that they will see the evil of their ways. Mend us, your church and all of its different colors and systems. Teach us how to disagree. Teach us how to love one another in all situations. I pray that the world would not receive wrong messages about us in seeing us disagree with one another. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:26-27 - The Witness of God’s Spirit and People

John 15:26-27
26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, [that] is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

Message: The Witness of God’s Spirit and People

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: I previously studied and looked at the promise of the Helper Jesus mentioned to the disciples upon his departure, providing them that comfort they would have now that Jesus was physically gone from their preference. This is something the world does not offer. The Helper or Holy Spirit, "whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." 

Jesus repeats this idea in verse 26 of today's passage. Jesus adds another purpose of the Holy Spirit - to testify about Jesus. The Holy Spirit will be sent to us ("I will send to you") and in the midst of the inevitable persecution and hatred that the disciples will receive from the World. that Holy Spirit will reside in us as believers and followers in Christ. Again, on one hand the disciples have this confidence and assurance of the comfort they will have, to have the Holy Spirit walking with them throughout all of life. The Holy Spirit is there to help us continue to hold fast to the gospel. 

But with God in us, the world won't like this or us. And we see this in our world today - that Jesus remains offensive and the Christian remains offensive. But, again, we can hold fast with the Spirit of truth with us. 

In verse 27, Jesus says, "and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning." The disciples had been with Jesus for 3 years at the start of His public ministry (Matthew 4:17-22), seeing his works and so they can testify about Jesus as well, of his character and doctrines. Like them, we as Christ's followers bear witness of what God has done in our lives and we also testify of Him. So it is the Helper testifying of Jesus and His followers, here the disciples, testifying of Jesus. And in that process though not stated here we have community with one another. We can encourage one another for we are living together in this path. 

Summary: Jesus sends the helper to testify of Jesus and His followers, the disciples, testify of Jesus as well, having been with him since beginning of His ministry. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "Christ is with His people in the power of the Spirit in order to guard us and make us effective witnesses to Him." 

Prayer: O God, you were right, the world knocks us down and you knew this would happen as we have trusted You and know that Your way is the only way. You have sealed me for eternity with You in heaven, clearing me of all charges against me by God of the sin that entangled my life. The world often does not understand, but I do testify of You. But I am not alone and I thank you for sending me the holy spirit to walk with me through all of life's challenges and joys, providing me the comfort of Christ. Thank you God for the truth that pervades our lives and speaks to us. Keep me on the straight and narrow. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:22-25 - Inexcusable Sin

John 15:22-25

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25 But [they have done this] to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.'

Message: Inexcusable Sin

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Interesting, at first glance Jesus seems to sort of washing his hands at the inevitable outcome of the world. He is giving the outcome it would seem of the world. Again, I think of this man I have been speaking with. He says he believes and prays to God, but Jesus was only a good person, not the Son of God. Jesus is saying however that if you reject Him you are also rejecting the Father. I can see that this is quite a claim. I have shared the gospel multiple times with this man, in many different ways, but he has been firm in stating He does believe in God and prays to God, but he does not believe in Jesus and only thinks he is a good person. Overall he thinks his good deeds is enough. But Jesus and John in this gospel is making the strong statement over and over - and speaking to primarily a Jewish audience - stating that when a person rejects Jesus that person is also rejecting the Father. In other words, once God has sent His son on the earth, things change. 

Jesus continues his worlds toward the world that he mentioned in verse 18. Verse 22 begins with another "if" statement. The verse makes me think that since Jesus showed up and was resurrected in AD 33, everyone is now accountable to him. This verse has some funny language - "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin.'  The sin that Jesus was referring to here was hate (v. 18) and persecution (v. 20). I think the idea is if Jesus had not come and they had not seen his miracles and heard His words, they would not be accountable to Him. But Jesus did come and He did testify and they were given an opportunity to hear of Him, "but now they have no excuse for their sin." Jesus did come to this earth and so people are accountable. I think that's a key idea I have been sort of searching for or wondering. Now that Jesus has come and died and been resurrected and shed his blood, all are accountable to Him. There is no other gospel. We can't simply say I believe in God only. 

Therefore, "He who hates Me hates My Father also."  A person has to accept Jesus. A person can't just hang on the Father now and the Father only. He repeats these same ideas and closed in verse 25 with a quote from the Old Testament. In this quote, Jesus is mirroring a situation that happened to David (Psalm 35:19). Albert Barnes (1798-1870) comments, "David was conscious that he had done them no wrong, or that he had given no occasion for their conduct toward him, and hence, his prayer is simply a request that justice might be done." And Jesus says, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.' They have had the opportunity. Jesus has given people the opportunity. Like David, there is no cause for them to hate him as He has been true to himself. 

Summary: Jesus remarks that no one has a reason to curse Him by hatred or persecution because He has presented Himself as the Son of Man who is equal to the Father. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, " As we meet people who claim to love God without serving Christ, we must be clear that they cannot love God unless they are servants of Jesus the Savior."

Prayer: Jesus you are true. You have been sent by God. Lord, I believe now and understand that when people hear you and hear you preached they are accountable to You. There are no other options. Thank you for these truths and help me be a faithful witness of You always, helping people rightly understand You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:18-21 - The World's Hatred

John 15:18-21 

18 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, "A slave is not greater than his master." If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake. Because they do not know the One who sent Me. 

Message: The World's Hatred

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: I continue to press on with these lessons. On the side, I'm talking to people online and sometimes get discouraged because people don't understand the Gospel. And now I read this verse with Jesus talking about the world hating us Christians at times with Jesus reminding us it has hated Him more. In my Bible this section from verse 18-25 is about the 'Relationship of Believers to the World.' 

At first glance these words seem like a surprise. Jesus I think still is comforting His disciples after announcing his glorification or return to the Father and reminds them He is with and the Holy Spirit will help. But he also then starts to speak of abiding in Him and that love He has for us and we are to have for him and faithful obedience to His commands follows this. But now this abrupt turn to those that hate us. We have been talking about loving one another. 

There definitely seems to be a difference in how Christians think and how the world thinks. I see this in conversations and must admit it is challenging to help people understand truth. The struggle I have most of the time is when someone says they believe in God or even says that they pray. So there is something there as far as acknowledging but then getting them to the place of them surrendering to God seems hard or hard for them to figure out. Even as I present the gospel it is like something is not registering. 

But when looking at those that are opposed like another man I'm talking to then the words are much stronger and clear in people's disdain. Jesus is clearing speaking of a difference - believers and those of the World. That is another tough concept to the non-Christian who I think somewhat believe at the end of the day everyone will end up in the same place. And it is interesting that the Bible so clearly talks about two different type of people - followers/believers/disciples and then the World. The fact that there is opposition to the church and the gospel is clear and evident. There is no intention for all to be accepted by God and we see this portrayed as well. 

Also, the word "if" is used often, not previously but here. "If the world hates you" or "If you were of the world" or "If they persecuted me" or "If they kept My word." The "if" is not a definite situation but a possibility. Suppose this happens. And maybe the "if" refers to the fact that not all will experience this because not all will know Jesus the way He intended. 

Verse 19, 20, 21 continues the same information stated a little differently regarding disciples not being greater than their teacher, the Messiah. We are not of the world, but if we subscribe to the world and its ways, they will love us. But we are not of the world or we are not to be of the world.  Verse 20 mentions that a slave or servant is not greater than its master simple means that the disciple can expect the same treatment that Jesus receives. And all things will be done to the disciples for the sake of Jesus. 

Summary: Like Jesus, the disciples will be persecuted and hated by the world, but this hate is first directed at Jesus. 

Promise: The world cannot help but hate us, because those who are in rebellion against God hate everything that is not also in rebellion against Him. 

Prayer: God, you bore the punishment for me and have saved me from eternal separation from you. You are all I need in my life ultimately. Keep reminding me of this. I thank you for the community of the church that provides me encouragement amidst the tough times in our world. Help me to have the negative words towards me bounce off and yet I do know they are rejecting You first, but this still remains hard to accept. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:14-17 - Friends of the Savior

John 15:14-17

14 You are my friends, if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another. 

Message: Friends of the Savior

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus continues this long discourse with his disciples. I am taking these words slow, breaking them apart, and yet this is a discourse that is not lasting long in time, though Jesus is speaking a lot. A lot of what I have read and see in these words are words of comfort and encouragement that Jesus is sharing with His disciples. But there are also words of responsibilities we have as believers and followers. 

I use the devotional Tabletalk, a ministry of Ligonier, to guide me through these lessons. It is interesting because I have seen recently in the lessons that speak of commands and appear to give these conditional statements like today in verse 14, "If you do what I command you" and verse 7, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you" and verse 4-6, "Abide in Me, and I in you" to bear fruit or Jesus will cast us out -- as those conditional statements are made, Tabletalk makes a point to say - now don't think these statements are conditional. I don't necessarily disagree with this, though I find it interesting that these statements must be made because it tells me there is potential for misunderstanding. 

And yet on a high level, Jesus is communicating a responsibility that believers have living in Christ. There is a responsibility they have with themselves towards Christ, with how they relate to others, and even the world at large which I will get to later. 

In this passage, Jesus says we are His friends, but says we are to do what He commands as He has previously mentioned the importance of keeping His commandments (v.10) and that the commandment is to love one another (v.12).  We are friends, not slaves any longer. And Jesus speaks of the special-ness or the intimacy that we now have with Him as His friends knowing what He is doing. Jesus receives from the Father and has shared with us. We are close to Him. 

Then in verse 16 and 17 is another summary that Jesus gives and these words do make us think those previous words that appear to be conditional are not. He says, "I chose you." We did not choose Him. This is correct. He called the disciples, the followers of Him and they responded, but Jesus did the choosing. And with that choosing is a task to go and bear fruit. I've been remembering the words of God in Genesis 1:28 when God says to Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth." God created and God called. He says He chose us to bear fruit. That we are to ask of Him so that He will provide. He wants to provide. Again He says, "Love one another." Here it is again - (1) Believe, (2) Ask, (3) Obey, (4) The Helper helps and maybe I could add to love one another but I think that is part of obedience. 

Summary: We are Jesus' friend, no longer slaves. He chose us to bear fruit, and we can ask Him in His name and He will give it. We are to love one another. 

Promise: Though we are friends with Jesus, we still receive commands from Him that we are to obey. 

Prayer: Lord, you have called me your friend, choosing me, being transparent with me by telling me what You have done and done for me and will do. Thank you God for your honesty toward me and helping me throughout my days and my life. You keep me close to You always. Give me that strength to love one another and encourage them always to live for You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 15:12-13 - Christian Love Defined

John 15:12-13

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 

Message: Christian Love Defined

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: I think the word 'commandment' is an interesting one. It showed up I believe for the first time in John 12:49-50, "the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say, what to speak, and I know that His commandment is eternal life." Commandment is singular but refers to the Father speaking to Jesus. Then in 13:34 once Jesus mentions He will be going to a new place (glorified from verse 32) is "A new commandment I give you to you, that you love one another." In many ways up to this point John has really emphasized eternal life in his gospel. But here shifts to our relationship with others. 

Then in 14:21 commandments is plural and so more encompassing, "He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me." Commandments is more comprehensive now and is speaking to all the different ways we show love for God and others. 15:10, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love." Commandment keeping moves from loving to abiding. 

And now in verse 12, the singular commandment is mentioned again, repeating the same idea from John 13:34 and only in verse 13 now is the elevation of this love when Jesus says it is more than loving, but to "lay down his life for his friends." 

I think only Jesus has laid down his life for all of his friends, but people still have done this. I think of a secret service agent taking a bullet for the president or not even a secret service agent, but perhaps someone else doing this, like a husband for his wife. When we see this in a movie, it is an incredible act of sacrifice. This was Jesus' purpose in going to the cross - to lay down his life so that other could live. The gospels showed the principle, but the cross made it permanent for all. I just don't think any other faith systems makes this prominent in their doctrines - the need to love others. 

But laying down my life can simply be done in laying down what is important to me in order to serve others. Like visiting people that need a word of encouragement, discipling someone, serving my dad or family member or wife or children. Many times coming home from work I didn't do this and was caught up in myself with my kids, not playing ball, not talking to them, not sitting alongside them to get to know their world - I regret those times because they are gone, but I can keep trying today and even today it requires sacrifice. 

Summary: Christ-like love is passed on from Him to us to us to others and as He would lay down His life for all of us, I can practice the same sort of sacrifice though in different ways toward others. 

Promise: Whatever our station in life, we should look for ways to spend our lives for the sake of others. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for challenging us in this way to love others. I thank you for the emphasis this has been in my life. I love others and yet I struggle with this at times in not seeing something in others I want to see - often selfless work or sacrifice for me. Help me to love others in a real way and not look for something in return. You paid the ultimate sacrifice for me in dying for me on the cross, shedding your blood for me. Help me to be more giving toward others. I thank you for John and what he emphasizes to us and the joy of reading and studying Your word. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.