Principles Of Proclamation Series

Principles of Proclamation

Pastor Larry Starett

July 20, 2003 AM Service

John 15:22-27

INTRODUCTION: A teenaged girl who was taking First Aid lessons burst through the door of her home and said, "Mom, I just saw a horrible accident and I was able to use my First Aid Training!" "What did you do?" her mother asked. "Well, when I arrived on the scene, I saw one man with a broken leg, a woman who was bleeding from the head, and two children who were both unconscious." "So what did you do?" asked her mother. The young girl replied, "I sat down on the curb and put my head between my knees so I wouldn’t pass out."

Sadly, that response isn’t so unusual when it comes to spiritual issues. This morning, I want us to look at John 15:22-27, and we’re going to see "3 Principles of Proclamation."

I. Revelation Brings Responsibility (vv. 22-25)

A. This is a fundamental principle from Scripture, and Jesus is pointing out that His coming brought out what was deep within the hearts of many.

B. The ignorance of the Jews is represented as inexcusable, since Christ was come, and had preached unto them

C. If he had not come and told them that he was the Messiah, they might have pleaded an excuse for their ignorance of Him, and His mission, and of the Father that sent Him; but inasmuch as He was come in the flesh, and came to them His own; and came also a light into the world, carrying along with him evidence, conviction, and demonstration, of His being the Messiah; speaking such words as never man did; preaching with such authority as the Scribes and Pharisees did not; declaring in plain terms he was the Christ of God, and that if they did not believe Him to be so, they would die in their sins; they could have no pretext to make for their ignorance and disbelief.

D. Their great sin was the rejection of Christ.

E. John 3:2 - The Pharisees KNEW that Jesus was sent from God, but they rejected Him anyway.

F. John 9:39-41 ~ Jesus tells the Pharisees that, if they were blind, there would be an excuse for their actions. But since they claim to see clearly, they are more accountable to God.

G. ILLUS: I just read this week of a handheld device that is designed for blind people. It has a Braille keyboard and a GPS (Global Positioning System). The blind person types in their destination on the keyboard, and the device gives audible commands to get them to their location. It gives the blind man a "set of eyes" that he never had before.

H. Revelation of sin to the world brings the responsibility to accepts God’s method of dealing with sin.

I. Revelation of truth to the believer brings the responsibility to walk in obedience to the truth. James tells us, "To the one who knows to do right, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin."

J. Luke 12:48 - "…For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more."

K. The more knowledge a man has, the more practice is expected from him; and the greater his gifts are, the more useful he ought to be, and diligent in the improvement of them.

L. In the Parable of the Talents in Matt. 25, the servant who took what was given to him and did nothing with it was called "wicked and lazy." God spare this church from "wicked and lazy" Christians!

II. The Holy Spirit Testifies of Christ and Points to Him (v. 26)

A. The Holy Spirit is identified using the Greek word "parakletos".

1. KJV - "Comforter"

2. NKJV - "Helper"

3. NIV - "Counselor"

4. Others - "Friend", "Advocate"

B. The Greek word literally means, "one called alongside to help." But there is so much more to it than just that.

C. To put all the ideas together, we must understand that "parakletos" speaks of someone who is called alongside someone else to offer comfort, advice, strength, and instruction, and to plead their case (or intercede) before a judge, when needed.

D. What Jesus says about the Holy Spirit in the text before us is noteworthy.

1. He will be sent by Jesus from the Father.

2. He is identified as "the Spirit of truth" to indicate that His ministry will involve testifying the truth about Jesus, being the Inspirer of truth in the Scriptures, and One who will lead God’s people in truth.

3. Christ is not content to identify the Spirit by His jobs and duties, but by His essence itself: "proceeds from the Father."

4. His primary focus will be identifying the truth about Jesus and pointing people to Him.