Jesus Promises The Holy Spirit

JESUS PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT (Outline)

May 22, 2011 -

Easter 5 -

JOHN 16:5-15

INTRO: Jesus speaks today’s words to his disciples before his suffering, death, and resurrection. The disciples of Jesus still have many questions concerning Jesus’ future. They wondered about the meaning of Jesus’ words. Jesus’ disciples had a limited knowledge and understanding of Jesus’ teachings. What they needed was an increased faith to believe God’s truth. They have learned much but still had a need of increased faith to believe Jesus. We are much like the disciples. We come to know and understand many, many things concerning Jesus. We have come to know some of the depth of the love of God. We also need an increased faith to fully comprehend God’s great love. "Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory" (1 TIMOTHY 3:16).

JESUS PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT:

I. To convince the world of sin. II. To comfort the world by truth.

I. JESUS PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT TO CONVINCE THE WORLD OF SIN.

A. These words of Jesus are a continuation of Jesus’ words from chapter 14 and 15 in John’s gospel.

1. Verse 5. In chapter 14 the disciples did not know where Jesus was going. Now they did.

2. Verse 6. The disciples were sad that Jesus would go to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and be buried.

B. Verse 7. Jesus directs the disciples’ thoughts to his Ascension (40 days after Easter).

1. The Counselor or Advocate or Comforter or Paraclete all mean the Holy Spirit.

2. Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of faith of his disciples and the world.

C. Verse 8. The eyes of the world will be opened to begin to understand “sin, righteousness, judgment”.

1. Verse 9. Sin is still in the world. The unbelievers testify to that fact by their unbelief.

2. Verse 10. Jesus has returned to the right hand of God. Jesus is the Righteous One.

3. Verse 11. Satan does not have the power he thinks. Jesus overcame sin, death, and the devil.

D. When speaking of God’s mercy we also recall God’s judgment. God in his mercy sent his Son, Jesus to be our Savior. This meant that God in his judgment would condemn sin, death, and the devil. Satan would love to have everyone think of him as being very powerful. Satan would love to deceive everyone into being afraid of death. Neither case is what God wants or does. "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil" (HEBREWS 2:14). The devil is judged. God shows mankind his mercy.

E. In our nation today the word “sin” has almost been completely erased from our language. Very few will boldly proclaim that the world is wicked and evil because of sin. All too often all too many accept and even welcome those things that are wicked and evil. Many directly deny sin as outdated or even non-existent. Denying sin does not make it go away. Denying sin will not excuse sin. Simply put, there is death in this world because there is sin in this world. "For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son--both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die" (EZEKIEL 18:4).

F. How subtle Satan is when he weaves his web of deception around the very lives of humanity. The devil never, ever gives up on trying misleading all of mankind. But the devil will not fool those who are watching. The devil will not trap those who are aware of his trickery. This is why we hear God’s word, read God’s word, and study God’s word. By God’s word our faith grows. In God’s word is the gift of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised. In God’s word we discover the strength of our faith. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith"(1 PETER 5:8, 9a). Our faith will rebuke Satan, “Get behind me!”

JESUS PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The Holy Spirit convinces the world we are all sinners.

II. JESUS PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT TO COMFORT THE WORLD BY TRUTH.

A. Jesus’ disciples had grown a lot in their knowledge, understanding, and faith since chapters 14, 15.

1. Verse 12. The disciples could only comprehend so much in a short amount of time.

2. Jesus’ disciples would grow in faith. This growth would take time and patience.