INTRODUCTION
Outline.
2. He Will Guide You into All Truth
Remarks.
1. This is the second lesson, in this sermon-series entitled: “The Pattern of Conversion.” Recall, Jesus said to them: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come,” John 16:13. This will be a discussion of the “mystery of Christ,” 1 Timothy 3:16.
2. We will discuss the promise of Jesus: “He will guide them into all truth;” when He made His initial advent into the world, to begin His set-up, of the kingdom of God. The Spirit would teach the apostles, the “pattern of conversion,” as he guided them “into all truth.” If our Lord promises that the Spirit would guide them into "all truth," that means all truth had not yet been revealed unto them.
3. This would be the divine work of the Holy Spirit; to "dwell in them, teach them, remind them, testify of Him,” and finally, “guide them into all truth,” John 14:17; John 14:26; John 15:26; and John 16:13. That these believers; might become Disciples of Christ. With this brief introduction, let’s consider the second lesson in this sermon-series: “He will guide you into all truth.”
BODY OF LESSON
II HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH
A. He will guide you. John continues: "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth, for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall he speak...," John 16:13. The Lord is making some profound statements in this verse. Consider—
1. First, “He will guide or direct you.” We have seen this promise earlier in the lesson, in John 14:26. He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Jesus spoke to them regarding this help during His ministry among them.
2. Further, Jesus said taught them: “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say,” Luke 12:11-12. These things He promises, at the time of their arrest:
a. One, “take no thought how or what thing ye shall answer.”
b. Two, “nor what ye shall say.”
c. Three, “for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour.”
d. Four, “what ye ought to say.”
3. Finally, Jesus explained to them: “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist,” Luke 21:12-15.
4. B. W. Johnson wrote: “Ye shall be brought before governors...the civil tribunals, like criminals... and (before) kings. This was fulfilled in the case of James, the brother of John (Acts 12:2), and Paul (Acts 26:1). Take no thought how or what ye shall speak... The Holy Spirit will give them utterance when they make their defense before civil magistrates,” Page 75.
5. Conclusion: These apostles would be brought before governors, tribunals, and kings, like common criminals, for the name of Jesus Christ. The Lord said: don't try to prepare your case; the Holy Spirit will be your attorney during these times of interrogation and trials. He will speak for you; by giving you the words to say, that will confound adversaries and, put to silence, their accusers. Now, it will be here that some of you will find fault with the lesson. However, we must stand in confirmation and defense of the gospel, Philippians 1:7; Philippians 1:17.
B. Into all truth. Jesus promises: “The Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth," John 16:13. This verse is vitally important because it established; that not all truth was yet revealed. I wish I had some help! What truth is it; that the Lord is promising in this verse? Is there, however, truth to be yet revealed? If so, what is it?
1. The Spirit of truth; was to guide the apostles into all truth. Recall, Jesus said unto them: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now,” John 16:12. Their cup was full! Perhaps, even running over!
2. The truth that makes you free. Then said Jesus: “To those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” John 8:31-32. He said further: “If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed,” John 8:36. The Lord tells these believing Jews if ye abide (continue) in my word:
a. They would become His disciples.
b. They would know the truth.
c. They would become free of their sin.
d. They would become free, indeed.
e. B. W. Johnson wrote: “Many believed (on Him)...He was a divine teacher. They "believed in him," but their faith was not yet made perfect by obedience. Hence he adds the condition of discipleship. Their belief must move them to accept his word and obey it. There is a condition, continue in my word ...(and ye) shall be my disciples ... And ye shall know the truth ... (And) The truth shall make you free. The gospel obeyed, frees—(one) from the yoke of Satan, from a spiritual task-masters, from fear, (and death to) fill(s) the soul with hope and (forgiveness) ... to serves the (heavenly) Father, (as a son of God),” Page 234. See John 1:11-12.
NOTE: For a more exhaustive discussion of these verses, download our lesson entitled: “If You Abide In My Word,” from SermonCentral.com.
3. The truth of the Kingdom of God. There was confusion regarding the kingdom of God. Jesus spoke to His disciples about the kingdom of God; and, to Pilot about it, at His trial. Some thought it would come by force, Matthew 11:12; John 6:15.
a. Jesus answered Pilot: “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate, therefore, said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause I came into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him: What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all,” John 18:36-38.
1) There is truth to be learned about the kingdom of God. Jesus was put to death; he was buried but, after His resurrection.
2) He assembled Himself with His disciples; and taught them regarding the kingdom of God, Acts 1:1-5.
b. Luke wrote:
1) Disciples inquired about it: “When they, therefore, were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them: It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his power. But ye shall receive power, after that, the Holy Ghost has come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth," Acts 1:6-8; Acts 8:4; Acts 11:19-26.
2) Peter preached about it, on Pentecost, Acts 2:29-36; Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 1:31-33.
3) Philip preached on it; and, the name of the Lord Jesus, in Samaria, Acts 8:4-5; Acts 8:12.
c. Paul wrote of it: “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son,” Colossians 1:12-13.
d. Even with all this testimony; there, are some still looking for the kingdom of God to come. Looking for it through a rapture, 7-years of tribulation, and a thousand-year reign of Christ, on earth, 1 Corinthians 15:20-27.
e. B. W. Johnson wrote: “When Christ's work is accomplished, he places all in the Father's hands...He is reigning now and will continue to reign until he has conquered all his enemies. He is not waging a contest for a kingdom, as some contend, but will give up the kingdom when the contest is over, and the final victory won. All the wicked... human and supernatural; also sin and death...must be overthrown,” Page 424.
NOTE: For more answers, download our lesson entitle: “Christian Certainties,” from SermonCentral.com. We discussed the kingdom of God in its fulness.
4. The truth about Christ’s Sonship, John 1:1-3; John 1:14; John 7:37-39. We will speak to this later in the lesson. Jesus went on to say, that the Spirit shall not speak of Himself. Even the Lord; did not speak of Himself but the will of the Father.
a. Jesus said: “And the Jews marveled, saying: How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them and said: My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man does his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it is of God or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his glory: but he that seeketh the glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him,” John 7:15-18; Proverbs 25:27.
b. Paul wrote regarding the deity of Christ, Philippians 2:5-11.
c. Peter wrote of the Majesty of Christ, 2 Peter 1:16-21.
5. B. W. Johnson wrote: “For he received from God the Father honor and glory. (Peter) cites one scene that (he) had witnesses where the divine glory rested upon Christ. The glory of the Transfiguration is the prophecy of the glory, which will be revealed when Christ comes. There came such a voice... (And) God honored the Son by...Divine declaration... Matt. 17:1–6...And this voice...(they) heard...Peter, and James and John, his companions on the holy mount,” Page 596.
C. Spirit will not speak of Himself. John continued: "He shall not speak of Himself," but only of that which Jesus, who hath sent Him into the world, grants for Him to speak. The Spirit's message will be about Christ, His work of redemption, and the message of salvation to the world. John is informing us; that the Holy Spirit will speak, as Jesus Christ gives him directions.
1. The word “speak” in Gr., is laleo or lä-le'-o, which means to talk, i.e., utter words:—preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, announce. He would use words to declare one's mind and disclose one's thoughts; that is, the terms of Jesus, who has sent Him into the world, to report His message.
2. The Spirit will speak only those things given to Him by the Lord. This is the Holy Spirit’s role in the “plan of redemption.”
3. The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11. But, in His work in declaring the message of Christ, He speaks only those things given to Him to speak by the Lord.
4. The Spirit maketh intercession for the saint, Romans 8:26-27. He knows the hearts of the saints; and maketh intercession for us, according to the will of God.
D. But that which he heareth. The words that the Holy Spirit hears; from the Son, those He shall speak. Recall, the apostles spoke on Pentecost: "As the Spirit gave them utterance." In other words, as the Spirit imparted words unto them. He did so, He heard from the Lord. Observe--
1. The word “heareth” in the Gr., is akouo or ä-kü'-o, which means to hear (in various senses):—give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear (-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, to understand. In this sense, it means to: perceive the distinct words of a voice; and, to yield obedience to that voice, John 10:27; John 18:37.
2. The Holy Spirit will hear His voice; and speak His words, John 16:13-15.
3. The apostles listened to His voice and spoke His words, Luke 10:16; Matthew 17:5.
4. The Lord's sheep will hear his voice and follow Him, John 10:16; Matthew 16:24; Revelation 3:20.
E. That shall he speak. The word which the Holy Spirit will speak will be those given unto Him by the Lord. This will ensure the continuity of the message. I wish I had some help! If the Father gave it to the Son; and, the Son gave it to the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit gave it to the apostles: then there is continuity of the message. By this, we mean; all the pieces of this message must come together. We must maintain the continuity of the word of God when preached. Observe these examples of continuity--
1. The fulfillment of the prophecy of the Spirit upon the apostles; began in Jerusalem, Joel 2:28-29; Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-5.
2. The fulfillment of the preaching of repentance and remission of sins; was to begin in Jerusalem, Luke 24:25-27; Luke 24:44-47.
3. The fulfillment of the promise of repentance and remission of sins; began in Jerusalem; Zechariah 13:1; Acts 2:36-40.
4. The fulfillment of the proclamation of discipleship; began in Jerusalem, John 8:31-36; Matthew 29:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 11:26.
5. Conclusion: All these things came together to confirm that the Holy Spirit's works with the apostles in the New Testament church. The Day of Pentecost, and the events that occurred on that day; was in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy of the "pouring out of the Spirit"; the preaching and promise of repentance and remission of sins; and the proclamation of discipleship began on that day, in the city of Jerusalem. This is the continuity of the message of Christ. We will study this further, in the last lesson in this sermon-series. As I move to a conclusion, let me quickly review the “pattern of conversion,” for those needing to become a disciple of the Lord today/tonight. Recall--
CONCLUSION
A.Outline.
2. He Will Guide You into All Truth
B. Summarize main points.
2. We discussed the promise of Jesus: "He will guide them into all truth;" when he made His initial advent into the world, to begin His set-up, of the kingdom of God. The Spirit would teach the apostles, the "pattern of conversion," as he guided them "into all truth." If our Lord promises that the Spirit would guide them into "all truth," that means all truth had not yet been revealed unto them. This would be the divine work of the Holy Spirit; to "dwell in them, teach them, remind them, testify of Him," and finally, "guide them into all truth," John 14:17; John 14:26; John 15:26; and John 16:13. That these believers; might become Disciples of Christ.
C. Invitation. Present the pattern of conversion, H.B.R.C.B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
References:
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, by Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
3. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies,’ Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1990.
4. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
5. Clarke Commentary on the Bible, Eight Volumes, Published 1810-1826, New York, Published by J. Emory and B. Waugh, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the conference office, 13 Crosby-Street., J. Collord, Printer, 1831.
6. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, Copyright, 1981.
