When He, the Spirit of Truth, Has Come, John 16:12-15

The spotlight of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation is primarily on Jesus, or someone pointing to Jesus.

However now, momentarily Jesus turns the spotlight on His Holy Spirit. Who, when He comes, will, shine the light on Jesus.

Jesus showed us last week (John 16:1-11), three things His Holy Spirit would do to the world.

Convict of, sin, righteousness, judgement.

Sin. We need to know (be convicted) we’re all sinners in need of a Sinless Savior.

Righteousness. Jesus’ sinless life and death was accepted as the only righteous payment for the sins of mankind; so, He rose from the grave and ascended to the Father in heaven.

Judgement. God is just. The sin debt must be paid, one Way or another. 

·        One Way is to accept the blood of Jesus.

·        The other is hell to pay.

If you don’t know Jesus you are on the path to the wrath of God.

 

Today we’ll see Jesus reveal three things His Holy Spirit will do for His Church.

Guide into all Truth.

Tell of things to come.

Glorify Jesus.

 

Lord Jesus, we want to follow You, no matter what that looks like.

Holy Spirit, we invite You to illuminate Your Word, to us now.

 

 

John 16:12

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

THEOLOGICALLY SPEAKING.

“Many things” may be referred to as, revelation, inspiration, and illumination by the Holy Spirit.  

Revelation: Unveiling of the New Covenant (Testament) to the apostles.

Inspiration: (Writing the Revelation). Scripture Divinely Inspired so original manuscripts completely without contradiction or error.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 All Scripture is (God-breathed) given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Revelation and Inspiration (theologically speaking), was completed when John penned the last “amen” in Revelation 22:21.

No more new Scripture.

No more new Revelation.

No Bible 2.0. No Newer Testament. No Supplement or Sequel.

Warning: Revelation 22:18-19.

So, that excludes, Muslims, Mormon’s, Jehovah’s Witnesses to name a few…

 

Illumination; continues to this day.

The Holy Spirit, teaches and brings to remembrance, the Word, of God. (Of course, we can’t withdraw, remember, what was never deposited). So, it’s vitally important to maintain a disciplined, steady, feasting, on on God’s Word.   

 

John 14:26. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

 

Okay, that was theologically speaking, but now, let’s bring it a little closer to home.

PERSONALLY SPEAKING.

The Lord meets us where we’re at, and feeds us as we’re able. Milk before meat.

It’s a walk, not a race. One step at a time.

One bite at a time.

In the beginning God walked in the Garden of Eden, with Adam and Eve; in the cool of the day. Enoch walked with God. Noah walked with God. Abraham walked with God. Moses walked with God…

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God

We’re called to walk with God.

A walk may be slow.

But it’s steadily moving forward.

That’s okay, it’s not a race.

He gives us time to grow, but make no mistake, He expects, demands, that we do.

One step at a time; even if baby steps.

Jesus teaches if we are faithful in little, more will be given. However, if we’re not, faithful with what we’ve got; we’ll lose even that.

 Parable of the talents; Matthew 25:14-30.

John 16:13
 However, when He…

When… not if but when. The prerequisite for the Holy Spirit’s arrival was Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection and ascension. Jesus knew He would soon follow through with the Plan, thus making the Holy Spirit’s coming, imminent

He, He, He… Jesus repeatedly uses a personal pronoun when referring to the Holy Spirit; “He”.

The Holy Spirit should never be referred to as, “it”.

The Holy Spirit is not a force like Star Wars, “May the force be with you.”

The Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. (KJV often reads, Holy Ghost).

He has emotions.

Ephesians 4:30. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

The Greek word translated as “grieve” means “to cause to feel sorrow, pain, unhappiness, or distress.”

Interesting thought: If the Holy Spirit can be grieved, He can also be pleased.

the Spirit of truth, has come,

the Spirit of Truth…

The original text indicates this is not just any truth, but the Truth.  

Jesus says, I AM the Way, the Truth, the Life. John 14:6.

 

 He will guide you…

He will Guide you…

The Holy Spirit is our Guide.

If the Holy Spirit can be grieved, He can also be pleased. Obviously, a good way to please the Guide, is to, follow.

Which reminds me of the perfect prayer my daughter, Kayla, prayed the other day.

She called asking for prayer. “Dad I’ve applied for a hundred jobs, but this last one sounds good, please pray I get it.”

Then, she started talking all gushy about some guy.

I’m her dad. No guys are good.

We talked about focus, distractions, counterfeits, following God first, allowing Him to bring the other stuff—even some guy. (Matthew 6:33).

We prayed.

I wondered if she heard a word I said, or if she just wanted prayer for the job, but not advice about life, or some guy.

She texted an hour later, “I got the job!!!”

I wondered if she took to heart following first the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33.

A few days later I asked her about it.

She told me that when we hung up the phone the other day, she prayed the following:

I just want to follow You, no matter what that looks like.

 into all truth;

Into all Truth…

Jesus is the Truth.

Notice not just “a” truth; or just some of The Truth, but ALL Truth.

This is known as the Sufficiency of Scripture. The Bible is final Authority on any matter it addresses.  Whether it be creation; HIStory; the future, the climate; Good and evil; marriage. family, children; government; right and wrong; work ethic; Heaven, hell, the soul of man and Salvation...

If the Bible says it, that settles it. Period.

The Bible contains direction for every need in this life.

2 Peter 1:3; According to His Divine Power He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him.

If we invite and allow the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, our Teacher, our Reminder, our Guide, He will lead us into all Truth.

Submitting to Him is ultimate freedom.

John 8:31-32; “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

 

for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak;

He is One with the Father and Son.

Do you notice a familiar pattern?

Jesus repeatedly said He only said or did what He heard or saw from His Father. Now the Holy Spirit repeats that pattern. He will only speak what He hears from Heaven.

This is our example to follow.

Jesus tells His disciples; the Holy Spirit will not only be with them but in them. (John 14:17).

Be sure, before taking another breath, that He has been invited to live within, forever.  

Make sure, right now He is pleased, not grieved.  

 

and He will tell you things to come.

He knows the end from the beginning, and is willing to share things to come; to prepare us, not scare us. So that we will trust Him, and walk with Him in His Truth, and peace that passes understanding.

For the purpose of saving souls; so, folks will see the Hope within you, and be drawn to Him.

He gives us His Word, and tells of things to come so, we will not stumble, (get caught in the devil’s snare). John 16:1.

 

Two down one to go…

 

ü Guide into all Truth.

ü Tell of things to come.

One more. Saved best for last: Glorify Jesus.

                  

14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

John 15:26. “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

It’s all about Jesus.

Momentarily Jesus turns the spotlight on His Holy Spirit. However, when He comes, He will turn the spotlight on Jesus; He will point to Jesus.

It’s all about Jesus.

Our Christmas lights went up, the timing was perfect; just as night was falling. It was beautiful. We stood in the street with neighbors, admiring the lights… and then, BAM.

Just like that our lights went out. Only ours. Not the neighbors,

Only one light remained.

It was a single solar spot light, pointing at the Nativity Scene. The shadows of Mary and Joseph kneeling before the Babe, stretched across the yard and up onto the front of the house.

It was perfect, because…

It’s all about Jesus.

Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the LORD.  Luke 2:11

Let’s pray

Lord Jesus, we want to follow You, no matter what that looks like.

We invite You, to guide us into all Truth, to tell us things to come, all for the purpose of glorifying You.

We love You, forever,

Amen.

 

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