"Privilege and Advantage for What Is Next" John 16:1-11 Part Two

What We Learned Together Sunday July 9, 2023

INTRODUCTION
We return to the words of Jesus in the Upper Room given to us in John Chapters 13-16. In this Upper Room discourse here in the Gospel of John the words of the Lord Jesus for His own disciples are filled with promises, blessings, and prophecies.  Several repeated matters as disciples of Jesus as the revelation given to us here in the Gospel of John: See Him, Know Him, Believe Him, Hear Him, Follow Him. Here in John Chapter sixteen the words of Jesus focus upon what is going to happen next for His disciples after He goes away.  We have entitled our message this morning, “Privilege and Advantage for What Is Next” Part Two.  John begins and end this chapter with key directions from the Lord Jesus.  At the beginning Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you so that you will not [a]be led into sin” [John 16:1]  And at the end Jesus says, These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” [John 16:33].   This morning we are looking at the beginning of the chapter looking at verse 1-11.  Again Prophecy by the Lord Jesus that would be fulfilled & now is fulfilled in the lives of His disciples.  Sever phrases Jesus uses to warn and prepare His disciples for what is next.  These phrases are “an hour is coming . . . when their hour comes . . . I am going . . . I will send . . .” 
 
In our previous message in John Chapter sixteen we began with the words of Jesus in verse 1-6.  This passage was described as Such Privilege in Having the Words of Jesus With His Presence At That Time.  Here is Jesus explaining the Coming Personal Persecution for the Disciples of Jesus.  First, Such Privilege Jesus Has Spoken While With Them according to verse one. “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.”  Jesus personally and plainly states I HAVE SPOKEN.  Second, Such Privilege Jesus Tells What Will Happen in verses 2-3.  “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming . . .”  Jesus clearly and directly states COMING religious people will be killing the disciples of Jesus.  Third, Such Privilege Jesus Teaches Them That He Is Lord in verse four. “But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes . . .”  Jesus confidently and prophetically says WHEN  “ . . . you may remember that I told you of them.”  And fourth, Such Privilege Jesus Knows All That Is Happening in verses 5-6. “But now I am going to Him who sent Me . . .” Jesus knowingly and  NOW  “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.” Another reference to the troubled hearts of His disciples on this very night He speaks to them seeking to comfort them and instruct them with His words. [Cf. 14:1, 27]  These were our points of application from these verses: 1) The Importance and place of the words of Jesus in the lives of His disciple 2) Thank you Jesus for teaching me and telling me what I need to know by your words for me in this time of my life, 3) Jesus knows all about what is happening and what is going to be so listen to Him, believe Him, trust Him, and obey Him, 4) Trust in His plans and His purposes for what he has planned for you as His disciple in the presence of those persecuting you.
 
In the next section John 16:7-11 is Such Advantage in The Coming of the Holy Spirit After The Absence of Jesus For These Last Days.  As Jesus Himself prepares His disciples for His departure he emphasizes the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their lives as their testimony as disciples of Jesus.  Here is Jesus explaining the Coming Personal Prosecution for the World.  First, Such Advantage With Jesus Speaking Truth on Earth [16:7a] “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away . . .” Again Jesus speaks directly to His disciples I TELL YOU.  Truth is emphasized in the words of Jesus throughout the Gospel of John. [cf. John 3:20-21; 8:32,40, 45-46] Remember His words especially in John 14:6  “I am the way, the truth , the life . . .” Both phrases are emphatic, “But I myself the truth speak to you, it is advantageous to you that I Myself go away.”  Second, Such Advantage of The Coming Helper from Heaven [16:7b].A very important word used here by Jesus which is not often found in the Gospels.  The advantage for His disciples was the furthest things from their minds and hearts filled with sorrow. “it is to you advantage . . .” refers to “be of an advantage to someone—‘to be advantageous, to be better off, to be to someone’s advantage.’  In a number of languages the idea of ‘advantage’ implies some comparison, either a benefit which is greater than someone else has or a benefit which makes one’s later state better off than the previous state.”  Jesus continues, “but if I go, I will send Him to you.”  Here is another Future Active Indicative verb as a prophecy by Jesus in His promise with His words.  Jesus speaks personally to His  disciples I WILL.  This is another reference to the reality of the Holy Spirit promised presence during the absence of Jesus [Cf. 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13-15].  Prophecies found in the Old Testament [cf. Isaiah 11; Ezekiel 36; Joel 2] and Prophecies here in the words of Jesus throughout this Upper Room Discourse. Third, Such Advantage With The Convicting Ministry of The Spirit [16:8]  “And He, when He comes, will convict the world . . .”  Jesus speaks prophetically WHEN HE COMES.  Here is again a Future Active Indicative verb describing the INDICTMENT.  The verb convict means “to state that someone has done wrong, with the implication that there is adequate proof of such wrongdoing—‘to rebuke, to reproach, rebuke, reproach.”  There is the emphatic demonstrative masculine pronoun of the Holy Spirit [cf. 16:13-14] This would mean for the world call to reject what they believe & how they behave. “judgment certain to come as condemnation because of sin and the lack of righteousness.” [cf. John 3:20; 8:46] “In a sense this ministry correlates with the world’s activity of persecution. The world may appear to make inroads on the Church, but there is a counterattack in the work of the Spirit, designed not to harm but to convert, or at least to convict. The Spirit, working through the apostles, produced conviction of sin in the very city where Jesus had been put to death (Acts 2:37).”  [Wycliffe Bible Commentary]  This work of the Holy Spirit, which is especially prominent and powerful in seasons of great spiritual advance (sometimes called revival or spiritual awakening).  As one man wrote, “Before the convicting work of the Holy Spirit one may say, I make a lot of mistakes. Nobody’s perfect. After the convicting work of the Holy Spirit one may say, I’m a lost rebel, fighting against God and His law – I must rely on Jesus to get right with God.”  Another commentator said, “The Spirit does not merely accuse men of sin, he brings to them an inescapable sense of guilt so that they realize their shame and helplessness before God.” (Tenney)  In this immediate context this convicting work of the Holy Spirit is for the world which persecuted the disciples of Jesus.  “The Spirit is the ‘advocate’ or helper of those who believe in Jesus, their counsel for the defense. But in relation to unbelievers, to the godless world, he acts as counsel for the prosecution.” (F.F. Bruce)
Such Advantage With The Prosecuting Testimony for the World [16:9-11] Here Jesus says, “concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me . . .” This is JUDGMENT in the words of Jesus.  “. . . concerning righteousness . . . and concerning judgment” This is the VERDICT in the ministry of the Spirit.  Jesus is saying the ruler of this world does not escape judgement.“The Spirit is the ‘advocate’ or helper of those who believe in Jesus, their counsel for the defence. But in relation to unbelievers, to the godless world, he acts as counsel for the prosecution.” (Bruce) It’s important to have the Spirit of God to defend rather than to convict.  The Three areas of His convicting ministry involves The World’s sin, Christ’s righteousness, and God’s judgment. The Story of the convict and the judge.
 
CONCLUSION
As disciples of Jesus you have privilege and you have advantage according to the words of Jesus. Again The Importance and place of the words of Jesus in the lives of His disciple.  Let us meditate and memorize these words to equip us and help us for what is next. Thank you Holy Spirit for your convicting ministry showing me and telling me what I need to know about sin, righteousness, and judgment in my life before God as a disciple of Jesus. This is Salvation by grace through faith in Christ.  The convicting testimony of the Spirit of God is necessary in ministering to a hostile world persecuting the disciples of Jesus.  Convicting the world through the ministry of the Spirit of God by our testimony of the Son of God calling them to repentance, faith, and obedience.  Being His disciple who has repented of the sin of not believing in Jesus, who is now having the righteousness of Jesus by faith, and who is understanding the judgment of God without Jesus.