Message: ‘Being “Pentecost-al” Christians’ pt.2                                                                         

Text: John 16:5-15

 

Introduction: Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it. (Issac Newton, First Law of Motion.)

 

Perhaps he got the idea while laying on his couch reading a book and his wife told him to get up and cut the grass. Me might have been at rest but change was coming through the force called his wife.

 

Perhaps he got the idea from the Bible. 2 Cor. 3:18

          And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect     the Lord’s glory, are being transformed         (changed) into his likeness    with ever-  increasing glory, which comes from the     Lord, who is the Spirit.

Change is inevitable. But truth be told, we really don’t like change. However, without change where would we be?

·       Without the faithful work of the Holy Spirit bringing about change in us, we would still be guilty of our sin and be facing the punishment for our sin…spiritual death, which is separation from God and his awesome love for all eternity.

 

Transition: The presence of the Holy Spirit in the world brings about change…necessary life giving, life sustaining, life affirming change.

 

Turn in your Bibles to John 16:8 (pg 825 in the Bible under the chair in front of you) Today we will continue to examine the effects the presence of the Holy Spirit has on the world.

 

I. John 16:5-7  It’s good that Jesus is in heaven.

II. John 16:8-11   The Holy Spirit will convict the world…

    A. Of the guilt of sin

    B. Of the guilt of righteousness

Read: John 16:8-11

 

The Holy Spirit will convict the world in regard to righteousness…what does that mean? Righteousness denotes holiness, in other words, right-living.

·       Not only do we have to be convicted (or convinced) of our sin (wrong-living) we have to be convicted (convinced) that our wrong-living can never be improved upon enough to make it right-living, to make us righteous.

Read: Ecc 7:20 ‘There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.’

 

What I am saying is we have to be shown that no matter how good we think we may be, we can never be good enough to deserve heaven because God’s standard is perfection. We have to be shown heaven is the reward for someone else’ righteousness (right-living)… that someone else is Jesus.

 

We just observed Independence Day. It’s a day we celebrate the freedoms we have living in the USA. It’s a day, along with Memorial and Veterans Day we remember the lives that were given to pay for our freedom.

 

We’ve heard the saying ‘Freedom Isn’t Free’. Our freedom as a country was paid for with the blood of those who served in our armed forces. In a way, they were our substitutes.  It is because of their life giving contributions that we can be a free people.

 

The same is true for the spiritual freedoms we experience as Christians. We enjoy forgiveness of our sin and the promise of heaven because of a war the sacrifice one man made over 2000 yrs ago.

You see, our freedoms were purchased not just by Jesus’ death on

the cross  but by his life of righteousness (right-living). Listen to the amazing thing that happens next.

·       God takes Jesus’ righteousness (right-living) and gives it to all those who believe in him. He exchanges our unrighteousness (wrong-living) for Jesus’ righteousness (right-living).

 

Listen to it directly from God’s Word in the Book of Romans.

 

Read: Rom. 3:20-25a Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.

 

In our text this morning Jesus can say he’s going to the Father because of his righteousness. He’s the only one who can say that.  But, praise God, we too can go the Father,…by Christ’s righteousness that God gives to us when we accept Jesus as our Savior.

 

Transition: The Holy Spirit convicts or convinces people of their sin, of their inability to live a righteous life and of Jesus’ righteousness that is given to all who believe in him. But that’s not all.

 

    C. Of the guilt of judgment

The Holy Spirit’s presence in the world convicts or convinces people of future judgment. Scripture is very clear that there will be a final day of judgment for all humanity. BUT…

·       The righteous life and sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross was a victory over the coming judgment…for all who believe.

·       The righteous life and sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross was a triumph over death, a victory over hell.

 

For the Christian, the Holy Spirit keeps reminding us that

          There is therefore now (and the Greek     implies now and forever more) no           condemnation to those who are in Christ          Jesus. (Rom. 8:1)

 

          For he has rescued us from the dominion of    darkness and brought us into the kingdom of          the Son he loves (Col 1:13)

 

That’s what the assuring presence of the Holy Spirit does for those who ask Jesus into their lives. But for those who don’t, there’s also assurance

          I told you that you would die in your sins; if    you do not believe that I am the one I claim          to be, you will indeed die in your sins. (Jn 8:24)

               

To die in your sins means to go to Hell

·       no intermediate place,

·       no layover in limbo

·       you go to hell.

And perhaps the most terrifying aspect of hell, the one most people overlook, it is lasts forever. The darkness, the torment will last forever. And hell is final, there are no second chances once you’ve arrived.

 

Summary: Let me ask you a very personal question. Has the Holy Spirit

·       convicted / convinced you of your sin?

·       Has he convicted / convinced you of Jesus’ righteousness?

·       Has he convicted / convinced you of your victory over the future judgment that awaits all humanity?

 

If not, I want to invite you to invite Jesus into your life. Simply listen to God’s voice right now. Respond by telling him you’re sorry for your sin and that you want Jesus Christ to live in you. It’s that simple, that awesome. God, the Holy Spirit, living in you!

 

Transition: For the Believer what Jesus has to say next is paramount to successfully and faithfully navigating the Christian life.

 

III. John 16:12-15   The Holy Spirit will guide

Read: John 16:12-15

 

ILL: Albert Einstein was taking a train to an out of town engagement. The conductor stopped by to punch his ticket, but the great scientist preoccupied with his work, explained that he couldn’t find his ticket. Not in the coat pockets, not in the briefcase. The conductor said, "We all know who you are, Dr. Einstein. I’m sure you bought ticket. Don’t worry about it." As the conductor moved along, he looked back to see Einstein on his hands and knees searching under the seats for his ticket. The conductor walked back, "Dr. Einstein, please, don’t worry about it. I know who you are." Exasperated, Einstein looked up and said, "I, too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going."

Ever felt like Einstein…not sure where you are going in life?  The Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of the Christian guides them on the path God has set before them.

 

For those moments when you’re not sure where you are going, remember that God does.
          A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How    then can anyone understand his own way?           (Proverbs 20:24)

 

I want you to note that the word ‘guide’ is in the perfect tense in Greek. That means it is a continual act. He guides you now and will continue to guide you throughout your life.

 

The Holy Spirit will also teach you or reveal to you what you need to know. That means when you are connected to God by his Holy Spirit, when you allow the Holy Spirit to fill you and motivate your life choices, he will reveal to you…God’s Will for your life.

But again, as I said last week, it’s not automatic.

 

ILL: D. L. Moody said, “I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled.” Source unknown

 

·       To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be open to his guidance.

·       To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to know the will of God for your life.

 

Conclusion

If all this is true,

·       why do so many Christians lack spiritual power?

·       why are so many Christians depressed?

·       why do so many Christians feel lost, aimlessly searching for purpose in life?

 

ILL: Evangelist DL Moody was to have a campaign in England. An elderly pastor protested, “Why do we need this ‘Mr. Moody’? He’s uneducated, inexperienced, etc. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?” A younger, wiser pastor rose and responded, “No, but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on Mr. Moody.” Source unknown

 

Does God the Holy Spirit have a monopoly on your life?

 

Or does your life, and all the stuff in it, have a monopoly on you?

 

It is your choice…choose well.