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Sunday Worship 18 June 2023 : “The Spirit of truth”

Text: John 15, 16
18 June 2023

 

THE CONTEXT OF THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY

1. The world that we live in today

a. Complex
b. Confusing

2. A world that is filled with sin and lies

a. Many have been deceived
b. As a result, many lives have been ruined
c. Such is the work of the evil one

3. What is badly needed – Truth!

THE BATTLE FOR TRUTH

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”

John 8:42-47

1. There has been an ongoing battle for Truth since the beginning

2. It involves two clear opposing sides

3. Those who not of the Truth

a. They are of the devil
i. He does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him
ii. He is a liar and the father of it
b. They are also of the world Cf. John 15:18-25
i. The world hates the Father and the Son
ii. Because of Christ who spoke to them, they now have no excuse for their sin

4. Those who are of the Truth

a. They are of God
b. They hear His words
c. They believe and love the Son, whom the Father had sent

5. There is much at stake in this battle for Truth

a. Life on earth
b. Ultimately, eternal life

6. Knowing that we need help, God has given us the Holy Spirit

a. He is our Helper
b. He is called the Spirit of Truth

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

1. He will bring Comfort

17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:17-18

a. The world will hate and reject us
b. But we are not left alone
c. We are given the Spirit of Truth
i. He dwells with us and will be in us
ii. He also represents Christ with us
iii. The Spirit of Truth was so closely associated with Christ because He Himself is the Truth
(Cf. John 14:6, “the Way, the Truth, the Life”)

2. He will Convict

8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

John 16:8-11

a. Of sin
i. That people will realize their sin
ii. And seek repentance from their sin
b. Of righteousness
i. That people will be convinced of the righteousness of Christ
ii. And believe in the righteousness that can be obtained from Him
c. Of judgment
i. As people come to the Truth of God
ii. The work of Satan is judged; proving how he had always been full of lies

3. He will Counsel

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 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 16:12-15

a. There are often times when we are weak and limited
(“but you cannot bear them now”)
b. However, the Spirit is there to guide us into all truth
i. To lead strongly
ii. To come alongside and also gently teach us
c. With an important measure of control
i. He will not speak on His authority
ii. Whatever He hears (from Christ), He will speak
iii. He will glorify the Lord Jesus

OUR APPLICATION

1. We can have every confidence for the future

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

a. There will be tribulation
b. But we can be of good cheer
c. We have been assured the victory
i. Because of Christ who has overcome the world
ii. Because of the Spirit of Truth has been sent to help us

2. We also must do our part

a. To submit to the leading of the Spirit
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:14
b. To stand in the Truth
i. Practicing the Truth by walking in the light
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:6-7
ii. Having the Truth in us by keeping the commandments of God
He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:4