It
seems that everyone has heard of Walt Disney!
He has become a legend; -- a folk hero of
the 20th century.
His magic kingdom is now world wide!
Shortly after the death of Walt Disney --
news magazines carried the story of how Disney had planned with great detail
for his eventual death.
Typically -- massive & amazing projects
would continue on schedule -- according to the instructions Disney had left
behind.
Jesus Christ also left detailed instructions
for His followers -- just before His death on
His kingdom is not a magic kingdom -- but a
spiritual kingdom!
Imagine the quietness of the Upper Room on
that Thursday evening long ago -- where Jesus met with his 12 disciples for the
Passover meal -- only hours before He was betrayed, tried & crucified --
dyeing for the sins of all mankind.
The Apostle John -- in the closing chapters
of his Gospel -- records much of what Jesus had to say to His followers that
evening.
Here is found some of the most intimate
words that Jesus spoke.
They are recoded in John's Gospel --
beginning with chapter 13 -- & continuing through Jesus' High Priestly
prayer in chapter 17.
This morning I would like us to focus on a
passage found in John 16 -- beginning with verse 5 -- & continuing through
verse 13. -- John 16:5-13
"But now I go my way to Him that sent
me; & none of you asks me 'Whither goest thou?' -- But because I have said
these things unto you -- sorrow has filled your heart. -- Nevertheless, I tell
you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: -- for if I go not away,
the Comforter will not come unto you; -- but if I depart, I will send him unto
you."
What is Jesus talking about here? -- He is
talking about the coming of the Holy Spirit -- Whom Jesus refers to as
"the Comforter."
Jesus continues His discourse -- Vr. 8 --
"And when he is come, he will reprove
the world of sin, & of
righteousness, & of judgment; -- Of
sin, because they believe not on me; --
Of righteousness, because I go to my
Father, & you see me no more; -- Of
judgment, because the prince of this
world is judged.
"I have yet many things to say unto you,
but you cannot bear them now. -- 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: -- & he will shew you
things to come."
Jesus was telling His followers that --
although He would be leaving them physically -- they would never be alone --
for Jesus was sending the Holy Spirit to comfort them -- & to guide them!
In this passage -- Jesus began to unveil the
third person of the triune God: -- the Holy Spirit -- Who would be not just
with them -- but in them!
That is what Jesus promised a little earlier
in John 14:17 -- "for he dwells with you, & shall be in you."
This prediction from the lips of Jesus --
concerning the coming of the Comforter -- the Holy Spirit -- was fulfilled on
the Day of Pentecost -- which we find recorded in Acts 2 -- where the Bible
says -- "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:4a).
Today is Pentecost Sunday! -- 50 days past
Easter, the Holy Spirit came into the world to empower the Church.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on
Pentecost -- became the spark that dynamited the
The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit
was the force that launched the followers of Jesus over the edge of their fear
-- & thrust them into the streets with the earth-shattering message: --
Jesus Christ is Lord!
After Christmas & Easter -- Pentecost is
regarded as the third great event to be celebrated in the Christian Calendar!
Unfortunately -- the average American church
attendee will probably be more enticed by the annual church picnic -- or
"fill-a-pew" Sunday -- then by being reminded of Pentecost!
However -- something happened at Pentecost
-- that this old world cannot understand -- or ignore!
For it was at Pentecost that a spirit-filled
church was set of flame with holy enthusiasm which united the believers into a
fellowship of love!
And there isn't any thing the Holy Spirit
did in the first century -- that He doesn't want to do today -- in our church
& in our lives!
It is so essential that you & I come to
the place where we develop a new appreciation for the work & the presence
of the Holy Spirit in our church -- & in our lives even today!
The Holy Spirit is just as real today -- as
He was on the Day of Pentecost -- & He desires to do in our lives today --
just what Jesus said He would do!
Jesus tells us three things -- in this
passage -- about the Holy Spirit
1. According to Jesus --The Holy Spirit Brings
Comfort!
Jesus said in verse 7 -- "Nevertheless,
I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: -- for if I go
not away, the Comforter will not come unto you."
Earlier-- in chapter 14:16 -- Jesus says --
"I will pray the Father, & He shall give you another Comforter -- that
He may abide with you for ever."
As a "Comforter" -- He comes to be
our Strength in all our weakness; -- our Peace in all our trouble; -- & our
Victory in all our temptation.
As "another Comforter" -- He comes
to take the place of Christ here on earth -- & to carry on the Lord's work
-- in us & through us!
This name "Comforter" -- is
equally translated from the Greek text into any number of names -- each of
which describes a slightly different aspect of the Holy Spirit's precious,
personal ministry in our lives.
Your version of the Bible may use a term
other then "Comforter" -- & that is why -- & that is okay.
I have seen such terms as -- Comforter --
Counselor -- Helper -- Intercessor -- Strengthener -- or Standby.
Think about such names with me for a moment:
--
Comforter -- is One Who relieves our mental
distress.
Counselor -- is One Whose profession is to
give advice.
Helper -- is One Who comes along side of us
-- to provide relief -- or to give support.
Intercessor -- is One Who acts between
parties to reconcile differences.
Strengthener -- is One Who causes you to
grow -- & become stronger.
Standby -- is One Who can be relied upon
either for regular use -- or in emergencies.
All of these -- & more -- the Holy
Spirit is to you & to me!
The Holy Spirit is Someone with all these
attributes -- & He desires to work them out in your life!
Are you distressed today? -- Then you need
the Comforter!
Are you facing a major decision? -- Then you
need the Counselor!
Do you need relief from -- or support in --
your responsibilities? -- Then you need the Helper!
Do you have a broken relationship? -- Then
you need the Intercessor!
Are you being criticized -- falsely accused
-- misunderstood? -- Then you need the
Advocate!
Are you constantly defeated by habits of
sin? -- Then you need the Strengthener!
Are you unprepared for an emergency? -- Then
you need the Standby!
The Holy Spirit is fabulous! -- He's
everything that Jesus is!
When you need a question answered -- you
have the Holy Spirit!
When
you are in trouble -- you have the Holy Spirit!
When you need Jesus' help -- you have the
Holy Spirit!
When you feel lonely -- you have the Holy
Spirit!
He's all yours! -- Thanks to Pentecost --
He's all yours!
2. Also, According to Jesus --The Holy Spirit
Brings Conviction!
Jesus tells us -- that "when He (the
Holy Spirit) is come -- He will reprove (convict -- convince) the world of its
sin -- & of God's righteousness -- & of the coming judgment."
Whenever I come to this pulpit -- or share
the Gospel with someone -- I know there is nothing I can say -- nor any way I
can say it -- that will stir any one's heart to the extent that that person
will confess his/her sin -- & claim Jesus Christ as Savior.
I can preach the Word of God -- but I cannot
bring conviction to the hearts of people.
I can attempt to persuade people with the
truth -- but I cannot convict them.
I can point people toward God -- & tell
them that Jesus is the Savior -- but I cannot convict them!
Conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit.
So whatever attempts I put forth -- I know I
am not alone -- for the Holy Spirit partners with me -- & He is the One who
brings conviction!
Again & again -- as I work on preparing
a message -- I cry out in prayer:
"Lord, help me! -- Guide me in what to say. -- May the Holy Spirit
take my words & apply them to the hearts of those who will listen -- to
make an eternal difference in their hearts."
I am so glad I do not have to depend upon my
own wisdom -- or wit!
In fact -- all I can do is to be faithful to
God -- & to His Word -- & then trust in the Holy Spirit to convince
people of their spiritual need.
The Holy Spirit is the One Who brings
conviction to the hearts of people.
It is
the Holy Spirit Who will convict the world of guilt in regards to sin!
It is the Holy Spirit Who convicts the lost
sinner of the fact of his sinfulness.
People may try to deny personal sin -- but
when the Holy Spirit comes in conviction -- we know that we are guilty before a
righteous God.
We can try to justify it -- rationalize it
-- excuse it -- ignore it -- but the Holy Spirit convicts us that we are guilty
before God Almighty!
Thankfully -- the Spirit of God doesn't just
show us our bad side -- & then leave us to twist in the wind -- but He
points us to where salvation can be found! -- He is our Friend!
The Holy Spirit is also busy convincing
people of the coming judgment!
A person who is under the condemnation of
God -- instinctively knows there is judgment coming!
I am convinced that one major reason for the
destructive abuse of alcohol -- of drugs -- of children -- & spouses; --
one reason for the frantic pace of life that
races from early morning through half the night; --
one reason for the increased volume &
beat of our music; --
one reason for the emphasis on pluralism --
which promotes other religions as equal to Christianity; -- it is that we are
trying to cover up a deep-down sense of guilt & uneasiness in our soul.
Regardless of what excuses we make -- we
know there is a God -- & we know that He is not pleased!
That sense of guilt that you may have deep
down in your spirit -- is not your enemy; -- it is your friend!
Like a moral alarm clock -- it is meant to
wake you up in your relationship with God so that you might get right with Him!
If you repress your guilt -- or rationalize
your guilt -- or drug your guilt -- or drown your guilt -- or deny your guilt
-- or nurse your guilt -- or ignore your guilt -- you are refusing to heed the
alarm -- & you expose yourself to the danger of God's judgment!
The Holy Spirit is trying to get your
attention -- & you know it!
My friends -- have you been desperately
prayed for the salvation of someone you truly love?
Don't ever stop praying for them -- for
Holy Spirit is the One Who has placed that burden on your heart -- & He
will join with you in drawing that person to faith in Jesus Christ!
Thanks to Pentecost -- the Holy Spirit is at
work in the world!
3. Finally, According to Jesus --The Holy Spirit
Brings Clarity!
The Holy Spirit is the One Who clarifies the
truth of God's Word for you & me!
Jesus identified this role of the Holy
Spirit when He says -- in verse 13 -- "When the Spirit of truth comes --
He will guide you into all truth" (NLT).
The Bible is a wonderful book of history --
& poetry -- & prophecy -- & ceremony.
Anyone can be blessed by just reading this
truly magnificent piece of literature that spans the years of human history.
But there is a unique blessing that is
reserved for those who prayerfully -- earnestly -- & humbly approach the
Bible by faith -- seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to bring clarity --
& to reveal its truth!
Remember dear friend -- as you & I seek
to read & study -- understand & apply -- submit to & obey the Bible
-- we are not alone!
The Holy Spirit gives clarity to the
wonderful Book He has inspired!
And more so -- the Holy Spirit will reveal
to your heart that Jesus Christ is more than just a man -- or even a holy man
-- or a great prophet -- or a teacher -- or a religious icon -- or a symbolic
figure!
The Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see
-- & your mind to know -- & your heart to receive Jesus -- as the Son
of God -- as the Lamb of God -- as the risen Lord -- as your personal Lord
& Savior!
Thank God for Pentecost -- & for the
Holy Spirit Who is at work in your life to clarify the truth of God's Word to
your heart!
Conclusion:
-- This passage in John's Gospel -- chapter 16 -- has a blessed application for
all Christians today!
Jesus laid out His detailed instruction --
on how you & I are to carry out His work here on earth -- through the
presence of the Holy Spirit!
Jesus said: -- "And when He is
come."
That personal pronoun "He" --
tells us that the Holy Spirit is not an influence -- an environment -- an
atmosphere -- or a thing.
The Holy Spirit is a Person -- & we
should never refer to Him as "it."
He is a Person -- the third Person of the
triune Godhead!
As a Person -- He can sympathize with us --
& comfort us.
As a Person -- He can speak to us -- &
we can speak to Him.
As a Person -- we can know His living
presence in our lives.
On the Day of Pentecost -- God sent the Holy
Spirit from Heaven to replace Jesus' own bodily presence in the world.
Without the ministry of the Holy Spirit in
our lives -- we are powerless -- fruitless -- & unable to accomplish
anything of eternal worth -- or value.
You & I today may still have our own
personal Pentecost!
The Holy Spirit still comes into the
Christian's heart to dwell in all of His fullness.
The fact is that the Holy Spirit is waiting
to fill the hearts of Christians every where -- & to make our lives
fruitful in service.
To be filled with the Holy Spirit is the
spiritual birthright of every born again believer!
The hope of the Church (our church -- any
church) is Spirit-filled men & women!
The Pentecostal experience is personal &
present & pressing!
It is our greatest need!
Have you experienced your personal
Pentecost?
Do you know -- & do you experience --
the fullness of the Holy Spirit in your life today? -- You can -- you know!
As you yield & surrender yourselves --
totally & completely -- to God -- the Holy Spirit will come with all of His
fullness into your heart & life!
I shall always remember my own experience --
when the fullness of the Holy Spirit came into my life.
As a sixteen-year-old teenager -- I asked
God -- for Christ sake -- to forgive my sins -- & to come into my life.
Without a shadow of doubt -- I knew God had
forgiven me of my sins -- & that I was now a child of God.
But it was not long before the Holy Spirit
began to deal with me about some things in my life that were not pleasing to
God.
I wanted to be a Christian -- but at the
same time -- I wanted to do it my way -- without totally surrendering my will
to Him.
I had been a Christian for less then a month
-- when one Sunday after-noon -- down there in the hill of Eastern KY -- where
I was attending a Christian High School -- under the anointed preaching of that
great holiness expositor -- Harry Jessop -- the Holy Spirit began to convince
my heart -- gently -- but persuasively -- that I needed to make a total &
complete surrender of my will to Him.
At an altar of prayer on that Sunday
afternoon -- on March 2, 1958 -- I made my complete consecration -- yielding
myself over to the Lord's will.
In a miraculous moment of time -- the Holy
Spirit came in His fullness -- into my heart & life -- to take full &
complete control.
The powerful grip of self-will &
carnality was broken by the greater power of the Holy Spirit.
The
residue of sin was cleansed in the purifying flame of the Spirit's holiness.
With the Spirit's empowerment -- I possessed
a new confidence -- & courage -- & spiritual victory!
I knew that Jesus was not only my Savior --
but now He was also the Lord of my life!
Indeed -- the Holy Spirit came in His
fullness -- with Pentecostal power -- just as Jesus had promised He would do.
And my friend -- the Holy Spirit wants to do
the same in your life as you totally yield your heart & life to His
Lordship!
If He is not Lord of all -- He is not Lord
at all!
On this Pentecost Sunday -- wouldn't you
surrender your all to Him -- & experience the fullness of His presence in
you?
Pastor
www.wynnechapel.org