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Mar 19, 2023

John - The Helper (click for resources)

Passage: John 16:4-15

Speaker: Brian Land

Series: John: Come and See

Keywords: truth, hope, holy spirit, conviction, helper, convincing

As Jesus prepares to go to the cross and ultimately be glorified, “leaving” the world behind, he explains how this method is far superior. Jesus was God in the flesh, and thus restricted by time and space; The Spirit is God in the Spirit, unrestricted in any way, and even able to abide within us. From this vantage point the Spirit digs down deep into our hearts to reveal our irreparable brokenness, while also revealing how Jesus has impossibly repaired us by taking our brokenness to the cross. The Spirit’s job then is to convict us of our need; convince us of Jesus’ gift and glory, and apply the gift of salvation to our lives, both in salvation and sanctification.

Theme: As Jesus prepares to go to the cross and ultimately be glorified, “leaving” the world behind, he explains how this method is far superior. Jesus was God in the flesh, and thus restricted by time and space; The Spirit is God in the Spirit, unrestricted in any way, and even able to abide within us. From this vantage point the Spirit digs down deep into our hearts to reveal our irreparable brokenness, while also revealing how Jesus has impossibly repaired us by taking our brokenness to the cross. The Spirit’s job then is to convict us of our need; convince us of Jesus’ gift and glory, and apply the gift of salvation to our lives, both in salvation and sanctification. 

CENTRAL PASSAGE: John 16:6-15
6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

When have you been going through something really tough and somebody tells you something like “I know this is really hard, but it’ll turn out fine.” What was that like?


When you have been scared, anxious or sad...what can others do to help?

Even though Jesus was literally hours from going to the cross, he stops, slows down, and comforts his disciples. What does that say about him?

How is that so different from how Jesus might be normally seen?

If you break it down...what IS the comfort he is giving the disciples?

How is this supposed to “make them feel better” (give them hope)?

Talk about this Trinity-Connection....that Jesus only did what the Father told him to do...now the same is said of the Spirit.

Talk about the 3 “Spirit-Convictions” (convince, expose, reveal):
1) Sin -- that our sin is worse than we think
2) Righteousness - that our goodness isn’t as good as we think
3) Judgement - That our sin’s penalty is worse than we think

What is the “Good News” in this passage? It’s not just about our need being exposed, but the solution being revealed AND applied.

-- The Holy Spirit Reveals our Need for Christ
-- Reveals the Person and Work of Christ
-- and Applies the Work of Christ