The Work of the Spirit - Part 1 of 2

Will you will apply, rational sure, Bradley Junior welcoming you to another broadcast of the Baptist Bible.

Our thankful that you're with us today. I desire your prayers with the Lord will bless you, and using the messages that are presented and that the financial needs will be supplied so that we can continue to urge you to take time to write the letter so that you have listened mentioned the colors of the station over which the program comes to you. Our address is the Baptist Bible. Our box 17 oh 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217 like to receive a sample copy of our publication request that when writers were continuing with our series from the Gospel of John. If you're interested in obtaining any of those messages on CD and one of the albums in the series. You can get the details at our website at Baptist Bible our God will and in and in and in all the disciples would follow Jesus through three years of his ministry at a great work before them when it came time for him to depart and preach the gospel in all the world. They had been fishermen, tax collectors and from the human perspective, it would seem that they were unqualified for this gigantic task and since Jesus had announced that the time of his departure was at hand. They had very heavy hearts that we have before us in our passage today as we go to the gospel of John the promise that Jesus would send his Spirit to them and this would be a tremendous advantage and enable them to accomplish the work that Woodhead read from the 16th chapter of the Gospel of John, beginning with the first verse. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

They shall put you out of the synagogues gave the time, that whosoever killed you will think that he do with service and these things were they doing to you because they have not known the father nor but these things have I told you that when the time shall come. You may remember that I told you of the in these things I said not unto you at the beginning because I was with you but now I go my way to him that sent me. None of you asked me whether the voice that because I 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 and Quentin key is come, he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment of sin, because they believe not only of righteousness, because I go to my father and you see me no more of judgment because the prince of this world is judged first in this portion we see the fact of persecution, Jesus says persecution will come that he had previously declared this. This wasn't the first time that he made the disciples wherever he obviously wanted them to be mindful of the fact that this is what they would expect after he was gone back in the 15th chapter the 19th verse if he were of the world, the world would love his own, but because you are not of the world, but I've chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hated you. Remember the word that I sent them to you, the servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you, and if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. In some Jesus wants to prepare them for what's ahead persecution is to be expected and others special explanation by is it the persecution comes under verse three he says it's because they do not know the father and they do not know me, that's why you're going to be persecuted.

They do not have a relationship with the true and living God. They do not know him personally.

They do not know the truth about him. So it reveals that people may be very zealous and yet although there involved in religious activities and seem to be sincere and it they do not know God, that was certainly true of the apostle Paul prior to his conversion acts chapter 26 verse nine. I verily thought to myself that I want to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, which thing I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints that are set up in prison having received authority from the chief priests and when they were put to death. I gave my voice against them, and I punish them often never synagogues and compel them to blaspheme and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

Saul of Tarsus was obviously a very zealous man. He despised the gospel of Jesus Christ. He thought that he did not favor by persecuting the church he saw to it that many Christians were put to death. And of course, that fact grieved him brightly after his conversion, when the Lord spoke to him on the Damascus Road is blinded by a great lightning struck the ground and the Lord says Saul. Saul five persecuted out me until he says, who are found. Lord obviously he did not know the very one that he opposed was the son of God, the Savior of sinners and he said I'm Jesus whom thou persecuted us have heard some suggest that the apostle had an experience of grace while getting the Jews religion and was only confused seems to be perfectly clear when they look at these passages that since he did not love the son of God. He did not love the father but a great transformation occurred when the Lord spoke to them on the road that day.

He was forever changed man.

He was called in the great work of preaching the gospel and went forward, defending the faith that he at one time Apollo God used him in a remarkable way and so we see that Jesus is informing his disciples that these things they going to do onto you because they have not known the father nor me know one who hates Jesus Christ or his followers knows or loves God. John chapter 5 verse 23 he said that all men should honor the son even as they honor the father he that on earth, not the sun on earth, not the father, which had sent him sometimes person would take a passage from another portion of Scripture and tried to defend the idea that those who are involved with other religions may indeed know God because of their sincerity in their zeal, but they are only in a state of confusion. But when you begin to look at the plain declarations that are made repeatedly in the gospel of John we see that whatever might be an unclear passage elsewhere is made very clear when we look at what Jesus was teaching throughout his ministry in the 15th chapter, the gospel of John, verse 23 he said he that hated me hated my father also. So if one hates Jesus Christ he cannot.

He does not love God and that carries over even to those who are his followers in the book of first John chapter 4. It tells us. Verse 20 the man say I love God and hate of his brother, he is a liar, for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen in this commandment we have from him that he who loveth God love his brother also. So when people are set on the idea that they want to destroy those of the followers of Christ and they manifest hatred toward them. They persecute them.

They imprison them that the head and then they put the death of acts occurring in many places around the world today where Christians are being persecuted and killed because of their commitment to Jesus Christ.

Now you might ask why is Jesus telling them all these things. It made add to their discouragement and cause them to be fearful. What is his purpose 16 of John verse four, these things have I told you that when the time shall come. You may remember that I told you of them, and these things that I said unto you at the beginning because I was with you.

So he's telling them that they might not be caught off guard. Jesus never painted the rosy picture that some try to think of Christianity today that if you follow him, that life is going to be smooth and easy.

You're going to be prospered.

Going to have all of these marvelous things occur and the road will be an easy one to travel. Jesus never taught that lesson repeatedly. He was reminding those who followed him.

It meant death to self. You must take up the cross daily and die die to self giving to face opposition, you have a great adversary the devil, who is as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. You have those that are under his influence that are constantly persecuting the followers of Jesus Christ. So Jesus did not want his disciples to be surprised if he is not told them the incident occurred. They they could been unduly alarmed. But he says when it happens you will remember that I told you in advance, so this will be an assurance to you that you're on the right track and I have warned you in advance of what would occur. Not only did Jesus bring this fact to his disciples repeatedly in his ministry, but the rest of the Scripture continues to bring it to our attention as well. The book of second Timothy chapter 3 verse 12 says yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution that raises an interesting question. If you've never had any persecution. If you've never had a opposition if you've ever been criticized because of your faith in Christ. Maybe it's because you haven't been bold enough in your testimony that it's because there has been a timid spirit on your part and you haven't stood firmly for things that would cause others to oppose.

Now certainly were not suggesting that by a brash spirit by an unkind attitude that you stir people up, but I'm talking about one who humbly and faithfully is following and serving Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures are explicit that if you are serving him. There will be opposition look at the book of first Peter chapter 4 verse 12. Here's another reminder beloved. Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's suffering that when his glory shall be revealed, he may be glad with exceeding joy. So Peter, having heard the words of Jesus in understanding what was involved in this matter as he writes this epistle under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is saying don't think at some strange thing, don't be surprised. This is the normal course of action. This is what's going to happen. You can expect. Joey said back in the first verse of this 16th chapter. These things I have spoken unto you, that you should not be offended. Word suggests the thought of stumbling when it happens. I don't you to be offended in me and turned back and leave the narrow path that you're traveling. I do want you to stumble and falter now. Jesus obviously knew that they would falter so what's the point of saying anything about it because he establishes the fact that they are accountable. He had provided for them. Those things were necessary to be able to stand. He had repeatedly reminded them of the importance of prayer. Yet even as he neared the end of the journey we find them often falling asleep initiative and praying we find them focused on themselves and their own personal interest instead of seeking the help of God that was available to them and how true that may be with us in our lives.

The Lord warns us, there are challenges there are hard times.

There are persecutions and do we prepare ourselves.

We spent time in the word do we spend time in fellowship with the Lord in prayer that we might be prepared for these difficult times, our way of the second thing we see after reference to the fact of persecution is the promise of the Spirit. The disciples were in deep grief you can imagine what a transition this is going to be then walked and talked with Jesus for these three years they'd seen these miracles in the been a marvelous time and now he says I'm going away, but the fact that they are so troubled, clearly indicates that they had forgotten some of the things that Jesus had already sent to back in chapter 14 of the second verse he said in my father's house are many mansions if it were not so I would've told you. I go to prepare a place for you like could lose I'm going away, but I have your interest at heart I'm going to go prepare a place for you in verse 12 of that chapter. Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believe is on leave the works that I do shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do because I know under the father acts really difficult to grasp.

When you first read how could it be that these the followers of Christ were going to do greater works than Christ himself. It done but even if they didn't comprehend what is all about the fact that the Lord make such a promise to the been exciting to them. I think what he had in mind was that now by the coming of the Holy Spirit, they would be empowered, they would be able to go far and wide, from one country to another, preaching the gospel and there would be many conversions.

When Jesus was here on the earth in a human body. He was only one place at a time, but on the spirit of God was given. He empowered many of his servants to circulate the gospel and great things were done in verse 20 he says at that day shall you know that I am in my father and knee in me and I in you. So they forgotten about the fact that Jesus is I'm going to go prepare a place for you and you're going to do greater works than I have done and you have an increased knowledge now can you see some of your own experience in this.

The trials come, difficulties are pressing you down. The burdens are heavy, you're in great grief and distress, but you forgotten some of the promises of God is made, you forgotten some of the things that he's done for you in the past and so their trouble was great because they were not considering the things that had been done the things that Jesus had spoken to them.

They were thinking only about themselves. Jesus is coming down to that and will soon be crucified.

But rather than thinking about him and speaking some word of comfort to their monster thinking only about themselves that they had previously asked where are you going and here Jesus says why have you not ask me where I'm going and that may seem to be a contradiction, but when you compare the two passages, it appears that when they asked the question. Initially it was in this connotation. They were upset because Jesus said I'm going away and would be like some is it what are you going, what's the idea that you're leaving. I don't like the idea that you're going but now he says you haven't asked where I'm going as far as really being interested in the destination envy. If you are thinking properly. If you are asking the right questions you'd be saying, tell me more about exactly where you're going and what you're going to be doing, but that wasn't their focus.

They were thinking only about themselves and the sorrow that they were experiencing. Know the fact that Jesus is telling them their sorrow is inappropriate.

There's no need for them to be in such deep grief that there better times ahead that when the spirit of God is given the going to be marvelous things taking place again refutes the idea that all of us are probably entertained at some point when we would think back would not have been marvelous to have lived on the earth at the time Jesus was here what what the pin to have heard him deliver a discourse to have seen him perform a miracle. The conversation with an we can feel some sentimental attachment to such a fault that Shirley would've been a great experience but you know what Jesus teaching them saying when I pull away and the Holy Spirit comes, you're not going to a position of lesser blessing the horizon is expanding brighter things are going to happen. I'm sending my spirit is going to be power you're going to be able to do great things to my glory, you're going to be comforted because present you go to be talking to guide you into all truth. So rather than looking back, thinking about and I was born at the wrong time. I just live a long time ago if I could just been here when Jesus was here. Think about the blessing that we now have that the Holy Spirit of God abides with us. He's not not limited we believe that is here with us today, enabling us to enter into the worship of God blessing us to sing him. Psalm spiritual songs to his glory, enabling us to proclaim the gospel and to have understanding of it is the word of God is preached.

The Holy Spirit is not only here with us we believe is with Bible believing churches all over the city all over the country and around the world how wonderful to think of the blessing that we have the cause of the gift of the Holy Spirit of God. You do you all you all the disciples were deeply troubled because Jesus said he was going away, but he was concerned for their welfare. Is says. 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 Joe here was his promise, the Holy Spirit will be given, and he is in the hearts of all God's children today to guide them directly him. Provide them the strength, the courage and the comfort that they so desperately need. All of this given by his free and sovereign Lord richly bless you and all you all all all all you and you will all