Simply Jesus The Life and Ministry of God s Son Lesson 25 Introduction God has His way of not letting us know what s up ahead. Occasionally, He will let us in on a little insight but usually we are on a need-to-know basis meaning when He decides we are able to handle it. In John 16 17, we find the conclusion of a series of intense intimate life-lessons Jesus shared with His disciples to prepare them for His imminent departure. Here we see the crescendo of His words in response to the deep need of their hearts, as He explains the work of the Holy Spirit to them. Then He lifted His eyes toward heaven to ask the Creator of the Universe to answer His prayers on the basis of their relationship as One. It is the stirring climax to the work God had given Him to do. The result for His followers then and now means that turmoil will be turned into triumph, grief into joy, doubt into faith, and fear into peace. But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. John 15:26, 27; 16:1 4 The above verses form the bridge that concludes Jesus parting words to His followers. In them Jesus promises that persecution will come to all who faithfully stand up for Him. Earlier in John 9, the parents of the blind man Jesus healed backed away from a confession of faith rather than risk expulsion from the synagogue. So too the rulers in John 12 that believed in Jesus but would not openly profess it lest they be put out of the community. But Jesus emphatically states that the Holy Spirit is not only the Comforter, He is also the One who empowers and enables God s people to witness for Him. Did you know ~ To live in today s America and try to understand what excommunication meant to the Jews of Jesus day is difficult, if not impossible. In Jewish society, the synagogue was literally the center of life. It was not only where you went to worship but also to secure a job, to fit in socially and find a wife or a husband, and to celebrate the milestones of life with the community of God s people. It was also the place where you were mourned when you died. So the threat of expulsion meant the radical loss of life as they knew it. In Matthew 19, Peter looked at Jesus and asked, Lord, we ve left everything to follow You, what are we going to get in return? Here in John 16, Jesus gives them the reality check along with the hopeful answer, but not the one they were expecting to hear. 1
Open your Bible and lesson each day by beginning with a word of prayer. Up Close ~ The chart below represents a reader s guide to the contents of this week s lesson. The topical teachings and/or events covered are followed by the primary scriptural text as well as the supportive parallel passages. You will be able to receive and grasp a well-rounded picture of the story narrative in the Gospel harmony by reading every passage. However, using the bolded text as your point of reference (your anchor text) will allow you to determine the facts, lessons, and personal applications necessary to formulate your own conclusions. Teaching / Event Scripture Text Parallel Passages The Work of the Holy Spirit John 16:5 15 Jesus Christ Has Overcome John 16:25 33 Jesus Prays John 17:1 26 First Impressions: Group Discussion Reflect for a moment on the passages you have just read. Respond by recording your first impressions from your initial reading of the text. Be prepared to share one of your impressions with your discussion group. Heartbeat: John 16:33 NKJV (Memory verse) (Write it out once in the space below. Practice it each time you open your lesson.) 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. 2
Part One: John 16:5 15 The Work of the Holy Spirit Think of the difference Jesus presence must ve meant to the disciples. As long as He was there, they could face anything and everything together. But Jesus had just forewarned them of the impending persecution they would face once He was no longer with them. Here in chapter 16, He prepares them to face the world s hostility by telling them the Holy Spirit was coming, they would bear witness of Jesus, and the resulting reaction would be fierce but they would never be alone. 1. Where does Jesus tell His men that He is going? vv. 5 11 a. How do the disciples receive His news? b. Why does He say it is to their advantage that He leaves them? c. What three things does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will make the focus of His attention? Look closer ~ The use of the word world in John s gospel refers to the unbelieving populace inhabiting the planet. In order to better understand the Holy Spirit s specific role, let s look at each aspect of the His work mentioned in John 16 separately for a moment. As you take these one at a time, keep in mind that God s plan is for the Holy Spirit to use the church the example and influence exerted through the body of believers to convict the unsaved world of God s love for them. a. Convict the world of sin It is the role of the Holy Spirit to point out mankind s basic sinful nature. Before coming to Christ, every human being is living in rebellion against God. He wants the world to know how much He loves us and that we should experience the fullness of joy and abundance He created us to have in fellowship with Him. Briefly describe when and how you first experienced His conviction. b. Convict the world of righteousness The Bible teaches that it isn t possible for us to make ourselves righteous before God. The only way to holiness or wholeness is to come to Christ. He gives us His Spirit, who in turn places us in right standing with God. What do you learn about this in 1 John 2:1 2? 3
c. Convict the world of judgment The prince of this world, Satan, stands judged already! Those who were previously enslaved by him can find freedom, peace, and joy because of what Jesus Christ has done. Have you appropriated what He has made possible on your behalf? Is God using you to influence those around you for Christ? Please explain. d. Can you think of some ways the Holy Spirit uses believers to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment? Give examples below. Standing in the shadow of the cross, Jesus voices His concern for His disciples in verse 12: I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 2. Again in verse 13, Jesus confirms the Holy Spirit would indeed come. What would He do? On whose authority does He speak? 3. What is the Holy Spirit s ultimate goal? How does He always accomplish it? v. 14 The Father placed all things into the hands of the Son. In the absence of the Son, the Holy Spirit would move powerfully upon men s lives to form the church and begin to evangelize the world. Under the inspiration of the Spirit working in the lives of men, they began to put pen to parchment to compose what we today call the New Testament. In it we have the repository or guide book for how to have an intimate relationship with the living God! Part Two: John 16:16 33 Jesus Christ has Overcome Jesus goes on in verses 16 24 to make a series of statements the disciples find difficult to comprehend. But even though they do not understand, He is preparing them for His death, resurrection, and ascension. They would soon be able to look back and remember what they heard and realize everything He told them had come to pass! Further on Jesus links the promise of the Holy Spirit with answered prayer: And in that day [Pentecost] you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full (vv. 23 24). 4
In John 16:25 33, Jesus explains the basis for the believer s prayer relationship with God. Read these verses through carefully. 1. While He was with them, Jesus followers had to ask Jesus to pray for them. But in that day, what does He tell them to do? Why? vv. 26 27 The disciples professed their understanding and belief (vv. 29 30) that Jesus did indeed come forth from God. Jesus knew what was yet ahead for them before they would be able to possess their faith and be willing to die for Him. It would take the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost for the understanding to move from their heads into their hearts. In fact soon they would all depart from Him, leaving Him alone; and yet Jesus said He was not alone the Father was with Him. 2. In the midst of the most difficult times, what is it the truth that Jesus wanted to leave them with? v. 33 3. Personal: Have you ever heard a hard word from Jesus? Did you doubt His love or were you able to trust Him? Could you look back and prove His faithfulness to His Word and to you? Part Three: John17:1 26 Jesus Prays to the Father John 17 is a beautiful depiction of relationships and how God expects us to live. As you read through these verses, take time to let them take hold of you. Here Jesus turns His attention to prayer for Himself, the disciples, and all believers down through the ages including us! Jesus Prays for Himself: vv. 1 5 a. What did Jesus pray for Himself? b. How did Jesus fulfill His mission? c. What did God grant Him? d. How did Jesus define eternal life? 5
Jesus lived His entire life in the shadow of the cross. Now His hour has come and He moved determinedly toward that moment. His glory was manifested as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (1:14). His death on the cross would mean many more coming to God through His redemptive work. For Himself, He looked beyond death, to the resurrection and ascension, to the glory He had with the Father before the world began. Jesus Prays for His Disciples: vv. 6 19 Consider the tenderness of the Lord as He lifts His prayer for those He must leave behind eleven men who faithfully followed Him and who would now carry on His mission on earth. a. In your own words, summarize how Jesus lovingly speaks of His men to the Father. b. What did Jesus reveal to them while on earth? c. What did He do for them while on earth? d. How, specifically, does He pray for them? e. How does He pray that they be kept? While Jesus was with them, He asked for God s protection and care. Now He commits them to the Father s keeping. He does not ask that they be taken out of the world but that they would be kept safe in the midst of evil. They were not to isolate themselves; they were to be in the world but not of the world set apart for God s glory. Jesus Prays for All Believers: vv. 20 26 a. Who is included in Jesus prayer in this section? b. What is the Lord s ultimate goal? c. What virtue is at the core of unity? Is this virtue evident in your life? d. When believers are united the way God desires, what results? Selah ~ Imagine it: the love which the Father had with the Son is also manifested in you, making it possible for you to be one with Him, to experience His love, and be set apart by Him for His glory! 6
Behold & Be Transformed What did you see as you beheld God s Son? How does beholding (looking upon) Him, motivate you to change your thoughts, habit, attitude, speech or actions? Pause... What is the most significant lesson you have learned this week? Ponder... How will you put it into practice? Pray... Write out your prayer and be specific. 2013 Janis J. Vance, All Rights Reserved. Used by permission. 7
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