The Power to Endure (John 16:1-15)

Good morning. Peter, one of the pastors here. Welcome to Garden City. 

Think back – Scariest memory as a child. I’m afraid of heights. Seattle. Tower. Whatever – By yourself, terrifying. But with a parent, a greater power, not as much. Today: Still scared. (Dropped?) So now I just cling to my kids.

Jn.16. Bibles. Turn. Screen. Jesus continues – hard things are coming your way, including me leaving, but it’s going to be ok. Cause I have something even better for you that’s going to get you through.

John 16 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

Ok. Things got pretty serious really fast. Didn’t they? Jesus says, people are going to persecute you because you love me, because you follow me. They are going to kick you out of the synagogues – You’re going to be excommunicated/outcast from the only community you know. Where your friends are, where you worship, where your life revolves around. They’re going to strip you of your place in this world.

And if that weren’t enough, they’re even going to kill you, thinking they are doing it for God. This is not a metaphor. It’s not figurative language. People will try to take you out. How many people – this gets you excited about being a Christian?

Not what you signed up for? A lot of people approach Christianity and faith in Jesus as a get out of jail/hell free card. I believe in Jesus because I don’t want to go to hell but after that I kind of want God to just leave me alone so I can live my life. And I especially don’t want to do anything while following Jesus that would jeopardize my safety, my comfort, my lifestyle, my dream, my plans for my life. 

When it comes to your life, Jesus is Lord of all or not Lord at all. Salvation costs you nothing, free gift) but following Jesus will cost you everything. Ready and willing to give it all up, everything. The way of Jesus is not the way of ease. But it is the way to glory. (Barclay) It’s not the wide road that many are on, but the narrow road that few take and leads to eternal life. 

Last year, TWS, Heb. 11 – HOF – List some “heroes” of the Bible like Noah, who listened to God and built the ark (really big boat) to save his family from a worldwide catastrophic flood; like Abraham who obeyed when God called him to go out to a new land, believed God when he said he would have a son even though he and his wife, Sarah, were too old to have children; He was even ready to sacrifice his son Isaac when God tested him, believing that God was able to raise him from the dead. Then you have Moses who saw some of the most incredible works of God: the plagues against the Egyptians, the parting of the Red Sea, and he got to see the glory of God pass before him. 

And then you have others like king David, Israel’s greatest king and songwriter, and many others like Samuel and the prophets who ³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. ³⁵ Women received back their dead by resurrection. (Awesome stuff. Let’s go! Let’s follow Jesus.)

But Heb. 11 goes on 35-38 (listen to this) Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. ³⁶ Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 

So in Heb. 11, you have two groups: 

-Group 1 – Giants. Named. In faith, did great things for God. More accurately – God used them despite their failures (X Hire) to do amazing things. Usually, this is where everyone wants their name.

-Group 2 – Unnamed “nobodys” who suffered and died for their faith. They didn’t necessarily see any big victories. (These are the people Jesus – Jn.16) Saints “of whom the world was not worthy”. But no one really wants to be in this part of the list because they don’t want to suffer like that. (Pick 1 – Vol? Vote for me?) Is this group any less important or less “heroic” than the first? Of course not. 

Heb. 11 is one list of those who demonstrated extraordinary faith in God, some for deliverance and victory and others in suffering and death. And that’s the kind of faith we are called to…A faith that believes God for miracles and is unshakeable even in the face of death.

No one is promised an easy, pain free life, especially for those who follow Jesus faithfully. Persecution is the reality, not hypothetical, for a lot of the world’s believers. 380m face high levels of persecution around the world today. 1/7 Christians worldwide. 1 in 5 in Africa, 2 in 5 in Asia. Last year – 4.5k Christians murdered. 4.5k Christians imprisoned. 7.5k+ Churches and Christian properties attacked. (Open Doors US) – Simply because of their faith in Jesus. Being obedient to God and not to man. Preaching the gospel. 

1Pe.4 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Jesus – This is your heads up to expect these kinds of things to happen. But not only that, we’re instructed to rejoice! That’s right. Rejoice. Because we are blessed – usually prosperity/good things, but blessed in the Bible – you get to be like Jesus. You get to participate with Jesus in suffering and the Spirit of glory and God is on you. There is a faith that can only be refined through suffering. No one likes suffering. No one wants it. But growth normally doesn’t happen during times of prosperity but in desperate times, times when God is all you have to cling to. And you experience the depth of God’s love and faithfulness.

I could never do that. My faith is not that great. I can barely get myself to read the bible and pray. – You’re probably right. Not trying to be mean. But it’s true. But imagine you had Jesus by your side. Your boldness would immediately increase – take on the world. If he walked with you every step of the way. Reminding you that he loves you. He’s with you. He’s got your back. He’s going to supply everything you need. Then you have a chance – at that point, it’s not about you. It’s Jesus’ power next to you.

But Jesus goes even further and says, I’m going to give you something even better than me being next to you…

(Jn.16) “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 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.

Why? Advantage – Jesus to leave? (Imagine – Traffic. Missing. Etc.)

-Jesus could only be in one place at a time. With some but not others.

-Spirit – presence and power of God within every believer. To help us all  in all things at all times. Paraklete – Helper/Advocate.

PJD – Spirit in you is better than Jesus beside you.

Convict the world – Legal – Cross examine to see/admit their wrong and to see the truth. V.13 HS – Spirit of truth. There’s an important difference between…

Conviction vs. Condemnation – (Coastal Church – Ps. James Fam) 

	Conviction	Condemnation
Origin	Holy Spirit	Satan
Focus	Specific Sin	Identity (Worthless, Unlovable, Unforgivable, etc.)
Result	Repentance, Hope, Peace, Forgiveness, Grace – Relationship	Imprisoned – Guilt, Shame, Fear, Despair
Effect	Nearness to God	Separation, Isolation
Action	Invitation, Confession	Withdrawal, Hopelessness

Peter vs. Judas (12)

-Peter denied Jesus 3x – curse/swears. Judas betrayed Jesus – $. – Both failed him greatly.

-Peter when faced with his sin – wept bitterly and was reconciled to Jesus. (Jn.21) Conviction brings him in. Jesus restores him and Peter becomes a leader in the church.

-Judas, otoh, once realizing the wrong he had done, overwhelmed by condemnation – tragically takes his own life. (Mt.27) Condemnation separated him. Pushed him over the edge of guilt and hopelessness.

Jesus did not come to condemn – if that’s what he wanted to do, he didn’t have to come down from heaven – the world but that he might save the world through his life, death, and resurrection. (Jn. 3:16-17) Ro.8 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. The Holy Spirit continues the works of Jesus. The Spirit’s desire, his work – helps draw people to God through conviction. Doesn’t push you away. – True for both nonbelievers and believers. 

HS – Convicts Concerning Sin, Righteousness, Judgement

Sin – Doesn’t hide sin or belittle sin – it’s not that serious or ignore sin. It’s ok (WE) – No. It’s not. Exposes the truth of the wickedness of sin. Indictment against sin. – All been found guilty of sin. Ro. 3:23. We don’t just do bad things – our hearts are wicked to the core. Deserving of death. 

-One unforgivable sin (Root): Not believing in Jesus.

-Realize: Need to be saved from our sin. Sin – Penalty – Death. Someone to save us because we cannot save ourselves.

-For nonbelievers – The conviction of sin – Invitation to confess, repent, find forgiveness and life in Jesus.

-For believers – The conviction of sin – Is the same. Invitation to confess, repent, find forgiveness and life in Jesus. Grow in holiness, in righteousness, in Christ-likeness. 

2Cor.7 10 For godly grief (not guilt. Comes by conviction from the Spirit) produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret…

Your sin is constantly fighting to condemn you and separate you from God. To make you want to hide and feel ashamed. (Ge.3) But the Spirit’s role is to help you by convicting you of sin – godly grief – to bring you back into right relationship through repentance. Repentance – Not a 1x for salvation. Life of repentance. – God’s grace never runs out. -Your sin, no matter how great – it’s great – his love is greater.

Righteousness – Jesus going to the Father. Holy Spirit – Testifies – Perfect righteousness of Jesus. – Only the righteous can go to the Father. – Holy, Holy, Holy. Sin cannot be in his presence. – Jesus never sinned though tempted in every way like we are. He’s never disobeyed or dishonored God in any way. Fulfilled all of God’s good ways and commands. He’s loved God the Father perfectly without faltering. Only one who has access through his righteousness.

So with Jesus gone, who will teach us the ways of God? And more importantly who will make us righteous before God? Bible – Our righteousness – The best we have to offer – on our own – filthy/dirty – offensive to God. Ro. 3:10-12. Not one who is righteous. Not one who seeks God. Who’s going to help us?

HS – teaches us what righteousness is through giving us understanding of God’s words and what he has spoken to us in Jesus. AND the HS makes us righteous by applying Jesus’s work on our behalf when we believe. And the Spirit does the work of making us more and more righteous like Jesus.

2Cor. 5 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – Imputed Righteousness. Gift Righteousness. (Bank – 0 to immeasurable. Court – Guilty to perfect record.)

G – God’s 

R – Riches/Righteousness

A – At

C – Christ’s

E – Expense

When God sees us – he doesn’t see…He sees the perfect righteousness of Jesus applied to us. Love and thankfulness – Changes us. Encourages us to live righteously. 

1Jn. 3 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

Ro.1:17 For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Gal. 3:11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Righteousness that comes not by doing and being good but by faith that leads to right doing empowered by the Spirit.

Judgement – Legal. The ruler of this world is judged. Judged – Found defeated. And our sin has also been judged – Enemy’s grip on us released. The power of sin has been broken. And we have been declared free! The Spirit in us is greater than the one against us. (Watching a game that you already know the ending to. UNC vs. Duke – Ram vs Devl. Good vs Evil) It may seem like the devil, the world, is winning but in the end, Jesus wins. He’s already won.

Heb. 2 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

We don’t have to fear – not even death. We don’t have to fight for victory – not even over death. We already have victory in Jesus. – Boldness. Confidence. Hope. Joy. – Cannot be taken away.

So don’t listen and believe the lies of the Deceiver/Liar/Accuser. He’s a loser that is just trying to take you down with him. Don’t listen to that loser, not even one bit! 

(Jn.16) 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.

Guides us into all the truth and will speak – how and about what? Concerning conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgement. 

And for all Jesus said and desires to say to us for everything we will face. Whatever comes your way. – Maybe into suffering and persecution for some – The Spirit is going to be with you and provide for you all that you need for each day, for each situation – not all at once, cause that’d be too much for you to bear. 

The Spirit of truth – louder than the enemy who seeks your downfall. – Testifies of Jesus. Glorifies Jesus. – Make Jesus larger in our hearts and help us to keep our eyes fixed on him.

(Jesus leave. Spirit comes.) Stephen – Amazing ministry. Questioned by religious leaders.. Acts 7. Summarizes the entire OT and how the people have disbelieved God and … Acts 7 51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Acts 8 54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

How? He was filled with the Holy Spirit. Spirit empowered to keep his eyes on Jesus. – Jesus’ love, approval, reign. – Not your ability or the size of your faith but your availability. HS – Equips and empowers us to faith that is not within ourselves. No matter what comes my way – Jesus is worth it. 

Phil.1 – To live is Christ. To die is gain. Win/Win. We cannot lose.

(Stephen’s life and death was pointing back to) Jesus – Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they do. Compassion in the face of death. – Only one who was truly righteous and innocent. But the religious leaders thought they were doing a service to God. But it wasn’t just the religious leaders who wanted Jesus dead, it was our sin that put Jesus on the cross. We put him there. 

Jesus – was forsaken by the Father on the cross in his death – condemned for our sin. So we would never be. Righteousness to stand before the Father without fear of judgement or condemnation. Full acceptance.

The Holy Spirit draws near to dwell in us and draw us closer to God. – Reminding us of the beautiful truth that our sins have been washed clean, we’ve been declared righteous by faith in Jesus, and the judgement on our lives – forgiven and free.

You have redeemed my life. My life is yours. I want to glorify you in my life and death. No matter what comes. The power is not within us. It’s the Holy Spirit reminding us of God’s incredible love for us…

Saul – Paul – How much he must suffer for my name – 

Ro. 5 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Ro.8 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

HS convicts you of sin, not to push you away but to bring you in – for you to realize that your own righteousness will never be good enough. One day you are going to stand before the judge.

Only two options: Jesus has already been condemned for you OR you will be condemned for your sin for not believing in him.