Bible Study - Never Alone (1) - Convicted by the Spirit - John 15:26-27, 16:7-15 - June 5, 2022

 

Bible Study – Never Alone (1) – Convicted by the Spirit – June 5, 2022

This lesson one in our new series entitled, “Never Alone: The Holy Spirit in our Lives.”

Our focus scripture is John 15:26-27, 16:7-15.

The Holy Spirit convicts of sin and points to the truth of salvation.

The role of the Holy Spirit is often misunderstood. But the Holy Spirit is vital to the ministry of JESUS. JESUS refers to the Holy Spirit as the Counselor.

WHO is the Counselor? The Counselor is translated from the Greek word parakletos or one who comes alongside and comforts or sent to assist another person.

In many of our vehicles we have OnStar. We can contact OnStar for directions or if we are in an accident OnStar will call and send someone to help us. No, I am not saying the Holy Spirit is OnStar but it is a good example. The Holy Spirit is with all Spirit-born people 24/7 and not only with us who have been born-again but connects us with GOD and JESUS but also with those seeking salvation.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read John 15:26-27:

²⁶ “When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father —the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me. ²⁷ You also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

JESUS told HIS disciples that HE was sending a Counselor into the world. The Counselor is the “Spirit of truth” or the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity – GOD The FATHER, GOD The SON and GOD The Holy Spirit. No deception will ever come from the Holy Spirit.

JESUS knew that it was going to be very hard for HIS disciples to comprehend all that was going to take place over the next 50 days. But HE did not want them to be blindsided by the upcoming events either.

Let’s read John 16:7-11:

⁷ Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. ⁸ When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: ⁹ About sin, because they do not believe in me; ¹⁰ about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; ¹¹ and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

JESUS’ disciples had concluded that JESUS was going to be an earthly King. JESUS had to prepare them for the reality of what would be taking place e.g., HIM being beaten, humiliated, spit upon and abused. Then HE was crucified like a common criminal. HE would die and be buried.

But the Good News was that GOD would raise JESUS from the physically dead to be eternally alive. JESUS would receive HIS Glorified Body like the body Spirit-born people will have at the second coming of JESUS.

If we study the resurrected JESUS before HIS ascension, we see that HIS Glorified body seemingly had limitations. HE could not be in two places at one time.

JESUS could appear in a certain place and reveal Himself or not. HE could penetrate the walls of physical structures. In Luke 24:36-37 - we read:

³⁶ As they were saying these things, he (JESUS) himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” ³⁷ But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost

If JESUS remained in HIS Glorified body upon earth, did HE want people to be afraid of HIM? NO!

In John 20:24-29, we read: (After the resurrection of JESUS; JESUS walked through a wall.)

²⁴ But Thomas (called “Twin”^[d]), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

²⁶ A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”

²⁸ Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed.^[e] Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Therefore, JESUS told them HE would send a Counselor.

The Counselor or Holy Spirit will prepare those who do not know JESUS to receive JESUS as their Savior and be Spiritually born into GOD’S Family.

The Counselor will prepare those who are searching for truth to find it in JESUS. The Counselor is the connector of those seeking salvation and those having the message of salvation through faith in JESUS. Great team work. The Holy Spirit does the conviction and prepares that person to receive Spiritual birth through faith in JESUS.

That is where we, as Spiritually born people are used, to lead others to a saving knowledge of JESUS. The Holy Spirit prepares the hearts of those seeking salvation. That is why JESUS tells us to stay focused upon ministry as we wait for HIS second coming. The harvest is bountiful but the labors are few.

The Holy Spirit teaches, enlightens, guides and protects those who are to receive salvation and calls those Spirit-born into ministry.

JESUS finished with the fact that Satan will be judged and defeated by what will take place over the coming week.

Let’s read John 16:12-15:

¹² “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t 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, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I told you that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.

JESUS stopped because HE knew that the human mind could only comprehend so much, plus if HE told you some of the things that are going to take place you could not handle them.

However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, you will have complete understanding because GOD will package what I have learned as a human upon earth and give it to you. JESUS’ desire was for HIS disciples then and now to be fully equipped to minister.

Thus, as Spirit-born people, we are never alone, GOD is eternally with us, as evidenced by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Thus, wherever we go, we are the light of CHRIST. This does not mean that we will avoid or not experience troubling times but it does mean the Counselor/Holy Spirit is with us every step we take and will never leave us or forsake us. Where we step is Holy ground. YES!

That is GOD’S promise – never alone!!!

Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for JESUS to come into your life/heart believing that HE willingly gave HIS sinless life just for you? If not, why not now?

When you do, thank HIM for saving your soul and giving you eternal life. Welcome into GOD’S Family through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

Now read your Bible, talk to GOD, which is prayer, ask HIM to lead you to the place where you can be fed, nourished and put into action what GOD is teaching you.

Blessings!!!