April 24, 2020
These Things
John 16:1-15
Kelly Nix
Central Truth
God has given us everything we need to thrive in both this life and our eternal one.
Key Verse | John 16:4
"But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you."
John 16:1-15
1 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.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
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.
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.
Dive Deeper | John 16:1-15
"These things," which Jesus repeats four times in this section of Scripture, will prove to be everything the disciples, and all of us, need for eternal life. "These things" are that God is three in one—eternal, equal in nature, and distinct in role. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit cannot be divided. God is going to work through the disciples' suffering to bring the good news of salvation to the world (John 16:6-7)! God's personal presence, which is the Holy Spirit, will come to those whom the Son has reconciled to the Father (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit was giving life in Genesis 1 and is pointing to Jesus until the end of Revelation (Revelation 21-22). The Spirit gives believers energy and direction to find hope when life makes no sense (John 16:8-11). He gives believers an eternal view of God's plan (John 16:12-13) and enables obedience, which makes Jesus famous (John 16:14-15).
John 16 is the last recorded conversation Jesus had with His disciples before He was crucified. He clarifies "these things" to them because after He is gone, they will be persecuted for following Jesus' authority over the synagogue's. He is sending the Holy Spirit so they won't lose faith and turn from God (John 16:7-15). While the persecution did come, the power of the Holy Spirit kept giving new life to those who believed. The Helper, as the Spirit is called in John 16, has continued working through Jesus' disciples; and now, 2,000 years later, the Spirit still helps convict and conform rebellious people like me. Fear strikes when tragedy hits, and Jesus knew the temptation to quit would come. Like the apostles, I have also been tempted by the fear and pain that comes with tragedy. In these times, my temptation is to mistakenly lose faith in God's control and sovereignty.
But each time that I have gotten to the end of myself, He's there. His Spirit corrects me through His Word. Although I haven't suffered as greatly as the disciples, I am reminded that the Son who died for them also died for me. His Spirit living in me and guiding me in this crazy, painful, unpredictable life of mine is enough to cause me to rejoice (Colossians 1:24-29). He has overcome the world, and "these things" are everything.
Discussion Questions
1. Can you think of a time when you doubted God's sovereignty in times of suffering? Looking back, do you see how God has used this initial pain or suffering to strengthen you and bring you closer to Him? Knowing that God sent Christ as payment for all pain and has sent his Holy Spirit not just to the apostles but freely to all of us who repent and follow Christ, how will you approach future suffering and hardships? (1 Peter 4:12-19, 5:10; Romans 8:5-8; John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12; 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 15-18; Philippians 1:29)
2. Can you think of anything that could possibly occur that God wouldn't be able to lead you through? (1 Corinthians 10:13)
3. The Holy Spirit inscribes Jesus on the hearts of those who believe. He begins to transform the desires of those who have been given this gift they know they don't deserve. Have you confessed your need of a savior and exchanged the life you had for His? (1 John 5:11-13)
4. In light of the sacrifice Jesus made, how do you respond? How have you experienced the Holy Spirit's work in your life? (2 Corinthians 3:3)
5. Watermark has great communities to help you walk through suffering. Check out re:generation, GriefShare, and the other care ministries available. (Galatians 6:2)