THE IRONIC ADVANTAGE
August 08, 2015
""But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away..."" (John 16:7)
It seems that it was slowing dawning on the disciples in John 16 that what Jesus said was about to come true: He was leaving.
Remember, these are the ones who had left everything to follow Christ. They knew He was the Messiah. They anticipated Him ascending to some kind of earthly throne and establishing a new kingdom and they wanted to be a part. And now, He announced He was leaving.
But in John 16 He shows them the advantage of this arrangement. And then He lists at least 5 things that will only happen if He leaves and they all center around the coming of the Holy Spirit.
We know in the Old Testament era, the Spirit came upon men for service and ministry. Now, with Christ's leaving the Spirit would be given to INDWELL people all believers 24/7. Pentecost ushered in this mighty invasion of God's Spirit, forever changing the way we experience Him.
It is no longer doing our best for Jesus or Jesus walking beside us. It is Jesus (in Spirit form) INSIDE US, granting us what nothing else could do and empowering us for life. We have, as New Testament believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit, what the Old Testament saints longed to experience.
As J.D. Greear said, “The Spirit inside you is better than Jesus beside you."" Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would...
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COME: ""For if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you, but if I go, I will send Him to you."" vs. 7
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CONVICT: ""and He, when He comes will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment."" vs. 8
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GUIDE: ""But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth..."" vs. 13
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SPEAK AT GOD'S INITIATIVE: ""For He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come."" vs. 13
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GLORIFY JESUS: ""He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you."" vs. 14
""Let not your heart be troubled"" He told His anxious disciples. ""It is to your advantage that I go away."" And we are the recipients of this glorious arrangement.
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