A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11 After a brief introduction of the setting for the reference scripture for this message, Pastor Holmes preceded his message

A God’s Eye ViewJohn 16:1-11

After a brief introduction of the setting for the reference scripture for this message, Pastor Holmes preceded his message reading exerts from multiple writings about the Christian martyrs through the ages.

These writings included: Foxe’s Book of Martyrs New York Times Opinion Article

Persecuting The ChristiansA. M. RosenthalFebruary 11, 1997

John MacArthur Commentary


Conflict With the World

Comfort of the Disciples

Convicting by the Spirit

Conflict With the World “These things” – refers to John 15:18-25 “stumbling” – skandalizo refers to being

caught off guard, like an animal – Matt. 26:31


Matthew 26:31 (NASB)31 Then Jesus *said to them, “You will all

fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’”

Conflict With the World “These things” – refers to John 15:18-25 “stumbling” – skandalizo refers to being

caught off guard, like an animal – Matt. 26:31 Persecution was coming – shortly (Hour) Outcasts from the synagogue – traitors Persecutors will “think that” they are serving

God and His kingdom This is because “they have not known the

Father or Me”


Conflict With the World Jesus tells them this so, when He is crucified,

the disciples would remember – 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-13


2 Timothy 3:12 (NASB)12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in

Christ Jesus will be persecuted

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NASB)12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery

ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.



Jesus tells them now because, before this, He didn’t need to because He was with them

Jesus never glossed over the truth about being one of His disciples – Luke 9:23-24


Luke 9:23-24 (NASB)23 And He was saying to them all, “If

anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.”





Luke 14: 28-33


Luke 14:28-33 (NASB)28 “For which one of you, when he wants to

build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?

29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him,

30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

31 “Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand?

32 “Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.

33 “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.”





Luke 14: 28-33 2 Corinthians 4:17


2 Corinthians 4:17 (NASB)17 For momentary, light affliction is

producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

Comfort of the Disciples There is a contrast between the selflessness

of Jesus and the selfishness of the disciples. Jesus says He is returning to the one who

“sent” Him. No one asked Him “Where are you going?” Jesus is trying to encourage the disciples,

but they are only focused on themselves – “sorrow has filled your hearts.”


Comfort of the Disciples The disciples’ sorrow was unwarranted In fact, it was to their advantage that Jesus

“go away” True, the cross brought atonement but it

also brought “the Helper” who would: Give them eternal life – John 7:37-39 Indwell them – John 14:16-17 Instruct them – John 14:26 Empower them for witness – John 15:26-27


Convicting by the Spirit The HS also ministers to the unbeliever. “Convict” to us has a negative connotation,

but theologically it is a positive one. The world hates Jesus because sinfulness

hates righteousness, imperfection hates perfection, and the “domain of darkness” hates the “kingdom of His beloved Son” – Colossians 1:13.


Colossians 1:13 (NASB)13 For He rescued us from the domain of

darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Convicting by the Spirit The HS also ministers to the unbeliever. “Convict” to us has a negative connotation, but

theologically it is a positive one. The world hates Jesus because sinfulness hates

righteousness, imperfection hates perfection, and the “domain of darkness” hates the “kingdom of His beloved Son” – Colossians 1:13.

It is the ministry of the HS to penetrate hearts steeped in sin, overcome sinners’ resistance to the Gospel, and to bring them to saving faith.


Convicting by the Spirit No one can be saved apart from the conviction

and regeneration of the Holy Spirit! All are rebels by nature and are dead in their

trespasses and sin – Eph. 2:1 By nature children of wrath – Eph. 2:3 Darkened in understanding – Eph. 4:18-19 Alienated and hostile in mind – Col.1:21 Blinded by Satan – 2 Corinthians 4:4 Helpless and unable to believe the truth, even

suppressing it – Romans 1:18-32


Convicting by the Spirit The Holy Spirit’s saving ministry to the lost

is revealed in the word “convict” – convince The Holy Spirit convicts the world of three

things:1. Sin – singular, refusing to believe – John 3:18


John 3:18 (NASB)18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he

who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Convicting by the Spirit The Holy Spirit’s saving ministry to the lost

is revealed in the word “convict” – convince The Holy Spirit convicts the world of three

things:1. Sin – singular, refusing to believe – John 3:182. Righteousness – Christ’s righteousness as

compared to our sin3. Judgment – the false assessment of Jesus


ApplicationThere are only two possible responses to

the convicting work of the SpiritRepentance or Rejection

Which describes you?

Are you testifying and leaving the convicting to the Holy Spirit?


Documents

A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11 After a brief introduction of the setting for the reference scripture for this message, Pastor Holmes preceded his message