The Gospel Of John Chapter 16 Pt. 3 Jesus Teaches About Ministry Of Holy Spirit

John 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 

Jesus is leading His disciples along by teaching them about the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit of God. 

Jesus is also revealing essential truth about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as three distinct Persons, united in the Godhead.

In His glorified, resurrection body, Jesus could minister in one place at a time. The idea of sending the Comforter to be a great benefit for gospel ministry, is explained.

The omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience of the Godhead.

Psalm 147:5  Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

The Godhead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit are omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. 

We have great difficulty grasping this spiritual reality, because we are constrained by our fleshly limitations. 

God created all things, including the space, matter and time continuum. Therefore, He is above it and not governed by it.

The Godhead created all things. The Godhead governs and sustains all things. 

The Godhead planned and executed the redemption of mankind due to Adam's fall into sin.  

The Godhead will bring all things to their ordained conclusion just as the Bible tells us it will happen. 

The Holy Spirit is Omnipresent.

Psalm 139:7-8  Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8)  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 

King David asked the rhetorical question "Where can I go that your Spirit is not present?" The answer is "No where."

The Holy Spirit of God is not bound by space, matter and time, like we are. He is in heaven, and He is in the unseen place of the dead. 

The Holy Spirit is Omniscient.

Isaiah 40:13-14  Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 14)  With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? 

Isaiah raised the question "Who directed the Spirit of Jehovah?" The answer is "No one." 

"Who was a wiser counsellor than the Holy Spirit?" The answer is "No one." 

"Who taught the Spirit of God?" The answer is "No one."

Isaiah used these questions to illustrate the fact that the Spirit of God is Omniscient. He knows all things, from beginning to end, just like Christ and just like the Father. He is God the Holy Spirit. 

The Spirit of God did not take counsel from anyone. No one else instructed Him for He needed no instruction. He eternally possesses all knowledge, judgment and understanding. 

1 Corinthians 2:9-10  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10)  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  

The Spirit of God is all knowing and searches out all deep things of God. He is the Christian's guide into all of God's truth. 

He is ready to teach us and show us all the wonderful things of God, because the Father stands ready to freely, abundantly give them to us. 

The Holy Spirit is Omnipotent. 

Romans 15:15-19  Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 16)  That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 17)  I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 18)  For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19)  Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 

He is all powerful, as evidenced by signs, wonders and miracles since the New Testament church was birthed at Pentecost. 

The Spirit of God worked in special ways through the apostles. 

Devils were cast out, diseases were healed, the dead were raised back to life, the gospel was preached boldly and sinners were converted to Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that the Holy Spirit is able to minister in all places at all times because He is a Spirit. 

Thus, apostolic ministry would exponentially expand from its humble beginnings by the shores of Galilee.

The Spirit of God indwells each believer in Jesus Christ. He is our connection to Jesus, the true vine, and to our Father in heaven. This is a great benefit for each Christian. 

The Holy Spirit's reproving work. 

John 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

Jesus expanded on the specific ministry of the Spirit of God. This ministry takes place as the scriptures are preached and the gospel of Christ is proclaimed. 

He is going to do a mighty work of "reproving." The word "reprove" means to expose people's sins by the light of the scriptures. 

To "reprove" means to bring conviction upon the heart of each sinner, such that they understand the vile nature of sin and are ashamed of their actions. 

The word "reprove" means showing each person their sins, and calling them to account because they have transgressed against a Holy God. 

It is Holy God demanding an explanation from each sinner for their sins, and showing them the certainly of eternal damnation. 

The Holy Spirit convicts sinners of their sins against God.

John 16:9  Of sin, because they believe not on me; 

The Holy Spirit brings men to the point where they must heed the gospel they have heard preached, or they must refuse it. 

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Those who repent and turn to Jesus Christ for salvation shall be gloriously saved and regenerated by the Spirit of God. 

Those who refuse to call upon the Lord Jesus Christ, remain dead in their sins and under the judgment of God. 

One powerful work of the Holy Spirit is to convince  men of their sin, by showing men what sin is. 

He demonstrate to each person that they are sinners, and He shows the absolute necessity of an atonement for sin.

The Holy Spirit exalts the righteousness of Christ, the Lamb of God slain for sinners. 

John 16:10  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 

It is Jesus Christ’s personal righteousness which the Spirit brings to the sinner’s heart. 

The evidence of this was the great historical fact that Jesus had gone to His Father, and was no more visible to men.

The righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God is indisputable. He could not be raised from the dead if there was any sin in Him. 

He could not return to the Father if He had not perfectly obeyed His holy laws and satisfied everyone of His righteous demands. 

The Holy Spirit reminds sinners that God will judge them for their sins. 

John 16:11  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 

The statement, “The prince of this world is judged,” means the same as that in John 12:31, “Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” 

The Devil's dominion over men, or his power to enslave and ruin them, is destroyed. 

Therefore, the Holy Spirit reminds sinners that if they die in their sins, they face eternal condemnation in Hell. This ending is certain, but a sinner can repent and be saved. 

This is the splendor and glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It exposes our sins and guiltiness before God. It lifts up Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.  

Hebrews 2:13-15  And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14)  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15)  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

Jesus took on flesh (1 Timothy 3;16) so that through His innocent death on the cross, He could destroy Satan's power! 

Now, the Spirit of God convicts sinners through gospel preaching. Those who place their faith in Jesus Christ, are gloriously born again. They are delivered from the fear of death and the bondage of sin.

The death of Christ “judged” and judicially overthrew him. Satan was thereupon “cast out” or expelled from his usurped dominion (See 1 John 3:8; Colossians 2:15). 

Thoughts to Ponder...

This is why the Devil hates gospel preaching churches and pastors. 

Pray for our Bible believing pastors, teachers and evangelists, that they stand in Christ's power to resist the enemies attacks upon their ministry.

Pray that our pastors, teachers and evangelists will be filled with courage to preach the gospel without apology. 

This is why he hates Christian families who endeavor to live by the truth of God's Word. 

Pray for our Christian homes all around the world, that the spirit of God will protect parents, as we all try to train up our children in the nurture and admonition of Jehovah. 

This is why the Devil relentlessly attacks the veracity of the holy scriptures, so that men doubt or dismiss what God says. 

Pray for the mighty ministry of the Spirit of God to take place each time the scriptures are preached. 

Pray for faithful men who will preach the truth and trust God for the fruit that remains.

Bob