Holy Spirit Conviction:

Context:

• Jesus explained the importance of abiding in Him.
• He then warned the disciples that they would be hated.
• He also assured them that the Helper would be sent.

John 16:1-4 “...I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 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. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you...”

Why was Jesus telling the disciples about abiding, persecution, and the Helper?

• He didn’t want them to fall away.

Why was there a danger of them falling away?

• They would be put out.
• They would be killed.

Who would mistreat the disciples, and why?

• Do people who don’t know the Father or the Son mistreat those who do know them?
• How could they possibly think that they are “...offering service to God...” by killing people?

Who mistreats disciples today, and why?

What does Jesus expect His followers to remember when they are persecuted?

• That He was killed.
• That He warned them that they would face the same treatment.
• He never instructed them on how to escape persecution.

John 16:5-6 “...But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart...”

What was the result of Jesus explaining His end and the disciples future?

• Jesus was to be taken, and things would change.
• Sorrow filled their hearts.

Did the disciples understand what was to take place?

• They didn’t even know the right questions to ask.

Do we even know the right questions to ask?

John 16:7-11 “...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. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged...”

What was the advantage of the departure of Jesus?

• The coming of the Helper

What does the Helper do for the world?

• Convict the world of sin.
• Convict the world of righteousness.
• Convict the world of judgment.

How are people helped to believe in Jesus?

• It starts with conviction of sin.
• The Holy Spirit is an expert at convicting the world of sin.

What did Jesus resurrection and ascension accomplish?

• He was crucified on a cross as one who was unrighteous.
• His resurrection and ascension proved His righteousness.
• The Holy Spirit convicts the world of His righteousness.

What did judgment on the ruler of this world accomplish?

• Jesus took judgment upon Himself on the cross.
• Death was thereby defeated.
• The Holy Spirit convicts the world of its upcoming judgment.

Acts 17:30-31 “...The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead...”

Can you convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment?

Have you tried?