The Holy Spirit-Part 2
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or to be used for a sermon group discussion. CLICK HERE to find a discussion group. Enjoy!
Sermon Title: The Spirit and The Sinner
Main Scripture: John 16:5-11; John 15:26-27
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
The Holy Spirit cares deeply for the work of missions and reaching the lost…of course, we know this because He has the same heart as God. His work of persuading and convincing an unbelieving sinner to trust in Christ is vital to conversion. The Holy Spirit does not dwell in unbelievers, only in believers. But the Holy Spirit works in the unbeliever as we share the gospel. Pastor Ryan shared the desperate situation unbelievers are in without salvation and without the Spirit living in them. Then we learned that the Holy Spirit came to convinct or convince the world of its sin, God’s righteousness and the coming judgment. This sounds harsh but it’s actually an act of grace upon an unbelieving sinner who needs help to realize one’s sin, that God’s righteousness is true, that righteousness for us is possible and to dodge the coming judgment or wrath by believing in Jesus before it’s too late. But how does this happen in our world? How does the Holy Spirit move upon unbelievers to realize, repent and believe in Jesus? Well, cue God’s children, the church, you and me! The Holy Spirit can work alone, but He often partners with us in ministering the gospel. The Holy Spirit testifies to the truth of Christ as we testify too. When we share the good news of Jesus (with prayer and utter dependence on God’s help) the Holy Spirit works on the hearts of the listeners. The pressure isn’t on us to convinct or convince, that’s the Holy Spirit’s job. We are responsible for loving people enough to share the truth of what took place on the cross and the resurrection for them. Then we invite people to respond with repentance and belief. What happens next is up to that person. We pray they receive and not resist! It may take a few encounters with God, but we pray for their salvation and keep showing the love of God.
Notes:
The condition of humanity without the Holy Spirit:
John 14:17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
Ephesians 2:1-2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
Ephsians 4:18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.
2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
The Spirit is spiritual life for a believer so an unbeliever without the Spirit is considered spiritually dead or not able to participate in fellowship with God. They cannot receive nor understand spiritual things from God without the Spirit. An unbeliever doesn’t recognize the Holy Spirit and isn’t even looking for him. Without the Spirit of God you are lost in many ways. A person without salvation and new life through the Holy Spirit is destined to receive God’s judgment of hell and eternal separation from Him.
BUT THERE’S HOPE!
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
John 16:5-11 The Holy Spirit has come to convince the word of its sin, God’s righteousness and the coming judgment.
What does this mean?
“Convict” here is better interpreted as “Convince.” E. A. Blum explains: “to present or expose facts, to convince of the truth.” The Spirit works on the minds of the unsaved to show them the truth of God for what it is.
The Holy Spirit convinces the world of its sin.
The Spirit convinces sinful persons of their spiritual need; mere logic or rhetoric cannot persuade them.
The greatest sin of mankind is our failure to believe in Jesus and our rejection of Him. This rejection is due to a failure to admit one’s sinful condition and believe in Jesus to save and transform us.
D. A. Carson’s comments on this scripture: “He convicts the world of its sin because the people who constitute the world do not believe in Jesus (v. 9). If they did believe in Jesus, they would believe his statements about their guilt and turn to him. As it is, their unbelief brings not only condemnation (John 3:18, 36) but willful ignorance of their need. The world’s unbelief not only ensures that it will not receive life, it ensures that it cannot perceive that it walks in death and needs life. The Holy Spirit presses home the world’s sin despite the world’s unbelief; he convicts the world of sin because they do not believe in Jesus. This convicting work of the Paraclete (Holy Spirit) is therefore gracious: it is designed to bring men and women of the world to recognize their need, and so turn to Jesus, and thus stop being ‘the world’”. Carson, D. A. (1991). The Gospel according to John (p. 537). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans.
The Holy Spirit convinces the world of God’s righteousness.
Jesus was indeed right and humanity was wrong for crucifying Him. When Jesus resurrected and ascended He proved to be right and be the truth.
The unbeliever needs the Holy Spirit to convince them in believing God is righteous and true. Another way to look at this is the need for the H.S. to testify of God's righteousness and truth.
The righteousness of Christ is credited to us through faith in Him, making us righteous and holy in God's sight. The Holy Spirit will convince sinners of their justification or “right-standing” before God when they repent and believe.
The Holy Spirit convinces the world of the coming judgment.
The death and resurrection of Christ was a loss and defeat for Satan.
Jesus defeated the devil who held “the power of death” (Heb. 2:14). Though defeated at the Cross, Satan is still active (1 Peter 5:8). But, like a condemned criminal, his “execution” is coming (Rev. 20:2, 7–10).
People in rebellion should take note of Satan’s defeat and fear the Lord who holds the power to judge. As the fact of coming judgment (both Satan’s and man’s) is proclaimed, the Spirit convicts people and prepares them for salvation (cf. Acts 17:30–31).- Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 328). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
RESPONDING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Only when the Holy Spirit moves upon them (unbelieving sinners) can they become aware of their spiritual need. They must then decide whether to continue in their sinful state or to respond positively to the voice of the Spirit. -Palma, Anthony D.. The Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Perspective
Examples in scripture:
Acts 2:37-41 On the day of Pentecost when the promised Holy Spirit came Peter explained the gospel to a large crowd who gathered in Jerusalem. Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” -That was the Holy Spirit's conviction and convincing...
Acts 7:51-60 Steven explained the gospel. He even said, “You always resist the Holy Spirit.” He was stoned to death.
Peter and Steven were both full of the Holy Spirit, but had different responses.
Acts 17:32-34 Some laughed at Paul’s message but others believed.
THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR WITNESSING
This brings us to a very important part of this process...our partnership with the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of the gospel. How does the truth of God’s Word and the truth of Christ reach the ears, eyes and hearts so the Holy Spirit can testify to and convince the unbelievers? Us!
John 15:26-27 26 “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.
He testifies the truth.
Romans 10:9-15 Be messengers of the Gospel
Conviction of sin only comes by the Holy Spirit but very rarely does he work alone.
The believers’ responsibility is to declare and share the message of salvation, and to leave the results in the Lord’s hands as He speaks to hearts by His Spirit.
This message of salvation includes how our sin crucified Jesus who was innocent and that our sin deserves judgment or wrath from God, but we are made righteous, we are forgiven and justified because of Christ.
We share the powerful message of Jesus Christ and testify using our own testimony of a changed life. This is why it is vital that we live a life that is consistent with who we are in Christ. Our testimonies can validate the truth of the Gospel and what the Spirit of God is testifying to sinner’s hearts.
CLOSING
We cannot convince people of their sin, nor has God left it for us to do. This work belongs to the one who is able to pierce and convince the heart of man.
After we’ve done our part we must surrender the results to the working of the Holy Spirit.
Many have made the mistake of trying to persuade, argue, make people feel guilty or force it down their throats. Why? Because we are trying to do the Holy Spirit’s work.
We must humble ourselves and cast ourselves upon God to intervene. We do this by surrendering our human wisdom and look to Godly, spiritual wisdom. We go to God in prayer for those we are witnessing to and ask the Spirit to open their minds, their hearts and convince them of their need for Jesus.
We already know that it won’t always be received by all. Some will resist the Holy Spirit but others will let the Holy Spirit work and they will be convinced, ready to repent and believe.
Conviction has become a bad word for some reason but it isn’t. The Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin is the grace of God not wanting anyone to perish, but to have eternal life.
Takeaways:
The Spirit works on the minds of the unsaved to show them the truth of God for what it is.
The greatest sin of mankind is our failure to believe in Jesus and our rejection of Him
Only when the Holy Spirit moves upon them (unbelieving sinners) can they become aware of their spiritual need. They must then decide whether to continue in their sinful state or to respond positively to the voice of the Spirit. -Anthony D. Palma
The believers’ responsibility is to declare and share the message of salvation and to leave the results in the Lord’s hands as He speaks to hearts by His Spirit.
Our testimonies can validate the truth of the Gospel and what the Spirit of God is testifying to sinner’s hearts.
We cannot convince people of their sin, nor has God left it for us to do. This work belongs to the one who is able to pierce and convince the heart of man.
After we’ve done our part we must surrender the results to the working of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin is the grace of God not wanting anyone to perish, but to have eternal life.
Discussion:
What scripture verse did you find helpful today and why?
What was one big takeaway for you from today’s message?
Why is it vital that the Holy Spirit has come to convict or convince the world of sin, God’s righteousness and judgment?
What’s your role and the Holy Spirit’s role in sharing the gospel? How does this help you moving forward when sharing?
Knowing this sermon how will you prepare and how will you share the gospel with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers moving forward?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed we encourage you to say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I see my sin and how wrong it is. I see how without Jesus I’m lost. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me from my sin, my past, this world, and your judgment. I repent, I turn away from that life and I put my faith and life in Jesus! Amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!