PENTECOST – May 23, 2021 – John 15:26,27; 16:4-15
“THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from John 15 and 16. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Truth? What does it really matter? What is more important, what a thing actually is or how you feel about it? Of course, there are serious consequences if what I want to think or feel about something is quite different from what is real. For example, if I believe that I have a million dollars in my bank account – because I want to believe that I am rich, and have that feeling – and I then begin spending it, there will be some serious consequences – and I will end up feeling a lot worse than I would have had I kept a realistic appraisal of my account balance.
- It is no different when it comes to other aspects of life. It would be tragic if someone believed that they were able to fly like a bird, and then jumped off of a cliff. It would be horrible if someone thought they were indestructible and stepped out in front of a speeding car. Truth is important and it matters. And by truth we mean language that accurately describes what is real.
- It should not be surprising then that God is interested in truth. In fact, from the very beginning of human history, and from the very beginning of the Bible, truth has been a major issue. God said that if Adam ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he would die. The devil told Eve that they wouldn’t die, but would be like God. What God said was true – and it mattered! What the devil said was false, a lie, and it mattered. Adam and Eve were murdered by that lie, and all of mankind has suffered ever since.
- God is always described as a God of Truth. Jesus prayed to the Father: “Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth.” So when promising the coming and blessings of the Holy Spirit Jesus identifies Him as “THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.” And part of His role is to “guide you into all the truth.” In that truth is good and leads to good and blessings, this is a wonderful assurance – so that we also know where to learn the truth. Jesus said it: “If you continue in My Word you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [John 8:31,32] So it will be a blessing for us to learn about “THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH” and to have Him within us. And Jesus teaches us that:
I. The Spirit Of Truth Is Our Helper
Text: “When the Helper comes . . . “
A. He Bears Witness To Jesus
Text: “When the Helper comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth, Who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me.”
B. He Helps Us To Bear Witness To Jesus As Well
Text: “and you also will bear witness.”
C. He Will Keep Us In Repentance, Faith, And Hope Of The Coming Judgment
Text: “When the Spirit of Truth comes He will convict the world 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.”
Statement: It seems odd that Jesus had to go away for the Helper, the Spirit of Truth, to come to us. However, this is how God has planned things out, and what He wills in His mission to bring people to faith, salvation, and new life in Jesus! It seems difficult that Jesus’ visible absence from us is “advantageous” for us, but Jesus asserts this. So we believe and accept that what the Spirit of Truth brings to us is immense and wonderful! He constantly bears witness to Jesus, the Lamb of God, regarding God’s forgiveness and salvation! And He also bears convicting witness to all people, including those who do not believe in Jesus.
Application: So He also helps us to repent of our sin and to put our full faith, trust, and confidence in Jesus our Savior! He keeps us aware that the evil one, the ruler of this fallen and sinful world, is already judged and condemned. His reign is speedily coming to an end! All of this is truth, the way things actually are. Only a fool would deny these things in the face of God, the Holy Spirit of Truth!
So when He bears witness to these things – through the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures – let us by all means hear and embrace what He says, knowing it is the truth! In this way we will be helped – kept in the faith, strengthened in our new life in Jesus, and prepared for what is coming at the end! Of this we can be sure:
II. The Holy Spirit Of Truth Guides Us Into All Truth
Text: “When the Spirit of Truth comes He will guide you into all the truth.”
A. He Will Do So Through The Word Of Christ
Text: “When the Spirit of Truth comes He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak.”
John 14:25,26 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
B. He Will Share With Us The Things To Come
Text: “Whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.”
C. He Will Glorify Jesus – And God’s Great Love
Text: “He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is Mine; therefore I said that He will take what is Mine and declare it to you.”
Statement: These promises are specifically applicable to the Disciples – who were to author the New Testament Scriptures. It is these promises of Jesus which guarantee to us the truthfulness of Holy Scripture. The Holy Spirit of Truth guides into “all truth.” The Holy Spirit of Truth “will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” The Holy Spirit of Truth “will speak what He hears” from the Father and from Jesus, God’s Son.
Application: He does the same for us – through the Word of Jesus now recorded in Holy Scripture. And how blessed we are that this has been done for us, provided for us, so that we are not left to speculate or fantasize or make up our own version of reality! No, it is all set out for us, all that God has deemed important for us to know! And this is especially the good news about Jesus, our dear Savior, and the free gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation that He has provided for us!
Conclusion: Truth matters! It is of great consequence! And thank God that His truth is so blessed and good for us! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life