HCBC Sunday School -- January 5, 2014 "Friends" Class
Unit 1 -- The Way of Costly Discipleship (John 12:1 -- 17:26)
Depend on the Spirit (John 15:26 -- 16:15)
How can the Spirit help me exalt Jesus amid the problems I'm facing?
1) When Testimony Meets Hostility (15:26 -- 16:4)
a. The Holy Spirit emboldens us as believers when we testify about Jesus.
b. "offended" --- causes unfruitfulness. "Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended." ~ Matthew 13:21
2) When Sorrow Fills the Heart (16:5-7)
a. The Holy Spirit comforts us in times of sorrow.
b. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. ~ II Cor. 1:3-4
3) When Satan Seems in Control (16:8-11)
a. Satan -- god of this world. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." ~ II Cor. 4:4
b. Holy Spirit "reproves" using the scriptures. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" ~ II Timothy 3:16
c. Of sin --- at the core is unbelief
d. Of righteousness --- "to be right with, to be in right standing with God, who is holy and just."
e. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. ~ Rom. 10:4
f. Of judgment --- Satan is judged, only awaiting divine sentencing. "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" ~ Matthew 25:41
4) When More Understanding Is Needed (16:12-15)
a. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. ~ John 17:17
b. "and he will show you things to come"
i. The Spirit will help Christians prepare for and recognize end-time events.
ii. The Spirit unfolds to us truth and spiritual experience that "round out" the Christian life here and now.
c. All three Persons of the Godhead are perfectly in sync as they reveal God's plan of redemption.
d. The Holy Spirit helps us understand, apply, and tell others the whole truth about Jesus.