Dear Church Family, an update for the week of July 4, 2010…
Happy 4th of July to all! Welcome back to all those who attended the JEMS Mt. Hermon Conference, Special Camp or the Nichigo Shuyokai Conference in Santa Barbara.
Thank you to Pastor Rod Yee for the message from John 16:8-11, “That’s the Spirit”. Continuing in the series, Knowing God, last week we saw that Jesus is God. This week we will learn the Holy Spirit is fully God. The night before Jesus’ death, His disciples were gathered to take part in what is known as the upper room discourse. Jesus shared His thoughts and emotions just hours before His crucifixion. Jesus tells them (v.7) I will send Him to you. The Holy Spirit becomes Christ on earth. Jesus’ work was geographically localized but after His death and resurrection, it became wider and more inclusive. The Key Question: How does God’s Spirit lead us? John 16:8-11 will help us answer this. (v.8) “and He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;”The use of convict here is the same as convince. It is a much stronger word than correct. As the presentation of truth is given in a clear light the Holy Spirit will convince the world of its sin, not just accuse but bring a sense of guilt with it.
1) In the Light. (v.9) “…concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;” Sin is unbelief in Jesus. It is not a problem of ignorance, not a problem of a lack of intellect, but it is a problem of the will, when we decide we don’t want to follow God. It is the rejection of God’s message and the rejection of God’s messenger. There is no sitting on the fence, no straddling the line when it comes to belief in Jesus. It is not a gradual transition of belief but there is a gradual curve in understanding who Jesus is which is apart from a specific decision to believe. Sin reached a climax at the cross where the full crush of punishment fell on the only One who did not deserve it. We all deserve the punishment of sin, Jesus is the only one who did not. The greatest sin and error is the failure and refusal to believe. Do not ignore your spiritual health.
2) In the Right. (v.10) “…and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;” Righteousness is the opposite of sin. His death on the cross was to show Jesus unrighteous, but instead the cross became God’s glory. It was supposed to be for His humiliation, but it was his victory. Jesus was perfect righteousness and could therefore offer perfect redemption, peace and salvation. The resurrection of Christ confirmed His righteousness. It is impossible for us to be righteous on our own. We need a mediator. Only Jesus can be this for us.
3) In the Fight. (v.11) “…and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.” The ruler of this world refers to the devil, the evil one. It says “has been judged” because the final decision has been fixed, made and it is done. Although Jesus was put on trial, He was not the one who was judged. It is the devil who is the one who is truly condemned. Human sin was also confronted and judged by the righteousness of Christ.
Have you been honest with yourself and in your relationship with God? Jesus is the bridge that makes it possible for us to have a personal relationship with God. It is only the name of Jesus that we are to belong to and follow. He is the only one who can offer eternal life with Him. It is ours to decide, to know God in a personal way and receive Christ into our lives.
An invitation to receive Christ was given.
Have a Spirit led week in the Lord,
Stan, for SLZJCC