I work in a satellite office for my company. My boss is in another state. My boss’s boss is in another state. My coworkers are in California, Washington, Kentucky… I work with individuals in offices in England, France, Taiwan, Australia and South Africa (just to name a few). Communication is always a challenge! Whether it is corporate direction needing to be sent out to the “pointy-end-of-the-stick”, or the day to day communication and trouble-shooting of an IT support individual, it’s hard.
Add to that that I despise the phone. I don’t like sending email, though it is absolutely essential at times. I would much rather take a walk through the local office and show up at someone’s desk to help them with their problems, or work through possible solutions. Nothing beats that face-to-face when you are trouble-shooting.
Jesus had a similar thought. He new that close personal contact was essential for getting the message out.
But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, “The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.”
John 16:5-15John 16:5-15
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
5 But now I am going back to the Father who sent me, and none of you asks me where I am going. 6 You are very sad from hearing all of this. 7 But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help x help: See the note at . you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you. 8 The Spirit will come and show the people of this world the truth about sin and God's justice and the judgment. 9 The Spirit will show them that they are wrong about sin, because they didn't have faith in me. 10 They are wrong about God's justice, because I am going to the Father, and you won't see me again. 11 And they are wrong about the judgment, because God has already judged the ruler of this world. 12 I have much more to say to you, but right now it would be more than you could understand. 13 Ws . The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn't speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen. 14 The Spirit will bring glory to me by taking my message and telling it to you. 15 Everything that the Father has is mine. That is why I have said that the Spirit takes my message and tells it to you.
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If I do go away, then I will send him to you. Jesus sent someone who would do what he had done: Share the message that the Father had given. Before we can be sent out, we need to capitalize on this great blessing, the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is the one who challenges the sin in our lives, pointing out God’s greatness and uniqueness. The Holy Spirit is the one who declares to us that Jesus will return, and encourages us to take care and be ready.
The Holy Spirit is never absent in the believer’s life. But many Christians fail to take advantage of the power and wisdom he has to share with us. Just imagine that you are having computer trouble. The girl from the helpdesk shows up to take a look, but you don’t move. You keep going about your business. She stands there waiting for the proper moment to interject and offer her services. You continue to become frustrated as you deal with this wayward computer. All the time, the help you need is standing right there, ready and willing. That is how many Christians face their own sinful nature and the other troubling details of life.
Today, begin to ask the Spirit to speak. Take the time to listen. The Spirit is the power behind the community at the Mount. If you feel detached, go to the Spirit and ask him what to do about it. If you feel a lack of energy or worth, ask the Spirit to remind you what has been said in the Scriptures. Ask God for wisdom, and he will pour out the Spirit on you. All the Church will benefit.
The Spirit was sent to reveal God’s intentions and voice to us. Let’s listen in on what God is trying to tell us!
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