1. A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11 After a brief introduction of the setting for the reference scripture for this message, Pastor Holmes preceded his message reading exerts from multiple writings about the Christian martyrs through the ages. These writings included:  Foxe’s Book of Martyrs  New York Times Opinion Article Persecuting The Christians A. M. Rosenthal February 11, 1997  John MacArthur Commentary

2. A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11 Conflict With the World Comfort of the Disciples Convicting by the Spirit

3. Conflict With the World  “These things” – refers to John 15:18-25  “stumbling” – skandalizo refers to being caught off guard, like an animal – Matt. 26:31 A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

4. Matthew 26:31 (NASB) 31 Then Jesus *said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’”

5. Conflict With the World  “These things” – refers to John 15:18-25  “stumbling” – skandalizo refers to being caught off guard, like an animal – Matt. 26:31  Persecution was coming – shortly (Hour)  Outcasts from the synagogue – traitors  Persecutors will “think that” they are serving God and His kingdom  This is because “they have not known the Father or Me” A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

6. Conflict With the World  Jesus tells them this so, when He is crucified, the disciples would remember – 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-13 A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

7. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NASB) 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

8. 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NASB) 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

9. Conflict With the World  Jesus tells them this so, when He is crucified, the disciples would remember – 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-13  Jesus tells them now because, before this, He didn’t need to because He was with them  Jesus never glossed over the truth about being one of His disciples – Luke 9:23-24 A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

10. Luke 9:23-24 (NASB) 23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.”

11. Conflict With the World  Jesus tells them this so, when He is crucified, the disciples would remember – 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-13  Jesus tells them now because, before this, He didn’t need to because He was with them  Jesus never glossed over the truth about being one of His disciples – Luke 9:23-24  Luke 14: 28-33 A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

12. Luke 14:28-33 (NASB) 28 “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

13. 31 “Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 “Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 “ So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.”

14. Conflict With the World  Jesus tells them this so, when He is crucified, the disciples would remember – 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-13  Jesus tells them now because, before this, He didn’t need to because He was with them  Jesus never glossed over the truth about being one of His disciples – Luke 9:23-24  Luke 14: 28-33  2 Corinthians 4:17 A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

15. 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NASB) 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

16. Comfort of the Disciples  There is a contrast between the selflessness of Jesus and the selfishness of the disciples.  Jesus says He is returning to the one who “sent” Him.  No one asked Him “Where are you going?”  Jesus is trying to encourage the disciples, but they are only focused on themselves – “sorrow has filled your hearts.” A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

17. Comfort of the Disciples  The disciples’ sorrow was unwarranted  In fact, it was to their advantage that Jesus “go away”  True, the cross brought atonement but it also brought “the Helper” who would:  Give them eternal life – John 7:37-39  Indwell them – John 14:16-17  Instruct them – John 14:26  Empower them for witness – John 15:26-27 A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

18. Convicting by the Spirit  The HS also ministers to the unbeliever.  “Convict” to us has a negative connotation, but theologically it is a positive one.  The world hates Jesus because sinfulness hates righteousness, imperfection hates perfection, and the “domain of darkness” hates the “kingdom of His beloved Son” – Colossians 1:13. A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

19. Colossians 1:13 (NASB) 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

20. Convicting by the Spirit  The HS also ministers to the unbeliever.  “Convict” to us has a negative connotation, but theologically it is a positive one.  The world hates Jesus because sinfulness hates righteousness, imperfection hates perfection, and the “domain of darkness” hates the “kingdom of His beloved Son” – Colossians 1:13.  It is the ministry of the HS to penetrate hearts steeped in sin, overcome sinners’ resistance to the Gospel, and to bring them to saving faith. A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

21. Convicting by the Spirit  No one can be saved apart from the conviction and regeneration of the Holy Spirit!  All are rebels by nature and are dead in their trespasses and sin – Eph. 2:1  By nature children of wrath – Eph. 2:3  Darkened in understanding – Eph. 4:18-19  Alienated and hostile in mind – Col.1:21  Blinded by Satan – 2 Corinthians 4:4  Helpless and unable to believe the truth, even suppressing it – Romans 1:18-32 A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

22. Convicting by the Spirit  The Holy Spirit’s saving ministry to the lost is revealed in the word “convict” – convince  The Holy Spirit convicts the world of three things: 1. Sin – singular, refusing to believe – John 3:18 A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

23. John 3:18 (NASB) 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

24. Convicting by the Spirit  The Holy Spirit’s saving ministry to the lost is revealed in the word “convict” – convince  The Holy Spirit convicts the world of three things: 1. Sin – singular, refusing to believe – John 3:18 2. Righteousness – Christ’s righteousness as compared to our sin 3. Judgment – the false assessment of Jesus A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11

25. Application There are only two possible responses to the convicting work of the Spirit Repentance or Rejection Which describes you? Are you testifying and leaving the convicting to the Holy Spirit? A God’s Eye View John 16:1-11