Text:  John 16:7-11

INTRODUCTION:  A man may be brilliant in the academic world, but ignorant in the spiritual world.  If you could choose between having Jesus live with you in person (like the apostles enjoyed) or having Him live within you as you do now; which would you choose?  Many would want Him in the flesh.  This would be a mistake.  Jesus said,  “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (vs. 7)  Jesus was saying that it is better to have the Holy Spirit inside you than Himself beside you.

Why is it so important that we have the Holy Spirit?  Jesus said, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of (1) sin, and of (2) righteousness, and of (3) judgment.” (vs.8)  Only the Holy Spirit can teach the truth concerning these three things.

1. THE TRUTH ABOUT SIN (vs. 8-a)
(The world will teach that a man is a sinner because he sins.  The Holy Spirit will teach
that  a man is not a sinner because he sins; he sins because he is a sinner.)

A man is not a murderer because he murders; he murders because he is a murderer.

“...we are by nature the children of wrath.” (Eph. 2:3)

    “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Ps. 55:1)

You do not have to teach a baby to lie, lying comes naturally; you have to teach him to
tell the truth.

The corresponding verse says, “Of sin, because they believe not on me.” (vs.9)  The sin
of  unbelief is the mother of all sins.  “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
(John 3:36)
If a person believes in Christ and the Word of God, they will not want to murder because
they   know that vengeance is God’s; they will not want to steal because they know that
all of their  needs will be provided; etc.

2  THE TRUTH ABOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS (vs. 8-b)
(The world will teach that righteousness is simply doing things that are right; and, if you
do   enough right things, God will let you come to haven when you die.  They picture God
as  a cosmic Santa who has a list and is checking it twice, he’s gonna find out who is
naughty and nice.)

The Holy Spirit will teach the truth about righteousness:  Only the imputed
righteousness of Christ will make us acceptable in God’s sight.  (Romans 10:1-4)

Salvation is not a reward for the righteousness; it is a gift for the guilty.

If our being good could get us to heaven, why did Jesus die on the cross?

The corresponding verse says, “Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye
     see me no more.” (vs.10)

Why link going back to the Father with righteousness?  He was going back to the Father
to present our sin-debt stamped “paid in full”. (Hebrews 1:3)

Righteousness is not what you do, but what Christ has already done for you.

3  THE TRUTH ABOUT JUDGEMENT  (vs. 8-c)
(The world will teach that God is love and is too good to judge sin.)

The Holy Spirit will teach the truth about judgement:  God is too good not to judge sin.  If
God let ½ of one sin slip by without being judged; God would lose His holiness.

It is said in legal circles: “When a judge lets a criminal go free, the judge becomes a
criminal.
The corresponding verse says, “Of judgment, because the prince of this world is 
     judged.”(vs.11)

Satan has already been defeated by Christ on the cross.  He is like a chicken whose head
has been chopped off, but the body flutters around stirring up all manner of dust.

At times it seems like Satan is winning.  He is not going to win in that he has already
been defeated.  President Roosevelt said, “I had rather temporarily lose with a cause
that will ultimately win; than  temporarily win with a cause that will ultimately lose.”

All sin must be judged; either on Calvary as you accept Christ’s payment for your sin; or,
you must be judged and pay for the sin yourself.  (Matt. 25:41)

:    CONCLUSION:  A few years ago an article was published in a Newspaper in South
Carolina.  A 17 year old boy was driving his father’s automobile; speeding, and hit a gray-
headed man.  He quickly stopped as the man was getting up.  He said, “I’m so sorry sir.
It was my fault.”  The man brushed his clothing off and responded, “Son, I’m not hurt.  I
am not going to call the police, just promise me that you will stop speeding when you
drive.  The boy gave his word.

Six months later the same boy was driving the same automobile and was speeding again.
A young girl ran in front of him.  He hit the girl and killed her.  As he walked into court
to stand trial for his crime, he looked up to the judge and was amazed.  He said, “I know
you sir, I had an accident with you about six months ago.”

The judge looked at the boy, and with all of the sternness he could muster proclaimed,
“That is correct young man.  The difference is: That day I was your savior; but, today I
am your judge.”

 Today Christ will be your Savior: Tomorrow He will be your judge.