Following the Leadership of the Holy Spirit

An Inductive Study of John 16

Forgotten Member of the Trinity

In the history of Christian Doctrine there have always been two extremes when it comes to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit—neglect and over-emphasis.

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

OVER-EMPHASIS

Some groups are characterized by emotional excesses in the expression of their Christian experience.

They often pursue experience in the Spirit apart from the Word (e.g. voices & signs).

NEGLECT

Other groups have placed little or no emphasis on the Holy Spirit at all.

They seek to know and obey the Word without any interaction with, or real dependence on, the Spirit.

Forgotten Member of the Trinity

• Many people are unclear about exactly what He, the Spirit, does or how to interact with Him or if that’s even possible.
• There must be a strict adherence to what the Scriptures actually teach about the Spirit and his relationship to the church and to the individual believer.
• Is the Holy Spirit a “He” or an “It”?
• Is having the Holy Spirit inside you better than having Jesus beside you?
• How does a personal relationship with the Spirit change the way I live?

John 16:5-15

5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

7 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.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Three Questions to Consider

• Is the Holy Spirit a “He” or an “It”?
• Is having the Holy Spirit inside you better than having Jesus beside you?
• How does a personal relationship with the Spirit change the way I live?
• The Person of the Holy Spirit

The Person of the Holy Spirit

• Is the Holy Spirit a “He” or an “It”?
  • The Holy Spirit is a person (16:7-8, 13-15), never ‘it.’
  • He is not some impersonal force or influence.
  • The Holy Spirit took Jesus’ place as a companion to the disciples.
• Throughout the entire Bible the Spirit of God is always thought of as having personal attributes, performing personal functions, and entering into personal relationships.

The Presence of the Holy Spirit

• Is having the Holy Spirit inside you better than having Jesus beside you?
• Pastor J.D. Greear, Summit Church
• What are we missing that makes this promise seem so foreign to us?
• John 16:7 – “it is expedient for you”
• Micah 6:8 – “what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
• God did not want us to merely follow a plan or learn a set of doctrine, but rather, he wants us to walk with Him.
• That requires real, personal interaction, just like any relationship.

“Our generation of Christians—mission-driven, but burned out, weary, and longing for joy— desperately needs to recover the dynamic presence of God.”

Pastor J.D. Greear, Summit Church

The Power of the Holy Spirit

• How does a personal relationship with the Spirit change the way I live?
• John 16:13-14
  • 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
  • 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
• The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to illuminate the gospel and bring glory to Jesus!
• J.I. Packer calls the work of the Holy Spirit a ‘floodlight’ ministry, quietly turning everyone’s attention away from Himself and to the Savior.
• John 16:13
  • 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
• John 16:8
  • 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
• The power of the Holy Spirit is seen in the lives of believers who walk in Him.
• Walking in the Spirit is responding to both His reproof and to His guidance.
• They respond to the Spirit for the conviction of sins of committed and sins omitted.
• They are guided to Truth in His Word.
• As fathers, we must follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit so that we can fulfill our responsibility to lead our wife and children.
• This is what we mean when we say to follow the leadership of the Spirit!

Is Christianity more of a set of beliefs to which you adhere and a lifestyle to which you conform, or is it a dynamic relationship in which you walk with the Spirit and move in his power?