The Holy Spirit - Pt. 6
Rev. Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | September 4 2024 | John 16:12-15
KEY VERSE:
“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak, and He will declare unto you the things that are to come.” John 16:13 (ESV)
MESSAGE:
One reason we can rely on the Holy Spirit, as stated in our key verse is that He only speaks what He hears. This reflects His complete alignment with the will and truth of God.
What was the Holy Spirit's assigned task? First, He was to guide the disciples into all the truth. The use of the definite article “the” emphasises specific truths. Church history shows us times when the Church became entangled in scientific controversies, often stepping outside the realm of its divine calling. However, this verse speaks of specific truths—not all truths. These specific truths are centred on Jesus: His words, His deeds, His death, resurrection, and everything concerning Him. The New Testament serves as a testament to this divine guidance, showing how the Church was led to uphold these truths. As John 7:17 states, God’s guidance is given to those who are willing to obey. God's direction comes to those who are willing to follow His lead. Consider the example of Evangelist Philip, who left a revival to go to a desert road for the sake of one searching soul (Acts 8:25ff). Or Paul, who was willing to abandon his own mission plans to follow God's direction (Acts 16:6ff). The Holy Spirit was also meant to reveal to the disciples things that were to come. For instance, while in exile on the island of Patmos, John was in the Spirit one Sunday and received the visions that became the Book of Revelation.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
The Holy Spirit is indeed an amazing Helper. Without His presence and guidance, the Church would accomplish nothing fruitful. PRAYER:
Dependable God, thank You for the Holy Spirit. Please help us to always look up to Him for guidance THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: HEARS
The Greek word for "hears" in John 16:13 is "ἀκούει" (akouei), which means to hear, listen, or attend to. It can imply both the physical act of hearing and the deeper, more attentive listening that leads to understanding and obedience. In the biblical context, "hearing" often implies receiving a message with the intent to respond or act upon
The Holy Spirit’s role in “hearing” and then “speaking” to believers underscores the trustworthiness and divine origin of the guidance provided to believers. It reassures that the Spirit’s teachings are not autonomous or independent but are rooted in the divine counsel of God. This assures believers of the reliability and consistency of God’s message and the Spirit's role in their spiritual growth and understanding.
Reflections:
The Spirit actively listens to the Father and communicates His divine truth to us, guiding our steps and aligning us with God’s will. Are you actively listening for the Spirit’s guidance in your life, and how are you responding to what you hear from Him?
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