SPIRIT AT WORK IN THE WORLD? (John 15:18—16:16)

SPIRIT AT WORK IN THE WORLD?
John 15:18—16:16 

This extended section is connected by two major themes: the world’s opposition to the church and the ministry of the Spirit to and through the church. Our Lord had been speaking of love (John 15:9–13, 17), but now He speaks of hate, and He uses the word seven times. It is difficult to believe that anyone could hate Jesus Christ and His people, but such is the case today, and some of this hatred comes from religious people. Within a few hours the religious leaders of Israel will be clamoring for the blood of their Messiah.

Our Lord had plainly taught His disciples that one day persecution would come. He spoke of it in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:10-12, 44) and in His "commissioning sermon" when He sent the disciples out to minister (Matt. 10:16-23). In His sermon exposing the Pharisees, Jesus had warned, explicitly, that they would persecute and kill God’s servants (Matt. 23:34-35), and He had issued a similar warning in His prophetic word on the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:9-13).

In the gospel of John, we see that the religious establishment not only opposed Jesus but even wanted to kill Him (John 5:16; 7:19, 25; 8:37, 59; 9:22; see also 11:8). As Jesus extended His ministry there, a tide of resentment, hatred, and open opposition rose against Him. Thus, the disciples should not have been surprised when Jesus broached the subject of persecution, for they had heard Him warn them, and they had seen Him confront the hatred of men during His ministry.

We must continue living in this hostile world and face continued opposition until the Lord returns or until we die. How can we do that? What is the secret of success? It is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives. This is the most important part of the Upper Room message about the Holy Spirit and His ministry.

Before we study this passage and see the Spirit's threefold ministry to the church in the world, we must remind ourselves who the Holy Spirit is. God’s Holy Spirit is a person; Jesus referred to the Spirit as "He," not “it.” The Holy Spirit has a mind (Rom. 8:27), a will (1 Cor. 12:11), and feelings (Gal. 5:22–23).

In John 15:26 all three Persons of the Godhead are mentioned: Jesus the Son will send the Spirit from the Father. The Holy Spirit is a person and is God, so this truth means that the Christian has God dwelling in his body! If we did not have the Holy Spirit within, we would not be able to serve the Lord in this present evil world. We walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16), worship in the Spirit (Phil. 3:3), and witness in the Spirit (Acts 1:8).

By reason of the special ministries of the Holy Spirit, Christians are able to stand and withstand the hatred of the world.

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