TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalms 51:1-12; 139:1-12
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. - Psalm 143:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
The story of Israel's first king, Saul, is perhaps the saddest in the Bible. Things started out well enough. First Samuel 9:2 says that Saul was “an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others.” When Israel demanded a king, Saul was anointed by Samuel and the Spirit of God came upon Saul in power (1 Sam. 10:10). But it became clear that Saul was not a man after God's own heart. Eventually the Spirit departed from Saul (1 Sam. 16:14) and he went insane.

The accounts of both Samson and Saul reveal a major difference between the presence of the Spirit in the Old and New Testaments. Prior to Pentecost, the Spirit rested on an individual temporarily for a specific task. Utter failure to obey the Lord could hasten the Spirit's departure. Most likely David had this frightening thought in mind when he wrote Psalm 51, which records his remorse and repentance after his adultery with Bathsheba.

Appropriately, David started out begging for the Lord's mercy. Despite his betrayal toward others, David realized that his greatest sin is against God (v. 4). He also realized that his only hope for restoration is the Lord's complete cleansing.

Furthermore, David understood that what he needed was a re-created heart and a renewed spirit, something only God can provide. Perhaps thinking of Saul, David pleaded that the Lord wouldn't take away His presence or His Holy Spirit. This plea represents the vast difference between David and Saul. David grieved for his sin and dreaded the possibility of life apart from God.

Psalm 139 rejoices that God's love is so deep that there was no place that we could go and not find His Spirit. Unlike the pagan gods of wood and stone worshiped by the surrounding nations, David knew that the Spirit of God could never be limited to one location.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's psalms offer tremendous encouragement regarding the Holy Spirit's ministry. First, He's intimately involved with holiness and spiritual renewal. Like David, we must confess our sins to the Lord and seek forgiveness (1 John 1:9). When we do, we can be assured that the Spirit will renew and restore us. Second, there's no place beyond the Spirit's reach, including areas of despair and trial in our lives. Our difficulties can't outrun the presence of the Spirit.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Kings 2:1-15
Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit. - 2 Kings 2:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1937, missionaries were forced to leave southern Ethiopia because of World War II. They had reached the remote area of Wolayto only in 1928. Nine years later, there were only 48 converts, and they experienced brutal persecution because of their faith. Tears flowed on both sides as the missionaries were evicted, but they called out to their Wolayto brothers and sisters, “We are leaving you, but God is not leaving you!”

One man, Wandaro, a fearless evangelist, was singled out for torture and imprisonment in an attempt to stop the spread of the gospel. Despite near fatal beatings, Wandaro survived and his example brought many to faith. Five years later, missionaries were allowed to return and were amazed to find nearly ten thousand new believers in Jesus, many of whom heard the gospel from Wandaro! They never could have imagined the work that God would accomplish through him.

Elisha also needed to be reminded that although his spiritual mentor Elijah was leaving him, God was not. That probably explains why he asked for a double portion of the Spirit that rested upon Elijah. Having seen Elijah's great works, humble Elisha knew that unless God was with him, it would be impossible to carry on the prophetic office. God answered his prayer and was powerfully with Elisha, who obediently picked up and wore Elijah's mantle.

The parting of the Jordan gave full confirmation of Elisha's office, especially to the fifty other prophets who looked on. The restoration of Jericho's water supply showed that Elisha would heal many. Elisha's response to the youths, who were a kind of street gang, showed that blatant disrespect for God and His servants could not be tolerated. Although their mauling seems severe, it was necessary to prevent many others from harm.

Although Elijah did great things, Elisha did even greater things. This anticipated John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the greater work of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:7).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
No one anticipated the works that the Spirit performed through Elisha, just as no one anticipated what God would do through the Ethiopian evangelist Wandaro. Yet both show how God uses His servants to reveal His truth.

When we feel intimidated by a challenge or call, we can remember that we do not undertake it in our own strength. We should never underestimate what our Lord can do through us by means of His Spirit!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ezekiel 2:1-3:15
The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. - 2 Samuel 23:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Peter Marshall, former U.S. Senate Chaplain, once prayed: “Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for—because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.” As a pastor and chaplain, his impact was tremendous. Following his death in 1949, the Washington Evening Star wrote the following: “Living and working in Washington only eleven years, the Reverend Dr. Peter Marshall nevertheless has left his mark upon the whole city. He was a man of contagious spirit, eager and alert, quick to see opportunities of service and to meet their challenge . . . he was a builder of the kingdom of God on this earth.” Above all, people remember him as a man completely led by the Spirit of God.

Yesterday we saw how the Holy Spirit worked miracles through His prophets; today we will see how the Holy Spirit speaks mighty words through His prophets. The prophet Ezekiel was led by the Spirit and was called to speak God's words, whether people listened or not (2:7). The Holy Spirit uses committed servants to direct people back to God.

Ezekiel 2 records the prophet's commissioning. His initial interaction with the Spirit impressed upon him one key point: apart from the Spirit, he could do nothing. Notice how the Spirit spoke to him, brought him to his feet, and transported him around. No wonder Ezekiel sat motionless for days when the vision ended (3:15). Given the scale and difficulty of Ezekiel's call, he knew that he had to learn to rely upon God's Spirit.

It was also essential that Ezekiel rely upon God's word, symbolized by the scroll that he was told to eat. He was then commanded to share this message from God with the exiles (3:11). In His mercy and grace, God also knew that Ezekiel would need a vision of His unmatched glory, which the Spirit also enabled him to see.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Spirit's work through the prophet Ezekiel was targeted to a specific point in redemptive history. There are several important lessons that we can learn from this account of Ezekiel's call recorded in Scripture. First, Ezekiel was completely dependent on God's Spirit. How often do we step forward to serve in ministry or to share the gospel not relying on the Spirit's power but our own strength? Second, we too must “eat” God's Word and depend upon it completely.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 42:1-7
Here is my servant . . . my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him. - Isaiah 42:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1832, a young German man and his wife arrived in Bristol, England, to pastor a small church. When two orphans were unexpectedly put into the church's care, a new ministry began. Although God sent more than seven million dollars to George Mueller's orphanage in the next sixty years, Mueller never lost sight of his role as God's servant.

He once wrote, “A servant of God has but one Master. It ill becomes the servant to seek to be rich, and great, and honored in that world where his Lord was poor, and mean, and despised.”

In our study on the Holy Spirit, we've seen His work of breathing life into creation, leading God's people, and filling God's leaders with wisdom and power. We've also seen how He directed the prophets and gave them God's words. Today we see the essential link between God's Spirit and service to God.

The first part of today's reading (vv. 1-4) is one of four passages in Isaiah that are called the Servant Songs, because they anticipate the suffering of the Messiah. Immediately we see that the title Servant is one of honor, not belittlement. This is the One who is fully able to carry out His God-given ministry of justice because God's Spirit is upon Him.

Unlike the powerful foreign conquerors of Isaiah's day, God's Servant wouldn't come with loud shouts in the street, nor would He crush the oppressed or discourage the faint of heart (v. 3). Rather this Servant would faithfully administer God's justice, even to the ends of the earth.

The rest of today's passage shows how God will use His Servant to bring salvation to the Gentiles, a process described as opening the eyes of the (spiritually) blind and freeing the captives (of sin). These verses ultimately describe our Lord, upon whom the Spirit rested completely; He was willing to suffer beatings, tauntings, and the humiliation of death on the cross on our behalf.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Throughout this week, read through three other Servant Songs: Isaiah 49:1-6; 50:4-9; and 52:13-53:12. As you read, ask the Holy Spirit to show how much Jesus was willing to suffer for us. Meditate on how the Spirit equipped and empowered Jesus as our Suffering Servant. If your Bible lists cross-references, find those New Testament passages that show how Christ fulfilled these sections of Isaiah. You can also consult a Bible dictionary or handbook for these references.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 11:1-9; 61:1-3
The Sovereign Lord has sent me, with his Spirit. - Isaiah 48:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
When Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela, announced that he wanted all New Tribes Mission staff to leave his country, he expressed common negative attitudes toward missionaries. Some say that missionaries destroy native cultures, impose their own values on others, or eliminate indigenous languages. But the evidence suggests otherwise. Indeed, Wycliffe Bible Translators alone have translated at least a portion of the Bible into over 500 indigenous languages, which has had the result of preserving these native tongues. Missionaries have also brought medical care and education—particularly for women—to needy areas. Far from “destroying,” God has used His people to bring the gospel with its hope and healing to countries around the world.

As we see how the Spirit played a role in the prophecies about Jesus, we note that one of the surest evidences of the gospel is transformed lives, both individually and within communities. God has used Christians to build hospitals and schools, to reform prisons, and to minister to the needy and bereaved. These are all indications of the Spirit's work. Every aspect of this transforming power is perfectly seen in the person of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 11 and 61 contain two key prophecies concerning the work of Christ, predictions of the One whom God would use to bring salvation, justice, wisdom, and healing. We've already seen in the Old Testament that God's Spirit rested upon people, enabling them to do what would be impossible otherwise. Isaiah pictures the Messiah as One who would be completely infused with the Spirit and would rule with perfect justice, something no mere human could ever do. Moreover, His rule would be characterized by perfect harmony and security (Isa. 11:6-9). Through this individual, God would declare the good news of release from captivity (61:1). The year of the Lord's favor (61:2) probably referred to the Jubilee year, when debts were cancelled. More significantly, however, this “year” anticipated the arrival of Jesus the Messiah, through whom God cancelled the staggering debt of human sin.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Reread today's passages and list specific attributes predicted about Jesus, such as wisdom and fairness. Then consider how we as the body of Christ can manifest these same attributes. For example, how can Christians show justice to the poor or bind up the brokenhearted? The same Spirit that infused Jesus while He walked on earth now dwells within His body, the church. So as the gospel spreads, it continues to change lives and can even transform entire communities.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ezekiel 36:16-30
On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. - Ezekiel 36:33
TODAY IN THE WORD
On October 30, 2005, nearly 60,000 people gathered for a celebration in Dresden, Germany. Sixty years after the city's famed cathedral was destroyed by Allied bombs during World War II, the church reopened for the first time. The original structure had remained in large piles of rubble, untouched, during nearly fifty years of Communist rule. Restoration began with Germany's reunification in 1990. With more than half of the necessary funds coming from U.S. and British donations, the church's restoration was hailed as a “great work in the spirit of reconciliation.”

The newly restored Dresden cathedral reminds us of God's work of spiritual restoration among His people. As we continue to look at the Spirit's role in the coming of Jesus, we turn today to Ezekiel 36 for some of God's promises to His people during their exile in Babylon. Speaking through Ezekiel, the Lord reminded His people that their terrible sin caused their exile (v. 16). Their bloodshed and idolatry so defiled the land that the Holy God could no longer dwell with His people. But along with this was the reality that the fact of His people living in exile instead of the Promised Land dishonored God's holy name among the nations, and for the sake of His name, the Lord promised that He would regather the nation and restore them to their land.

There was no point in bringing the people back to the land, however, unless they were cleansed of their impurities and idols (v. 25). But even this cleansing wouldn't last unless the people were radically changed. So the Lord promised to remake their very hearts, removing their stony, sinful hearts, and replacing them with new ones. We might think of this as a divine heart transplant operation! But even this wouldn't be enough, so God promised to put His own Spirit within His people so that they could truly obey His decrees and laws. Apart from such transformation, restoration would be utterly impossible. Once the nation was changed, God promised to restore it fully (vv. 28-30).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Although the complete fulfillment of the promised restoration outlined in today's passage lies in the future, God gives us evidence of His restoration through the Spirit in our lives right now. First, God's work begins with the purification from our sins and anything that we trust in more than Him. Second, the Lord gives us a new heart and spirit. Third, He causes His own Spirit to dwell within us. Apart from this transformation, it's impossible to live lives that please Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 1:26-45
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. - Isaiah 9:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Photographers who develop their own film must enter a special darkroom where they roll exposed film on a special spool, which is immersed into various chemicals. Any light would ruin the film during this process. Even experienced photographers admit that their eyes never stop searching for light while working in this darkroom. That's because human eyes never fully adjust to complete darkness.

An even more profound darkness existed in the years before Jesus' birth. The Roman Empire ruled Palestine, and many Jewish religious leaders were corrupt. Devout Jews were straining in the darkness, hoping for some glimpse of light, just as the prophet Isaiah had predicted.

Among those devout Jews were Elizabeth and Mary. The first part of Luke 1 describes how Zechariah and Elizabeth found out that they would be the parents of John, who would go before the Lord and would be filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth. The rest of Luke 1 announces an even more remarkable birth. It's natural that Mary was troubled at Gabriel's greeting. Not only was the sight of an angel overwhelming, but Mary was a young girl living in a poor village. In what way could she be highly favored?

Even more astounding was that her child would reign on the throne of David . . . forever. Interestingly, Mary didn't question Gabriel about this or seek a sign as Zechariah had done. Instead, she asked a logistical question: how could a virgin conceive a child? Gabriel's response showed that Jesus' birth was only possible because of the creative activity of God's Holy Spirit.

Jesus' birth was like no other human birth. The wording here echoes the description of the Spirit's work at creation, hovering over the formless void and then breathing life into Adam. Just as the first human's existence was possible only through God's direct involvement, so too the birth of the perfect human being, Jesus, was only possible through God (v. 37).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Luke's Gospel gives great attention to the Holy Spirit. Luke's account of Jesus' birth reveals the Spirit's involvement at every stage. Read through Luke 1-2, noting the role of the Holy Spirit. Notice how the Spirit fills Mary with tremendous faith, and fills Elizabeth with overflowing joy. These are evidences of the Spirit's presence in the life a believer. What other characteristics of the indwelling Spirit can you find? How are these reflected in your own life?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 3:11-17; John 1:29-34
After the baptism that John preached . . . God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. - Acts 10:37-38
TODAY IN THE WORD
Every four years, on January 20, the President of the United States is inaugurated, taking an oath to uphold the presidential office and the Constitution. Although the outcome of the November election determines who will be president, this individual doesn't officially become President until the inauguration. The inaugural oath and ceremony mark the official beginning of what has already been determined by election.

This provides a helpful parallel to Jesus' baptism. John's baptism of Jesus didn't in any way make Jesus the Messiah or qualify Him for His office. Jesus was already the Messiah, and John's baptism marked the public beginning and divine anointing of His atoning work.

Jesus has always been and will always be the Messiah. But since He was taking on human flesh fully, He needed to identify completely with humanity. His baptism showed His total dependence upon God's Spirit and power. It was only when John understood this that he consented to baptize Jesus (Matt. 3:15).

The Gospels make it clear that Jesus relied upon the Spirit before His public ministry began. But the Gospel accounts don't record any significant ministry or miraculous activity in Jesus' life prior to Spirit's descent and the public declaration of His divine sonship. Jesus' baptism showed that He willingly chose to depend on God's Spirit, even to the point of death. Recall how Isaiah predicted that God's promised Servant would be completely led by His Spirit, promises fulfilled in Jesus' life.

Notice that John's water baptism was inferior to the baptism that Jesus would perform with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33). There is a connection between John's baptism of Jesus and Pentecost (see Acts 2). At the first event, God showed His pleasure with His Son by sending His Holy Spirit. At the second event, God showed His pleasure with His Son's spiritual body—the church—by sending the Holy Spirit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If Jesus, eternally God, humbled Himself to live fully dependent upon God's Spirit, how much more should the same be true for us, His followers? The Holy Spirit confirmed Jesus' ministry during His baptism. Have you ever embarked on a ministry project in your own strength and power without seeking the guidance of the Spirit? When we are following His call and living obediently to His commands, the Spirit will indeed confirm that our ministry is well-pleasing to Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 4:1-12
The Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. - Mark 1:12-13
TODAY IN THE WORD
The legendary Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War, “The highest form of generalship is to conquer the enemy by strategy.” This also describes the tactic that our greatest enemy, Satan, uses in his spiritual warfare against humanity. Satan's strategy against Jesus in the desert—half-truths and cunning deception—is the same that he uses to this very day.

The first test concerns provision. Although Satan in some sense acknowledged Jesus' divine sonship, he tempted Jesus to take matters into His own hands, rather than trust the Father to provide. Jesus refused to enter into any discussion and instead quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3. The rest of this verse says that, rather than bread, we're to live on God's Word, which is exactly what Jesus was doing during the temptation.

The second test concerns power. Somehow Satan was able to show Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and offered them to Him. After his boasting, Satan slipped in the fact that to receive these kingdoms, Jesus would have to worship him in the process. Breaking the first commandment was clearly not something that Jesus would do, as His quote from Deuteronomy 6:13 showed. Besides, the Father would give all the kingdoms of the world to His Son, so Satan was actually tempting Jesus to avoid the cross and His redemptive work.

The third test concerns protection. Satan took Jesus to the highest part of temple, probably the Royal Porch, which overlooked the Kidron Valley, some 450 feet below. To jump from there meant certain death. Here Satan upped the ante by quoting Scripture himself (Ps. 91:11-12), but twisting it horribly. Jesus replied with Deuteronomy 6:16, clearly understanding that testing God is not the way to prove His protection.

Jesus' complete faithfulness to the Father in this trial anticipated His faithfulness on the cross, the event that meant Satan's decisive defeat.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Satan tests us in the same area in which Jesus was tested—our faithfulness to God. Today's passage shows that responding in faithfulness depends upon knowing God's Word. As we learn His Word, the Spirit brings it to our attention at just the right moment. Are you growing in knowledge of the Word? If you aren't already in a Bible study or Sunday school class, consider joining one this month. In addition to your daily Bible study, you'll grow from studying the Word with other believers.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 4:13-30
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. - Luke 4:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
Pastor John Ross from First Community Church in Columbus, Ohio, once quipped, “What's the definition of a ”˜church expert?' Anyone who lives more than 45 minutes away from your church!” He went on to tell about an experience he'd had before a weekend retreat. It was common to bring in a well-known speaker, but on this occasion Pastor Ross was to be the speaker. A church member who was trying to decide if she should attend called with her concerns: “That seems like a lot of money for a weekend retreat . . . it might be different if there was going to be a really dynamic speaker, but it's just you leading it, right?”

Jesus could relate to this experience. Soon after His baptism, Jesus returned home and went to the local synagogue. During the service, it was customary to read two Scripture passages. Afterwards, someone would give a sermon, often based on these readings. After Jesus read from Isaiah 61, the people would have expected Him to start preaching.

In a sense, that's exactly what He did, in perhaps the shortest sermon ever heard in that synagogue! Through the words of Isaiah, Jesus announced that He was the One who had been anointed by the Spirit for God's ministry to the poor and oppressed. Although many listening may have been financially poor, their greater poverty was their spiritual condition, as seen in their response to Jesus.

At first, the townspeople were amazed by Jesus' words. But when they remembered that He was just a local boy, they weren't quite so sure. The proverb that Jesus repeated to them (v. 23) showed that they wanted Jesus to prove Himself by doing there in Capernaum the miracles and signs that they had heard He had done elsewhere. Rather than comply with their desire for Him to put on a show, Jesus indicated that the spiritual poverty in Capernaum was similar to Elijah's time, when the prophet could only perform miracles for Gentiles outside Israel, because of the Israelites' great disbelief.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In what ways might we be like the people in Capernaum, who wanted amazing miracles or show-stopping signs from Jesus instead of the Spirit-led One who fulfilled God's Word? It's true that the Holy Spirit can do miraculous works for the glory of God, but His work in our lives usually seems more ordinary—helping us understand Scripture, convicting us of our sin, recalling to mind the spiritual truths we need. We must not ignore this work of God in the pursuit of flashy experiences.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 3:20-30
It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. - 1 John 5:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the 1520s, a man fled England fearing for his life because his translation of a certain book had outraged authorities. Prodded by corrupt and unbelieving church leaders, the King's agents rounded up copies of this book and publicly burned them. What was this dangerous, destabilizing book? The Bible! William Tyndale translated the New Testament from Latin into English, hoping that people would be able to read the Bible in their own language. Eventually he was captured, condemned as a heretic, and executed in 1536.

Blinded by their own dogma, these church leaders killed a true servant of the Lord. Mark 3 records a similar opposition to God's work in Jesus. Apparently word got back to Jesus' family about the great stir that He was creating. They concluded that He had gone crazy, so they came to take Him home.

Things got worse when religious scholars arrived. They concluded that Jesus cast out demons by the power of Satan, here called Beelzebub. Their reasoning, however, was illogical: if Jesus were aligned with Satan, His work of casting out demons would actually be like fighting against Himself. But much worse than poor logic was the fact that these leaders witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit of God at work in Jesus and chalked it up to satanic activity.

Why would Jesus call this an “eternal sin” (v. 29)? Because the Spirit alone bears witness to the truth of God in Christ. To behold God's work in Jesus and then to link it to Satan blinds a person from the very truth that saves. All other sins will be forgiven (v. 28) because they can be confessed before the Lord. But as long as someone denies the very Spirit who convicts people of sin and who makes forgiveness effective within a human heart, then forgiveness isn't possible. Jesus knew that ignorance wasn't the problem with these leaders, so He warned them that their hardened hearts could have eternal consequences. As long as they persisted in calling God's holy work evil, they would remain blind to salvation.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The teaching about blaspheming the Holy Spirit has caused many believers to wonder if they have committed this sin. The answer is no: if your heart is troubled by sin, then you are still responsive to the Spirit. As Billy Graham notes, “So long as the Spirit strives with a person he has not committed the unpardonable sin.” Moreover, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit isn't temporary unbelief or doubt. The Gospels show that the religious leaders persisted in their hardened opposition despite increasing evidence that Jesus was truly God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 14:12-31
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. - Hebrews 13:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
A recent TV commercial shows a young boy following his father around the house as he prepares to leave for a business trip. The boy is taking close-up pictures of his dad, and the next scene shows the boy having the photos printed. Finally, we see this boy sitting across from a life-size photo montage of his father, pretending to play checkers! When Jesus left His disciples, He promised them something much better than a picture—He promised to give them His very Spirit.

John 14-17 is often called the Farewell Discourse, because it records Jesus' final words to His disciples. Sensing their despair, Jesus wanted to encourage them, so He spoke of another Comforter, whom the Father would send.

Another translation for Comforter is “Paraclete,” derived from the Greek word used here. A paraclete was an advocate, so here the Spirit is like a legal counselor testifying to the truth about Jesus. That's why the Comforter is also called the “Spirit of Truth.” He's called another Comforter because He would extend Jesus' ministry after Jesus returned to the Father. Just as Jesus is God's “faithful witness” (Rev. 1:5), so also the Spirit attests the truth and points us to Jesus.

Jesus also promised that the Comforter would remind the disciples of all His words. Indeed, one way that He did this was through His inspiration of the Gospel writers to ensure that the Gospels are faithful records of Jesus' life (see 2 Tim. 3:16).

Finally, this passage teaches us about the Trinity. Jesus told His disciples that they already knew the Comforter, because, in Jesus, His Spirit was already among them. Additionally, just as the Father sent His Son, so too the Father would send the Spirit in Jesus' name to dwell in the disciples (v. 26). To summarize, then, we can know the Father because the Son reveals Him, and the Spirit, who dwells within us, affirms that this is true.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage contains the frequently misunderstood promise that believers will do greater things than Jesus did (v. 12). The context of the promised Comforter indicates that our works are greater because they show the power of the Spirit dwelling in us. It's not because we're so smart or so spiritual that we can carry out Christ's work. Instead, it's the power of the Spirit, who enables us to act in faith, pray with confidence, and recall what's written in God's Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 15:26-16:15
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin. - John 16:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
As a young man, Augustine packed a lot of life into a few years. He was a brilliant professor on the fast track with powerful Roman politicians. Yet despite his success and pursuit of pleasure, his soul was restless. His mother was a devout Christian, but Augustine wasn't interested in Christianity, although he seriously looked into other religions. All the while, his conscience increasingly began to trouble him as he realized that there was more to life than drinking and carousing.

One day, Augustine was in the garden, thoroughly miserable. As he lay on the ground weeping, he kept hearing a child's voice say, “Pick it up and read.” Not knowing what else to do, Augustine picked up a Bible, and randomly opened it. His eyes fell on Romans 13:13: “Let us behave decently . . . not in orgies and drunkenness . . .” At that very moment, Augustine was pierced to the core and gave his life to Christ. What a dramatic illustration of the Spirit's ministry of conviction! As we continue to see what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit, remember from yesterday's study that the Spirit is like a legal advocate who confirms the truth. The first part of today's passage shows us that the Spirit is also like a defender, assisting believers when they are persecuted. This encourages us that Jesus hasn't left us as orphans, but dwells within us through His Spirit.

In John 16, we see yet another aspect of the Spirit—not the advocate or the defender, but rather the prosecutor bringing charges against the guilty. The guilty party here is “the world (v. , which in John's Gospel refers to the lost who live in spiritual darkness. Unlike a child who might get lost in the woods, John's Gospel indicates that the world is lost because it refuses to believe in Jesus. So, the Spirit's primary ministry to the world is to convict the world of its unbelief. When He troubles an unbeliever's conscience, as He did in Augustine's case, it's so that a person might come to faith.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We learn a lot from today's passage about praying for nonbelievers. First, we can pray for the Spirit to reveal an unsaved person's lost condition to him or her. Then we can pray for a troubled conscience concerning unbelief and a realization that one's own righteousness can never please God. We can also pray that this individual will realize the truth about judgment and personal accountability. Finally, we can pray that the Spirit's conviction will lead to faith in Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 16:12-16
He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears. - John 16:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
There's something endearing about an elementary school play. Invariably the costumes, lights, and excitement of the big day overwhelm some of the young performers, who proceed to forget their lines. Whispering loudly from just behind the curtain, some patient teacher prompts the nervous actor or actress with the next line. Muffled laughter ripples through the audience and the production continues along until another frozen look appears on the stage.

Theater-goers are normally unaware of stage prompters because their job isn't to draw attention to themselves—it is to make sure that the words of the script are delivered correctly and that the play continues along without interruption.

This illustrates an important part of the Spirit's work, namely, ensuring the correctness of God's Word, or the “script.” In His Farewell Discourse (John 14-17), Jesus assured His disciples that this promised Comforter would do many things. Today we find Jesus' assurance that the Spirit would lead the disciples into all truth and reveal new things to them.

This aspect of the Spirit's work has often been misunderstood. Some have applied these words to believers who came after the original disciples and have claimed that the Spirit continues to give new revelation. Jesus' words, however, should be understood in combination with what He said earlier. Jesus promised that His Spirit would remind the disciples of His words (14:26). In John 16:12 Jesus' teaching told His disciples that He had other things to tell them, but they weren't ready. This probably means that aspects of Jesus could only be understood after His resurrection.

The promise that the Spirit would reveal new things to the disciples includes the Spirit's work in forming the rest of the New Testament, which we'll look at further in a few days. For example, the events surrounding Christ's return recorded in the book of Revelation wouldn't have made sense until after His resurrection and ascension.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Many people question the truthfulness of the Bible, claiming it's a human work filled with errors. But Jesus tells us otherwise, since He promises that the Spirit would remind us of His words and would guide us into all truth. Our belief in the truthfulness of Scripture rests on our belief in the truthfulness of Christ Himself. As C. S. Lewis famously said, Jesus is either lying, or crazy, or the Lord of all. Those of us who have experienced His great salvation can attest that He is the Lord and Savior who can be trusted!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-21, 40-41
You will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Roman Empire was the largest empire in the ancient world. At its height, it covered about 3.5 million square miles, just slightly smaller than the United States. Its population was about one third of the current U.S. population. This vast empire depended upon a strong military whose presence was felt everywhere. It would have been completely absurd for anyone in the first century to have imagined anything on the face of the earth more powerful than the Roman Empire.

But appearances can be deceiving. Hidden in Jerusalem, a group of believers were praying and waiting, just as Jesus had instructed. Suddenly, like a tremendous wind, the Spirit came upon them and the church was born. At first, nobody would have ever thought that this small group would be more powerful and important than the mighty Roman Empire. But today, 2,000 years later, the Roman Empire is gone and the church continues to grow!

Following His resurrection, Jesus again appeared to His disciples and confirmed His earlier promise that the Holy Spirit would come upon them. Just before He ascended, Jesus assured His followers that they would bring the gospel to the ends of the earth through the Spirit's power (1:.

Acts 2 says the Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost, the Jewish feast for the first fruits of the harvest. This indicates that the Spirit's descent is the first fruit of the great harvest that God would bring forth through the church. The feast of Pentecost also explains why so many foreigners were in Jerusalem. When the Spirit came upon the group of 120, they were able to proclaim the gospel in languages that they had not previously known.

Peter understood that the Spirit's coming fulfilled in part what Joel had prophesied. No longer would the Spirit be limited to a few individuals as in the Old Testament. Instead, He would dwell within all believers and enable them to proclaim the gospel. The belief of three thousand people when they heard Peter's message confirms the power of the indwelling Spirit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In applying Acts 2 to our own experience, it's helpful to distinguish between the 120 and the three thousand who believed because of Peter's message. The first group had already been with Jesus and had seen Him after His resurrection. This group was told to wait for the Spirit. After the Spirit's descent, and because of His power, new converts were baptized at the same time that they received the gospel, indicating that after Pentecost believers receive the Spirit when they accept Christ.