WEBVTT 00:00:00.720 --> 00:00:09.179 Welcome to our digital church service here at the Glowell, here in my study. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:15.580 Let's begin hearing God's words together as our call to worship. 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:20.859 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 6, we read this. 00:00:20.859 --> 00:00:24.820 For God, who said, let light shine out of darkness, 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:33.439 made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 00:00:34.259 --> 00:00:44.840 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 00:00:44.840 --> 00:00:52.060 In our weakness, in our fear that we feel as Christians, as the church, 00:00:52.060 --> 00:01:01.480 it's a great reminder that God has caused the light of his glory to shine as we see it in the face of Jesus. 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:03.480 So let's worship God. 00:01:04.240 --> 00:01:09.480 Led by Kellan, we'll sing the hymn, How Deep the Father's Love for Us. 00:01:09.480 --> 00:01:28.620 How deep the Father's love for us, 00:01:28.620 --> 00:01:33.620 How vast beyond the measure, 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:39.880 That he should give his only Son, 00:01:39.880 --> 00:01:44.800 To make a wretch his treasure. 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:51.320 How great the pain of searing loss, 00:01:51.860 --> 00:01:56.620 The Father turns his face away, 00:01:56.620 --> 00:02:02.620 As wounds which mar the chosen power, 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:07.620 Bring many sons to glory. 00:02:07.620 --> 00:02:22.900 Behold the man upon the cross, 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:27.620 My guilt upon his shoulders, 00:02:28.620 --> 00:02:34.120 Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, 00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:39.120 All out among the swathers, 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:45.120 It was my sin that held him there, 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:50.120 Until it was accomplished. 00:02:50.120 --> 00:02:56.400 His dying breath has brought me life, 00:02:56.400 --> 00:03:01.120 I know that it is finished. 00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:16.120 I will not boast in any faith, 00:03:16.120 --> 00:03:20.939 No gifts, no power, no wisdom, 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:26.939 But I will boast in Jesus Christ, 00:03:26.939 --> 00:03:31.939 His death and resurrection. 00:03:31.939 --> 00:03:37.939 Why should I gain from his reward? 00:03:37.939 --> 00:03:42.939 I cannot give an answer, 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:48.939 But this I know with all my heart, 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:54.939 His wounds have paid my ransom. 00:03:54.939 --> 00:04:09.939 And now let's pray together. 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:10.939 Let's pray. 00:04:11.939 --> 00:04:13.939 Lord, we are so thankful for your love. 00:04:13.939 --> 00:04:19.939 We thank you for the love that we see in the story of Easter. 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:23.939 Love that sent your son Jesus into our world. 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:30.939 The love of Jesus that led him in willing obedience to go to the cross, 00:04:30.939 --> 00:04:32.939 To bear the sins of the world, 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:35.939 To be punished in our place, 00:04:35.939 --> 00:04:37.939 So that we might be forgiven, 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:40.939 So that we might be justified, 00:04:40.939 --> 00:04:44.939 That we might be welcomed into your family. 00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:47.939 Lord, we thank you for the resurrection. 00:04:47.939 --> 00:04:50.939 We thank you for the victory of Jesus. 00:04:50.939 --> 00:04:53.939 We thank you for justice satisfied, 00:04:53.939 --> 00:04:55.939 For love displayed, 00:04:55.939 --> 00:05:02.939 For eternal life as the hope for all who trust in Jesus. 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:05.939 We thank you for the glory of Jesus. 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:08.939 We thank you for the glory of God in the face of Jesus. 00:05:08.939 --> 00:05:10.939 That as we look at his life, 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:12.939 As we listen to his words, 00:05:12.939 --> 00:05:14.939 As we see his ministry, 00:05:14.939 --> 00:05:19.939 That we see your character and your actions. 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:24.939 Now we thank you for his mercy and his kindness. 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:28.939 We thank you for his welcome to the strangers, 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:29.939 To the outcasts, 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:34.939 To the lowest of the low in his day, 00:05:34.939 --> 00:05:40.939 Extending love and grace and hope for sinners. 00:05:40.939 --> 00:05:51.939 Lord, we thank you for the treasure that we have in the good news of who Jesus is as the Son of God and our Saviour, 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:56.939 And what he has done in reconciling us to himself. 00:05:56.939 --> 00:05:59.939 And we pray that in these difficult days, 00:05:59.939 --> 00:06:03.939 You would cause us to treasure him all the more. 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:08.939 And that we would see that his is a lasting and an eternal treasure. 00:06:08.939 --> 00:06:11.939 That all that we have in this life, 00:06:11.939 --> 00:06:13.939 We would hold on to it lightly, 00:06:13.939 --> 00:06:18.939 Recognizing that there are things that we cannot keep. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:20.939 There are things that we may lose, 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:28.939 But that we would reckon nothing to be as great as knowing Jesus and being found in him. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:33.939 Lord, we pray that at this time, 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:37.939 His mercy and his love would be known in the world. 00:06:37.939 --> 00:06:43.939 That it would be known in the work of his people. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:47.939 That as a church, in whatever opportunities we have, 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:54.939 We would look to show love and kindness and compassion to others. 00:06:54.939 --> 00:07:00.939 And we pray especially that as churches in a very different way, 00:07:00.939 --> 00:07:05.939 Look to focus attention on the death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:07:05.939 --> 00:07:10.939 We pray that that message would be heard as good news by many. 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:16.939 We pray for ourselves in Beclue that as we look to share with friends and family, 00:07:16.939 --> 00:07:18.939 And online, 00:07:18.939 --> 00:07:24.939 And that you by your spirit would take that word and make it live in people's hearts. 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:28.939 And so that many might turn from sin to trust in Jesus. 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:31.939 And now we pray that in the short time we have together, 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:33.939 We pray that by your spirit, 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:36.939 You would speak truth into our hearts. 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:39.939 And that we would see more of the glory of Jesus. 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:43.939 That we would be glad in him together. 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:44.939 Praying in his name. 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:45.939 Amen. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:52.939 Now let's read together in John's Gospel. 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:58.939 We were in John chapter 16 last week and we'll continue there. 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:00.939 Last week we looked at verses 7 to 11. 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:02.939 Now we'll be in verse 12 to 15. 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:09.939 But let me again read that same section, chapter 16 from verse 5 to verse 15. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:14.939 So let's hear God's word together. 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:17.939 Now I am going to him who sent me. 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:21.939 Yet none of you asks me, where are you going? 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:25.939 Because I have said these things you are filled with grief. 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:27.939 But I tell you the truth. 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:30.939 It is for your good that I am going away. 00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:34.940 Unless I go away the counsellor will not come to you. 00:08:34.940 --> 00:08:37.940 But if I go I will send him to you. 00:08:37.940 --> 00:08:44.940 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:48.940 In regard to sin, because men do not believe in me. 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:54.940 In regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father where you can see me no longer. 00:08:54.940 --> 00:09:00.940 And in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:05.940 I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:11.940 But when he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. 00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:13.940 He will not speak on his own. 00:09:13.940 --> 00:09:18.940 He will speak only what he hears and he will tell you what is yet to come. 00:09:18.940 --> 00:09:25.940 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 00:09:25.940 --> 00:09:28.940 All that belongs to the Father is mine. 00:09:28.940 --> 00:09:37.940 That is why I said the spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. 00:09:37.940 --> 00:09:42.940 So let's think about those words, especially those words in verses 12 to 15. 00:09:42.940 --> 00:09:46.940 As we think about the Holy Spirit in a believer's life for the second, third time. 00:09:46.940 --> 00:09:50.940 Let's see the Holy Spirit glorifies. 00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:53.940 Now that's our thought for today. 00:09:53.940 --> 00:10:01.940 Fearful disciples need to listen to the right voice. 00:10:01.940 --> 00:10:09.940 I wonder if you have experienced the paralysis caused by fear. 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:21.940 Have you found yourself unable to process facts and information due to stress, due to confusion, 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:26.940 feeling so overwhelmed that you just cannot put the pieces together? 00:10:26.940 --> 00:10:29.940 Maybe that's you today. 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:33.940 Maybe that's been your experience in the last few weeks. 00:10:33.940 --> 00:11:01.940 In verse 12 that we just read. 00:11:01.940 --> 00:11:05.940 This is part of Jesus extended teaching. 00:11:05.940 --> 00:11:08.940 This is the night before the cross. 00:11:08.940 --> 00:11:19.940 He gets to the point where he acknowledges that he wants to bring more truth to the disciples, but they are unable to hear. 00:11:19.940 --> 00:11:23.940 Sorrow and confusion are such that they are unable to hear. 00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:27.940 But Jesus brings words of hope to them and by extension to us. 00:11:27.940 --> 00:11:30.940 He says to them, the spirit of truth is coming. 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:37.940 And when the spirit of truth comes, he will glorify Jesus in the hearts of the apostles. 00:11:37.940 --> 00:11:41.940 He will lead them to go deeper into the truth. 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:44.940 He will guide them in all truth. 00:11:44.940 --> 00:12:02.940 So for you and for me today, living this side of the cross and resurrection and the gift of the spirit, the reality for a Christian today is that you have the spirit of Christ in you. 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:06.940 That spirit Jesus promised, that spirit has now come and is in you. 00:12:06.940 --> 00:12:20.940 And you have the Bible that the Holy Spirit inspired so that you can see and enjoy the glory of Jesus, your saviour. 00:12:20.940 --> 00:12:23.940 So our big point for this evening is this. 00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:35.940 The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus by guiding us in the Bible to see and delight in Christ's glory. 00:12:35.940 --> 00:12:38.940 So we're going to look at this two ways. 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:45.940 First of all, we're going to see how does the Holy Spirit glorify Jesus in the lives and the experience of the apostles, first of all. 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:47.940 And then we'll think about ourselves. 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:52.940 So in verse 12, remember, this is Jesus speaking. 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:57.940 Jesus, who at the beginning of John's gospel is introduced as the word of God. 00:12:57.940 --> 00:13:02.940 So Jesus is the great supreme revelation of God. 00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:04.940 And Jesus has the word of God. 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:07.940 He says, I want to bring you more truth. 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:09.940 Here's the question. 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:13.940 When will they be ready to hear more truth from Jesus? 00:13:13.940 --> 00:13:14.940 Verse 13. 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:15.940 Verse 13. 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:22.940 When he, the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. 00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:26.940 So in the coming of the spirit of truth, they'll be ready to hear more. 00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:30.940 So here's something for us to recognize. 00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:38.940 The spirit brings more of Jesus as the truth of God, as the revelation of God. 00:13:38.940 --> 00:13:44.940 So remember Jesus' words, I am the way, the truth and the life. 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:55.940 Well, the spirit is going to come, Jesus says, to fill out the revelation of Jesus, to help them to see Jesus as the truth in two ways. 00:13:55.940 --> 00:14:03.940 First of all, Jesus has already said to them earlier that the spirit would come to bring them a reminder. 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:07.940 John chapter 14, verse 26. 00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:16.940 The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:22.940 So the spirit will help them to recall the words and the actions of Jesus. 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:28.940 And that includes, again in verse 17, things yet to come. 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:36.940 So not just everything before the cross, but the events and the words of Jesus after the cross also. 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:51.940 So he will remind them, but also Jesus says that the spirit will guide them into the truth so that they can understand in new ways the significance of Jesus' words, Jesus' actions. 00:14:51.940 --> 00:14:58.940 So that they will be able to see in the life of Jesus, here is the Son of God who has become one of us. 00:14:58.940 --> 00:15:04.940 And in his perfect life of love and obedience, he has become the substitute that we need. 00:15:04.940 --> 00:15:13.940 They'll be able to look at the cross and to see the death of Jesus as the place where redemption is accomplished. 00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:24.940 Where Jesus, in his own body and through his shed blood, pays the ransom price to set us free from slavery to sin so that we might be free to know and enjoy God. 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:34.940 They will see the cross as the place where propitiation happens, where the just anger of God that should fall on us falls on Jesus instead. 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:44.940 That the storm of God's anger falls on Jesus as he takes our sin so that we can enjoy God's blessing and God's smile. 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:47.940 And the spirit will help the disciples to see that. 00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:55.940 The spirit will help them to understand the significance of Jesus' resurrection to see it as victory over Satan and sin and death. 00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:58.940 Here is justice that has been satisfied. 00:15:58.940 --> 00:16:08.940 They'll be able to see that the exaltation of Jesus shows us that he is the king, the king who rules and reigns. 00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:17.940 They'll be able to see Jesus exalted and acting as mediator, interceding on behalf of his church, praying and pleading for his church. 00:16:17.940 --> 00:16:26.940 So the spirit will guide them into the truth of Jesus and to see more and more of its significance. 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:31.940 The Holy Spirit in this way functions like a teacher. 00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:46.940 Maybe you have or had, if you're pupils or students, a standout teacher, an outstanding teacher, one who is able to clearly communicate facts to you. 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:58.940 So to show you truth, but also to show the significance of that truth, to make the facts come to life so that you're excited to discover more. 00:16:58.940 --> 00:17:01.940 Well, the spirit functions like that for us. 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:17.940 The spirit would function like that for the apostles, to remind them of the facts of the words and the life of Jesus and the life changing significance of the gospel so that they would see more of the glory of Jesus so that they would glorify Jesus. 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:33.580 Alongside that, the spirit also glorify Jesus by speaking from Jesus with divine authority so that they know they can trust the words that the spirit brings. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:35.480 Notice the emphasis in these verses. 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:37.819 Verse 13. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:42.660 The spirit who will guide you into all truth, he will not speak on his own. 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:47.319 He will speak only what he hears and he will tell you what is yet to come. 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.799 Verse 14. 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:54.039 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.500 Verse 15. 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:59.660 The spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:04.300 Here is the role of the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:06.940 He is a serving spirit. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:13.420 He has this role of glorifying the son in the lives of his people. 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.340 So in the apostles and then in the church. 00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:29.699 So just as Jesus, the son, lives to bring glory to the father, so the spirit serves us by showing us, by glorifying the son and the father in our lives and in our experience. 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:32.740 It matches the pattern of Jesus. 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:35.779 Jesus in John chapter 8 verse 50 said, 00:18:35.939 --> 00:18:37.379 I do not seek my own glory. 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:39.259 Whose glory does Jesus seek? 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.559 He seeks the glory of his father. 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:44.240 John 17 verse 4 as he prays to his father. 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:49.180 He says, I have brought you glory by completing the work you gave me to do. 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:53.839 So we've got this connection. 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:58.759 So the spirit is connecting us to Jesus and his words. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:02.160 Jesus Christ is our mediator. 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:06.940 So we need to go to Christ to see and enjoy the glory of God. 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:13.799 So the spirit is linking us to Christ and linking us then to the glory of the son and the glory of the father. 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:16.779 This helps us to see. 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:22.319 This little passage helps us to see the goal of the father and the son and the spirit. 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:24.039 What is their goal? 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:30.180 It is to display the glory of God. 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:39.019 What we need is to see and to know and enjoy the glory of God. 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:42.660 And so the spirit brings his word for that purpose. 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:49.240 Maybe to help us think about the connection that we have here in these verses. 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:50.400 Think about couriers. 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:53.860 Think about our delivery drivers. 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:54.759 Well, the spirit. 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:55.699 We can think of it. 00:19:55.699 --> 00:19:57.259 The spirit as a courier. 00:19:57.419 --> 00:19:59.000 What's he carrying? 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:06.259 He's carrying the words of truth from Jesus to the apostles. 00:20:07.459 --> 00:20:12.539 So he is delivering words of truth that demonstrate the glory of Jesus to the apostles. 00:20:12.939 --> 00:20:16.699 And then the apostles will in turn become delivery men. 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:24.799 They will be led by the spirit to preach and to write so that others too would then see the glory of Jesus. 00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:32.860 Paul in 1 Corinthians as he talks in words that we hear whenever we share the Lord's Supper. 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.160 He says, 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:37.259 I received from the Lord what I passed on to you. 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:42.519 Receiving teaching and truth from the spirit which he then passes on what the apostles pass on. 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:47.519 So Jesus uses the spirit and the word of God so that we might receive. 00:20:47.800 --> 00:20:52.279 So the apostles might receive and we might receive his glory. 00:20:53.600 --> 00:20:59.160 So that's the apostles and how the Holy Spirit reveals the glory of Jesus to them. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:05.180 How does the Holy Spirit glorify Jesus today in the life of his people? 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:08.900 Let me begin with a quote from J.I. Packer. 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.980 Where he says, 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:18.000 The Spirit's message to us is never look at me, listen to me, come to me, get to know me, but always look at him. 00:21:18.560 --> 00:21:24.980 Listen to him, come to him, get to know him and taste his gift of joy and peace. 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:32.339 The Holy Spirit wants us to look to Jesus and to love him and to know him and to know him better. 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:37.980 So four ways the Holy Spirit wants to reveal the glory of Jesus to you. 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:38.680 Four words. 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.460 First of all, the word saving. 00:21:41.620 --> 00:21:44.339 So the Spirit glorifies Jesus in this way. 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:50.039 He reveals to our heart that Jesus is the only way to be saved. 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:53.940 Jesus is the way and the only way to God. 00:21:54.379 --> 00:21:56.859 The only way to be right with God. 00:21:57.779 --> 00:22:03.359 The Spirit exposes to us the emptiness of religion by works. 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:09.920 The emptiness of other religions that do not have at their centre the grace of God and Jesus as Saviour. 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:14.880 It's the Holy Spirit who reveals in our hearts, I am a great sinner. 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:17.440 Convicting us of our sin and our need. 00:22:17.840 --> 00:22:20.380 And also showing us Jesus is a great Saviour. 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:22.519 So we don't just stay in our sin and our condemnation. 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:25.180 We look to him and we trust in his salvation. 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:29.060 It's the Holy Spirit that helps us to see and to say, 00:22:29.360 --> 00:22:33.039 I need the Easter story to be the centre of my story. 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:37.799 That when Jesus died on the cross, he died for my sin. 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:44.019 And that because Jesus died for my sin, united to him, I too have died to the power of sin in my life. 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:49.200 So that I can now live to enjoy God and live in obedience to God with the help of the Spirit. 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:54.839 I need the good news of the resurrection to know that just as Jesus was raised to new life, 00:22:54.899 --> 00:22:58.240 so he gives new life to me by the Spirit. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:23:01.240 That I am born again, that I have eternal life. 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:06.620 So the Holy Spirit reveals the glory of Jesus in saving us. 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:11.279 And vital to this is the Spirit's work of revealing. 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:18.279 Jesus in John 16 is serving us well in so many ways. 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:21.380 One way that he is serving us is he's giving us confidence 00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:27.819 when we read the New Testament to hear it and receive it as the Word of God. 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:33.779 So just as the Old Testament is the Word of God, so Jesus is saying the New Testament is the Word of God. 00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:38.639 The apostles are inspired to write by the Spirit so we can trust their words. 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:45.720 And perhaps helpfully we could go to the words of Peter in the second letter that he writes. 00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:48.179 He says there in chapter 1 verse 22, 00:23:48.180 --> 00:24:05.799 So the Holy Spirit inspired the writers of Old Testament scripture. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:10.240 But then in 2 Peter 3 verse 15, he says, 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:14.539 Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him. 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:17.059 And he talks about Paul's writings as scripture. 00:24:17.659 --> 00:24:23.299 So the point is the same Spirit that inspired the Old Testament is the same Spirit that inspired the writers of the New Testament. 00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:30.779 The Spirit has inspired the whole Bible to reveal to us the glory of God and to reveal to us the glory of Jesus Christ. 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:36.379 So practically, that means for you and me today, we can have confidence in our Bibles. 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:39.940 There are no fresh words needed. 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:47.879 We have everything God intended for us to hear for our salvation, for our life of faith and godliness. 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:52.359 Practically too, that means you and I need to read our Bibles. 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:56.220 The one voice we need to hear is the voice of God. 00:24:56.220 --> 00:25:04.420 We need to hear and we need to ask the Spirit to turn the light on in our minds and in our hearts 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:11.319 so that we would see Jesus on every page, so that we would see and appreciate his glory. 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:19.180 So when we pick up the Bible in the Old Testament, how does it point forward to the personal work of Jesus? 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:25.140 So thinking about the New Testament, how is it pointing us back to the death and the resurrection, 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:28.740 the life and the ascension of Jesus and that significance for our life? 00:25:29.080 --> 00:25:35.019 How do the ethics of the Bible, how do they teach us about the rule of Jesus in our lives? 00:25:35.060 --> 00:25:38.400 We want to read to see the glory of God in the Bible. 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:43.620 We want to see Jesus in the pages of scripture so that we would love him, follow him, 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:45.900 and our lives would be changed to be like him. 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:53.480 So the Spirit glorifies Jesus by revealing truth to us and revealing Jesus in the Word of God. 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:57.700 Again, connected to this is the idea of guiding. 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:01.759 In verse 13, Jesus said, 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:05.300 the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth. 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:10.160 Maybe this is an important corrective on how we think about guidance today. 00:26:10.340 --> 00:26:15.019 We are often looking, perhaps, and we hear it in Christian circles, looking for special guidance. 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:18.240 No, who should I marry? 00:26:18.840 --> 00:26:19.780 What job should I have? 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:21.100 Where should I live? 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:25.019 But notice this is not the kind of guidance Jesus has in view. 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:28.400 What does the Spirit primarily guide us towards? 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:35.580 The Spirit guides us towards understanding God as he has revealed himself in the Bible. 00:26:36.580 --> 00:26:41.180 The Spirit guides us towards seeing Jesus as the glory of God. 00:26:42.040 --> 00:26:44.040 Seeing Jesus as the saviour for sinners. 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:48.399 The Spirit guides us to go deeper into revealed truth. 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.480 Revealed truth. 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:58.159 To explore, to meditate on the Word of God so that it would shape our identity. 00:26:58.619 --> 00:27:01.000 It would shape our practice. 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:05.700 That it would help us to worship, to love, and to obey Jesus. 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:12.279 So practically, when we're reading the Bible, we want to connect that with praying. 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:16.460 Praying before, praying during our Bible reading. 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:19.640 Help me to understand this. 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:24.019 Help me to see and to know more of Jesus. 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:27.880 The Holy Spirit would be delighted to be the answer to that prayer. 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:34.880 To reveal more of the truth, more of the glory of Jesus in his Word as we take it and as we read it. 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:44.060 Because central to the purpose of the Holy Spirit in our lives is that Jesus would be glorified. 00:27:44.300 --> 00:27:47.740 So that we would, number four, we would be delighting in Jesus. 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:53.039 So the Spirit doesn't just want us to see the glory of Jesus. 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:58.140 He wants you and I to positively delight in that glory. 00:27:58.700 --> 00:28:02.960 To have Christ as our great treasure. 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:09.240 Maybe today, more than ever, we need to assess. 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:16.340 What is the one thing that I am holding on to more than anything else? 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:19.059 And that that would be Jesus. 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:25.500 When everything else seems to be shaking, that Jesus would be that solid rock we need to build our life on. 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:30.980 Some of us, we grew up with the Westminster Shorter Catechism. 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:37.880 Well, the Spirit of God wants to help you live out the Shorter Catechism. 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:39.000 Think about that first question. 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:40.299 What's our chief end? 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:43.700 What's our primary goal in our lives? 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:48.039 To glorify God and enjoy him forever. 00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:50.900 You cannot do that yourself. 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:53.259 You need the Spirit's work. 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:56.200 And again, he is delighted to do that in you. 00:28:56.259 --> 00:29:00.440 To help you to see and to enjoy the glory of God in the face of Jesus. 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.420 God. 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:07.180 Got me thinking about programs like Cash in the Attic or the Antiques Roadshow. 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.460 You know what happens there sometimes? 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:15.140 One person's family junk that thing that's in the corner gathering dust up in the attic or just in a spare junk room. 00:29:15.860 --> 00:29:24.079 That person's family junk makes someone else gasp in excitement, jump for joy and be willing to empty the bank to have it. 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:29.039 The Holy Spirit wants you jumping for joy. 00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:32.839 To appreciate the treasure that you have in Jesus. 00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:36.519 To see the glory of Jesus and his salvation. 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:42.000 That every time we read the word, every time we pray, every time we sing, every time we gather in worship, 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:47.019 that we would be delighting in Jesus, led by the Spirit, to see more of his glory. 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:53.379 So disciples of Jesus, we need to listen to the Spirit's voice. 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:57.619 Because he would have us fix our eyes on Jesus. 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:59.559 To listen to him. 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:01.200 To come to him. 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:06.460 To find peace and hope and love and life instead of fear in him. 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:10.200 So we read the Bible. 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:12.759 That's the best advice I can give you at this time. 00:30:13.100 --> 00:30:18.799 Read your Bible and read it with the help of the Spirit looking to see more of the glory of Jesus. 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:26.120 Now let's sing as we close a section from Psalm 27. 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:30.000 We will sing the first five verses. 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:41.839 The Lord's my Savior and my light. 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:48.000 Who will make me dismayed? 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:54.579 The Lord's the stronghold of my life. 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:59.400 Why should I be afraid? 00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:13.660 When evildoers threaten me to take my life away. 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:26.980 My adversaries and my foes will stumble in that day. 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:39.920 Although an army hands me in, my heart will feel no dread. 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:52.960 Though war against me should arise, I will lift up my head. 00:31:52.960 --> 00:32:06.019 One thing a plead before the Lord, and there shall seek always. 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:19.100 That I may come within God's house and dwell there all my days. 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:32.419 That on the beauty of the Lord I constantly may gaze. 00:32:32.419 --> 00:32:45.439 And in his house may seek to know direction in his ways. 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:58.400 For in his dwelling he will keep me safe in troubled days. 00:32:58.400 --> 00:33:12.600 Within his tent he'll shelter me and on a rock me raise. 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:18.059 And now let's close with a word of prayer. 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:31.359 Lord God, we pray by your Spirit you would so open our eyes and open our heart that we would truly see Christ as our treasure. 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:36.359 That we would see his glory more and more day by day. 00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:42.179 That you would cause us to be thinking about his perfect life. 00:33:42.179 --> 00:33:44.179 His perfect sacrifice. 00:33:44.639 --> 00:33:46.659 His resurrection victory. 00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:50.599 His ruling and reigning for his church. 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:53.359 His being in control of all things. 00:33:53.359 --> 00:34:00.119 That by your Spirit you would lead us and guide us into the truth. 00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:05.679 That you would do us good and bring us joy through your word. 00:34:06.199 --> 00:34:07.299 This week we pray. 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.559 Amen. 00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:12.619 Until next time, take care. 00:34:13.339 --> 00:34:17.239 And may God bless you and bless you richly. 00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:32.920 RH. 00:34:42.280 --> 00:34:42.840 Amen.