This is a paper I had to write for school when we went through the book of John. We just had to write a short essay on a chapter out of the book that we wanted to learn more about. I picked ch. 16 because it talked about the Holy Spirit. I was blown away when I was reading through this chapter and the commentary on it! I did not realize what a privilege it is to have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us! Anyway here is a brief summary of what I learned, I thought I would share it with you guys ( especially my mom & dad ) lol. :)
In the book of John, chapter sixteen discusses a few different topics. The first half discusses the coming rejection that the disciples are going to face because they are followers of Jesus Christ. It also tells of Jesus’ promise that a Helper will be sent to them, the Holy Spirit, and the advantages that would come with it. Several verses talk about the Holy Spirit’s job and how it works differently in relation to the world, the believers, and Christ.
The second half of the book discusses the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as His ascension into Heaven. It talks about the emotions that these events would produce within the disciples vs. the emotions they would produce within the world. It ends with Jesus telling His disciples plainly what is to come and offering them peace with the assurance that He has overcome the world.
Tenney titles his summary for this chapter the “Conference of Revelation.” He talks about Jesus revealing to the disciples the hatred they should expect from the world, the advantages they would receive from His going away and the Holy Spirit coming, and the purpose and power behind His resurrection. I like how Tenney talks about how Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection did not end with just Him making a way for people to receive eternal life, but with Him gone the Holy Spirit could come and enlarge His ministry of telling everybody about His gift of salvation!
Tenney points out three aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit, he will convict, guide and glorify. He convicts the world of it’s sin, he guides us as believers into truth, and he glorifies Christ. Tenney points out that the Holy Spirit does not speak of things from Himself, but He only speaks of what is given to Him. The fact that the Holy Spirit declares things to come, states that He knows the future, which is only true of God alone. This fact gives us the evidence of the deity of the Holy Spirit!
This chapter has given me a better understanding of the Holy Spirit and the part it plays in my life. It helped me realize what Jesus meant when He said it was better for Him to go than to stay. I never thought about His limitations as a human being and how by sending the Holy Spirit to believers was necessary for the progress of the work He began on the cross. Realizing the reason behind why we have the Holy Spirit and knowing how He works in my life encourages me so much.
One of my favorite verses in this chapter is verse thirteen, which says “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” Tenney writes, “ ’Guide’ implies leadership for a person who is interested in traveling on the right path, but who needs help in finding it.” I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit!
Thanks for read:)ing!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Hi :)
So this is all new to me and I have no idea what I'm doing. I wanted a way to share with my family and friends all that the Lord is teaching me...and anyone else who would like to know. I am almost done finishing my 1st Semester here at Word Of Life and I can't even begin to explain everything that I have learned!!! The Lord has brought me so far just since the beginning of this year. Psalm 107 says to give thanks to the Lord for He is good, and that is what I intend to do with this blog. So for starters I am just going to let you guys read Psalm 103 because this is pretty much my life. :)
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Psalm 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
The Lord is so good to me & I can't even begin to tell you how great He is....but I would like to try. So keep up with me! :) I'll try to write as often as I can. Thank you all for reading, I hope it encourages you in some way and sheds some light on how truly AWESOME our God is!
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