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John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin
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MacArthur wrote (Strange Fire [Thomas Nelson], p. xiii), It is a sad twist of irony that those who claim to be most focused on the Holy Spirit are in actuality the ones doing the most to abuse, grieve, insult, misrepresent, quench, and dishonor Him. How do they do it? By attributing to Him words He did not say, deeds He did not do, phenomena He did not produce, and experiences that have nothing to do with Him. They boldly plaster His name on that which is not His work. He goes on (p. 6) to cite many examples, which you can see on You Tube: “Whole congregations doing the ‘Holy Ghost Hokey Pokey,’ people ‘tokin’ the Ghost’ (pretending to inhale the Holy Spirit and get high, as if He were an invisible reefer), and women writhing on the floor, miming he process of childbirth. Old-fashioned snake handlers look tame by comparison.” He cites several Pentecostal preachers who say that the Holy Spirit told them to punch, kick, and violently assault people in an attempt to heal them. An elderly woman died at a Benny Hinn “miracle crusade” when he pushed her over backwards (p. 7). Hinn’s wife made such ludicrous, vulgar statements about the Holy Spirit that her antics were later mocked on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show (p. 8)! Because of this widespread confusion about the ministry of the Holy Spirit, it is essential that we learn from our Lord as He teaches how the Holy Spirit will work in the disciples and, by extension, in the church, after Christ’s ascension into heaven. It is important to note that Jesus’ words here apply first to the apostles. They were the ones whom the Spirit would guide in all the truth and bring to their remembrance all that Jesus had said (John 14:26). We have the Spirit’s inspired teaching through the apostles in the New Testament. But in a secondary sense, our Lord’s words here apply to us, in that the Holy Spirit opens up the truths of the Bible to us as we diligently study it in dependence on Him (1 Cor. 2:9-13). (How the Holy Spirit Works John 16:12-15) When you open your Bible, ask the Author to open your mind and heart. Disclose (312) anaggello/anangello from aná = up to, again, back {like our English prefix "re-"= again thus "re-port" or "re-hearse" = to say again} + aggéllo = tell, declare related to ággelos = messenger) means to bring back word and later to announce, to report. It expresses effective reporting done with boldness (a sense of authority). To rehearse, to show, to declare or tell of things done. Anaggello means to carry back good tidings, to inform, to provide information, with some contexts conveying the implication of considerable detail (see Acts 14:27, 15:4). In the 14 NT uses of anaggello, notice that most report or announce something that has to do with God, including His works and/or purposes. Alfred Plummer comments that apaggello "has merely the notion of proclaiming and making known, (anaggello) has the notion of proclaiming again what has been received elsewhere." Steven
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MacArthur writes "It seems (ED: THE VERB "SEEM" MEANS TO GIVE ONE'S PERSONAL THOUGHTS, WHICH IS SURPRISING FOR SOMEONE AS BIBLICALLY OBJECTIVE AS DR MACARTHUR) most accurate to view the Lord’s promise that He would see the disciples again primarily as a reference to the coming of His Spirit on the day of Pentecost (cf. John 14:16–17, 26; 15:26; 16:7, 13). After accomplishing the work of redemption and ascending to heaven, Jesus sent His Spirit to be with the disciples (cf. Jn 15:26 and the exposition of Jn 16:5–7 in chapter 17 of this volume). Christ came to them through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Who is the “Spirit of Christ” (Ro 8:9; cf. Gal. 4:6; Phil. 1:19; 1 Peter 1:11) and reveals Christ (John 16:13–15)." (SEE The MacArthur Commentary) The statement "because I go to the Father" is found only in the Textus Receptus Greek manuscript, the one used to translate the KJV, but is not found in the more modern manuscripts (Nestle–Aland) which textual critics consider to be more accurate than the Textus Receptus. John MacDuff - Every day is bringing Christ’s Advent nearer—lessening the span of that arc of promise. The “little while, and ye shall not see Me,” is widening; the “little while, and ye shall see Me,” is diminishing. The church is like the shipmen in the Sea of Adria, who “deemed that they drew near to some country.” The historian of Columbus speaks thus of the great discoverer’s approach to the shores of the unknown New World: “The admiral gave orders that the sails should be close reefed and the lead kept going, and that they should sail closely, being afraid of shoals and breakers; feeling certain that the first gleam of daybreak would discover land under their bows.” Is this true in a nobler sense of “the Better Country”? Are we thus on the outlook to “see the King in His beauty, and the land that is very far off”? Vance Havner - JUST A LITTLE WHILE A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me.... John 16:16. It is our Lord's Word to his uneasy disciples and His Word to us today. It was a sad interval between His death and Resurrection and the spirits of His followers flagged, but He returned as He said He would. Today the wait is longer, but beside eternity it is just a little while. The days have become years and the years have turned into centuries and the time is not yet. Sorrow, sickness, pain make weary the hearts of those who wait and watch like those who look through long nights for the morning. But we have His Word, "Let not your heart be troubled.... [I] will come again" (John 14:27, 28). Steven
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MacArthur explains "These verses present a sharp contrast between the complete selflessness of Jesus and the utter selfishness of the disciples. As the cross loomed ever larger, they should have been comforting Him. He should have been their focus, since the time had come for Him to accomplish His mission and return to the Father who sent Him." (SEE The MacArthur Commentary) (Bolding added) William Hendriksen agrees with MacArthur writing that "Shortly previous to this, when as yet Jesus had not fully explained the purpose of his departure, there had been many questions with respect to his leaving. Peter had asked, “Lord, where art thou going?” (Jn 13:36+) and Thomas had asked something similar (Jn 14:5+). But these questions issued from a crudely literal conception of Christ’s departure. Then Jesus had given a full explanation. He had clearly indicated that he was not leaving for some other place on earth but was going to the Father (Jn 14:28), that this return to the Father should have filled their hearts with rejoicing (also Jn 14:28), and that from there he would send another Helper, namely, the Spirit of truth (Jn 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26). This was the proper moment for questions, questions as to what that return to the Father would mean for him, and for them. But there were no questions. There was not even a request that he repeat that very instructive information about the place where he was going. In this failure to ask questions there was an element of selfishness. So deeply concerned were these men with the thought of their own impending loss that this sorrow had crowded out every other consideration. Bitterly Jesus complains, And none of you asks me, “Where art thou going?” (BORROW Exposition of the Gospel according to John PAGE 322) To be effective witnesses in this hostile world, we need to take our focus off of our feelings and needs and focus rather on the Lord’s glory. Steven
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MacArthur says the word convict (elegcho) "can describe convicting in a judicial sense, like a criminal who is convicted of wrongdoing (cf. its use in James 2:9 and Jude 15). Ultimately, those convicted in this sense will be sentenced to eternal punishment in hell. But in this context the word more likely refers to being convinced of the reality of sin and the need for salvation in Christ." Wycliffe Bible Commentary (page 352) has an interesting note - In a sense this ministry correlates with the world's activity of persecution. The world may appear to make inroads on the Church, but there is a counterattack in the work of the Spirit, designed not to harm but to convert, or at least to convict. The Spirit, working through the apostles, produced conviction of sin in the very city where Jesus had been put to death (Acts 2:37+). D A Carson has a lengthy explanation of 5 ways convicts of sin is interpreted. Click here for part 1 and click here for part 2. Rod Mattoon on will convict - No one word can translate this word (elegcho) satisfactorily. It was used in a court of law for cross-examination of a witness, for a man on trial for a crime, or for an opponent in a debate. The idea of the word is of cross-examining a person until that person perceives and acknowledges his errors or of reasoning he has not seen yet. Cross-examination can produce two results. (1) Conviction of a crime. (2) Convincing a person of the weakness of his own case and the strength of the debate that he has opposed. Both concepts apply here. The Holy Spirit convicts the sinner of sin. The Jews thought they were doing God a service when they crucified Jesus, but in Acts 2, the conviction in their hearts was pricked. They realized they made a mistake. Acts 2:37 "Now when they heard this, they were pricked (smitten in their heart with sorrow) in their heart," (Treasures from John, Volume 2) C H
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MacArthur explains that "It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to penetrate hearts steeped in sin, overcome sinners' resistance to the gospel, and bring them through saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to fellowship with God....The sole issue that determines people's eternal destiny is how they react to the Spirit's convicting ministry concerning their own sin and the provision of forgiveness by grace through Jesus Christ." (See John Commentary - scroll up and down for more text) Bob
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MacArthur explains that "When their wickedness is compared to His sinless holiness, their sin is seen more truly for the detestable evil that it is. And the sinner is face-to-face with the impossibility of salvation by any effort, work, or achievement he may do. (See John Commentary - scroll up and down for more text) Wycliffe Bible Commentary (page 352) - The very fact that Christ could solve the sin problem of mankind by his redeeming death revealed his perfect righteousness. Otherwise he would have required a Saviour for himself. The Father is the true judge of righteousness. His readiness to receive the Son back into glory is the proof that he found in him no deficiency (Ro 1:4; Ro 4:25; 1Ti 3:16). The Preacher's outline & sermon Bible (borrow) says "The Holy Spirit convinces the world that Jesus' righteousness is acceptable to God. The Holy Spirit convinces a man... (1) that Jesus really was received up into heaven by the Father because He was righteous. (2) that Jesus has secured righteousness for every man. (3) that man can approach God through the righteousness of Jesus. (4) that Jesus is the Ideal and Perfect Man, the very Son of Man Himself. Warren Wiersbe sees the Spirit convicting the world concerning righteousness in two ways - The Spirit of God reveals the Saviour in the Word and in this way glorifies Him (John 16:13-14). The Spirit also reveals Christ in the lives of believers (Col 1:27b, Mt 5:16, Phil 2:15, 2Co 2:14-16) The world cannot receive or see the Spirit of God (cf 1Co 2:14), but they can see what He does as they watch the lives of dedicated believers.....There can be no conversion without conviction, and there can be no conviction apart from the Spirit of God using the Word of God and the witness of the child of God. Witnessing is a great privilege, but it is also a serious responsibility. It is a matter of life or death! How we need to depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us to the right persons, give us the right words, and enable us patiently to glorify Jesus Christ. (Bible Exposition Commentary)(bolding added) THOUGHT - Do the lost souls around me see the righteousness of Christ in my thoughts, words and deeds? I am very convicted by this question! Merrill Tenney explains that the Spirit convicts the world concerning righteousness by making sinners aware of "the absolute standard of God's character (ED: HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS), to which all thought and action must be compared. Apart from a standard of righteousness, there can be no sin (ED: OR AT LEAST IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR ONE TO KNOW SIN FOR WHAT IT IS, cf Ro 7:7); and there must be an awareness of the holiness of God before a person will realize his own deficiency (ED: AND RECOGNIZE HIS DESPERATE NEED FOR SALVATION). There is an infinite gap between the righteousness of God and the sinful state of man that man himself cannot bridge. The first step toward salvation must be the awareness that a divine mediatorship is necessary (ED: THAT IS AN AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH OF A MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN - 1Ti 2:5+ AND THAT AWARENESS BEGINS WHEN ONE RECOGNIZES THEIR SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GOD. NOT ONLY DOES THE SPIRIT HELP US AS SINNERS SEE HOW FAR SHORT WE FALL OF CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS, BUT IN AN AMAZING SHOW OF GRACE AND MERCY, HE PROVIDES AND CREDITS OR RECKONS CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS TO OUR DEFICIENT SPIRITUAL ACCOUNT WHEN WE BY GRACE BELIEVE IN HIS RIGHTEOUS SON! see Ro 4:3+, 2Co 5:21+, 1Co 1:30+). David
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MacArthur adds that "Like most of their fellow Jews, the disciples viewed the Messiah as a political and military deliverer. They expected Him to drive out the hated Romans, restore Israel's national sovereignty, and bring in the messianic kingdom with the fulfillment of all the Old Testament promises. They simply could not grasp the concept of a dying Messiah, who came not to vanquish the Romans, but to conquer sin and death." (See John 12-21 MacArthur New Testament Commentary - scroll up/down to get more comments) W E Vine on cannot bear them now - There is a divine economy in the process of revelation. The Lord had now disclosed matters which He had hitherto withheld. Trust is tempered to suit the mind's stage of development. The fullness of truth was to be given when further experiences relative to Christ had fitted the disciples for it. Bob
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MacArthur writes that the promise of the Spirit's guidance "like the one in Jn 14:26, refers to the Spirit's supernatural revelation concerning Christ's person and teaching. It serves as the Lord's preauthentication of the New Testament writers; the Holy Spirit, who inspired the Old Testament (see the discussion above), would also inspire the New....The Lord's promise that the Spirit will guide believers into all the truth has primary reference to the writers of the New Testament (1Co 2:9-10). But it also extends in a secondary sense to the Holy Spirit's work of illumination (cf. 1Co 2:10-16). He instructs and teaches believers from the inspired Scriptures (1Jn 2:20, 27). That does not, of course, eliminate the need for the diligent study that is a prerequisite for "accurately handling the word of truth" (2Ti 2:15), especially since there are things "hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort" (2Pe 3:16). But studying the Bible apart from being filled with the Spirit (Ep 5:18) and walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16, 25) is fruitless. (See John Commentary - scroll up and down for more comments) Warren
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MacArthur - NEED FOR THE PROMISE - BORROW Strength for Today page 264 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.”JOHN 16:13 ✧✧✧ The Holy Spirit has to come alongside believers because they can’t minister by their own strength. As a Christian, you can be orthodox and correct about every detail of theology. You might even show a certain willingness and ability to minister. But unless and until you rely on the Holy Spirit for all you do, your efforts will be ineffective. Think of a new car that has the most polished exterior and the finest of accessories but no engine. It will look great, but it certainly won’t run. Unfortunately, that illustration applies all too often to contemporary believers. They tend to overlook or minimize the Holy Spirit’s role—either by overreacting to charismatic extravagances or by focusing most of their attention on man–centered ministry techniques and “innovative” approaches. But the Lord impressed upon the disciples’ hearts and minds on more than one occasion their need for the Holy Spirit’s power and resources—from routine daily tasks like fishing (Luke 5:4–9) to more imposing ministry challenges like casting an evil spirit out of a man’s son (Mark 9:14–29). Because God has purposefully promised and sent the Spirit within the larger panorama of His sovereignty, we should have the same conviction about the need for the promised Helper as the disciples did shortly after Christ ascended. In conclusion, notice Peter’s confidence in God’s plan, as set forth in his sermon on the Day of
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MacArthur - The true believer loves the Word of God (cf. John 8:31–32; 14:15; 2 Thess. 2:10; 1 John 5:2–3) and believes it because of the work of the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:4–5, 14–16; cf. Matt. 16:16–17; John 6:64–70; Rom. 8:5–8; Gal. 1:15–16). (SEE The MacArthur Commentary) Brian Bell - Some glorify “church buildings, sacraments, ministers, human leaders, cardinals, popes, pastors”; but the Holy Spirit comes to glorify Jesus only! a) Science glorifies knowledge; Philosophy glorifies reason; History glorifies great men; Society glorifies its dollar kings, movie stars, rock stars, & athlete stars; but the Holy Spirit comes to glorify Jesus only! How does the H.S. Glorify Jesus? The H.S.’s purpose is to come & focus attention upon Jesus, in the perfections of His character & redeeming work, & to exalt Him in human esteem. O. Illustration: When floodlighting is well done, the floodlights are placed so that you do not see them; in fact, you are not supposed to see where the light is coming from; what you are meant to see is just the building on which the floodlights are pointed. The intended effect is to make it visible when otherwise it would not be seen for the darkness.6 1. This perfectly illustrated the Spirit’s new role. He is the hidden floodlight shining on the Savior. [Or think of it this way] 2. It is as if the Spirit stands behind us, throwing light over our shoulder on to Jesus who stands facing us. 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, and see his glory; listen to him and hear his word; go to him and have life; get to know him and taste his gift of joy and peace.” a) The Spirit, we might say, is the matchmaker, the celestial marriage broker, whose role it is to bring us & Christ together and ensure that we stay together! Moody was to have a campaign in England. An elderly pastor protested, “Why do we need this ‘Mr. Moody’? He’s uneducated, inexperienced, etc. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?” A younger, wiser pastor rose and responded, “No, but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on Mr. Moody.” 1. Does He have a monopoly on you? [monopoly = the exclusive possession, control, or exercise of something] Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Glorify (1392) doxazo from doxa = glory) has a secular meaning of to think, suppose, be of opinion, (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Xenophon, Plato, Thucydides) but generally is not used in this sense in Scripture. It means to ascribe weight by recognizing real substance (value). Glorifying God means valuing Him for who He really is. Giving (ascribing) glory to God is to personally acknowledge God in His true character (essence). Doxazo means to praise, honor or magnify (Mt 5:16; 6:2; Lk 5:25f; Ac 11:18; Ro 11:13; 1 Cor 12:26; 1 Pt 4:16) and to clothe in splendor, glorify (John 8:54; 13:31f; 17:1, 4; 21:19; 2 Cor 3:10; 1 Pt 1:8; of life after death John 12:16, 23; Ac 3:13; Ro 8:30) Vance Havner - Jesus Made Real He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you. John 16:14. We do not make Jesus real by conjuring up a mental picture of Him long ago in Galilee and trying to walk in imagination with Him there. We do not have to go back two thousand years or travel to Palestine to find Jesus. There is a fad for that sort of thing, but so might one inwardly visualize any character of history. Such mental association may, indeed, affect one's life to some degree, but it is far from the way Christ is made real to the believer. The Holy Spirit has come for that purpose. All things spiritual are from God through Christ and are communicated to us by the Spirit. It was expedient that Jesus should go that the Spirit might come. He does not testify of Himself but of Christ, and He makes the Lord real to the heart. It is not a mere mental exercise but the work of the Spirit that enables us to say, "He is real to me." Oswald Chambers - The absoluteness of Jesus Christ (BORROW My utmost for his highest PAGE 342) He shall glorify Me. John 16:14. The pietistic movements of to-day have none of the rugged reality of the New Testament about them; there is nothing about them that needs the death of Jesus Christ, all that is required is a pious atmosphere, and prayer and devotion. This type of experience is not supernatural nor miraculous, it did not cost the passion of God, it is not dyed in the blood of the Lamb, not stamped with the hall-mark of the Holy Ghost. It has not that mark on it which makes men say, as they look with awe and wonder—‘That is the work of God Almighty.’ That and nothing else is what the New Testament talks about. The type of Christian experience in the New Testament is that of personal, passionate devotion to the Person of Jesus Christ. Every other type of Christian experience, so called, is detached from the Person of Jesus. There is no regeneration, no being born again into the Kingdom in which Christ lives, but only the idea that He is our Pattern. In the New Testament Jesus Christ is Saviour long before He is Pattern. To-day He is being despatched as the Figurehead of a religion, a mere Example. He is that, but He is infinitely more; He is salvation itself. He is the Gospel of God. Jesus said—“When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, … He shall glorify Me.” When I commit myself to the revelation made in the New Testament, I receive from God the gift of the Holy Spirit Who begins to interpret to me what Jesus did, and does in me subjectively what Jesus Christ did for me objectively. C H
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MacArthur adds that "Answered prayer, based on the finished work of Jesus Christ and springing from an obedient life (Jn 15:10–11), is a powerful force in turning sorrow into joy." (SEE The MacArthur Commentary) C H
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MacArthur - THE NEED FOR UNDERSTANDING - BORROW Strength for Today page 285 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will speak no more to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father.” JOHN 16:25 ✧✧✧ Jesus’ teaching in figurative language revealed the need for further enlightenment by the Holy Spirit. Jesus left His disciples a storehouse of valuable information that would require additional teaching from the Holy Spirit to make it understandable. The “figurative language” our Lord sovereignly used was made up of many veiled but pointed statements, filled with rich meaning. Even Christ’s closest followers, when they first heard Him, often understood only the basics of His teachings. Jesus used various veiled statements whose deeper meanings were not revealed until the Holy Spirit gave believers special insight. One such statement is John 2:19, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The truth that Jesus was teaching—His death and resurrection—became clearer later on. John 6:53–58 speaks of eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His blood. Many of the Jews took this teaching literally and did not understand that Jesus was referring to believers’ intimate, spiritual communion with Himself. In addition to those and other figurative expressions (see John 6:35; 8:12), the Lord knew His disciples would not understand certain truths right away (John 16:12). They were spiritually ignorant and unable to grasp every teaching prior to Christ’s death. But once He died and rose again and the Holy Spirit came, they would understand Jesus’ teaching about His relationship to the Father, as the end of today’s verse indicates. Whenever Christ used figurative language, it was clear enough to make it meaningful, but veiled just enough so the Spirit could reveal more profound truth later on. Having access to that unveiled truth is the blessed privilege we have today, thanks to the indwelling Holy Spirit who has come as our teacher, just as Jesus promised in John 14:26 and 16:13. We need to take full advantage of the Spirit’s teaching ministry every time we hear the Word expounded or read or study it for ourselves. ✧✧✧ Suggestions for Prayer: When you study the Word, ask the Lord and His Spirit to help you see beneath the surface and understand as much biblical truth as possible. For Further Study: Read John 6:32–58. What does the Bread of Life provide? ✧ How is it better than manna? ✧ What made some of the Jews stumble at Jesus’ words? John MacArthur - THE SPIRIT BRINGS UNDERSTANDING - BORROW Strength for Today page 286 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will speak no more to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father.” JOHN 16:25 ✧✧✧ We understand truth thanks to the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. Scripture makes it clear that the disciples and all subsequent believers would need additional divine assistance to understand all of God’s teachings. Jesus Himself knew that, as we saw in yesterday’s lesson. And the apostle Paul alludes to that fact in 1 Corinthians 2:9: “Just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’ ” Our human minds and senses by themselves can’t give us an understanding of God’s truth. That’s why we need the Holy Spirit. In John 16:25 Jesus says, “An hour is coming when I … will tell you plainly.” That reference is to the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured forth to permanently indwell the disciples and all other believers. Therefore, Jesus is saying that the Spirit will help us understand God’s truth, even the veiled mysteries and figurative statements in His Word. We know and understand all that we do about God only because His Spirit is our teacher. The Holy Spirit is the one who knows the mind of God and teaches us the deep things of God from Scripture (1 Cor. 2:10–14). All the New Testament epistles were written to plainly explain Christ’s teachings to us. At times the Spirit teaches us directly through the Word, and other times He uses people to teach us and unveil what was previously a mystery. But it’s all His working, it’s reliable, and we can thank Him every day for granting us spiritual understanding. ✧✧✧ Suggestions for Prayer: If there is a Scripture passage that has been unclear to you, pray that God would clarify it for you as you study it again, or that He would lead you to someone who can help you understand it. ✧ Pray for an unbeliever who has been struggling with accepting God’s truth. Ask the Spirit to draw that person to the Lord and unlock Scripture’s truths. For Further Study: Read Acts 8:26–38. What does this passage teach about the importance of obeying the Spirit’s direction? ✧ How did Philip and the Ethiopian exhibit different aspects of that obedience? John 16:26 “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; In that day : John 16:23 that: John 14:16 17:9,19,24 Ro 8:34 Related Passages: Romans 8:26-27+ In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. IN THE FUTURE THEY CAN GO TO FATHER DIRECTLY In that day - Always pause with phrases like this and ask "What day?" This refers to after His resurrection and after His ascension and the coming of the Spirit. Between His resurrection and ascension they would still (theoretically) be able to ask Him personally (cf Acts 1:6). You will ask (aiteo) in My name - Jesus explains that in that day the disciples will do something they have never done before. Jesus says that after the Spirit comes, they will pray directly to the Father in His Name (as previously instructed and discussed above), according to His will and His character. It follows that the better we know the Word of God, the better we will know the Will of God, and the more effective will be our prayers. It has well been said that prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying hold of His willingness. -- Warren Wiersbe THOUGHT - A simple way to think about praying in My name, is to ask yourself "Is this something that Jesus would pray?" If "Yes," then go boldly to the throne of God (Heb 4:16+) In a sense you are praying in His stead, asking as if Jesus Himself were asking. And it is always a safe practice to pray God's Word back to Him! See also Praying in the Spirit. In My Name - 17x in the NT - Matt. 18:5; Matt. 18:20; Matt. 24:5; Mk. 9:37; Mk. 9:39; Mk 13:6; Mk. 16:17; Lk. 9:48; Lk. 21:8; Jn. 14:13; Jn. 14:14; Jn. 14:26; Jn. 15:16; Jn. 16:23; Jn. 16:24; Jn. 16:26; 1 Co. 1:15 Leon Morris on in My name - Asking in Jesus’ name is not a way of enlisting his support. It is rather a pleading of his person and of his work for sinners. It is praying on the basis of all that he is and has done for our salvation(BORROW The Gospel according to John PAGE 708) And I do not say to you that I will request (erotao) of the Father (pater) on your behalf - CSB - "I am not telling you that I will make requests to the Father on your behalf." In other words, Jesus is making it clear to the disciples that the phrase IN MY NAME did not mean they would need to ask Jesus for things and He would then make requests to the Father for them. His point is that IN MY NAME would allow them to be able to present their own requests. This statement radically refutes the false teaching of Roman Catholicism which teaches the most efficacious prayers to the Father are through Mary. (SEE Is prayer to Mary biblical?) John MacArthur - The tearing of the veil in front of the Holy of Holies (Matt. 27:51) symbolized that the way into God’s presence stands open through the death of Christ. The biblical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:6) eliminates the need to go through intermediaries—such as Mary, the saints, or human priests—to obtain access to the Father. The great Reformer Martin Luther assaulted the Roman counterfeit when he wrote, “It says in 1 Peter 2:9, ‘Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, and a priestly kingdom.’ It follows that all of us who are Christians are also priests” (BORROW “The Pagan Servitude of the Church,” in John Dillenberger, Martin Luther: Selections from His Writings [Garden City, N. Y.: Anchor, 1961], 345). (See The MacArthur New Testament Commentary) It is important to emphasize that Jesus is not saying He will not or does not intercede for disciples because clearly He even prayed for the disciples before His death (Jn 14:16; Jn 17:9, 15, 24) and best of all He continually intercedes for all His disciples at the right hand of the Father. Hebrews 7:25+ Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Romans 8:34+ Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, Who is at the right hand of God, Who also (present tense - continually) intercedes for us. Bob Utley sums it up noting that "This verse expresses an important truth. Many modern Christians feel they cannot approach God directly! However, the Bible teaches that (1) the Spirit prays for believers (cf. Rom. 8:26–27), (2) the Son intercedes for believers in 1 John 2:1, and (3) believers can approach God directly in prayer because of Christ. ILLUSTRATION - Rod Mattoon tells this story - His nightmares began each day when he awoke. James Stegalls was nineteen and he was fighting in the Vietnam War. Though he carried a small Gideon New Testament in his shirt pocket, he couldn’t bring himself to read it. His buddies were cut down around him, terror was building within him, and God seemed far away. His twentieth birthday passed, then his twenty-first. At last, he felt he couldn’t go on. On February 26, 1968, he prayed for it all to end, and his heart told him he would die before dusk. Sure enough, his base came under attack that day and Jim heard a rocket coming straight toward him. Three seconds to live, he told himself, then two, then … A friend shoved him into a grease pit, and he waited for the rocket to explode, but there was only a surreal silence. The fuse malfunctioned and the rocket did not explode. For five hours James knelt in that pit, and finally his quivering hand reached into his shirt pocket and took out his New Testament. Beginning with Matthew, he continued through the first 18 chapters. He said, “When I read Matthew 18:19–20, I somehow knew things would be all right.” * Matthew 18:19–20.… Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Long after Jim returned home from the war, as he visited his wife’s grandmother, Mrs. Harris, she told him of a night, years before, when she had awakened in terror. Knowing Jim was in Vietnam, she had sensed he was in trouble that night. She began praying for God to spare his life. Unable to kneel because of her arthritis, she lay prone on the floor, praying and reading her Bible all night. Just before dawn she read Matthew 18:19–20. She immediately called her Sunday school teacher, who got out of bed and went to Mrs. Harris’ house, where together, they claimed the Lord’s promise as they prayed for Jim until reassured by God’s peace. Having told Jim this story, Mrs. Harris opened her Bible to show him where she had marked the passage. In the margin were these words: Jim, February 26, 1968. Thank God for the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives. Oswald Chambers - The cross in prayer (BORROW My Utmost for His Highest - page 225) At that day ye shall ask in My name. John 16:26. The idea of prayer is not in order to get answers from God; prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God We are too much given to thinking of the Cross as something we have to get through; we get through it only in order to get into it. The Cross stands for one thing only for us—a complete and entire and absolute identification with the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is nothing in which this identification is realized more than in prayer. “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.” Then why ask? The idea of prayer is not in order to get answers from God; prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God. If we pray because we want answers, we will get huffed with God. The answers come every time, but not always in the way we expect, and our spiritual huff shows a refusal to identify ourselves with Our Lord in prayer. We are not here to prove God answers prayer; we are here to be living monuments of God’s grace. “I say not that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you.” Have you reached such an intimacy with God that the Lord Jesus Christ’s life of prayer is the only explanation of your life of prayer? Has Our Lord’s vicarious life become your vital life? “At that day” you will be so identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction. When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to fix the blame on someone else. That is always a snare of Satan. You will find there is a reason which is a deep instruction to you, not to anyone else. John 16:27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. the Father: John 14:21,23 17:23,26 Zep 3:17 Heb 12:6 Jude 1:20,21 Rev 3:9,19 because: John 8:42 21:15-17 Mt 10:37 1Co 16:22 2Co 5:14 Eph 6:24 1Pe 1:8 1Jn 4:19 and have believed: John 16:30 3:13 7:29 17:7,8,25 Ro 8:3 1Co 15:47 Ga 4:4 1Ti 1:15 WHY THE DISCIPLES CAN DIRECTLY ACCESS THE FATHER For (gar) is a term of explanation. What is Jesus explaining? He is explaining how the disciples can experience such freedom and boldness to go directly to the Father in prayer. The Father (pater) Himself loves (phileo - present tense) you, because (term of explanation) you have loved (phileo - perfect tense) Me and have believed (perfect tense = enduring belief) that I came forth from the Father (Incarnation - He was God in the flesh) - As stated above, the for (gar) explains why the disciples could go directly to the Father and did not have to ask Jesus to ask the Father for them. The clear reason is the disciples were loved by the Father and needed no prompting of the Father by His Son. Loves (phileo) speaks of a deep, caring, warm, friendly love and affection. Phileo is used in John 5:20+ to describe the Father's love for His Son. And recall that it is love which is the mark of a disciple's obedience (Jn 14:15, Jn 14:21). In other words, love is not as much their words ("I love You God"), but their obedient actions. Then Jesus explains why the disciples were loved, giving 2 reasons: (1) they loved the Father's Son, Jesus and (2) they believed in Jesus was God and was God's Son. It is worth noting that in John's Gospel both agapao and phileo are used to express the love of the Father for the disciples, and the love of the disciples for Jesus. MacArthur adds "It is the love of emotion, which is consistent with agapaō, which is the love of the will. Phileō describes the love of parents for their children and children for their parents (Mt. 10:37) and of friends for each other (Jn 11:3, 36). God loves (agapaō) sinners (John 3:16), but expresses a special, fatherly affection (phileō) for His children—so much so that He sent His Son to die as the sacrifice for their sins (Ro 5:8; 1 John 4:9–10). Because of that they can boldly and fearlessly enter His presence in complete confidence, as children for whom He cares deeply (cf. Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6)." (SEE The MacArthur New Testament Commentary) As God loved His only-begotten Son, so He loves His adopted sons (John 16:27). As God had fellowship with Jesus, so He does with us (1 John 1:3). As God exalted Jesus, so He exalts Jesus’ followers, as brothers and sisters in one family (John 12:32; 17:24). (J I Packer) The Mutual Friend The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. — John 16:27 Today's Scripture : John 16:19-28 I met my wife through a mutual acquaintance. I probably wouldn’t have had the courage to approach her on my own. But a person we both knew made it easy by introducing us to each other. As a result, our first date was almost prearranged. By the time I asked her out, I already knew she would accept because our common friend had served as a go-between. Christ fulfills that kind of role between sinners and a holy God. Through His redemptive work on the cross, Jesus has removed the barrier that would have kept us from ever being introduced to or accepted by the Father (Heb. 7:25-27). Christ is the One who shows us that any friend of His is also a friend of the Father. Jesus assured His disciples of this comforting truth when He told them He would soon be leaving them. He wanted them, and all who believe in Him, to know that because of their relationship to Him they could in His name go to God with their requests (Jn. 16:23-24). Our Lord also made it clear that any request that is consistent with His character will be answered by the Father because He loves all who love the Son (vv.26-27). Mighty God, we call You Father As we kneel before Your throne; Christ Your Son, our Friend and Brother, Claims us as Your very own. —DJD Christ bridges the gap between the infinite God and finite man. John 16:28 “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.” came: John 8:14 13:1,3 I leave: John 16:5,16 14:28 Jn 17:5,11,13 Lu 9:51 24:51 Ac 1:9-11 INCARNATION TO ASCENSION I came forth (exerchomai) from the Father (pater) and have come (erchomai - perfect tense = a permanent fact) into the world (kosmos) - This speaks of His incarnation, His "invasion" from heaven to planet earth. Here Jesus uses the word world (kosmos) in a more neutral sense, referring to the world as this planet inhabited by mankind, a world in dire need of an "invasion" by a Redeemer! (cf Jn 3:16+) Bob
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MacArthur- ATTACK ON THE CHURCH JOHN 16:33 - Borrow Truth for Today page 330 We shouldn’t be surprised when the church comes under attack because Christ said it would happen. Because the world, the flesh, and the devil are behind such hostility, Christ instructed us to “watch and pray, lest [we] enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:41). Peter warned, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). To be prepared, Paul said, “Let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thess. 5:8). It can be difficult to maintain your Christian testimony when persecution is subtle rather than open. I remember asking a Russian pastor, “Is it difficult to pastor a church in your country?” The pastor responded, “No, it’s easy because I know where everyone stands. But how can someone pastor a church in America, where compromise is so common and subtle?” Many so–called Christians want the world’s acceptance and are therefore unwilling to take a stand for Christ. C H