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Lesson 21: He Will Remind You

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series. 

“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:12, 13a).

The disciples were not in a position to fully understand what Jesus was saying to them. The authors like Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, etc. were reminded of truths that were to be communicated to us and that is how they wrote the gospels inspired and guided by the Spirit of God. Today the Bible is a book that is completed. The Spirit of God will not add anything more to the Bible but he will remind us of what is already written there.

That is one great motivation for us to we read the Bible. The Holy Spirit will bring things to our memory when we need it. He can use only what is stored up in our hearts (Psalm 119:11). (There are times when he speaks to people who do not know the Bible but those are exceptions).

Again, if you read the sermon which Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, you will see how the Spirit of God reminded him to what to communicate. The truth he preached was so filled with God’s power that it added three thousand to the church that day (Acts 2:41). To what else would you attribute the way Peter preached the truth of God’s Word other than to the Holy Spirit?

Remember the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). When you allow God to work in your hearts, the Spirit of God can use the Word powerfully in you (Hebrews 4:12).

The Sap That Runs Through the Branches

This is not commonly taught. But since Ch. 15 is sandwiched between the teachings on the Holy Spirit found in Ch. 14 and Ch. 16 this analogy is not difficult to understand. We all know that it is the sap* that runs through the branches that give life to the same and produce fruit. (*The fluid part of a plant; specifically a watery solution that circulates through a plant’s vascular system.)

The Holy Spirit is like sap because he does not draw attention to himself. He simply stays in the background and does his work quietly without shouting it through loudspeakers!

In Galatians 5:22 we read about the fruit of the Spirit (Note that it is fruit and not fruits). Go outside your home and try to find a branch in a tree that is flexing its muscles and trying hard and sweating it out to create fruit. You will find no branch like that.

The branch simply remains in the main body of the tree like the branches remain in the vine. Jesus said in plain terms: “apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5b).”

Then what are we trying to accomplish? Sad to say, we have been taught things the wrong way—we have been taught to perform for God. Is that the right way? We try to be a great man or woman of God by preaching, singing, giving testimony, reading the Bible, attending prayer meetings and so on. Jesus simply says, “Abide in me,” or “Remain in me (John 15:4).”

That means to stop to try to become a saint. And simply remain in him. And allow the Holy Spirit to produce the desired fruit in you. Your role is to remain in the branch. And thus when you remain in him, he will cause you to bear fruit.

How does he make that happen?
It is through the process of pruning.

Michael Angelo once created a sculpture of an angel from a marble piece that was rejected by many others. When people asked him how he did it, he simply replied: “I chiselled away all that did not look like an angel.” No one will tell you that chiselling away is a pleasant process. Pruning, likewise, is a painful process. But God does that to branches that are already bearing fruit so that it will bear even more fruit for God’s glory.

Often the difficulties that come into your life are part of God’s pruning process. At the end of the day he would like to see Jesus in you. And it is the Holy Spirit who will ultimately make us resemble the Son of God (1 Corinthians 15:49). So the sap that runs through the branches is the Holy Spirit.

He Will Bring Glory to Me

Sad to say there are lot of extremes happening in the Name of the Holy Spirit in the Christian world. Let us look at the words of Jesus: “He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you (John 16:14, 15).

The Holy Spirit’s great role in today’s world is to turn the spotlight on Jesus. Therefore wherever the preacher, in sincerity and truth, preaches the blood of Jesus, his sacrificial death and resurrection from the dead the Spirit of God is at work.

But wherever the preacher is focused on speaking about his own ministry, the gifts he has, the miracles he is doing; there the Spirit of God is absent. Wherever the preacher, however great a man or woman of God she is, begs, pleads, and manipulates the crowd for money all the time; the Spirit of God is absent.

The Spirit of God does not draw attention to himself.  Instead the Holy Spirit delights in showcasing Jesus in glory. The glory belongs to Jesus. The Spirit of God will not allow men or women, however great he or she is, to steal the glory away from Jesus.
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Lesson 9: The Witness of the Disciples of Jesus

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series. 

John himself said about the crucifixion: “The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe (John 19:35).” See also 21:24. Jesus had earlier told them that those were with him from the beginning will testify about him (John 15:27). John had experienced the facts of Jesus’ life first-hand. He therefore is a powerful witness. That is why there is the ring of truth about the gospel he wrote because he wrote about what he had seen and experienced.

Andrew said:
“We have found the Messiah.” – John 1:41

There are three mentions of Andrew in John’s gospel. On all these three occasions we see him introducing someone to Jesus.

He first introduced his brother Peter to Jesus (John 1:40–42). There is something lovable about Andrew. He was always known as the brother of Peter. He was never part of the innermost circle of three—Peter, James, and John. Yet we find him happily taking a back seat.

In the first case it was his selflessness that we saw. In the second instance we see his optimistic attitude as he brings a lad with five loaves and two fish to Jesus (John 6:8–9). He was not sure how this small meal the boy had would be enough for all. Yet he brought the boy to Jesus.

In the third instance we see Andrew thinking beyond his Jewish background. He brings the Greeks to Jesus (John 12:22). Andrew thus becomes a home missionary as well as foreign missionary.

Philip said:
“We have found the One whom Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” –   John 1:44

In this instance is hidden one important truth that we can easily miss. Philip is convinced that Jesus is the One whom Moses wrote about. This is the best understanding we can have of the Old Testament. Beyond the rules and the regulations, the laws, the offerings and sacrifices, the tabernacle and festivals, and the kingdom and the Jewish temple we need to see the fact that they pointed to Jesus Christ.

Nathanael said:
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” –   John 1:49

Jesus is king. We find that people wanted to make him king by force (John 6:15). But that was not God’s method. We find him testifying before Pilate that he is indeed king (John 6:37). And in his death too, the written charge fixed to the cross read: “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS (John 19:19).” Is Jesus the King in your life? If he is, how does that affect your lifestyle? Are you loyal to him? Do you obey him?

Peter said:
“We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” ­–   John 6:69

When many disciples turned back and no longer followed Jesus, he asked the Twelve: “You do not want to leave too, do you?” What a moment that might have been! But Peter was the first to respond. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (John 6:68).” Have you come to see the uniqueness of the words of Jesus? You might have read many books, novels, short stories, drama and poetry. Have you found such life-giving words anywhere else?

Martha said,
“Yes Lord,” “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” –   John 11:27

It was to Martha that Jesus made one the greatest statements anyone ever made in all human history: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

See Martha’s response: “Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” What a confession of faith. When Peter said this at Caesarea Philippi it was a normal discussion (see Matthew 18:13—16). But here, Martha was in tears. He brother was dead. But in spite of her sorrow she makes one of the greatest confessions of faith ever.

Isn’t it time that we remove the negative labelling of Martha? We find fault with her and put her in the kitchen because Jesus made a comment about her (Luke 10:41, 42). At the same time we should not fail to see the great confession of faith Martha made in her hour of deepest sorrow!

Again, before we find fault with Martha, let us ask ourselves, “Are we like Mary who chose what is better?” Do we spend unhurried time with God each day? (see Luke 10:39, 42).

Mary Magdalene said:
“I have seen the Lord!” –   John 20:18

It is amazing how Jesus empowered women. In those days a woman was not allowed to testify in court. A woman’s testimony was invalid. Yet Jesus in allowing a woman to carry the good news of the resurrection liberated women to be what God had created them to be.

We find Mary addressing Jesus as “Rabboni” meaning Teacher. That was the last time someone addresses Jesus thus. But she runs with the glorious news that she has seen the Lord. She realizes that the Risen Jesus is more than what she had known till then. The Risen Jesus makes a huge difference in the way we witness to him. But the question is: “Have you seen or experienced the Risen Lord?” It was such an encounter that changed Saul to Paul while he was on the Road to Damascus (see Acts 9, 22, 26).

Thomas said:
“My Lord and my God” –  John 20:28

We all call Thomas, “Doubting Thomas.” It is true that Jesus told him, “Stop doubting and believe.” But then what is the purpose of John telling us of this. It is to show us one of the greatest statements of faith in the gospels. Thomas in response to Jesus says: “My Lord and my God!”

This is the only instance in the gospels where anyone calls Jesus, “God.” John immediately concludes his gospel (Chapter 21 seems to have been added later.) because his purpose was to help people believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 20:31). Perhaps there is a word of encouragement for each one of us in this incident. Jesus is willing to come to us and clear our doubts; lovely isn’t it?

John wrote:
“Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” –  John 20:31

John wrote this gospel with a purpose in mind. That purpose is recorded in John 20:31.

Do you have a purpose in life? Is it to gain a good education, have a wonderful career, a family, build a house, and buy a car and so on? Or does this purpose of John—to testify to Jesus Christ—a part of our life?

What is your witness to Jesus Christ? It is easy to compromise Jesus when you talk with others. People are ready to accept him as good teacher, a great healer, a worker of miracles and a holy person and one of the ways to God. But that is not enough. It falls short of what all the witnesses testify to who Jesus is. Therefore be always ready to witness to the truth: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God!

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Lesson 8: The Witnesses to Jesus in the Gospel of John

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series. 

The word “witness” is one of the great key-words of the gospel of John. In this gospel John presents several witnesses to testify to the supreme place of Jesus, his divinity, and his mission.

The word “witness” first occurs in the very first chapter of this gospel. Apostle John is careful to point out that even though John the Baptist was great he was just a signpost pointing to Jesus Christ. In several passages John is careful to paint this picture of John the Baptist as the light of a candle compared to the brilliance of the Son of God shining out (for example see John 3:27—30).

The First Witness: John the Baptist
“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light (John 1:6—8).”

Witness is someone who does not shine a light on himself but turns the spotlight on to Jesus so that he is bathed in light for all to see. Witnessing is not about telling others what God has done for you but it is about telling others about who Jesus truly is.

The effectiveness of the witness of John is seen when people said regarding Jesus, “Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true (John 10:42).” What was the result? “And in that place many believed in Jesus (John 10:42).”

Life Lesson: To be an effective witness you need not do any miraculous signs. But what is needed is a life lived in humility and sincerity before God and a willingness to point others to Jesus.

→In John Chapter 5:31—47 Jesus talks about four witnesses to him. They are John the Baptist, God the Father, the work that Jesus did, and the Scriptures (especially which Moses wrote).

The Witness of the Father
Jesus always had the realization that he was “sent” by the Father. This thought is expressed many times in John’s gospel (see 5:37, 8:18). This witness in his heart of the strong conviction and assurance that God had sent him was the key to his life and ministry on earth.

“When a man is confronted with Christ there comes an inner conviction that this is none other than the Son of God. Father Tyrrell has said that the world can never get away from that ‘strange man upon the Cross.’ That inner power which always brings our eyes back to Christ even when we wish to forget him, that inner voice which tells us that this Jesus is none other than the Son of God and the Saviour of the world is the witness of God within our souls.” –William Barclay

The Witness of the Work of Jesus
Jesus said: “For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me” (John 5:36). See also 10:25, 14:11. Those who saw his miracles and still hated God and did not believe in him are condemned. (15:24)

“We must note one thing–when John spoke of the works of Jesus, he was not speaking only of the miracles of Jesus; he was thinking of Jesus’ whole life. He was thinking not only of the great outstanding moments, but of the life that Jesus lived every minute of the day.

No man could have done the mighty works that Jesus did unless he was closer to God than any other man ever was; but, equally, no man could have lived that life of love and pity, compassion and forgiveness, service and help in the life of the everyday unless he had been in God and God in him.

It is not by working miracles that we can prove that we belong to Christ, but by living a Christ-like life every moment of every day. It is in the ordinary things of life that we show that we belong to him.” –William Barclay

The Witness of the Scriptures
The Old Testament was given to men to point them to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus, time and again, told his audience that the Scriptures testify to him. John 5:39, 46. See also 1:45.

Did you know that someone can search the Scriptures to prepare a great sermon and still miss Jesus? It is quite possible when your aim is to get knowledge. Jesus said, “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life (John 5:39, 40).”

When you treat the Bible as a kind of magic book to get promises for daily living, you are missing Jesus. That is not the purpose of the Bible. Its great purpose is to witness to Jesus Christ.

So when you read the Bible the first question that you should be asking yourself is not “What is the Bible speaking to my situation today?” No. That is not the best question to ask. The first and foremost question is, “What does the passage I am reading speak about God?”

The Witness of John the Baptist
Jesus mentioned John the Baptist and referred to him as a lamp that burned and gave light. The light John the Baptist had was not his own but it was borrowed light. He was like a lamp that was lit by God to shine the light. His message was not cold; it had the warmth of fire in it. He was convinced about the message he was preaching. Therefore it convicted men as well. Unless a preacher is on fire for God himself he cannot move the heart of others. John the Baptist burned out for God after guiding people to the true light.

John testified after he saw the Holy Spirit come down from heaven and remain on Jesus: “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God (John 1:34).”

“He makes His ministers a flame of fire. Am I ignitable? God deliver me from the dread asbestos of ‘other things.’ Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame. But flame is transient, often short lived. Canst thou bear this, my soul – short life? … Make me thy fuel, Flame of God.” – Jim Elliot  (Missionary to the Auca Indians who was speared to death at the young age of 28 on 8 January 1965 along with four of his missionary friends as they made a plane landing to reach the unreached savage tribe.)

→In John Chapter 15 Jesus talks about the witness of the Holy Spirit

The Witness of the Holy Spirit
“When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me (John 15:26).”

“To the Jew the Spirit had two functions. The Spirit brought God’s truth to men, and the Spirit enabled men to recognize that truth when they saw it. It is the work of the Spirit within our hearts which enables us to recognize Jesus for what he is and to trust him for what he can do.”—William Barclay

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The Holy Spirit