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John 15:22-27 – Great Privilege and Great Responsibility

The Jews of Jesus’ day have seen Christ’s works and heard Christ’s teaching and yet are unbelieving. What more can be done for them? Nothing – absolutely nothing! They have willfully sinned against God and are of all men most guilty. Christian privileges are a dangerous thing. If they do not help us toward heaven, they will only sink us deeper into hell. They add to our responsibility. The one who lives in a land of open Bibles and preached Gospel, and yet dreams that he will stand in the judgement day on the same level as one who has never heard of Christ, is deceiving himself. To possess knowledge and not use it, to be able to say “I know” and not “I believe” will prove to be a great sin on the day of judgement.

Notice how Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit. He speaks of Him as a Person – a Comforter. He is One who is sent from God. He is not a feeling or a power but a Person and the third Person of the Trinity.

Jesus tells His apostles that they are to testify of Him. He is teaching these eleven men what their job is going to be. They are to bear witness to the facts which many will not believe and to truths which many will dislike. They will often have to stand alone, a few against many, a little flock against a multitude. None of these things must move them. They must not think it strange to be persecuted, hated, opposed, and discredited. They must not mind it. To witness is their great duty, whether men believe them or not. This position of the apostles is one which, in a certain sense, every true Christian must fill as long as the world stands. We must all be witnesses for Christ. We must not be ashamed to stand up for Christ’s cause, to speak out for Christ, and to maintain the truth of the Gospel.

Questions

  1. What is the danger of great privilege?
  2. What is the Holy Spirit?
  3. What is the job of the apostles?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that you would make the best use of the opportunities you have.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.