The Promise of the Holy Spirit John 16:5-7

Text:  “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Acts 1:8.

Good morning, Spirit-empowered Christian!  You live a Christian life in the power of God the Holy Spirit, for, without such power from on High, you and I would not even desire to be like Christ; nor find the strength to follow Him.  Praise God, the promise Christ gave His followers has become a reality!

“And, behold, I (Christ Jesus) send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on High.”  (Luke 24:49)

What God promises in His Word is always honoured by His fulfilment.

In today’s three-verse selected Bible passage, Christ is teaching His disciples some vital truths:  He is returning to our Father in Heaven; our Father in Heaven sent Him to us in the first place; human words cannot adequately explain Heaven’s splendour; we are sad when Christ’s Presence is not perceived to be near; the expediency of Christ’s return to Heaven at that time; and the promise of God the Spirit as another Comforter.

All this is packed succinctly into three small verses of Holy Scripture!

Christ In Heaven:  (V5)  We have a Holy and High Priest in Heaven right now, interceding for us with God our Father, IF God is indeed our Father in Heaven. “…Ye must be born again…”  (John 3:3-8)

“But this Man (Christ Jesus), because He continueth (lives) ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore He is able also to save them (believers) to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.  For such an High Priest became us, Who is Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the Heavens.”                    (Hebrews 7:24-26)

Christ Sent From Heaven: (V.5)  God the Father sent His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus, to us from out of the Holy splendour of Heaven, to make the way of Eternal Salvation for us by His Sacrifice on the Cross.  We have God’s own Word on the matter.  We believe, and we are saved.  Hallelujah!

“Then said Jesus to them (His disciples) again, Peace be unto you; as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.”  (John 20:21) (John 3:16)

Heaven is Indescribable: (V.5)  Christ’s disciples could not even ask Him to explain ‘whither goest Thou…’, because human minds cannot even envisage the wonder that awaits us there one sweet day.  Eternal bliss with Him! “…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”  (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Sensing Christ’s Presence: (V.6)  The joy the disciples felt during the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus, and the joy and security of Christ’s Holy Presence with us latter-day believers in this age of apostasy, is a powerful thing to sense daily.  We immediately feel a deep Spiritual deprivation the moment  the fullness of Christ’s Presence departs from us - especially when we fall into sin.  Deep sorrow fills our hearts, we yearn for His nearness.

“Thou wilt show me the path of life; in Thy Presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.”  (Psalm 16:11)

“And He (the Lord) said, My Presence shall go with thee (Moses), and I will give thee rest.  And he (Moses) said unto Him, If Thy Presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”                          (Exodus 33:14-15)

Christ’s Promise of the Holy Spirit: (V.7)  The Lord Jesus explained the expediency of His going back to Heaven after His Crucifixion for us on Calvary’s Hill. 

Christ’s followers, then and now, would profit Supernaturally as a consequence of His Ascension back to the Heaven from which He came down.  We would receive the fulfilment of Christ’s Promise - the outpouring and indwelling Presence of God the Holy Ghost Himself!  Hallelujah!  What a blessing to have God Himself within us!

“…Now if any man/woman have not the Spirit of Christ, he/she is none of His.  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He…shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.”  (Romans 8:9-11)

Thought:  Pentecostal power is available to you and me - Christ’s promise to His followers is always fulfilled.  Be strong in the Spirit!  Christ's Victory is ours!