Let’s continue our tradition of giving thanks every week through Thanksgiving. This week in America, we will most likely know who our new president is. It may be hard to trust the results, yet those of you who have been through Judges these last two months have seen how God was always in control, even with judges who were immoral and selfish. We can give thanks for that. His Spirit is more powerful than the spirit of the evil one, and it is important we remember that, and giving thanks can help us do that.
It is good to give thanks for the beauty of the earth, and all the small blessings throughout the day, but this year I want to go deeper, by concentrating on one chapter in John to help us appreciate and give thanks for what the Holy Spirit does each day in our lives. These lessons will be shorter, for I know many of you are in other studies too.
Tim Keller compares our hearts to a bucket of water left out on a cold night. We break up the ice each day and keep our relationship with the Lord warm and thriving, remembering His goodness and practicing giving thanks.
We will be in John 16 with the help of 3 sermons from Keller. The series is about the power we have as believers. Let us allow this pregnant chapter to transform us daily, especially during this busy season. The 1st sermon in this series is “He Will Glorify Me.” Go ahead and download it, or download all 3.
I have purchased these transcripts from Logos. They are rough but may still be helpful to you.
Sunday:
1. For what can you give thanks in this last week, or in your worship service this morning?
Monday: John 16:5-11 – Curing Spiritual Blindness
When this happened in me, and when I see it happen in others, it always fills me with awe. Someone who didn’t realize they were sinful, but then does, and repents, and is then wrapped in His love always fills my heart with this wonder: You are real God, and You have the power to tranform a life! Perhaps the most dramatic story I know is that of Karla Faye Tucker, the axe murderer who found Christ in prison. Here are her “before” and “after” pictures:
And here is how she explains what happened when the Holy Spirit turned her heart of stone into a heart of flesh in her prison cell after the first time she opened and read the Bible she “stole” from the ministry who had come in.
I felt loved, like God completely wrapped me up in a cocoon of love. I knew that no matter what I had done I was loved. At that point, the whole weight of what I had done fell on me. I had brutally murdered two people and there were people out there hurting because of me. And yet, God was sitting there saying, “I love you.”
When the Lord got a hold of my heart that night and He poured His love out on me… I can’t explain it…it’s supernatural – but God reached down and ripped the violence out of my heart by its roots. This week Discipleship Unlimited, which has been so anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit, is celebrating its’ 50th Anniversary. It evolved into a prison ministry, partly because of Karla’s vision which she shared with Linda Strom before she was executed. I’d love your prayers for a weekend of great glory to God for all He has done, for all the captives He has truly set free. I am headed down to join them and then speak to those still in prison. I do appreciate your prayers for the whole time.
2. Give thanks, if possible, for a time when you saw this transformation in another and it put you in awe. Or, give thanks for a way He opened your eyes.
Keller divides John 16:5-15 into two parts, so we will as well, listening to him in two parts too.
3. Read John 16:5-11
A. What first grabs you and why?
B. What does Jesus tell His disciples He is going to do that will fill them with sorrow?
C. Why does He tell them it is to their advantage He go away?
D. What is the first thing the Holy Spirit will convict the world of and why?
This so reminds me of my pickleball friend Marty who didn’t think she was a sinner, so stopped coming to Bible study. But while riding her bike, the Lord showed her she was a sinner and thus needed a Savior. She came running in late to Bible study to tell us! I still remember her face — radiant, transformed!
E. How does the fact that Jesus will go to the Father after the resurrection show that our righteousness must come from Him and not from ourselves?
F. How did the cross judge and defeat Satan?
H. Give thanks for one of the three things Jesus tells the disciples are about to be accomplished. Make it personal. For example, I would say, for the second thing: “I am so thankful that I am not responsible for my own salvation, but that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the fact that You did it, and it is finished!”
Tuesday: Part I of The Sermon
If you haven’t voted yet, today you will. Give thanks that whoever God allows to be our President, God is still in control. The book of Judges, which we just finished, certainly illustrated that. We can give thanks for a wise God who does all things well in His time.
4. Listen to the first fourteen minutes of the sermon and stop when he says “The second thing…” Then share what stands out and why.
Wednesday: John 16:12-15: A Slow and Dawning Light
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Sunday:
1. For what can you give thanks in this last week, or in your worship service this morning?
—This is so good and encouraging. To choose to go forward with Thanksgiving this month can and will be so helpful in light of all the negativity and opposition we face daily in the flesh and from Satan our enemy. I love this opportunity to focus and refocus daily by setting my eyes on God and my heart to be thankful to him. And I know full well that on this blog it is not any kind of Pollyanna thankfulness but something deeper that comes from being immersed in God’s Word and the wonderful teaching from Tim Keller.
This morning I am very thankful for Dee and her leading us in this kind of study.
Just a note to Laura: Along with the others here I am keeping you and your family in my prayers and trusting God’s good hand in whatever decisions are made on behalf of your grandchildren. Lean onto our faithful God and Father. You have shared with us how God spoke to you at the time of your own father’s death and promised to be your Father. I believe He will do the same for your grandchildren. He will never fail you or them. 🙏💕
Thank you so much, Bev. And good word to Laura!
Amen and amen to your whole post Bev!
Bev, I agree with your post! Thank you to Dee and prayers for Laura during these trying times.
Thank you so much, Bev. Those are wonderfully encouraging words. If you read my post below, you will see that our daughter might be softening her heart somewhat toward us today. We shall see. Meanwhile I know God is in charge. He will see to His children (all of us) and provide the best for us all.
Dee I will be praying for your trip to Texas and for all the women to feel the presence of God through you and the other women. Be blessed as you bless them.
Sunday:
1. For what can you give thanks in this last week, or in your worship service this morning? – I’ve seen so many things this past week about God does hear us. This week especially can be very troubling for some. With the election Tuesday, change is happening good or bad, it’s gonna happen. But God hears our prayers and the delay in answering is not because he doesn’t hear us, but because his purpose has a time frame. Like Elizabeth and Zechariah who thought God wasn’t listening, he was, but the time for their son, John the Baptist couldn’t come before Mary was ready and old enough to give birth to Jesus. God’s purpose was for John the Baptist to go before Jesus and lead the way. Timing is all in God’s hands. He sees, hears and loves us enough to delay the answers to our prayers. But I can know for certain he hears me and will answer, I need to just be still and wait.
Julie, I agree ” But God hears our prayers and the delay in answering is not because he doesn’t hear us, but because his purpose has a time frame. “Everything is made beautiful in His time.
Yes, Julie, Such good encouragement concerning tomorrow. We can continue to trust God.
1. For what can you give thanks in this last week, or in your worship service this morning? Thankful for a friend who has stepped in to take me to an appointment when the original driver may have a conflict. And they told us to say hello to the people to the right and left of us. It turned out I was the only person in 3 pews. Thankful for a friend I hadn’t seen in weeks who later came and sat by me. God providing when I didn’t even ask. Thankful for these Bible studies. You stretch me to think and look deeper into passages.Working on them brings me peace. Prayers, Dee, for a glorious week. Y’all stay healthy, safe and sense God’s peace, mercy and right words in every situation.
Prayers for you, too, Judy! I smiled upon reading your post.
I’m thankful that friend came over too for you.
“God providing when I didn’t even ask.” oh the sweetness of God. 😊
Sunday:
1. For what can you give thanks in this last week, or in your worship service this morning?
I want to thank God for the 13 women in our Bible Study these past 2 weeks. The Lord is blessing our time together with more depth in our relationships with one another, insight into the passages that we are looking into, and meaningful prayer times. Serious health concerns and struggles have been shared and prayed for. Our number is small enough for everyone to slowly leave their comfort zones; I credit the Spirit for working in our midst.
I am looking forward to this time of Thanksgiving. The studies on Joshua and Judges with Dee and Paige have been most enlightening. I feel prepared to some degree to vote on Tuesday and at peace with the forthcoming results. He is Lord and King!
Dee, I am very thankful to God for you and praying for a safe and Spirit-dwelt and inspired week with the ladies in Texas. What a ministry among the women in prison and rejoicing at the freedom that Jesus brings to each one. May the celebration be God-honoring and an Ephesians 3:20-21 one!
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”
Thanks, Bing.
Hello Dear Sisters, Happy giving thanks month! I am so thankful that the Lord did not leave me stranded last Friday, when I was the only one that came to pray in my Mom’s In Prayer group. He was there with me, teaching me how to ask in His will and pray for the students, teachers, staff and administrators in my local schools. And to pray for the other ladies that didn’t make it. In worship this morning I was so blessed by a beautiful worship song, that I had never heard before. 🙌
I am praying for you, dear Dee, traveling mercies, anointed Word and blessings beyond measure! May the Lord send His Angels to watch over you and the ministry team, God bless!🧡🙏🧡
Thank you so much, dear Lydia!
5. Give thanks for some truth that has become clearer to you as you have matured in the wisdom the Holy Spirit sheds upon the Word. 1 Thessalonians 5: 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. I used to think that “I” needed to try harder and to do better. Leaving lots of room for guilt and shame. These verses were highlighted for me by the Holy Spirit. I thank you Lord that the changes needed in me You will bring about. I thank You for all the changes You have done in me and allowing me to rest in the fact You are faithful and will do it.
6. Read John 16:12-15
A. What stands out to you from this and why? I have much more to tell you, more than you can now bear. It just makes my heart go out to the situation and then I think as always Jesus is protecting them just as He protects me.
B. What does Jesus tell them in verse 12?I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear,
C. How will the Holy Spirit remedy that according to verse 13? He will guide you on all truth.speakimg only what He hears.
D. Whom will the Holy Spirit always glorify? Explain how this a good test to know if the wisdom we are receiving is from the Lord Jesus. I should pause if I think I have a Spirit nudging and question if Christ is glorified. If not it is flesh.
E. How do you see the Trinity in verses 14-15? The Spirit will glorify Jesus and all that the Father has belongs to Jesus. Then the Spirit will receive from Jesus. I’ve not explained it well, but it does remind me of the word you taught me, Dee perichoresis, the divine dance. Prayers you and all the ladies are knowing you are drawn into that dance.
Sunday:
1. For what can you give thanks in this last week, or in your worship service this morning?
I am so thankful that He is a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry, filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15)
These are truths that I count on and have kept my head above water.
Amen!
1. For what can you give thanks in this last week, or in your worship service this morning?
I have had a very rough day today. It began with me feeling unjoyful, although it was Cooper’s 9th birthday (!). I felt sad, lonely, and defeated with life. I asked God why it was that my relationships with people always seem to be strained. It seems so unfair. The day progressed and then it became apparent that one of our cats (our second oldest son’s cat to be clear), who has been pretty sick this week, would need to go to the vet. Ends up he needs to have something removed from his small intestine (a foreign body) to the tune of $6000! There is no way we can justify the surgery; to spend that kind of money. Just the day alone today cost us $1500. It is crazy. We will search for a less expensive surgery at a shelter or something tomorrow. Or, maybe a miracle occurs and he passes whatever it is. My guess is that he will end up being put down. Ugh, it hurts. Well, I am thankful that we do have the means to pay the bill today. Weirdly, everyone in our family went to the vet tonight to see him in case of the worst scenario (putting him down). That included Sarah and her husband (?!). After everything we have been through, those two show up? Not sure I know what to make of that…
What a hard day, Laura. A dear pet being put down is so hard. I pray for a miracle too or strength to put him out of his misery. Sometimes having dominion over the animals is hard!
Oh, Laura, what a hard day for you! Praying for God’s comfort and peace.
Prayers for God’s comfort, wisdom and peace.
Laura, isn’t it like the Lord to bring perspective to our hurting hearts and bring your whole family together in the love for a pet when they have been at odds over the love of His children. I’m praying for you, sister. Much love as you continue on this journey. May the Lord bring joy again soon.
1. This week I am thankful for so many things, but especially the Lord carrying our family, once again, through a tragic loss of another grandchild, born prematurely at 23 weeks. Truly, the Holy Spirit anointed everything, from my boys and husband gathering together to build the coffin and lift up my son who lost his first born, to the girls carrying my DIL through choosing grave clothes and a casket lining and wrapping her in their arms graveside when all she wanted was that baby boy in her arms, to the man of God chosen to give the message so literally from the word of God, leaving no room for lies from the enemy but only Peace and Truth from our Father. Lastly, the Holy Spirit pressed on me to sing the Doxology before we left graveside. Only the Lord can lead his people to praise him, though through many tears, under such circumstances. As Tim Keller says, it is a miracle of the Holy Spirit. 2. This year, for the first time in many years, the Lord lifted a burden from me which I carried only because of lies I chose to believe from the enemy. I clearly remember being in church that Sunday, and being able to sing like I haven’t in years because of the weight of that burden being lifted. Praise God for being set free from burdens.
Oh Chris — how very hard for all of you. Thankful for the miracle of the Holy Spirit.
Chris, I am so sorry for this deep grief of the death of your little one. Your testimony is strong for the power of the Holy Spirit to bring comfort and perspective to praise God even in the place of hurt. Yesterday morning at our church we dedicated the whole service to prayer for and remembering the persecuted church around the world. One of the speakers noted that even in the hardest and deepest trials of persecution that those believers somehow are able to continue to find a deep joy in Jesus and continue to give praise to God. He felt that is why they are able to endure the afflictions that come into their lives. Your family is a testimony of that. Praying God continues to bring comfort especially to your son and daughter in law. Praise God for your own being set free from a deep personal burden.
Tuesday: Part I of The Sermon
If you haven’t voted yet, today you will. Give thanks that whoever God allows to be our President, God is still in control. The book of Judges, which we just finished, certainly illustrated that. We can give thanks for a wise God who does all things well in His time.
4. Listen to the first fourteen minutes of the sermon and stop when he says “The second thing…” Then share what stands out and why. The Holy Spirit in a believer is like a slow and dawning light, revealing new things and reminding us of old things. It takes a while for us to really get it, but the sun keeps rising, getting brighter and brighter. The Holy Spirit does something to our thinking that doesn’t make sense to this world.
5. Give thanks for some truth that has become clearer to you as you have matured in the wisdom the Holy Spirit sheds upon the Word.
God’s ways are not our ways.
6. Read John 16:12-15
A. What stands out to you from this and why? The Holy Spirit is our access to the knowledge of God and it is only given at the right time.
B. What does Jesus tell them in verse 12? He has much to say to them but they can’t bear it now.
C. How will the Holy Spirit remedy that according to verse 13? The Spirit will guide them into all truth.
D. Whom will the Holy Spirit always glorify? Explain how this a good test to know if the wisdom we are receiving is from the Lord. The Holy Spirit glorifies God- we can always test our truth by whether or not it glorifies the Lord.
E. How do you see the Trinity in verses 14-15? They are one and work together as one.
Chris, what a loss you are experiencing again. Only the Trinity can carry us through times like this. He is our burden-bearer and burden-lifter. Love and prayers, dear friend.
I’m so sorry for your loss Chris. How difficult. It sounds like the service and the family coming together like that was a beautiful thing. Praying for your family. 🙏🙏♥️♥️
I am sorry for you and your family’s loss. Prayers for comfort and strength.
Chris, I’m so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family to find peace, comfort and strength from God who loves you dearly.
Thank you ALL for your kind words and prayers. It is strange to say we have experience in death and to find something good in that, but truly, the way our family came together and supported one another is just a beautiful thing. I will choose planning a wedding or graduation open house any day over a funeral for a baby, but only the Lord knows what we need. The conversations the loss of babies brings up with young children are truly priceless and I have no doubt but that the Lord will use these experiences in our family and others.
Monday
3. Read John 16:5-11
A. What first grabs you and why? The Lord, Jesus, says the disciples have not asked where he is going- they are only thinking of themselves and not his mission.
B. What does Jesus tell His disciples He is going to do that will fill them with sorrow? Go to the Father
C. Why does He tell them it is to their advantage He go away? So the Holy Spirit can come.
D. What is the first thing the Holy Spirit will convict the world of and why? Sin because they do not believe
E. How does the fact that Jesus will go to the Father after the resurrection show that our righteousness must come from Him and not from ourselves?
F. How did the cross judge and defeat Satan?
H. Give thanks for one of the three things Jesus tells the disciples are about to be accomplished. Make it personal. For example, I would say, for the second thing: “I am so thankful that I am not responsible for my own salvation, but that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the fact that You did it, and it is finished!”
Amen! It is finished.
Dee, Praying for God’s blessings on your travels and the time of ministry and reconnecting as you celebrate with Discipleship Unlimited.
Monday: John 16:5-11 – Curing Spiritual Blindness
2. Give thanks, if possible, for a time when you saw this transformation in another and it put you in awe. Or, give thanks for a way He opened your eyes.
—For me it was last March when my Daughter-in-law had her accident and while she was unconscious God spoke to her and have her the choice to accept Him or remain in her own stubborn darkness of alcoholism and hate. She chose Him and He set her free. She was then healed spiritually, physically from serious injuries and from her desire to drink. Now today 9 months later she remains free and makes it her priority to be in God’s Word everyday. I can’t praise Him enough for her transformation. I thank Him and praise him and I still am in awe.
Amazing, indeed, Bev!
Huge God Hunt, Bev!
3. Read John 16:5-11
A. What first grabs you and why?
—The fact that in verse 8 it says when the Holy Spirit comes he convicts the world of its sin and of God’s righteousness. The comparison is stark between the two. Verse 9 says the world’s sin is unbelief. It takes the work of the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of the sinner to see God Himself as the righteous God he is.
Our hope is in that righteousness and it is available to me and to all who will believe.
B. What does Jesus tell His disciples He is going to do that will fill them with sorrow?
—In the previous chapter 15 and the beginning of 16 Jesus has told them hard things that are going to happen and in verse 1 he says “I have told you these things” and then in verse 5 says “you grieve because of what I’ve told you”. I think the final blow was He told them he was going away.
C. Why does He tell them it is to their advantage He go away?
—Because by his going away it opens the door for Him to send the Holy Spirit Who is the Advocate and who in the notes of my Bible explains the name Advocate to mean Comforter, or Encourager, or Counselor. The Greek reads Paraclete which means One who comes along side.
D. What is the first thing the Holy Spirit will convict the world of and why?
—Of its sin of unbelief which reveals its need of God’s righteousness which brings judgment on the sin of unbelief.
E. How does the fact that Jesus will go to the Father after the resurrection show that our righteousness must come from Him and not from ourselves?
—Jesus was accepted by the Father because of his own perfect righteousness which was accepted at the Cross. And it is only because of and through Jesus’s righteousness that we can come to God the Father.
F. How did the cross judge and defeat Satan?
—Because the Cross defeated death and took away the condemnation of sin by making a way back to God through Jesus. Sin lots its power to separate and kill.
H. Give thanks for one of the three things Jesus tells the disciples are about to be accomplished. Make it personal. For example, I would say, for the second thing: “I am so thankful that I am not responsible for my own salvation, but that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the fact that You did it, and it is finished!”
—Father, I thank you for the beautiful righteousness that is mine because of Jesus’s death on the Cross. Because I believe and have placed my faith in Him I no longer live under condemnation from my sin. What wonderful truth!
Thank you, Jesus.
2. Give thanks, if possible, for a time when you saw this transformation in another and it put you in awe. Or, give thanks for a way He opened your eyes.
Thank You Lord, for opening my eyes and heart to see the importance of taking delight in Your word. For leading me to Dee’s blog where I have learned the value of putting Your word into action and allowing it to continually transform me from the inside out. Thank You for not giving up on me and for Your undeserved grace in my life. May I always keep before me who You are in me, what You have done in my life and as it says in Psalm 136 repeatedly…”His faithful love endures forever.”
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Dee and her willingness to reach the lives of women in prison for You. Please give her safety in traveling and may she be greatly used by You in furthering Your kingdom for Your glory. Amen🙏
Amen to your post, Sharon!
Thanks so much, Sharon!
1. Give thanks, if possible, for a time when you saw this transformation in another and it put you in awe. Or, give thanks for a way He opened your eyes.
Because I remember the awe many in our start-up Philippines church saw in him, my friend, Toto Yap’s story will be told here. Toto was a philandering, cussing, and beer-drinking Chinese businessman when we first met him. He happened to meet Rev. Charles Miller, a church planter (and later our pastor), then at a gathering. During that first meeting, Rev. Miller shared the gospel with him. Intrigued, he started attending our weekly Bible Study. To our great surprise and joy, he came in one day and shared how he had accepted Jesus Christ. He told us of a dream he had where several of us were crying because he was headed to hell! And he was so grieved about that dream, that he talked to Rev. Miller and after several meetings, accepted Christ. The transformation in him was a joy to watch; he reconciled with his wife and daughter, and he became a regular attendee and later a member of our church until he passed away. His daughter and granddaughter who were once very resistant accepted Christ as well. I think often of him and how the Lord was gracious to him and his family. Thank you, Lord, for saving my good friend, Toto, and his family.
Wonderful testimony of Toto’s salvation and then there is generational change to have 2 descendants be reached.
Wow!!!
2. Give thanks, if possible, for a time when you saw this transformation in another and it put you in awe. Or, give thanks for a way He opened your eyes.
Thank You Lord, for opening the eyes of my sweet dental hygienist, Patti.
Raised Catholic, she was far from God due to all the rules. She found The Chosen and she is hooked on Jesus now! Love it.
3. Read John 16:5-11
A. What first grabs you and why?
They are grieving because Jesus is leaving. I am struck with this because I have thought so much about the grands maybe leaving. And now our cat may be leaving also.
B. What does Jesus tell His disciples He is going to do that will fill them with sorrow?
Leave them.
C. Why does He tell them it is to their advantage He go away?
So the Spirit could come.
D. What is the first thing the Holy Spirit will convict the world of and why?
The Holy Spirit will convict them of their sin, God’s righteousness and Judgment Day.
2. Give thanks, if possible, for a time when you saw this transformation in another and it put you in awe. Or, give thanks for a way He opened your eyes. I give you thanks, Lord, for the Kairos ministry and Rescue Mission in our area. I thank You for the wonderful testimonies of how You reach down and set people free and put them on a better life changing path. “This is the LORD’s doing and it is wonderful to see.”
Keller divides John 16:5-15 into two parts, so we will as well, listening to him in two parts too.
3. Read John 16:5-11
A. What first grabs you and why? That Jesus was going away and they will see me no longer. What a hard statement for the disciples to hear that they would see Jesus no longer. They were dependent on Him and now He was leaving them.
B. What does Jesus tell His disciples He is going to do that will fill them with sorrow? He was going away
C. Why does He tell them it is to their advantage He go away? That He will send the Advocate to them
D. What is the first thing the Holy Spirit will convict the world of and why? Sin because the world doesn’t believe in Him.
This so reminds me of my pickleball friend Marty who didn’t think she was a sinner, so stopped coming to Bible study. But while riding her bike, the Lord showed her she was a sinner and thus needed a Savior. She came running in late to Bible study to tell us! I still remember her face — radiant, transformed!
E. How does the fact that Jesus will go to the Father after the resurrection show that our righteousness must come from Him and not from ourselves? Jesus was sinless, paid the price for sin and was welcomed home by the Father. I could never pay the price for all my ongoing sin and would be separated from God.
How did the cross judge and defeat Satan? Because though Jesus died on the cross for my sin, He was reunited with the Father. Death did not keep Him in the grave.
H. Give thanks for one of the three things Jesus tells the disciples are about to be accomplished. Make it personal. For example, I would say, for the second thing: “I am so thankful that I am not responsible for my own salvation, but that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the fact that You did it, and it is finished!” Jesus, thank You for the Holy Spirit for the leading, guiding and course correction He provides. I’d be lost without this in my life.
Keller divides John 16:5-15 into two parts, so we will as well, listening to him in two parts too.
3. Read John 16:5-11
A. What first grabs you and why?
“I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, but now..”
Jesus was so patient with the disciples in their cluelessness or naivete. So is He with me. He will reveal to me what He thinks I can handle at the time, and it is always for my good.
B. What does Jesus tell His disciples He is going to do that will fill them with sorrow?
That He was going away.
C. Why does He tell them it is to their advantage He go away?
The Advocate will not come unless Jesus goes away.
D. What is the first thing the Holy Spirit will convict the world of and why?
This so reminds me of my pickleball friend Marty who didn’t think she was a sinner, so stopped coming to Bible study. But while riding her bike, the Lord showed her she was a sinner and thus needed a Savior. She came running in late to Bible study to tell us! I still remember her face — radiant, transformed!
The Holy Spirit will convict the world to be in the wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment.
E. How does the fact that Jesus will go to the Father after the resurrection show that our righteousness must come from Him and not from ourselves?
Jesus had to satisfy the payment for God’s wrath on sin and Jesus paid for it through the cross. His resurrection brought Him to the Father’s side, and He continually intercedes on our behalf.
F. How did the cross judge and defeat Satan?
The death of Jesus on the cross conquered Death once and for all.
H. Give thanks for one of the three things Jesus tells the disciples are about to be accomplished. Make it personal. For example, I would say, for the second thing: “I am so thankful that I am not responsible for my own salvation, but that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the fact that You did it, and it is finished!”
I go to Romans 8:1 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Thank you, Jesus, for making me righteous before the Father through your death on the cross.
If you haven’t voted yet, today you will. Give thanks that whoever God allows to be our President, God is still in control. The book of Judges, which we just finished, certainly illustrated that. We can give thanks for a wise God who does all things well in His time. Amen.
4. Listen to the first fourteen minutes of the sermon and stop when he says “The second thing…” Then share what stands out and why. We don’t realize how truly sinful we are and deny or rationalize our sin. We need the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin. The last 2 days He has convicted me that I look forward to watching tv over having restful time with the Lord.
E. How does the fact that Jesus will go to the Father after the resurrection show that our righteousness must come from Him and not from ourselves?
I’m not sure about this question. The fact there was a resurrection showed that someone else was in control, not us!
F. How did the cross judge and defeat Satan?
Satan was not in control? He had no power over Jesus/God.
H. Give thanks for one of the three things Jesus tells the disciples are about to be accomplished. Make it personal. For example, I would say, for the second thing: “I am so thankful that I am not responsible for my own salvation, but that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the fact that You did it, and it is finished!”
Thank You Lord, for giving me such a great faith in You! I surprise myself sometimes about how loyal I can be to someone/something. It is crazy! I don’t give up easily. I like that about myself. Thank you. In Your Holy Name. Amen.
I am thankful that Paige decided to study the Judges before our election process. It was eye opening to me, even though I didn’t actually make it through all of the study. Dee, you are right; God is in control now matter what happens today. I love You Lord. Thank You for loving me. Amen.
Our kitty will have surgery today (hopefully) if his vitals are good. It’s been a long 2 days. Thank you for prayers. 🙏♥️
4. Listen to the first fourteen minutes of the sermon and stop when he says “The second thing…” Then share what stands out and why.
The fact that the Holy Spirit is necessary to be fulfilled in Christ is hard to understand. I have long desired to have been “a fly on the wall” when Jesus was alive. To be able to see the things the disciples saw, I have thought, would be amazing. Yet, they didn’t “get” it. It seems strange that they didn’t since they were there! Keller says they needed the Holy Spirit to completely understand. I’m still confounded about this. Sure, the Holy Spirit is near, I think, yet often times I feel so alone. I have had those times when I have been touched, the phone call when our son disappeared, those “kisses from the King,” etc. but, Lord help my disbelief!
PERHAPS PAIGE CHOSE JUDGES BECAUSE OF THE UPCOMING ELECTION!
GOOD NEWS ABOUT KITTY.
Tuesday: Part I of The Sermon
4. Listen to the first fourteen minutes of the sermon and stop when he says “The second thing…” Then share what stands out and why.
-Keller’s point that there is no cure for the blindness of the human race without the HS. We are spiritually lost without Him. He says we are clueless without the Holy Spirit. It is such a good reminder of my true heart’s need. I won’t ever see or get anything spiritually without the Holy Spirit showing me and giving me understanding.
3. Read John 16:5-11
A. What first grabs you and why?
Verse 10 grabbed me…”Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see Me no more.”
I thank Jesus for His obedience. Because of His sacrifice I am made righteous.
B. What does Jesus tell His disciples He is going to do that will fill them with sorrow?
I think they’re grieving because of what He told them in the previous verses. They will be expelled from the synagogues and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. He tells them these things so they won’t abandon their faith and because He is going away.
C. Why does He tell them it is to their advantage He go away?
If He doesn’t go away the Advocate/Holy Spirit won’t come, but if He does go away, then He will send Him to them.
D. What is the first thing the Holy Spirit will convict the world of and why?
Sin. So they will see their need for a Savior, know about righteousness and coming judgement.
E. How does the fact that Jesus will go to the Father after the resurrection show that our righteousness must come from Him and not from ourselves?
He was the perfect sacrifice and because of His work on the cross He became righteousness for us.
F. How did the cross judge and defeat Satan?
Christ’s obedience of going to the cross disarmed and defeated Satan and through that the Holy Spirit was sent to help believers have victory until the ultimate destruction of Satan on the day of judgement.
(This was a challenging question for me🤦🏻♀️)
H. Give thanks for one of the three things Jesus tells the disciples are about to be accomplished. Make it personal. For example, I would say, for the second thing: “I am so thankful that I am not responsible for my own salvation, but that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the fact that You did it, and it is finished!”
I am thankful that He sent us the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Counselor and Strengthener so that I can get through each day, each trial and temptation.
You answered the challenging question superbly!
Monday: John 16:5-11 – Curing Spiritual Blindness
2. Give thanks, if possible, for a time when you saw this transformation in another and it put you in awe. Or, give thanks for a way He opened your eyes. – My friend Dawn, who is a newer believer is so touched by the Holy Spirit and the sermons she hears at church, or the songs the worship team sings. She convicts herself so much when she doesn’t do something she feels she should. She feels she disappoints God when she doesn’t. It warms my heart to see the love for God she has. To get back to this ‘childlike faith’ would be so refreshing. I need to feel that deep down love for God all the time, not just when things are going bad, and I cry out to him because I know that He walks beside in those times. But I need to have this feeling also in the times of plenty and shout out to everyone that it is because of God.
Keller divides John 16:5-15 into two parts, so we will as well, listening to him in two parts too.
3. Read John 16:5-11
A. What first grabs you and why? – John the Baptist set the way for Jesus, Jesus set the way for the Holy Spirit. The world is not being judge by a physical, human being, but by the Holy Spirit. If Jesus was still on the earth and judging, people I think would just consider him another unhappy, nonconforming person. But with the Holy Spirit judging the world, it makes it more mysterious and more of a way for people to stop and think of what really happened.
B. What does Jesus tell His disciples He is going to do that will fill them with sorrow? – He was going to be leaving them and going to the One who sent him.
C. Why does He tell them it is to their advantage He go away? – If he doesn’t go away the Helper would not be able to come to them.
D. What is the first thing the Holy Spirit will convict the world of and why? – How timely is this question. He will convict them of all things that concern sin.
This so reminds me of my pickleball friend Marty who didn’t think she was a sinner, so stopped coming to Bible study. But while riding her bike, the Lord showed her she was a sinner and thus needed a Savior. She came running in late to Bible study to tell us! I still remember her face — radiant, transformed!
E. How does the fact that Jesus will go to the Father after the resurrection show that our righteousness must come from Him and not from ourselves? – He’s going in our place, he died for us and took on our sin so when we do leave this earth, we are free to go to the Father and sit among him. If Jesus didn’t take this on, and we died, our sins would still be with us and would not allow us to have the freedom of sitting with our Heavenly Father.
F. How did the cross judge and defeat Satan? – Satan is of this world, so he is included in being judged by the Holy Spirit. Satan is the ringleader of all sin. He comes to divide and confuse people. Once Jesus died on the cross for our sins, Satan’s worth was diminished.
H. Give thanks for one of the three things Jesus tells the disciples are about to be accomplished. Make it personal. For example, I would say, for the second thing: “I am so thankful that I am not responsible for my own salvation, but that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the fact that You did it, and it is finished!” – I am so grateful that God loved me enough from the beginning that he chose me to be His heir, that he knew I couldn’t be free from my sin without Jesus, so he sent is only Son down to wipe them away. And because of Jesus I’m free.
I agree on that first love childlike faith. So wonderful.
Tuesday: Part I of The Sermon
If you haven’t voted yet, today you will. Give thanks that whoever God allows to be our President, God is still in control. The book of Judges, which we just finished, certainly illustrated that. We can give thanks for a wise God who does all things well in His time.
1. Listen to the first fourteen minutes of the sermon and stop when he says “The second thing…” Then share what stands out and why.
It is always humbling to be reminded that when my eyes are opened to the truth it is not my own doing but by the Holy Spirit. This week has been a frenzy (ugh…my own doing) of figuring out what to do with a perceived serious issue at work. Instead of fully relying on Jesus, I have been “leaning on my understanding”. Then, finally, God brought me to a breaking point of mental exhaustion, and tears, and asked God to help me. I was convicted of my pride and self-love. God also used my husband to bring me back to the truth of God’s character and His purposes for my life. And I am thankful that the Holy Spirit got a hold of me in time and God has shown me grace and mercy once again.
Tuesday: Part I of The Sermon
If you haven’t voted yet, today you will. Give thanks that whoever God allows to be our President, God is still in control. The book of Judges, which we just finished, certainly illustrated that. We can give thanks for a wise God who does all things well in His time. – God is in control and will judge where judgement is needed. We just need to sit back, after voting, and wait for His glory to shine.
4. Listen to the first fourteen minutes of the sermon and stop when he says “The second thing…” Then share what stands out and why. – We are so focused on everyone else’s sins/faults, that we are blinded to our own. We think that having a relationship with Jesus gives a pass from doing wrong. It doesn’t. We sin, just like everyone else does, the only difference, well it should be a difference, is that when we do sin, we should be convicted by it and run with a repentive heart to Jesus and ask for his forgiveness and to help us to not sin again. But this new vision comes from the Holy Spirit we won’t see our blindness without him.
Great answer to 4, Julie.
Wednesday: John 16:12-15: A Slow and Dawning Light
5. Give thanks for some truth that has become clearer to you as you have matured in the wisdom the Holy Spirit sheds upon the Word. – God is sovereign and is faithful to fulfill His promises. He is in control of all things on earth.
6. Read John 16:12-15
A. What stands out to you from this and why? – God does not expect us to know and understand his whole Word all at once. He know that we will absorb only certain things. What we need to know at the time, He will bring to light for us. His meaning and our understanding will line up.
B. What does Jesus tell them in verse 12? – He has many things to tell them still, but they cannot bear them right then.
C. How will the Holy Spirit remedy that according to verse 13? – He will guide them into the truth that is to come when he hears it.
D. Whom will the Holy Spirit always glorify? Explain how this a good test to know if the wisdom we are receiving is from the Lord. – He will glorify Jesus. The test I think would be that what is being said or brought to us in thought would be the same as what Jesus would be saying. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus by being his ‘twin’ so to speak. His actions and thoughts will be those of Jesus, just being revealed to us through the Holy Spirit that follows.
E. How do you see the Trinity in verses 14-15? – The Father gave the Son all he has, the Son took care of all he was given, and now is handing it all over to the Holy Spirit. Three in One from the beginning.
Wednesday: John 16:12-15: A Slow and Dawning Light
5. Give thanks for some truth that has become clearer to you as you have matured in the wisdom the Holy Spirit sheds upon the Word.
I thank God for his deep and abiding love for me. I was a long time coming to understand and really believe how much God loves me. I find great security in that truth.
1 John 4:16
”So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.“
6. Read John 16:12-15
A. What stands out to you from this and why?
—In this passage we see the beauty of the Trinity of God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit communicating and working together so as to guide us and show us his truth.
B. What does Jesus tell them in verse 12?
—He said He had so much more he wanted to tell them but it was more than they could handle.
C. How will the Holy Spirit remedy that according to verse 13?
—The Holy Spirit’s work was to guide them into truth and assure them of future happenings.
D. Whom will the Holy Spirit always glorify?
—Jesus, always Jesus.
Explain how this a good test to know if the wisdom we are receiving is from the Lord.
—The leading of the Holy Spirit is always based on the truths from the God’s Word, the Bible and always honors Jesus.
E. How do you see the Trinity in verses 14-15?
—The Holy Spirit glorifies and honors Jesus by speaking what pertains to Jesus and all that belongs to the Father belongs to Jesus. Truth is at the heart of all that is declared to us from God the Father, through Jesus the Son by the Holy Spirit.
I think many of us are a long time understanding the depth of His love.
Thursday and Friday: Finish The Sermon
7. Share what stands out and why.
—His explaining what glory means and particularly the 2nd aspect of glory that means Jesus is glorious in light and beauty. And in his beauty He is attractive to me and I grow deeper into his love. I rejoice in his love. He said the love of Jesus goes deeper into our souls than anything else can. Above and beyond all other loves. There was a richness to what Keller was teaching us there about the glorifying work of the Holy Spirit. It is deeply personal and beautiful. It made me love and want Him more. And it satisfied something in my soul that puts all other loves into perspective. They are either less important or they are richer because of Him.
Bev, I thought that was good too. Love your answer here.
Tuesday: Part I of The Sermon
4. Listen to the first fourteen minutes of the sermon and stop when he says “The second thing…” Then share what stands out and why.
The Gospel/scripture is not understood without the Holy Spirit. I have thought many times that my faith would be stronger if only I’d seen Jesus and what He did while on this earth…Keller completely debunks that thinking with the truth that the disciples were under Jesus’s teaching and they were still clueless/without understanding. Several years ago Jim was teaching a study on the book of 1 Corinthians and there were people in that study group that argued with what the Bible was saying (not what Jim was saying)! He realized that they did so because they didn’t have the Holy Spirit to give them understanding…quite an eye opener when you think you’re teaching Spirit-filled Christians. It was a lesson in never assume where your audience is spiritually.
I’m amazed at how I can have read the Bible or a specific verse and not think anything of it, and then the next time I read it, I’m wowed.
Love to think of that teenager I remember teaching the Bible.
That is so true, Sharon. I need to remember this when I am leading a Bible Study group.
Wednesday: John 16:12-15: A Slow and Dawning Light
The Holy Spirit in a believer is like a slow and dawning light, revealing new things and reminding us of old things. It takes a while for us to really get it, but the sun keeps rising, getting brighter and brighter.Love the above picture that illustrates this so well.
5. Give thanks for some truth that has become clearer to you as you have matured in the wisdom the Holy Spirit sheds upon the Word.
I thank the Lord that His faithfulness endures forever.
6. Read John 16:12-15
A. What stands out to you from this and why?
The fact that He has so much more to tell them but they couldn’t bear it then. God in His love only reveals to me what He knows I can bear.
B. What does Jesus tell them in verse 12?
”There is much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.”
C. How will the Holy Spirit remedy that according to verse 13?
He will guide them into all truth, not speak on His own, but tell them what He has heard and tell them about the future.
D. Whom will the Holy Spirit always glorify? Explain how this a good test to know if the wisdom we are receiving is from the Lord.
Jesus. Abiding in His Word.
E. How do you see the Trinity in verses 14-15?
The Holy Spirit, Jesus and the Father all work together in revealing the truth.
Thursday and Friday: Finish The Sermon
7. Share what stands out and why.
His explanation of what glory means…”it’s of great importance/weight and has a sense of brilliance, which means attractiveness.” He goes on to say that glorifying Jesus doesn’t just mean you believe in Him in some general way but, “have His importance and His beauty explode in your inner being and change the way in which you think, feel and live.” What He thinks of me has to be more importance than anything else…my desires/self-absorptions or what others think of me/criticism’s and that will allow His beauty to be displayed in my life, my inner being. My word for this year is “abide,” and I think this is the key to glorifying Jesus…the one who abides in Him and He in them bears much fruit. It’s in the fruit that He is seen in us.
Sharon, love this. So important to put God’s judgement of us before anyone else.
Thursday and Friday: Finish The Sermon
7. Share what stands out and why. – There’s so much in this second half. What stood out the most was that in order for me to truly know Jesus and His Ways, I need to accept the Holy Spirit completely. Not just a yeah, there’s a Holy Spirit, but to accept the Holy Spirit into my life like I accepted Jesus into my life. I will not know true righteousness without the Holy Spirit. I need to become the twin of the Trinity. I need to know what their next step, their thought and their action like it was my own.
Kitty is recovering! Surgery was free due to a grant in our local county! That helps so much.
5. Give thanks for some truth that has become clearer to you as you have matured in the wisdom the Holy Spirit sheds upon the Word.
Thank You Lord for helping me understand why I need You and not my idols. Before, as a younger person, I had no idea about idols. Thanks to Dee and others, I now know, and I have the ability to change my attitude about my life. I am FREE! It’s You I need, nothing else!
6. Read John 16:12-15
A. What stands out to you from this and why?
The Spirit is important. I think my idea of the Spirit is casual, like “yeah, whatever.” I definitely have not given the Spirt the respect I should! Probably because it’s an abstract concept that I really don’t know if I understand.
B. What does Jesus tell them in verse 12?
They are only getting the information they can handle right at that moment. He has more to say but doesn’t want to overwhelm them.
C. How will the Holy Spirit remedy that according to verse 13?
The Spirit will guide them and tell them what they need to know.
D. Whom will the Holy Spirit always glorify? Explain how this a good test to know if the wisdom we are receiving is from the Lord.
The Holy Spirit will always glorify the Son. I don’t know if I understand the second part of the question. I suppose that if the idea I am wondering about glorifies Jesus, then the wisdom I receive is from the Holy Spirit.
E. How do you see the Trinity in verses 14-15?
Jesus says He and the Holy Spirit are connected and in contact. He also says that He and the Father are one.
Wonderful news about Kitty…God never ceases to amaze in how He answers prayer and loves us so.
Amen. So glad about Kitty and another sign of His love for you, Laura.
Saturday: Reflecting
8. What will you remember from this week? How will you allow it to empower you? – God has given us His Word and through it, it tells me how I should be living a righteous life. But I can’t do that without first accepting how much of a major factor the Trinity is in my life. I need the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, not just bits and pieces of the three, but all of them. I need to not just see the power in them, but the brilliance as well. The Bible is the Whole Word, it wasn’t given to us in bits and pieces, we accept it all and live by it, or none at all and take chances on the outcome of our lives.
9. Give thanks for what the Lord has shown you and ask Him how He would have apply it. – Lord, thank you for your Word. Help me to accept all of you, the Trinity, and all of your Word. Help me Lord too, to be able to use your Word to glorify you and bring others to see your brilliance and glory. I don’t want to be out of your will Lord, so please guide me back on your path, when I fall off into the ditch beside it. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
The Holy Spirit in a believer is like a slow and dawning light, revealing new things and reminding us of old things. It takes a while for us to really get it, but the sun keeps rising, getting brighter and brighter.
1. Give thanks for some truth that has become clearer to you as you have matured in the wisdom the Holy Spirit sheds upon the Word.
Thank you, Lord, for letting me see the applicability of “wearing” the armor of God. Putting on the belt of truth daily has countered the pessimistic disposition of my heart. Thank you, Holy Spirit.
6. Read John 16:12-15
A. What stands out to you from this and why?
The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. Just a comfort that He is available 24/7 to us.
B. What does Jesus tell them in verse 12?
He has a lot more to say but they will not be able to bear it.
C. How will the Holy Spirit remedy that according to verse 13?
He will guide us into all truth and He will speak on behalf of Jesus.
D. Whom will the Holy Spirit always glorify? Explain how this a good test to know if the wisdom we are receiving is from the Lord.
E. How do you see the Trinity in verses 14-15?
The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus and will make known what the Father has given to the Son.
Saturday: Reflecting
8. What will you remember from this week? How will you allow it to empower you?
—How richly I am loved by my God and Savior. And how powerful Christ’s righteousness is to consume and dispel my unrighteousness as he stands before God the Father.
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,”
1 Peter 3:18
Keller said something very significant. “The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to come into our lives and glorify Jesus.” And in doing so he also said “The ministry of the Holy Spirit in glorifying Jesus can heal any wound.”
It prompts me to want to bask in the beauty of Christ’s love and righteousness so that I let Him bring healing to my wounds and then I reflect only Him.
9. Give thanks for what the Lord has shown you and ask Him how He would have apply it.
Thank you Lord for the depth and power of your love in my life.
Thank you that your righteousness is my righteousness.
Thank you for the wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus in my life.
I praise You for the beauty of Who you are!
1. For what can you give thanks in this last week, or in your worship service this morning? Our church celebrated it’s 13th anniversary this past Sunday with a Thanksgiving dinner after church. There were more people this week than we have had since pre-Covid. Our church almost sold the building to another church in 2021 because there weren’t enough people to keep it going. I’m thankful that our church is thriving and new people are coming to Christ.
Rare in these times and wonderful!
I love this picture of the Holy Spirit in our church!
https://share.icloud.com/photos/018qdbix_-WV4PD7N1xjsyagg
Writing to you from Texas — today is our Jubilee celebration for 50 years with Discipleship Unlimited at a big church here. So many here, ex in-mated, many well-known people — rich and poor, male and female, many races — all one in Christ Jesus.– appreciate your prayers.
Tomorrow more celebrating in the prisons
I’ve been praying for your weekend and everyone who attends.
How beautiful, Dee! Thanks for giving us this report.
Sweet answers to prayers, Dee. Thank you, Lord!
7. Share what stands out and why.
When Something is glorious, it conveys its importance, weight, brilliance, and beauty. When you’re in love with Jesus, the Holy Spirit reveals His beauty, and you are no longer attracted to other things. Know Jesus in your head and make it real in your heart. Make Jesus beautiful in you and fall in love with Him; not just a play in your emotions but to instruct your mind.
I love the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice. It is a beauty to behold the progress of love between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Against all odds, their minds and hearts finally found true love. This may be such a whisper of a reflection of the love we can have with Christ but I saw a parallel.
Saturday: Reflecting
8. What will you remember from this week? How will you allow it to empower you?
The Holy Spirit is the revealer of God’s love for me. And when does it, I cannot but help to fall more in love with Jesus. I shall think of the Holy Spirit in a more personal way and live a life that is cognizant of His presence daily. What a love!
9. Give thanks for what the Lord has shown you and ask Him how He would have apply it.
Thank you, Lord, for the thirst that you put in me to long for you instead of what the world has to offer. Thank you for the forever presence of the Holy Spirit in me, guiding and revealing your glory. Help me “to see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly; day by day.”