The Ministry of the Spirit to the World

Transcript

GR 400
5/10/1981
The Ministry of the Spirit to the World
John 16:8-11
Gil Rugh

John chapter 16 in your Bibles, John's Gospel and the 16th chapter. Jesus is in the process of closing His discussion with the disciples the evening before His crucifixion. Chapter 16 is in effect the close of this discourse that He has been carrying on with the disciples from chapter 13. Chapter 17 contains His high priestly prayer on behalf of the disciples, but His actual ministry to the disciples in instructing them and teaching them to prepare them for the coming events, concludes in chapter 16. At the end of chapter 15 and in to chapter 16 He has been talking with them about the rejection that they will experience after He is gone. That they will be the ones that bear the brunt of the rejection of the world, of the persecution and hatred that will be manifested to Him by those that do not believe. And since He himself will not be present bodily on earth any longer, those who represent Him on earth, those who have come to believe on Him will become the object and focal point of the world's hatred and animosity.

In the opening verses of chapter 16 Jesus said that He has informed them of this so that they will not be caused to stumble when it happens. That we as His children, as believers in Jesus Christ ought not to be surprised when the world rejects us, when the people of the world turn against us because of the message we proclaim concerning salvation through the finished work of Jesus Christ alone. We noted in verse 2 of chapter 16 that religious people will be in the forefront of the opposition and persecution. For the Jews it will be the Jewish leaders, they will be excommunicated from the synagogues and so on. People don't mind if we're religious, the world does not mind religion. What the world cannot stand is being told that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. That you must believe that the Son of God died on a cross to pay the penalty for your sins, and that alone provides salvation. All religious activity and form is incidental, it has nothing to do with bringing a man into a right relationship with God. When that message is proclaimed religious people are offended and so the animosity manifested itself.

Down in verses 5 and 6 Jesus has spoken to them regarding the problem that none of them is asking Him 'Where are You going?'. 'But because He has told them these things' in verse 6, 'sorrow has filled your hearts'. We noted that the problems that the disciples were facing was that their eyes were focused in the wrong place. They were considering themselves, the problems that they had to confront, the difficulties that rested upon them and their real interest should have been in Jesus Christ. Where is He going? What is He going to accomplish by going? So an adjustment needs to be made. Sorrow has filled their hearts because their eyes are focused upon the problems that they will face rather than the victory that Jesus Christ will be accomplishing.

In verse 7, 'I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away'. Everything that God does is for the advantage and good of His children. We noted Romans chapter 8:28 'God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purposes.' So here what advantage could there be that their master, their Lord be crucified, that they become the object of persecution, scorn, rejection, humiliation. In the midst of it all Jesus says 'it's to your advantage that I go away'. The reason, 'if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.' The Holy Spirit will be provided and take up a unique ministry in the life of every single person who believes in Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God Himself will come and take up residence within the child of God. Here is the enablement, the power, the strength to bear the rejection, to bear the humiliation, to proclaim Jesus Christ in power. So it will be a unique, special ministry. And Jesus says the disciples will benefit from it. It is beneficial that He go to the Father so that the Spirit can come.

Now what He's going to do in verses 8-15 is discuss the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Comforter, that One who comes to believer to give aid and help in every way. What is His ministry going to be? It's two-fold. Verses 8-11 He talks about the ministry of the Spirit to the world. And then in verses 12-15 He talks about the ministry of the Spirit to the child of God.
So a two-fold distinction in the ministry that the Spirit of God is going to carry on. A ministry to the world and a ministry to the child of God. We're going to focus our attention in our study today on the ministry of the Spirit of God to the world. Then in our next study we'll look at the ministry of the Spirit of God to the believer.

Note verse 8 'And He when He comes', and just note here the emphasis on the personality of the Holy Spirit. 'He, when He comes' and this is unusual because the word Spirit is neuter in the Greek language and would usually take a neuter pronoun 'it', but grammatically it's not actually correct here. But it is correct in the fact that the Holy Spirit is a person, 'And He when He comes'. The Holy Spirit is not just an influence, not just a power but He is actually a person just like God the Father is, just like Jesus Christ is. He is a person and when He, the Holy Spirit comes, He will convict the world concerning sin, concerning righteousness, concerning judgment. A ministry of convicting the world. That word 'world' is an important word in John's gospel. We've talked about several key words in John's gospel like life and light and love and faith. One of the most often used words, maybe the most often used,
I didn't count and compare, is the word 'world', the word 'cosmos'. We use it in English all of the time, this 'cosmos'. It means world, it's used 78 times in John's gospel. If you add all of John's writings together, his epistle, his first epistle, he uses it 23 times. All together John in his writings uses the word 'world' 105 times. Now all the rest of the New Testament only uses the word about 80 times (83 times). So John uses it many more times than all the rest of the New Testament writers together. It's a key concept and idea in his writings. I thought I'd just note with you something of what the significance of the word 'world' is and something of its development. So we have in our mind what John is talking about when he talks about the world and the Spirit is going to convict the world. The word originally meant an ornament, an adornment. It's used one time in the New Testament this way, Peter uses it. Let me just read you from I Peter chapter 3, verse 3, 'Let not your adornment' there's our word, 'be merely external- braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, putting on of clothing.' 'Adornment' it was the original concept and idea in the word. We get the word cosmetic from this word, cosmetics are those things which you adorn yourself with. Then it came to mean order or arrangement or the beauty that came out of an orderly arrangement. You put your cosmetics on, you put things in orderly arrangement. It's amazing the difference. You know you get up in the morning it's a catastrophe and when all is said and done it looks good. So the adornment that takes place. Then it came to be used of the material universe because the material universe has an orderliness to it. A pattern or arrangement, a beauty that flows out of its order and orderliness. So then it was used of the material universe, the material world. It's used this way many times in scripture. We won't take time to look at passages like that but many times it's referring to the physical world. The earth, the stars, this creation.

Then it came, this is where we move into where John's focal point is, to the realm where man dwells. So we're talking about the universe and this world, but primarily as the dwelling place of man, man's residence. Then it comes to mean the people themselves reside in this material world. So you see, the concept, the idea here, you'll have all of the physical conditions. It started out with those things which were orderly in the physical world. Then focusing in particularly on the earth and actual created things in the world and on a particular aspect of this orderly arrangement of the world, humanity, mankind. So we talk about the world of mankind, the world of humanity. Now, important here, here's where John's focal point is. It comes to denote that aspect of mankind or humanity which is in opposition to God. Because this world, we talk about this world system viewed in scripture as being in opposition to God. So you see now I've taken on a personal note, not just talking about the world as far as the ground or the grass that grows. But now as having personal activity. The people who reside in this orderly creation who have set themselves in opposition to the creator of this world. Look back in John 15 verse 18, where Jesus said, 'If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.' You know the word 'world' there has the concept of personal beings in opposition to God. Manifesting personal hatred to the Son of God, a personal hatred to those who are the children of God. Christ has chosen us out of the world we are no longer identified with those people who set themselves in opposition to God, even though we still reside on this physical earth, this physical planet, that we also call the world. But John is zeroing in on that aspect of the world, it is of particular significance the people of the world who are set in opposition to God. We'll see this word will come up repeatedly as we get into chapter 17 as well. One passage, jot it down I John chapter 5 verse 19. A good study for you, take your concordance and just look through the passages that use the word world. And focus in particularly on John and look through his gospel and look through his epistle. Note I John 5:19, 'We know that we are of God', we who have come to believe in Jesus Christ, this is what he's been talking about in the context, those who have eternal life, those who believe in the name of the Son of God. Note the contrast, 'we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.' So we are the children of God but all the world lies under the control and domination of Satan. Now they’re dealing primarily with the people of the world who have not come to believe. They're under the authority and rule of Satan. A contrast clearly made there by John.

Now come back then to John 16 and Jesus says 'and He,' the Holy Spirit, 'when He comes, will convict the world'. He's focusing in on His ministry to these who lie under the authority and power of the evil one. John 8, Jesus said to the religious leaders, 'You are of your father the Devil'. They were those who were under the control and domination of the evil one. Now the Spirit will carry on a ministry to the world of conviction. Important word, the Spirit will convict the world. It's a legal term used in the cross examination of a witness in a courtroom scene. Let me note you what some commentators, lexicons have said about this particular word. It means to cross examine for the purpose of convincing or refuting an opponent, especially used in legal proceedings. To cross examine for the purpose of convincing or refuting an opponent. Insistent this idea of cross examination. A man on trial, an opponent in a debate. Always this idea of cross examining to cause to see the force of your argument. It means to bring to the light, to expose, to refute, to convict. You see there is a breadth to the word, sometimes it can carry the idea of simply demonstrating someone to be wrong. Sometimes it can carry the idea of convincing them and changing their mind. Both ideas are in view. Now the Spirit of God is going to carry on a ministry of convicting the world. Demonstrating and revealing the sinfulness of the world and with that some will be caused to turn and believe, as a result of the convicting ministry. But, there is no indication here that the world as the world turns to Jesus Christ as a result of this ministry of the Spirit. The word convicting does not always carry that idea, it simply means to bring to the light, to expose, to reveal its true condition. Just as you would a witness in a jury trial or a courtroom scene. To cross examine to expose, to reveal them for what they really are, and that will be the Spirit's ministry. You ought to note that here we're told that the Spirit will convict the world. The New Testament also says that believers will carry on a ministry of convicting the world.

Look over in II Timothy chapter 4 and we'll get some idea of how the Spirit carries on this convicting ministry. II Timothy chapter 4. Paul writes to Timothy, verse 1 of II Timothy 4 'I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove' and there is our word translated convict in John 16. It's translated here 'convict', 'rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound teaching'. So Paul tells Timothy you are to carry on this ministry of conviction and reproving. How does Timothy do it? By preaching the word, by proclaiming sound doctrine, teaching the truth of the Word of God. You see how the two begin to blend together. Timothy will teach the truth of the Word of God, the Spirit of God will take that truth and use it to convict the world. So Timothy is reproving the world, convicting the world and so is the Spirit. But, it's really the Spirit doing it through Timothy, Timothy's part in it is to proclaim the truth. But only the Spirit can apply that conviction, that reproof to the heart of the hearer.

One other passage, over in Titus just after Timothy, Titus chapter 1.
One of the requirements for elders is that they are to be men that are knowledgeable in the scriptures, to be able to use the scriptures wisely in dealing with those who reject the scripture or teach false doctrine. Note verse 9, elders are to be those holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.' That word refute is the translation of the word convict. You can see how broad the word is. We've looked at three passages, John 16 is translated 'convict', II Timothy 4:2 is translated 'reprove', Titus 1:9 is translated 'refute', all the same Greek word. You see the idea there, to convict, to reprove, to refute all different aspects of the same idea and the same word. How do the elders carry on this ministry of refuting? They hold fast the faithful word and thus in their handling of the scriptures they exhort and they refute. Believers are exhorted, unbelievers are convicted, reproved or refuted those who would stand against the Word of God. Again you see that it's the believer in his handling of the scripture carries on this ministry of convicting, which is really the Spirit working through him. So, it's true I can say I preach the Word and I convicted the unbeliever. Some would say, 'Wait a minute, you don't convict anybody the Spirit does.' I know but the scripture says both are true. My part in that conviction ministry was the proclaiming of the truth but it was really the Spirit of God then who took that truth and applied it to the heart. But it's the presence of the truth that enables the Spirit to carry on this ministry in the fullest possible way.

One other passage while you're in Titus 1, verse 15 'To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.' I think that's the word, no I don't have the word written here, maybe I don't have the right verse.
Chapter 2, you are a good man. That's it! Chapter 2! My inspired notes. I'll have to tell Marilyn to write better. I'm kidding! "These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you." You note that, if everybody was going to appreciate this ministry Timothy wouldn't have to be told that. Timothy you do this ministry, you carry on this ministry and don't be intimidated. Titus don't let anybody put you down, disregard you. 'reprove with all authority', again ties back to the ministry.

So come back to John 16, you ought to take note here the Spirit is to carry on a convicting ministry to the world. We see with these other passages that that conviction will take place in its fullest intent. I say fullest extent because we'll see more of it in a moment. Through the proclamation of the Word. Now if Satan under whose control the world resides wants to limit the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit, what must He do? He must inhibit and restrain the proclamation of the truth of the Word of God. Note, the convicting ministry of the Spirit does not take place primarily through religious activities or forms. It takes place through the teaching of the Word of God. That's why you have so many churches where people will go and go through religious form and activities but the Word of God is not taught. The Spirit cannot carry on His convicting ministry. Satan has no problem with people going to church, going through activities called worship. What He does battle against is the ministry of the Holy Spirit convicting those who are under his authority.
So he has no problem if we come together at this place every Sunday morning.
What he would desire to have us do is come together, go through certain activities but not be exposed to the ministry of the Word of God, because that is where the Spirit carries on its ministry.

Okay, so the Spirit will be convicting the world and ultimately only the Spirit of God can do a convicting ministry. You can share the scriptures, I can share the scriptures, only the Spirit of God can take those scriptures and nail them home to the heart of the listener, only the Spirit of God can do that. We've all, if you've been a believer very long have had that experience where you've shared the scriptures as clearly as possible with an unbeliever and they've gone away unmoved and unaffected. You've shared it with someone else and they've responded immediately. What's been the difference? The power of the Spirit at work in the heart of that individual. Without that convicting ministry of the Spirit nothing happens. It's a proclamation of the Word of God that the Spirit does not carry on that convicting ministry with the same power, the same degree.

Alright, verse 8 'when He comes', John 16:8, 'He will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment'. Very specific here the convicting ministry of the Spirit will take place in three areas, concerning sin, concerning righteousness, concerning judgment. Now these are elaborated concerning sin in verse 9, concerning righteousness in verse 10, concerning judgment in verse 11.

Concerning sin because they do not believe in me. Now, connected here the Spirit will convict them of sin because they don't believe in me. Now, it's true, the culmination of sin, the fullest manifestation of sin is the rejection of the Son of God. For a person to be exposed to the Son of God and not believe in Him they have rejected the fullest amount of light possible and that would be entailed here. But, I think what the emphasis is, primarily is, He convicts them of sin 'because they don't believe in Me'. In other words, all of the world is viewed as guilty before God. 'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' Now the Spirit convicts of sin those who have not believed because the only remedy for man's sin is faith in Jesus Christ. So that all those who have not believed in Christ as Savior are convicted as guilty before God. He convicts the world because the world by the very definition of the word 'world' consists of those who have not believed in Jesus Christ. And every single person who has not believed in Jesus Christ the Son of God as the One who was crucified in their place personally as payment for their sins is convicted by the Spirit of God and guilty before God. So they are convicted concerning sin. What you have is the Spirit of God who makes men conscious of their sin before God. Now I mentioned it's through the proclamation of the Word of God that this conviction, convicting ministry of the Spirit of God takes place to its fullest degree. But you know it's interesting, every place you find people even when they go and find tribes that have been isolated for centuries. You find people with a consciousness of sin. Some kind of religious activity that they have developed to try to take care of sin. Now often they don't understand sin, they misdefine it, but they have a concept and a consciousness of sin, of being guilty and have some system to try to deal with sin. It's the Spirit's ministry to convict the world. Why do so many people in this city belong to a religious organization or institution? There is that consciousness that they have, that awareness that they are not what they ought to be. A sense of guiltiness that they are trying to work off. That's part of the convicting ministry of the Spirit in the world, to the world. Because they have not believed in Jesus Christ they are guilty as sinners before God. Now when the truth of the Word of God is proclaimed, the holy, righteous character of God is made known through His Word my sinful condition is made known through the Word of God then the
Spirit's ministry of conviction is heightened so to speak. So you have an unbeliever that you bring with you to the service and what often happens?
Very uncomfortable. Why? It's just a service, somebody's up there preaching, some songs sung. Why are they so uncomfortable? Because the Spirit carries on a ministry of convicting them concerning sin, and whether they will consciously acknowledge it or not. There is that ministry of the Spirit, they often don't know what's going on but they are very uncomfortable here for some reason. And I'm not going to select them out. There's no reason to be afraid. I'm not going to point my finger and say "Ah ha you are the one." Why are they so uncomfortable? Some of you come up and say "Boy I had them with me, they were sure glad to get out of here." Why? Because of the ministry of the Spirit when the Word of God is taught to convict of sin.

Look back in John chapter 8. This idea in verse 24, Jesus speaks to this subject. There are many verses we could have picked out but just John 8:24.
Verse 23 because of the word 'world', 'He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore to you, that you die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins.'" You note convicted of sin because they do not believe in Jesus Christ. But Jesus said 'If you don't believe in Me you die in your sins.' The only remedy for man's sinfulness is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by faith in His death and resurrection.

Back to John 16. Second thing, He convicts the world of sin, but He also convicts the world of righteousness. You see a building here, when He convicts someone of sin you convict them of the fact that they are in need of righteousness. It's interesting Romans chapter 3, Paul draws these Old Testament passages together, he says 'All have sinned and come short of the glory of God'. In the same context he also says, 'There is none righteous, no not even one', because the presence of sin demonstrates the lack of righteousness and the world is convicted by the Spirit of God concerning righteousness, the realm of righteousness. So why are people going to churches? Going to masses? Going to synagogues? Going to other places of religious activity? There is that consciousness, not only am I a sinner but I am one in need of righteousness.

I was interested reading Time magazines article on Billy Martin, manager of the Oakland A's baseball team. He made a statement that they quote in there "I am a Christian, not a born again Christian but I was baptized as a Catholic." in his situation. Why is that important? Why is that significant? Because we all have that sense of sin, that sense of the need for righteousness. Why should anyone allow themselves to be baptized in a circumstance like that? Why should anyone go through the religious routine and bother? I sense the need for righteousness. The Spirit convicts the world of the need for righteousness

Note what it's connected here with, 'concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me'. Now they were convicted of sin because they don't believe in Christ. Convicted of righteousness because of the resurrection and ascension of Christ. In other words the resurrection of Christ is God's testimony to the righteousness of Christ. So the world is convicted concerning righteousness of which it so desperately needs because Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead. Look over in Acts chapter 2, Acts chapter 2, and the sermon here, Peter is preaching. Verse 22 "'Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know- this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in the power of death."'
Verse 33, '"Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth that which you both see and hear.'" The resurrection of Christ is a testimony to the righteousness of Christ and thus the need of the world. In Christ's resurrection God is saying 'Christ was right, what He said was true, He was righteous and thus you are not.' So the resurrection of Christ, God's testimony.

Romans chapter 1 verse 4 says, 'He was demonstrated to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.' He was demonstrated to be the righteous One, the Son of God. So the world is convicted of being in need of righteousness because they are sinners and as having righteousness only through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 5, verse 21 'God has made Him who knew no sin to become sin for us, in order that He might be made the righteousness of God in Him.' Just what I need, God's righteousness, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, used of the Spirit to convict the world of its need of righteousness. That righteousness is found only in Jesus Christ. William Barclay had a statement that I thought was very much to the point. He said, "It is amazing that men should put their trust for all eternity in a crucified Jewish criminal." Stop to think, isn't that amazing? That you have hinged eternity on your faith in a man who was crucified by the Romans as a Jewish criminal. Awesome. But it's because the Spirit has brought the conviction as a result of the resurrection of Christ that righteousness is found in Him. Jesus Christ was a unique individual. The only crucified by the Romans as a Jewish criminal who rose from the dead who is alive today.

So back to John 16, He convicts the world of righteousness. What do you think you're going to do to be righteous before God? Why are you here this morning? Some people come to Indian Hills Community Church because they think that will help them be righteous before God. That's not the issue. The only way you can have God's righteousness is by faith in the finished work of His Son Jesus Christ, that's proved by the resurrection of Christ.

A third area, and you can see the building here concerning sin, I fall short of what God says I ought to be. Concerning righteousness, the need to be righteous before God. What is the third area the Spirit would convict? Concerning judgment, you're dealing with one who is a sinner, one who need righteousness, the result is there is a conviction regarding judgment. Concerning judgment because the ruler of this world has been judged. Satan the one that I John 5 the verse we read who 'has all the world under His authority and power' has been judged at the cross, defeated, His power broken.

John 12:31, 'Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up I will draw all men to Myself." We noted that drawing, there is a drawing to judgment not to salvation. The result of Christ being lifted up upon the cross, all are drawn to Him to judgment, even as Satan was judged.

John chapter 14 verse "I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me". Satan had no power or authority over Christ and by Christ's victory on the cross and His resurrection Satan's power was broken.

We don't have time to turn there, we studied it a few weeks ago on Easter Sunday, Hebrews chapter 2 verse 14 'For He rendered powerless, him who had the power of death, that is, the devil'. Colossians chapter 2 verse 15 where Christ defeated principalities and powers and in his ascension led them as conquered foes.

So in John 16 concerning judgment because the ruler of this world has been judged, Satan is demonstrated to be defeated by the death and resurrection of Christ. Judgment has been meted out upon him. But if judgment has been meted out upon the one who is the ruler all those who are his subjects and his followers are destined to judgment as well.

So Matthew chapter 25 verse 41, Jesus says, '"Depart from Me, ye cursed into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'". So the judgment of Satan is God's testimony and guarantee of the coming judgment of every single person who is a follower of Satan.

Revelation chapter 20, Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire, burns with fire and brimstone forever and ever. That's in verse 10. Verse 15 of Revelation 20 all unbelievers are cast into the same Lake of Fire to be tormented forever and ever. The Spirit convicts the world of judgment.

Again this ties to man's religious activity. Being convicted of sin, being convicted of the need for righteousness. Man also has a conviction of being guilty before God so wants to do something to pay his penalty to alleviate the
fear of a coming condemnation. Now that's heightened when a person is exposed to the Word of God and the Spirit takes the truth of that scripture, convicts that person- 'You are a sinner', 'You are in need of the righteousness of God Himself', 'You are under condemnation destined for judgment if you do not believe'. A convicting ministry takes place.

This convicting ministry in its fullness will be brought to completion at the second coming of Christ. Turn to the book of Jude, Jude all the way back just before Revelation. The book of Jude in the 15th verse "Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all", note "and to convict" there's out word that we have in John 16, "to convict all the ungodly of their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." You note
the second coming of Christ. Jesus Christ will convict all of the ungodly, they
will be demonstrated and proved to be guilty, finally and completely. So that the Spirit is carrying on that convicting ministry now. To demonstrate and prove and expose as guilty the world before God

The exciting thing is that during this day of the Spirit's convicting ministry there is an opportunity to respond to that convicting ministry by believing in the Savior that died and rose again. Scripture makes clear that as a result of the Spirit's convicting ministry two things will happen. Some will believe as a result of the Spirit's conviction in the finished work of Jesus Christ that they are indeed sinners for whom Christ died and was raised from the dead, experience forgiveness and cleansing and become the recipients of the righteousness of God Himself. Some (most) will be exposed to that convicting ministry of the Spirit and will stubbornly resist and refuse to believe, determined that 'My religion is as good as yours, that my religious activity and convictions are as right as yours.' And they will stubbornly refuse the truth of the Word of God and the convicting ministry of the Spirit of God and as a result of that they will be destined to condemnation. They are just as guilty because the Spirit convicts them. The cross examination that exposes them for what they really are. I am put under the full light of the Word of God but I refuse to look, I refuse to heed, I refuse to hear.

II Corinthians chapter 2, just jot it down, verses 14-17 Paul says, As we proclaim Jesus Christ we are a savor of life unto life and of death unto death.' As the truth of this Word of God goes forth some, they respond and believe and there's a life causing, life giving message. For some we are a fragrance of death to death because it goes out to those who are spiritually dead in their sins and they further harden their hearts and stand in stubbornness against God and they are further confirmed in their dead and lost condition. Have you ever come to believe in Jesus Christ as the One who died for you? Not do you come to Indian Hills. Not were you baptized at Indian Hills.
Not are you on the board at Indian Hills. Do you teach Sunday school at Indian Hills? Any of these other things. The issue is have you ever come to believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God died for you personally to pay the penalty for your sins? Have you ever come under the conviction that you personally are a sinner, guilty before God, in need of righteousness before God? Guilty before God because of your sin and lack of righteousness and as a result of that convicting ministry been caused to see that Jesus Christ is the Savior and come to believe in Him. If not you can this morning, right now. You've heard the message the Spirit has driven it home to you. Have you come to believe? For those of us who have we ought not to allow ourselves to be discouraged or intimidated in any way. But to count it a privilege to be part of this convicting ministry, that I have the privilege to share the truth of the Word of God with those in desperate need and let the power of the work of the Spirit of God do that work in their heart that only He can do, to convict, to reprove, to expose and perhaps by His grace to draw them to Himself.