ÿþ<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> <!--Jun Gapuz--> <head> <meta name="Description" content="Share the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ." /> <meta name="Keywords" content="elmont, ny, new york, nyc, bible study, bible, bible version, sermon, devotion, preaching, kjv, king James, true gospel, gospel, fundamental, baptist, soul winning, worship, church, spirituality, god, mission, missionary, missionaries" /> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> <meta name="Distribution" content="Global" /> <meta name="Robots" content="index,follow" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="../images716/716.css" type="text/css" /> <title>Bible Baptist Church</title> </head> <body> <div id="main_wrap"> <!-- header starts here --> <div id="header-wrap"><div id="header-content"> <h1 id="logo">Bible Baptist <span class="orange">Church</span></h1> <h2 id="slogan">" Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." ...... John 3:3</h2> <div id="header-links"> <p> <a href="../index.html" target="text">| Home |</a> </p> </div> <!-- Menu Tabs --> <ul> <li><a href="Lesson-1.html" id="current"> Sunday Morning Sermon</a></li> </ul> </div></div> <!-- content-wrap starts here --> <div id="content-wrap1"><div id="content"> <div id="main2"> <div id="message"> <xmeta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <xmeta content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2668" name="GENERATOR"> <xbody bgcolor="#ffffff"> </xbody></xmeta></xmeta> <xbody bgcolor="#ffffff"> </xbody></xmeta></xmeta><div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" align="center"> <font face="Times New Roman" size="4"> <strong>THE CONVICTING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT</strong></font> </p> <br /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="4"><u> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">Text</span></u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">: <a href="KJV/JOHN_16.html#7" target="blank">JOHN 16:7-11</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></font></strong></p> <br> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="4"><b><u> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">INTRODUCTION</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">:</span></b></font></font></p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;" type="1"> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">In the Gospel of John, chapters 13 through 17, we have what is often referred to as &quot;the Upper Room Discourse.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">It is referred to as the Upper Room Discourse because in both Mark 14:15 and in Luke 22:12 we read that our Lord sent two of his disciples into Jerusalem, and told them that they would find there a large &quot;upper room furnished and prepared.&quot; </font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">This Upper Room discourse contains our Lord&#39;s last recorded words before His arrest and trial and crucifixion.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">These chapters are very interesting, particularly regarding what our Lord had to say about the ministry of the Holy Spirit (cf. 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Then in John 15:27, our Lord told them that they were to be His witnesses.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>These instructions would be given again right before our Lord ascended into heaven (cf. Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Our Lord assured them that the indwelling Holy Spirit would endue them with power.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">In John 16:5, our Lord told His disciples that He would soon be going back to God the Father.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Though His departure would make them sorrowful (16:6), our Lord explained that it was &quot;expedient&quot; for them that He go away: for if He did not go away, the Comforter would not come unto them.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">But if our Lord were to depart, He would send the Comforter to them. Since the Holy Spirit reveals Christ, all that was appointed unto Christ to do had to be completed before the Holy Spirit could begin his ministry (cf. John 7:37-39).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">In this dispensation, the work of the Holy Spirit on the world is through the Church, and it is described by our Lord as threefold (John 16:7-11).</font></font></span></li></ol> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span style=""><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">I. </font></span></b><b><span><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">THE CONVICTION OF SIN (16:8)</font></span></b></font></p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;" type="1"> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">F.B. Meyer said this, &quot;We are constantly meeting people who are perfectly indifferent to Christianity, because they say they do not feel their need of it. Why should they trouble about it, when they suppose themselves able to do perfectly well without it?<span style="">&nbsp; </span>In dealing with these, it is a great mistake to entice them towards the Gospel by describing the moral grandeur of Christ&#39;s character and teaching. We should at once seek to arouse them to a sense of their great sinfulness. When a man realizes that his life is being eaten out by some insidious disease, he will need no further urging to go to a physician. This is the weakness of modern preaching -- that we expatiate on the value of the remedy to men who have never realized their dire necessity.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The Holy Spirit reproves (convicts) the world of sin (16:8). The greatest sin in this wicked world is unbelief (16:9).<span style="">&nbsp; </span>The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to reprove or to convict lost sinners so that they might repent and be saved.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">How terrible for a sinner to reject Christ!<span style="">&nbsp; </span>How terrible for a sinner to ignore the convicting work of the Holy Spirit!</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The other night my wife showed me an article on the Internet.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>A man from Michigan has been charged by the police with felony sex offenses after he told them he was HIV-positive and had set out to intentionally infect as many people as he could.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Health officials have issued an alert warning that &quot;possibly hundreds of people have been exposed to HIV.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">According to documents on file with Grand Rapids 61st District Court, Dean Smith claimed to have had relations with &quot;thousands&quot; of partners, intending to kill them all by infecting them with HIV.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">That is very wicked.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">But there is an even greater sin than that -- and that is rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Hebrews 10:29 says, &quot;Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done <span class="yiv663898008criteria">despite</span> unto the Spirit of grace?&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Genesis 6:3 says, &quot;And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always <span class="yiv663898008criteria">strive</span> with man.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">How does the Holy Spirit strive with men?<span style="">&nbsp; </span>How are they convicted?</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">In Acts 2:37, Peter was preaching, and the Bible says the Jews were &quot;pricked in their heart. </font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">In Acts 7:54, Stephen was preaching, and the Bible says  they were cut to the heart. </font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">This is the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Stephen told his murderers, &quot;Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The Holy Spirit convicts men of the sin of refusing to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">John 3:18-20 says, &quot;He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be <u>reproved</u>.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">There is that word &quot;reproved&quot; again.<span style="">&nbsp; </span><i>Strong&#39;s Concordance</i> says the word means, &quot;to convict, refute, confute -- generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted, to expose; to find fault with, correct, to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, to call to account, show one his fault, to chasten, to punish.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">How does the Holy Spirit do it?<span style="">&nbsp; </span><span style="">&nbsp;</span>Through the Word of God.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">We saw in Acts 2:37 that when Peter preached the Gospel, &quot;they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">We saw in Acts 7:54 that when Stephen preached, &quot;they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">That same word &quot;reprove&quot; is found in Luke 3:19.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>&quot;But Herod the tetrarch, being <u>reproved by him</u> (John the Baptist) for Herodias his brother Philip&#39;s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;For John said unto him, It is <span class="yiv663898008criteria">not</span> <span class="yiv663898008criteria">lawful</span> for thee to have her&quot; (Matthew 14:4).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">We also see the word &quot;reprove&quot; in II Timothy 4:2, &quot;Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; <span class="yiv663898008criteria"><u>reprove</u></span>, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">This is the preacher&#39;s # 1 job, but many preachers will not do it.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Conviction in itself is not enough. Those listening to Stephen were convicted.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>The Bible says, &quot;they were cut to the heart&quot; by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit used the sharp two-edged sword, the Word of God.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;They were cut to the heart,&quot; but they did not repent, and they did not get saved.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Conviction does not always lead to conversion.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Conviction in itself is not enough.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Mark 6:20 says, &quot;For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Herod &quot;did many things,&quot; but he never did repent.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Many lost sinners have been convicted but they have never gone on to repentance and conversion.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">F.B. Meyer said they resemble &quot;untimely fruit, which, blighted before its maturity, has dropped to the ground.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">F.B. Meyer gave this helpful advice to sinners, &quot;Do not wait for more conviction; but come to Jesus as you are, and tell Him that the saddest symptom in your case is your inability to feel as you know you should. Do not tarry to be convinced of sin. Do not stay away till you feel more deeply. Do not suppose that strongly roused emotions purchase his favour. His command is absolute, Believe!&quot;</font></font></span></li></ol> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span style=""><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">II. </font></span></b><b><span><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">THE CONVICTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (16:10).</font></span></b></font><span style=""></span></p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;" type="1"> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The Holy Spirit also reproves (or &quot;convicts&quot;) of the need for righteousness; i.e., the need to be made right with God.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The great evangelist R.A. Torrey traveled around the world with his song-leader, Charles Alexander.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>I saw an old photograph of Torrey preaching in a huge tabernacle to thousands of people, with a big banner behind him.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The banner said, &quot;GET RIGHT WITH GOD.&quot; Standing before this huge banner, Torrey preached the Gospel and many souls were saved.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">They were saved because the Holy Spirit brought genuine conviction.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;He will reprove the world of sin, <u>and of righteousness</u>, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of <u>righteousness</u>, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more&quot; (John 16:8-10).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">These words were spoken right before our Lord went to the cross.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>The Holy Spirit convicts sinners that our Lord&#39;s work on the cross was the means of taking away sin, and establishing the righteousness that sinners need but cannot obtain by their own efforts.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The Holy Spirit convinces sinners that the only righteousness that is acceptable to God is the imputed righteousness of Christ.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The Lord Jesus Christ imputes (reckons to our account) His righteousness upon our record when we trust Him for salvation.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Christ&#39;s finished work on the cross on man&#39;s behalf, accepted by the Father -- of which the resurrection is witness -- is made plain and clear to the convinced sinner by the Holy Spirit.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness&quot; (John 16:8).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Not our righteousness!</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The Bible says, &quot;all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags&quot; (Isa. 64:6).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">First Corinthians 1:30 says, &quot;But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, <u>and <span class="yiv663898008criteria">righteousness</span></u>, and sanctification, and redemption.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;Reproving the world of sin and of righteousness,&quot; means the Holy Spirit makes this real to the repentant sinner, who realizes he cannot please God with his own self-righteousness.</font></font></span></li></ol> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span style=""><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">III. </font></span></b><b><span><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">THE CONVICTION OF JUDGMENT.</font></span></b></font><span style=""></span></p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;" type="1"> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Jesus said in John 16:8, &quot;And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, <u>and of judgment.</u>&quot; &quot;Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged&quot; (John 16:11).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Our Lord said the Holy Spirit would reprove (or convict) the world of judgment, &quot;because the prince of this world is judged&quot; (John 16:11).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">To the Christian, the Holy Spirit is our Comforter; but to the unsaved world, the Holy Spirit is the &quot;Reprover,&quot; and He is he reproving the world of <u>judgment</u>. </font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">This world is under the judgment of God.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>John 3:36 says, &quot;He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The wrath of God abides on the sinner, and will remain there unless he repents and gets right with God.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The world stands guilty of refusing to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.<span style="">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>&quot;And when he (the Comforter) is come, he will reprove the world of sin... Of sin, because they believe not on me&quot; (John 16:8, 9).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The world&#39;s greatest sin is the sin of unbelief.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The world&#39;s condemnation is certified by the righteousness of Christ -- &quot;He will reprove the world of sin, <u>and of righteousness</u>&quot; (John 16:8).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The world&#39;s condemnation is certified by the righteousness of Christ <u>and the judgment of the prince of this world</u>, Satan.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Therefore nothing awaits this wicked world but judgment.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>This is all laid out in vivid detail in the book of Revelation. The Holy Spirit s presence here is the evidence that the Prince of this world has been judged.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">When the Holy Spirit departs, the sentence will be swiftly executed, both on the world and on Satan.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>The apostle Paul said in II Thessalonians 2:7, &quot;For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he (Holy Spirit) who now letteth (hinders) will let (hinder), until he (the Holy Spirit) be taken out of the way.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">The Holy Spirit is not only the Reprover, He is also the &quot;Restrainer.&quot;<span style="">&nbsp; </span>He is holding back the mystery of iniquity, which will overwhelm the world after the rapture.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">To the Christian, the Holy Spirit is our Comforter; but to the unsaved world, the Holy Spirit is the &quot;Reprover.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">When our Lord said, &quot;the prince of this world is judged&quot; (16:11), He was referring to the cross. The cross was the crisis of this world&#39;s history.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Satan is a defeated foe.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">James 4:7 says, &quot;Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Soon he will be cast into the bottomless pit (Rev. 20:3), and then the lake of fire and brimstone (20:10).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">And so will all those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>&quot;And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire&quot; (Rev. 20:15).</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">&quot;But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death&quot; (Rev. 21:8).</font></font></span></li></ol> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span style=""><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"></font></font></span><span style=""></span>&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><span style=""><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;"><u>CONCLUSION</u>:</font></span></b></font><span style=""></span></p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;" type="1"> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Walter Wilson was born on May 27, 1881, in Aurora, Indiana.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Walter Wilson was saved in 1896 at the age of 15. Right away he began street meetings, hoping to lead more people to the Lord.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">He worked at a tent making business while attending the University of Kansas and earning his medical degree. After graduating, he opened his own medical practice, and in 1904 he married Marion Baker, the tentmaker s daughter.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">However, due to his father-in-law s failing health, he was compelled to work full time at the tent making business as well his medical<span style="">&nbsp; </span>practice. This continued for 25 years. In World War I, he devised a method of<span style="">&nbsp; </span>camouflaging and waterproofing tents in response to our government s urgent<span style="">&nbsp; </span>request.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Another customer was the legendary Buffalo Bill.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">In his medical work, he soon noticed that people did not need physical help as much as they needed spiritual life, so he became a<span style="">&nbsp; </span>witnessing doctor.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">However, he was frustrated that his efforts were often ineffective.</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">One evening Dr. Walter Wilson went to hear James M. Gray, the president of the Moody Bible Institute, preach, and Dr. Gray preached a sermon on Romans 12:1, &quot;I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,<span style="">&nbsp; </span>that ye present your bodies living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is<span style="">&nbsp; </span>your reasonable service.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">Gray said,  Have you noticed that this verse does not tell us to whom we should give our bodies? It is not the Lord Jesus; He has His own body. It is not the Father; He remains on His throne. Another has come to earth without a body. God gives you the indescribable honor of presenting your bodies to the Holy Spirit, to be His dwelling place on earth. </font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">This message helped to clear things up for Walter Wilson. He went<span style="">&nbsp; </span>home and prayed,  Lord, I give You this body from my head to my feet. I give you my hands, my limbs, my eyes and lips, my brain.&quot;</font></font></span> <li style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;" class="yiv942309460MsoNormal"><span><font face="Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;">From that day forward, the Holy Spirit used Dr. Walter Wilson in a wonderful way, and he went on to become an effective soulwinner.</font></font></span></li></ol> </div> <br /> <div> <font size=4><B>Pastor James Barker</font></B> &nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="mailto:jbarker4@optonline.net"> [ Send Email ] </a> </div> <div align="right"> <span><a href="http://FundamentalTop500.com/" target="_BLANK"><img src="http://FundamentalTop500.com/ft500.php3?sid=4425" height="38" width="124" border="0" alt="The Fundamental Top 500"></a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://BibleTop100.com/" target="_BLANK" title="The best Bible-believing, Christian web sites"> <img src="http://BibleTop100.com/rank.php?sid=152123" height="39" width="78" border="0" alt="The BibleTop100.com.com"></a> </div> </div> <br /> </div></div> <!-- footer starts here --> <div id="footer-wrap"><div id="footer-content"> <div align="center"> <p> Template provided by: <a href="http://www.styleshout.com/">styleshout</a> </p> </div> </div></div> <!-- footer ends here --> </div> <!--Jun Gapuz--> </body> </html>