Mission Hills Church
No matter how hard we try, we can’t always keep setbacks and struggles at bay. And sometimes, just when we thought we had this whole “life” thing figured out…everything falls apart. That’s how the first followers of Jesus must have felt when he was arrested and crucified. But Jesus knew everything that was coming…and before it happened, he taught his followers a series of crucial lessons about living with hope and courage when everything falls apart.
John 16:1 NIV
What we expect, we can endure.
John 16:2 NIV
They confused behaving with belonging.
Belonging results in behaving, but behaving doesn't necessarily reveal belonging.
John 16:3 NIV
The Holy Spirit will show everyone what's what.
John 16:4-7 NIV
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. (John 16:7a)
When we trust God, the end of something great is the beginning of something greater.
Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7b)
John 16:8 NIV
They thought behaving leads to belonging.
// They said: unless you behave, you can't belong.
// Jesus said: unless you belong, you can't behave.
It's all about who you belong to.
3. I test what I think the Holy Spirit is guiding me to.
John 16:12-13 NIV
John 16:14-15 NIV
When we belong to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will deliver everything we need.
1. I trust that the Holy Spirit is the fullness of God in me.
2. I ask the Holy Spirit to lead me.
3. I declare my confidence in the Spirit’s leading.
4. I act quickly when I recognize the Spirit's leading.
When we belong to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will deliver everything we need.
1. Do I tend to think like the world (behaving leads to belonging) or like Jesus (belonging leads to behaving)?
2. Who is God calling me to love towards change rather than as a result of it?
3. What step do I need to start taking to be led by the Holy Spirit? (trust, ask, declare, act)