The Green Forest tribune., 1917-05-25

LESSON TEXT-John 15:26-27; 16:7-14.
 GOLDEN TEXT-Ee shall teach you all things.-John 14:26.
 This lesson follows chapter 15 IA The emphasis Jesus placed upon the new and deeper intimacy into which the disciples were about to enter, and which involved a participation in per secutions (v. 20). However, as a gar rison and helper when this persecution should come, the believers are to have in their lives the Holy Spirit.
 l. The Believer and the Spirit (vv. 26-27). The 'paraclete' (helper) was to proceed from the Father. but Jesus was to send him. He is called the Spirit of Truth" because it is his work to reveal the truth, and it is through his teachings only that any one may know the truth. Jesus is the truth (ch. 14:G), and the Spirit of Truth is to enable believers to testify concerning Jesus It qualities them for such testimony. The disciples also had the added qualifca ton of expe- rience for "ye have been with me from the beginning" The disciples were eye witnesses of what he did and what he was, and heard and knew all that he claimed for himself and what his life proved itself to be.
 II. The Believer and Persecution GIG :1-6). This section has not been se- leeted by the committee, but as a part of the lesson we cannot overlook it. In 1t the Master enumerates speciti- cally things that were to come to the disciples and that they might "remem- ber." He also mentions the fact that these things are to come after he has gone away. As a relief from sorrow (v. @, the Master goes on to show the relation of the Spirit to the world.
 III. The Holy Spirit in the World (vv. 7-1D. It was profitable for the disciples that Jesus should go, th2t on- other Divine friend was to take his place. This is the best section in all the Bible to teach the personality of the Holy Spirit. The personal pro- nouns in this section are very signifi- cant. there being seven in the thir- teenth verse alone. The word "Com- furter" here used means that and much more. It is the same word translated "advocate." In I John 2:1, it means one who is called upon to stand be side another as a helper, counselor, guide and friend. Jesus had been this to his disciples thus far, but he was going away. and another Friend WIS coming. who should not only be with them. but should dwell in them (Gh. 14:16. IT. The Comforter has come, and without him we can dc nothing. He is the one who convtcts the world "af sin. of righteousness and of iudg- ment." Of sin. not because they have broken the moral code. but because they do not accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah CHebreWs :2S. See ch. 3:1S-2o). In the second place, he is to convict the world of righteousness. The Holy Spirit has no other channel through which he can get at the world except through those who are already saved. He shows the world it's error about righteousness also that Jesus is tha only righteous one, and righteous ness is only possible to Us in him G2hil. 30 F. VI. Because he has lived the right life, having fulfilled all righteousness, and gone on high, he therefore convfcts men, but the Spirit does his work through the agency of the Word Man needs to know first of all that he is a sinner; second, that Jesus "the righteousness of God" has provided for Us, and it is the Holy Spirit who alone can show these two things to men. In the third place, he conyicts the world of judgment be- cause. "the prince of this world is iudgpdn This judgment is past (see John 12:31), for Jesus has conquered satan. Certainly this is a truth that needs to be emphasized in this day. The judgment of sin and punishment for sin due to unbelief or rejection of Jesus Christ. is seldom preached in our day. The best cure for the false theories concerning the future pun ishment is for q man to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit in man conyicts him of this judgment, and he has no further difficulties regarding the question of retribution.
 V.-The Spirit and Truth (vv. 12-15). There was much more that the Master might say to the dtsci- pies, but they were not ready to bear it (v. 12) He, however, looks for ward to the day when the Spirit shall ! oo,,o ond thay- will ha rpodv +o rp- ceiye these things. The Spirit will guide them into truth, all truth, for he shall not speak of himself Che will not bear witness unto or speak from hlmseIf) but the things that he will speak of will be concerning Jesus. The real evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer or in a con gregation is the degree of eXaltati0n given to Jesus Shrist. There is pro- gressive intimacy in the Gospel of John. Jesus first calls those who are at his side, servants (Ch. 13 ;13). He next calls them friends (Ch 15 :15), and lastly he calls them brethren (Gh. 20:fD. This is the law of Christian experience. We must make progress, come to knowledge as we have intimacy with the Spirit and study the word. The time was com ing when the disciples should be led into the fullness of the knowledge of Gods truth, and this promise is also supplied to all believers (See John 2:2D.
 Sunday school teachers should cer-