Middletown transcript., 1917-05-26
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDGYSQlOQL
LESSON
(By E. O. SELLERS, Acting Director Of
the Sunday School Course Of the Moody
Bible Institute.)
Copyright, 1917, Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR MAY 27
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS WORK
-(PENTEcoSTAL LESSoN).

The HOLY Spirit ANU HIS WOhN
-(PENTEcoSTAL LESSoN).
LESSON TEXT-John 15:26-27: 1914.
GOLDEN TEXT-He shall teach you all
things-John 1895.
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 ". 20). However, as gar
rison and helper when this persecution
should come, the believers are to have
in their lives the Holy Spirit.
!. The Believer and the Spirit wv.
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. 14:6), and the Spirit OF
Truth is to enable believers to testify
concerning Jesus. 1t qualities them for
such testimony. The disciples also
had the added qualification of expe-
rience for "ye have been with me
from the beginning" The disciples
we're 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
Q6:1-6). This section has not been Sc
lected by the committee, but as part
Of the lesson we cannot overlook it.
In it the Master enumerates specifi-
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
". g., the Master goes on to show the
relation of the Spirit to the world.
III. The Holy Spirit In the World
wv. 7-11). 1t was profitable for the
disciples that Jesus should 60, that an
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-
forter" here used means that and much
more. 1t is the same word translated
"advocate." In 1 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 was
coming. who should not only be with
them. but should dwell in them (Ch.
14:16. ~. The Comforter has come.
and without him we can do nothing. he
is the one who convicts the world
"of sin, of righteousness and OF Judg-
ment." Of sin, not because they have
broken the moral code. but because
thew do not accept Jesus Christ as the
Messiah (Hebrews 1928. See ch.
3:18-2O). 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 its error
about righteousness; also that Jesus is
the only righteous one, and righteous
ness is only possible to us in him
(Phil. 80 r. w. Because ne mas
lived the right life, having fulfilled all
Righteousness, and gone on high, ne
therefore convicts 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. tina,
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, ne
convicts the world Of judgment be
cause "the prince of this world Is
Judged" This judgment is past (see
John 12:3D, for Jesus has conquered
Satan. Certainly this is truth thai
needs to be emphasized in this day
The Judgment Of sin and punishment
for sin, due to unbelief or rejection o.
Jesus Christ, is seldom preached II
our day.
IV.-The Spirit and Truth wv
12-15). There was much more tina
the Master might say to the disci
ples. but they were not ready to bea
it ". 12). He, however, looks for
ward to the day when the Spirit shall
come, and they will be ready to re
ceive these things. The Spirit viii
guide them into truth, all truth, for n
shall not speak of himself Che will no
bear witness unto or speak from
himself) but the things that he will
speak of will be concerning Jesus. Th
real evidence Of the presence of tn
Holy Spirit in believer or in a cor
gregation is the degree Of exaltatio
given to Jesus Christ.
There is q progressive intimacy /
John. Jesus first calls those who ar
at his side, servants (Ch. 1879. b
next calls them friends (Ch. Is :15.
and lastly he calls them brethre
(Ch. 2O:1O. This is the law G
Christian experience.
Sunday school teachers should cel
! tainly take advantage Of this lesso
r to bring out the work of the Spir
wv. 8, 9, 10Y; the gifts of the Spir
I Cor 12); and the fruits of tn
Spirit (Gal. 5 :22, 23). Let us be SUI
r that our scholars know what it near
D to have definite, intimate, person;