As a result of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, things were beginning to escalate with the religious leaders.
He begins to discuss His departure (Passover)
We learned that the disciples were concerned that they were going to be abandoned, but Jesus reassured them that there was someone coming who was of “the same kind but different”!
He tells them that they would not be abandoned like the orphans, because they are heirs!
Comforter: an advocate, aid, one who comes forward on behalf of and as the representative of another. (same kind but different)
It is interesting to note that Jesus introduces the Holy Spirit (comforter) in John Chapter 14 and explains the work of the Holy Spirit (comforter) in John 16.
Between the two passages, Jesus introduces the Ecosystem of the Spirit-filled life! 1. Jesus is the Vine: He is the provider of all spiritual life, stamina, and strength. 2. The Father is the Gardener: He watches over, protects, and strategically shapes the vineyard. 3. The Holy Spirit as the Sap: The Holy Spirit carries truth, illumination, and nutrients directly into the heart, reproducing the life of Christ within us. 4. The Believer's Role (Abiding): The sole responsibility is to be a relational presence (aware)
While we make plans for the future, we must live in the present relation (abide) so the sap (Holy Spirit) can flow through us.
Branches entire design and function are outward, existing completely for the benefit of things outside themselves, fruit!
Gal 5:22-26 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. NLT
When the Father (the manger) wants to help those in need around us, who is the person present with the source of life in them?
Love Scenario: A coworker or family member snaps at you after a long, exhausting day.
The Action: Instead of snapping back, you choose to offer them a glass of water, ask how their day went, and help them with a task.
Joy Scenario: Bad weather cancels a outdoor family event, leaving everyone disappointed.
The Action: You shift the mood by organizing an impromptu indoor game night, laughing through the setback, and helping everyone focus on the fun of being together rather than the ruined plans.
Peace Scenario: A project at work faces a deadline
The Action: you take a deep breath, stay calm, and help break down the problem into manageable next steps.
Patience (Longsuffering) Scenario: You are stuck behind a slow-moving driver when you are already running late, or your child takes twenty minutes to put on their shoes.
The Action: You deliberately relax your shoulders, refrain from honking or sighing loudly, and use the extra minutes to mentally prep for your day instead of getting frustrated.
Kindness Scenario: You notice a neighbor struggling to carry heavy grocery bags into their house, or your wife looks overwhelmed.
The Action: You pause your own schedule to carry the bags to their porch or stop to help your wife
Goodness Scenario: A cashier accidentally hands you back a twenty-dollar bill instead of a five-dollar bill in change.
The Action: You immediately point out the error and return the money, choosing honesty and moral integrity even when no one else would have known.
Faithfulness Scenario: A close friend is going through a messy, long hardship, and everyone else has stopped checking in on them.
The Action: You call them every single Tuesday just to listen, showing up consistently weeks and months after the initial crisis has faded.
Gentleness (Meekness) Scenario: You catch someone making a glaring mistake that you explicitly told them how to avoid.
The Action: Instead of using a loud tone or embarrassing them publicly, you pull them aside privately and speak softly to help them correct the error without damaging their dignity.
Self-Control Scenario: You feel a surge of intense anger during a heated disagreement, and a cutting, hurtful insult flashes in your mind.
The Action: You bite your tongue, close your mouth, and take break to cool down before responding, protecting the relationship from words you can't take back.
Watchman Nee: Anyone who serves God long enough will discover sooner or later that the hinderance of the work of the Holy Spirit is not others but ourselves!
Gal 5:24,25 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. NLT
The Divine Paradox (contradiction)
John 12:23-26 23 Jesus replied, "Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. NLT
The Hour of Glory: When Jesus says the time has come to "enter into his glory," He is pointing directly to the cross.
Brokenness: For a kernel of corn can fulfill its purpose it must die only then can its inner life break out to produce a plentiful harvest
Love: to be fond of Life: the seat of feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our soul, heart, etc.)
If you protect it, you "remain alone," keeping the life of God locked up inside.
Lose it: to have the sentence of death
Many times, we think we are protecting ourselves, but we really only producing death where ever we go!
The churches hour has come, what will we do?
The Release of the Harvest: Just as a kernel of wheat must fall into the ground and die for its inner life to burst forth, our choice to live the crucified life allows the Fruit of the Spirit to break out of your spirit.
The Law of the Harvest: The Spirit-filled life ultimately relies on a divine paradox: “The fullness of life is only released through brokenness.”
