Convicting the World

Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus spoke to His apostles and promised to send the Holy Spirit. He would “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” This would have a direct impact on the apostles’ teaching, and it should with ours as well.

Role of the Holy Spirit

• Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into all truth (John 16:13) – this promise was for the apostles to carry out their role (John 14:26; 15:26-27; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:20)
• It would be to their advantage to receive help from the Holy Spirit (John 16:7) – besides revelation, He would be their comforter/intercessor (John 16:7); they would receive power (Acts 1:8)
• In fulfilling His role, the Holy Spirit would “convict the world” – the Greek word means to convict someone of a fault, or cause them to be put to shame; also used in other passages as “show him his fault” (Matthew 18:15) or “exposed” (John 3:20; Ephesians 5:11)

How He Will Convict the World

• Concerning SIN – sin is a transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4); they would be convicted “because they do not believe in [Jesus]” (John 16:9); sin results when one does not fear the Lord (Romans 3:9-10, 18, 23); they needed to recognize their need for a Savior (John 9:40-41)
• Concerning RIGHTEOUSNESS – righteousness is the state of being right/justified before God; it includes something we practice (1 John 3:7); Jesus was going away and they would “no longer see [Him]” (John 16:10) or His perfect example; they needed a perfect standard of right and wrong, and the Holy Spirit would reveal this (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 John 3:7, 4)
• Concerning JUDGMENT – this judgment is the final judgment of the world; Satan is the ruler of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), but he had been judged (John 16:11) and would be defeated (John 12:31); Jesus is coming to judge the world (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:10); we are accountable to Him and must prepare (cf. Matthew 25:31-33, 46)

An Example in Paul’s Preaching

• When Paul taught Felix, he was trying to convict him just as the Holy Spirit was convicting the world – he taught on the same things that the Holy Spirit was going to reveal (Acts 24:24-25)
• Righteousness – this is a call to God’s perfect standard (Matthew 28:20; Acts 10:34-35)
• Self-control – this is the instruction to give up sin (Romans 6:6, 11; Acts 2:38)
• Judgment to come – this is the motivation to obey (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; Acts 17:30-31)

Our Teaching Today

• In our teaching, we must speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11) – same as the apostles (Galatians 1:8-9); this means that we are going to teach on these same things
• Sin – identify sin as sin; people cannot change if they do not know they are wrong (2 Corinthians 7:8-10)
• Righteousness – point to God’s perfect standard (1 Peter 4:11); cite “book, chapter, and verse”
• Judgment – teach others to prepare for judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10-11)

Conclusion

• The message of the gospel is to turn from sin, practice righteousness, and prepare for judgment
• We need to follow these things ourselves and teach others to do the same