#201 – The Believers Equipment

THE BELIEVER’S EQUIPMENT
John 16:1 4"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you."

The Lord is here warning His disciples that times of trial and suffering were before them. This is the time for cowards to drop out. But none of them did. But He did not leave them with their, “sorrow filled hearts,” without giving them many encouraging promises, which we may regard as their equipment for life’s work.

THERE WAS THE PROMISE OF THE COMFORTER
John 16:7, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."

The word “expedient” means “advantageous.” Jesus is saying that My going away will give you an advantage instead of being a liability. Until these disciples learned to walk by faith, this would be a truth that they could not comprehend. Faith accepts what Jesus says without question. We do not have to know the advantage to know that it exists. Remember, Jesus always addresses Himself to faith and not to rationalism.

The word “Comforter” translates “parakletos” and means, “summoned, called to one’s side, esp. called to one’s aid; one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate.” Jesus was by their side continually. He was their comforter. He is going away and will not be by their side in bodily form. He is saying that He will send One who will constantly be by their side. When the Holy Spirit comes, if the Apostles all walked off in different directions, the Comforter will walk off in all directions. They will never be without the Comforter. He will always be by their side.

He is also by our side and will maintain that posture through this entire age. Acts 2:39, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." We have the promise and the Lord never breaks His Word. So, just as Jesus comforted them when He was with them, just as He preformed miracles, and strengthened them when they were weak, He will continue to do so. Next, we have—

THE PROMISE OF GUIDANCE AND TEACHING
John 16:13 14, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
John says that you need not any man to teach you, for this anointing teaches you all things (1 John 2:20-27). This is the Spirit that searches all things (1 Cor. 2:9,10). Why should we not expect the Holy Spirit to do His work in us just as effectively as Christ has done His work for us? Don’t grieve the Spirit by refusing His teaching regarding these “things to come.”

THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING AGAIN
John 16:22, "And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." This was literally fulfilled when He rose from the dead. But there is a greater fulfillment to us for He has promised, “I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

THE PROMISE OF ANSWERED PRAYER
John 16:23 24, "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.