This week we conclude our teaching and messages on the Gospel of John Chapter 16. For the past two weeks the Father has provided two wonderful revelations of Jesus’ upper room discourse. Brother Dwight and sister Brenda laid a great foundation on which to finish. The “Father” is still center stage in this portion of the discourse. Jesus mentions the “Father” at least 12 times in the chapter, compared to 9 times in chapter 15 and 20 times in chapter 14. In contrast to his use of “God” which is very limited. He uses “God” just 5 times in chapter 13, once in chapter 14, none in 15 and 3 times in this chapter.
Notice Jesus points their hearts and minds to the Father, who gives them identity as Sons. We also see a depth of the cross not seen before. What is the meaning of “asking in my name?” This is probably one of the most misunderstood phases in the Bible.
Let’s talk about it, and hear what the Spirit is saying!
Timing is everything! The success or failure of an action, opportunity, or event heavily depends on “when” it happens, not just “what” it is, emphasizing that the right moment is crucial for achieving the desired outcome.
It’s about aligning one’s action with external conditions and one’s readiness for them. This is done in the hopes of maximizing the positive impact of the action that is done.
In the natural, good timing often involves intuition, patience, and being aware of the flow of events.
As we will see in John chapter 16, the Father’s “good” timing of sending the Holy Spirit was dependent upon two things; “External” conditions, and the disciples’ “internal” readiness to receive Him.
The external conditions are apparent to us (post-resurrection readers); the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of the Christ, but for the disciples the things that Jesus would share with them were shrouded in questions, confusion, grief and fear concerning the unknown.
The on-going dialog between Jesus and His disciples created the ideal conditions in the disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit – “cognitive dissonance.”
The discomfort, anxiety, avoiding asking questions, all signs of cognitive dissonance, would provide a platform of “inner readiness” for the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit and His guidance.
I trust the Father as we continue in our discussion, our hearts and minds are prepared as we receive the Spirit of truth’s guidance into Spiritual revelation and understanding.
Jesus during this final Passover Supper in the Upper Room continues His discussion with His disciples with an intense concern that they not only Agape love Him and others but that they really KNOW and UNDERSTAND THE FATHER and His AGAPE LOVE for ALL – as well as clearly His ONENESS with the Father!
After that, Jesus talks again about the Comforter (Gk: parakletos) – the Holy Spirit, Who is THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH – and Who would be sent by the Father to COMFORT and TEACH them after Jesus was leaving them and going to the Father. The Holy Spirit was also sent by the Father to lead unbelievers with conviction to HEAR, BELIEVE, and RECEIVE the Word or Seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through a SPIRITUAL BIRTHING with a NEW exchanged SPIRITUAL SON IDENTITY!
Jesus knew and told the disciples that He would have to first go away (after He finished His death on the cross with His shed blood) – before the Holy Spirit could Spirit birth them and then TEACH and GUIDE them into FULL UNDERSTANDING of what He was telling them!
Let us look into John chapter 16 and see what additional REVELATION, KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING and REALIZATION that the Father might provide for us today:
This week we conclude of our study and message on the Gospel of John Chapter 15. For the past two weeks the Father has provided us with two wonderful revelations of Jesus’ upper room discourse. Brother Dwight and sister Brenda have laid a great foundation for us to finish on. As will see the “Father” is still center stage in this portion of the discourse as well. Jesus mentions the “Father” at least ten times in the chapter, as oppose to the 20 times in chapter 14. We will also see a depth of the cross which has not been often before. Let’s talk about it…
John 15 continues Jesus’ Upper Room Discourse. The setting is intimate and covenantal. Jesus is preparing the disciples for life after His departure, explaining how divine life will continue to flow through Him.
John’s “vine imagery” emphasizes the believers union with Christ, explaining the process that produces “fruit,” while in Galatians 5 Paul emphasizes and describes the “content of the fruit—the divine nature,” which is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Paul also provides us with knowledge as to “WHY” we are able to live from the “fruit,”—the flesh was crucified with its passions and desire, (Galatians 5:24) and now those who are Spiritually birthed are able to live and walk from their divine nature and new Spiritual identity.
Jesus speaks of agape love, a type of love that the disciples had “received” from Jesus and the Father, but they themselves had not yet been able to give due to the fact that they themselves had not yet been filled with the Holy Spirit. (John 14:17—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because they neither see Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be “IN” you.)
I trust the Father that as we continue our discussion in John chapter, our knowledge and understanding of Agape love will be deepened as we continue to live as the Spiritual Son in the process of Sonship.
Jesus during this final Passover Supper with His disciples in the Upper Room continues his discussion with some things about MUCH FRUIT BEARING and ABIDING in HIM. According to Jesus, the disciples should plan to keep HIS WILL and DIRECTION to them and ABIDE in HIS AGAPE LOVE to THE FATHER and ALL OTHERS!
Then, Jesus clearly declares that the disciples are not bond servants but friends. Jesus makes it very clear that the disciples did NOT choose Him, but He chose them and placed or appointed them to BEAR MUCH FRUIT. Jesus continues to emphasize to His disciples the necessity that they MUST ABIDE in HIS AGAPE LOVE and in HIM in order to BEAR MUCH FRUIT. We will discuss the FRUIT of the SPIRIT (Gal. 5:22-23) and show how all nine FRUIT (singular) of the SPIRIT relates and proceeds out of THE FATHER’S AGAPE LOVE. The disciples had no genuine SPIRITUAL ABILITY or SELF CONTROL and STILL LIVED and operated only in their original birth identity.
After that, Jesus talks again about the Comforter – the Holy Spirit, Who is the SPIRIT of TRUTH who would be sent by the Father to comfort and teach them after Jesus was leaving them and going to the Father.
Let us look into John chapter 15 and see what additional revelation, knowledge and understanding the Father might provide for us:
Last week our brother David laid before us a powerful revelation on what the Father gave him concerning Jesus’ words to the disciples as to what they would know on “That Day.”
Rom 8:14-17 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are Sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of Sonship as Sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are Sons of God, 17 and if Sons, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
This is the day to which Jesus is referring – the day or time the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the Sons of God! In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you This is what they will know! And all those who receive Spiritual birth!
Like the disciples, many in religion and many Spiritually birthed Sons are operating in their original birth identity.
Brother Dwight said this in his message:
“However, remember that the disciples before Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection, could not be and were not yet Spirit-birthed Sons. The disciples STILL LIVED and operated only in their original birth identity.”
Although everything in the Bible is Spiritual, it is read, viewed, perceived and interpreted by many through the senses of the flesh.
Jesus said “On That Day” (Of Spiritual Birth) the disciples would have three revelations; “You will know that I am in the Father,” “You will know you are in Me,” and lastly “You will know that I am in you.” But this was not only for the disciples of that day, but this is for every Spiritually born-again believer.
pray with these words of Paul from Ephesians 1: 18-21 for those who are Spiritually birthed and those who will be birthed into the family of God in the future,
I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19. and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
As we conclude our discussion in John chapter fourteen, I trust the Father will continue to take us into a greater revelation of our Union, Oneness and Identity as His Spiritual Sons in the Family of God.
This week we will continue our study and message on the Gospel of John Chapter 14. In the chapter Jesus reveals several Spiritual revelations concerning the Identity, works and responsibilities of the “Trinity: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.” He will unveiled a new insight to this place called the Father’s House. Although many have misunderstood or mischaracterized what Jesus called the “Father’s House” as “heaven” as the place being prepared. He revealed that the “the way,” “the truth,” and “the life” is a person, not a doctrine or belief! He revealed the power of oneness and the “Divine Nature.” And, Jesus discussed “The Father” more than any other chapter in this gospel! The Father has center stage in chapter 14. Jesus speaks of the Father up to 21 times in this chapter. There are much deeper Spiritual revelations in this chapter of the upper discourse course to be revealed.
In the last week the Father provided a clear and powerful teachings on this chapter. Our dear brother, Dwight Davis, discussed that Jesus’ disciples never grasped the Spiritual revelations Jesus shared with them because they had a big problem. What was the problem? Let’s talk about it…
Jesus during this final Passover Supper with His disciples in the Upper Room now discusses some things about His leaving to prepare an eternal place for them and with them in the future. According to Jesus, the disciples should HAVE ALREADY COMPLETELY KNOWN and understood WHERE and THE WAY He was going. Yet, the disciples seemed to be oblivious to the eternal spiritual truth that He must have revealed and showed them throughout His ministry.
Then, Jesus clearly declares that He and the Father are ONE! Jesus clearly showed us that He has been ONE with the Father throughout His entire ministry with the disciples. Yet, the disciples also seemed to be oblivious to this eternal spiritual truth as well, that He must have revealed and showed them throughout His earthly ministry. However, remember that the disciples before Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection, could not be and were not yet Spirit-birthed Sons. The disciples STILL LIVED and operated only in their original birth identity.
After that, Jesus talks about the promise of the Holy Spirit, Who would dwell with the disciples and would be in them sent by the Father to comfort and teach them after Jesus was leaving them and going to the Father.
Let us look into John chapter 14 and see what additional revelation, knowledge and understanding the Father might provide for us:
This week we will conclude our study and messages on the Gospel of John Chapter 13. In the last two weeks we have had the Father provide two powerful teachings on this chapter. First was our dear brother Dwight Davis who revealed to us that the foundation for “true humility” is not an acting or doing what appears to be humble deeds. “True Humility” is self-emptying (kenosis) of original flesh identity to the new Spiritual identity of the Son of God the Father. He said having our minds renewed to our exchanged identity of Sonship is learning to live and walk in “true humility” Spiritually! The next week, our dear sister Brenda Gray shared with us the revelation Father revealed for our glory of Sonship in this chapter. She said this “Jesus is speaking as though “the whole process” of His glorification (His death, resurrection, and exaltation) is already accomplished. This is because the irrevocable plan of God is now in motion even though in the natural it is just beginning (Judas has just gone out to betray Him). As we begin this chapter there are many moving parts and events revealed verse by verse. Yet one of the most important things revealed in the chapter is this. Out of all those mentioned in the chapter it revolves around just two people! These two individuals drive the narrative and message revealed in chapter 13! Let’s find out who they are…