I Tell You The Truth
Our Bible passage, introduction to Sunday 20th April service and hymns are below.
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Our principal verses are:
Jhn 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
Jhn 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
Jhn 16:3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
Jhn 16:4 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.
Jhn 16:5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
Jhn 16:6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
Jhn 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.
I Tell You The Truth
It is instructive to observe the care taken by the Lord to inform and prepare His disciples for the difficulties they soon would face. He explains what is going to happen, why it will happen and the reason for telling them now. The time is fast approaching when they will be opposed, expelled from the synagogue, even slain in the name of God. They will be persecuted because the religious Jews are ignorant of God and devoid of faith in Christ. He is telling them now to prepare them for it. Such things are to be expected. The Lord’s people ought not to be surprised and need not be offended.
The coming change
There was a time when the Lord did not need so fully to explain these things to His disciples. While He remained with them He shielded them from their enemies. Now, however, He was physically leaving. In His absence they each would be hated and feel the force of the Jews’ anger. Only now do the disciples begin to understand the implications of the Saviour’s words. Sadness for His leaving fills their minds. Thoughts of Christ’s glory, the Father’s house and the mansions He would prepare are insufficient to console their hearts.
Christ’s personal care
Yet, again, the tender lovingkindness of our Lord is revealed. He is preoccupied with His people’s needs. He does not refer to His own circumstances; neither His imminent personal suffering nor His triumphant return to His Father. He is engrossed, rather, with what is ‘expedient’ for the disciples, what is most beneficial and suitable for His church and people. Let us never forget how deeply the Lord cares for us and ministers to us in our distresses. Our hardships facilitate good by drawing us closer to Christ.
The Truth
Our Lord Jesus always spoke the truth. Being the Truth He cannot speak other than truthfully. Here He reminds His disciples that all He is revealing to them is accurate and trustworthy. He confirms that His departure will be to their real advantage and lasting benefit. The Saviour’s death, resurrection and return to His Father prompts the Holy Spirit’s coming forth from the Father. It is all according to the will of God. It is the wise design of the all-powerful God for the salvation of the church. It is His good and gracious purpose for Christ’s beloved Bride.
What is expedient?
Christ’s going away was expedient because it opened the way for the Spirit’s coming and the worldwide spread of the gospel. It established the spiritual nature of true faith and worship. Had the Saviour remained in the world, had He set up an earthly kingdom in Jerusalem, the end of faith would have been frustrated. Like all physical, fleshy religion, worship would have become a ritual of outward service rather than heartfelt affection. God’s elect worship the Lord in spirit and truth, not by sacrifice, pilgrimage and homage at an earthly shrine.
The coming Spirit
The coming of the Holy Spirit was also expedient because He quickens the soul, renews the heart and guides the spiritual life of all of God’s elect. The Saviour had already listed many of the functions the Holy Ghost would perform. He comforts the Lord’s people. He teaches us of Christ. He brings to remembrance, ‘whatsoever I have said unto you’. This was but the beginning. The Holy Spirit’s ministry in the world includes preaching the gospel in power, gathering the saints, convicting, protecting and preserving the church.
The plan of redemption
Christ who is the Truth must die, be buried, rise again and ascend to heaven. The Holy Spirit of truth must come from the Father to quicken and indwell His elect. Together the Triune God accomplishes all good for the church, doing all that is effectual for and expedient to our salvation. The Lord’s people are saved by grace, redeemed by blood, renewed with spiritual life from above and called through the preaching of the gospel to trust in Jesus Christ for everlasting life and happiness. This is the saving work of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is the truth.
Amen
Our hymns are below.
Hymn 1
Gadsby Selection 193
“I am the resurrection, and the life.” John 11. 25
J. Newton C.M.
1
“I am,” says Christ, “your glorious Head,”
(May we attention give,)
“The Resurrection of the dead,
The life of all that live.
2
“By faith in me the soul receives
New life, though dead before;
And he that in my name believes,
Shall live to die no more.
3
“The sinner sleeping in his grave
Shall at my voice awake,
And when I once begin to save,
My work I’ll ne’er forsake.”
4
Fulfil thy promise, gracious Lord,
On us assembled here;
Put forth thy Spirit with the word,
And cause the dead to hear.
5
Preserve the power of faith alive
In those who love thy name;
For sin and Satan daily strive
To quench the sacred flame.
6
Thy power and mercy first prevailed
From death to set us free;
And often since our life had failed,
Had it not been in thee.
7
To thee we look, to thee we bow,
To thee for help we call;
Our Life and Resurrection thou,
Our Hope, our Joy, our All.
Hymn 2
Gadsby Selection 29
Led by the Spirit. Ezek. 37. 5, 9; John 16. 14
J. Hart 8.8.6.
1
Descend from heaven, celestial Dove,
With flames of pure seraphic love
Our ravished breasts inspire;
Fountain of joy, blest Paraclete,
Warm our cold hearts with heavenly heat,
And set our souls on fire.
2
Breathe on these bones, so dry and dead;
Thy sweetest, softest influence shed
In all our hearts abroad;
Point out the place where grace abounds;
Direct us to the bleeding wounds
Of our incarnate God.
3
Conduct, blest Guide, thy sinner-train
To Calvary, where the Lamb was slain,
And with us there abide;
Let us our loved Redeemer meet,
Weep o’er his piercèd hands and feet,
And view his wounded side.
4
From which pure fountain if thou draw
Water to quench the fiery law,
And blood to purge our sin;
We’ll tell the Father in that day,
(And thou shalt witness what we say),
“We’re clean, just God, we’re clean.”
5
Teach us for what to pray, and how;
And since, kind God, ’tis only thou
The throne of grace canst move,
Pray thou for us, that we, through faith,
May feel the effects of Jesus’ death,
Through faith, that works by love.
6
Thou, with the Father and the Son,
Art that mysterious Three-in-One,
God blest for evermore!
Whom though we cannot comprehend,
Feeling thou art the sinner’s Friend,
We love thee and adore.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is The Truth and all He says is true. He warns us of future troubles to prepare us for them. He tells us what is expedient and necessary for our salvation. He calls us to trust Him and lean on Him in all our ways.