By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Sermon Text: John 16:1-11
Sermon Theme
Jesus is preparing the disciples for a time of conflict and opposition. This is inevitable because Jesus is the light in a world where people love darkness rather than light (John 1:5, 8:12, 3:19). Jesus is explaining that his earthly departure is imminent. He assures the disciples however that he will give them the special advantage of the Holy Spirit who will be their comforter and advocate. The Spirit will expose and condemn “the ruler of this world” (John 16:11). This is the disciples’ assurance of victory. This assurance of spiritual victory was seen in the life of one of America’s greatest war heroes, Sergeant Alvin C. York (1887-1964). As we remember those who continue to fight in the war against terrorism this coming Veterans’ Day, Sgt. York provides a clear example of one who conquered through Jesus Christ
Sermon Outline
I. Comforter
Jesus will soon be with his disciples no longer. His physical presence will be removed following his resurrection and ascension. Yet he tells them numerous times that he will not leave them without One who will comfort and uphold them in his absence (John 14:16-26, 15:26-27). This is the Holy Spirit who is promised to every Christian (I Corinthians 12:3). The Holy Spirit is our perpetual link to Jesus Christ. He is our source of power, strength, hope and comfort. An example in American history of someone living in this power of the Spirit is Alvin C. York. York grew up in rural Tennessee in the early years of the twentieth century. He fought and drank excessively. On New Year’s Eve 1914 he came home in a drunken stupor to find his Christian mother waiting up and praying for him. His heart melted and he embraced Christ as his Lord and Savior. From that moment forward he lived his life in dependence on the Holy Spirit.
II. Convict
The Holy Spirit prpepares us for the spiritual conflict we must face. This struggle is found both within us and outside us (I Timothy 4:10, Hebrews 12:1-2). The Holy Spirit both convicts the world of its sin and condemns the “ruler of this world,” Satan. The Spirit calls us to righteousness (John 16:10). Alvin York encountered this struggle when he was drafted during the First World War. Believing that all killing was against the teaching of the Bible York sought to avoid service as a conscientious objector. However as he read the Scriptures and prayed the Holy Spirit led him to the conviction that he could not stand aside while helpless civilians were being killed in the towns and villages of Belgium and France. York went on to fight in the battle of the Argonne Forest, the deadliest battle in American history. An incredible sharp shooter York killed many enemy troops and help capture 135 others. He later said his goal was to save lives by stopping the slaughter of the machine guns. He emerged as America’s greatest hero in the war and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
III. Conquer
In the writings of John the theme of conquering over the powers of sin and Satan is strongly emphasized (John 16:33, I John 2:13, 4:4, 5:5, Revelation 2:7, 11, 26, 28, 3:21, 17:14). This conquering has nothing to do with human, physical strength. The is the conquering of the Spirit who confronts the world with its sin and condemns the ruler of this world. Alvin York was an example of this spiritual conquering far beyond what he achieved in militarty prowess. Even his wartime achievements he claimed came from God. Returning home as a hero he refused to profit from his military accomplishments. York dedicated himself and all he had to the Lord. Years later with World War II beginning in Europe he agreed to have his story filmed. The money he made from the film he gave towards the establishment of two schools, the York Agricultural Institute and the York Bible School. Unfortunately through his own miscalculation he ended up owing a great deal of money to the Internal Revenue Service. On March 26, 1961 Ed Sullivan made a national television appeal on York’s behalf. A grateful nation in thanks for York’s giving of himself poured in funds, most of them in small donations. Gary Cooper who had played York in the Academy Award winning film Sergeant York sent in a donation. In less than a month York’s tax bill was paid off. York not only gave himself, he inspired others to give. His faithful example had conquered the world (I John 4:4).
Questions for Us
- How have you experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? Have you been touched by the Holy Spirit in the lives of other Christians?
- How can we both be aware of the Spirit’s convicting of the world of sin and at the same time show the love of Christ to that same world (John 3:16-17)?
- What can we learn from the model of Sgt. York regarding the giving of ourselves into the Lord’s service?
