Sermon Series: Beauty of Balance
Message 2: The Beauty of Balance
Text: John 16:7-15
Pastor Alan Wright
September 11, 2016
Reynolda Church, EPC
Summary
If we have all Word and no Spirit, we dry up; if we have all Spirit and no Word, we blow up; but,
if we have Word and Spirit, we grow up. The Word and the Spirit should not be divorced and
Alan highlighted the related pitfalls. When we have all Word and no Spirit, dry dogmatism arises
like that of the Pharisees. When we have all Spirit and no Word, godly character gives way to the
longings of man over the commands of God like King Saul or the church at Corinth. When,
however, we have Word and Spirit, the Spirit illuminates and confirms the Word of God, making
it real and active in our lives and communities. When we have Word and Spirit we grow up into
the image of God’s Son as we ought.
Getting to Know Each Other
1. What has your personal and/or church experience been – more Word than Spirit, more
Spirit than Word, or a balance between Word and Spirit?
Getting into the Bible
Read John 16:7-15
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will
convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they
do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see
me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of
truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but
whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He
will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is
mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
2. What is the context of this exchange between Jesus and his disciples?
3. Why is it advantageous that Jesus would go away and the Helper (Spirit of truth) would
come (verse 7)?
4. Why do you think that the disciples couldn’t bear the things Jesus had to say (verse 12)?
5. What do you think it means for the Spirit of truth to guide the disciples (us) into all truth
(verse 13)?
6. Jesus tells the disciples on whose authority the Holy Spirit does not speak. On whose
authority then does he speak (verse 13)?
Sermon Series: Beauty of Balance
Message 2: The Beauty of Balance
Text: John 16:7-15
Pastor Alan Wright
September 11, 2016
Reynolda Church, EPC
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every
good work.
7. What is the context of this passage? Who is the author? Recipient?
8. What does profitable mean?
9. Compare and contrast “teaching,” “reproof,” “correction,” and “training in
righteousness.”
10. How do you think God-breathed Scripture makes us “complete (verse 17)?”
11. How does God-breathed Scripture equip us for a life full of good works?
Application
12. How do we experience the Spirit of truth “guid[ing] us into all truth (John 16:13)?”
13. How do we maximize the profit of the God-breathed Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17)?
14. Put the back of your hand an inch from your mouth and say “Let there be light.” As you
feel the breath on the back of your hand you’re reminded about the inseparable nature of
your words and your breath. So it is with God’s Word and Spirit. How can this tactile
exercise change your view of God’s Word and Spirit?
15. Alan said: “If we have Word and no Spirit, we dry up; if we have all Spirit and no Word,
we blow up; if we have Spirit and Word, we grow up.” How can you obtain more balance
between Word and Spirit?