The world is humanity without faith in Him.

	The world hated the Master and hates the Master in you (John 15:18 ).
	The world does not hate its own, so you are not of the world (John 15:19 ).
	Persecution is inevitable when God's truth is taught (John 15:20-23 ).
	Miraculous ministry intensifies the persecution that is without cause (John 15:24-25 ).

We have a mighty Helper who gives testimony, making our witness mighty.

	The Lord did not intend persecution to come as a surprise (John 16:1 ).
	Fanatical, religious zeal motivates the severest persecution (John 16:2-4 ).
	With an absent Lord persecution is directed against His true witnesses (John 16:5-6 ).

The departure of Christ's bodily presence was expedient because He would be present unlimited as to place, in the presence of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7 ).

Exposing personal wrong-doing - of unbelief (John 16:8,9 ).

Not only of a new conception of righteousness as in the Man Christ Jesus, and His teaching, but also in the justification of Jesus by His exaltation (John 16:8,10 ).

John 16:11 "... because the prince of this world is judged."

The usurped rights of Satan over man are broken, and the destroying of his power - the believer is free from condemnation (Romans 8:1 ); and the power of death is broken (Hebrews 2:14 ). Final judgment still awaits Satan (Revelation 20:10 ) and the unbelieving and unrepentant (Revelation 20:15 ).

With the Spirit's coming the Lord is able to teach according to His people's growing capacity (John 16:12 ). The Spirit, like Jesus, does not speak on His own authority, but that which He hears (Revelation 1:1 ).

	He will guide into all truth (John 16:13 ).
	The special work of the Spirit is to glorify Jesus (John 16:14 ).
	The Spirit reveals the greatness of the Person and truth of Christ (John 16:15 ).

Calvary must intervene before the coming of the Spirit in power. "A little while" (John 16:16 KJV). This phrase is repeated seven times in these verses. Sorrow is indeed for a little while in comparison with the joy of seeing Him and enjoying Him in the Holy Spirit. The Lord revealed events that end in joy (John 16:20 ). Death a temporary absence - resurrection a transitory presence - departure to the throne. Blessed events of which we are the rich beneficiaries. The Lord knows our thoughts and gives us tender explanations to our perplexities as these verses illustrate (John 16:18-22 ). His resurrection answers what before seemed unanswerable questions.

John 16:23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. ..."

Asking in prayer for His glory in fruitfulness will continue, and be effectively answered till He comes again, all that is so asked in His name.

John 16:24 "... Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."

Joy comes when we can have plainly spoken to us the Father's mind (John 16:25-28 ).

John 16:25,27 "... I will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁷ "for the Father Himself loves you, ..."

The plain telling of His coming from the Father and going back to the Father is now comprehended (John 16:28-31 ).

His own did forsake Him, but in that forsaking Jesus testified He was not alone. Throughout that trial He had the support of His Father. He guarantees that we will never be left or forsaken. (Hebrews 13:5 ).

---

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. If you are in Christ what can you expect from the world? (John 15:18-25 ).
2. What can you expect from your helper the Holy Spirit, to make your witness mighty? (John 15:26,27 ).
3. Is it possible to be true witnesses to Christ and avoid persecution? (John 16:1-6 ).
4. How is the work of the Holy Spirit described by Jesus? (John 16:7-15 ).
5. What is the special work of the Holy Spirit in which He wants to involve you more and more? (John 16:14 ).
6. Can you say in perplexing sorrow "it will be worth it all when we see Jesus"? (John 16:22,23 ).
7. How can you ensure that your joy may be full? (John 16:24 ).
8. Who was with Christ Jesus when forsaken by all others? (John 16:32 ).
9. Why can you depend upon never being forsaken? (Hebrews 13:5 ).