The Advantage

Season 2 Episode 24 - What is the "advantage" that followers of Jesus have been given?  What are the purposes of this "advantage?"  What are the benefits to us of this "advantage?"  And what is this "advantage" anyway?  Listen and find out!

"Reflect on This" is a once-weekly, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to life in practical and fulfilling ways.
 
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Resources that inspired some episodes:

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis
 
 Blog by Seth Lewis:  https://sethlewis.ie/

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers 3-month paid apprenticeships to unemployed young men.  These apprentices learn valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  The sale of the high-quality furniture they produce supports the ministry.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope" (podcast)
This is a 4-minute weekday podcast, where Joni shares stories of her life and biblical applications.  One of the world's longest living quadriplegics, God has used her courage, determination, faithfulness, and love to inspire and minister in amazing ways to people around the world.    
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, devotionals, and maps.
Computer:  Go to e-sword.net.  Mobile device: Search your app store for "e-sword".

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all 

Transcript

John 16:7 (NASB) "But 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.

In Dutch Sheets’ book entitled “The Pleasure of His Company,” he shares several wonderful insights into Jesus’ statement that “it is to your advantage that I go away.”  

·         First, Jesus was saying to His disciples that His departure would create a new connection to the Father that was even more advantageous than if Jesus were still with them physically.  

·         Secondly, Jesus was saying that this new connection (the Holy Spirit) would be in spirit form, so that He could be everywhere at once, and actually be “in” them and not merely “with” them.

The late Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ (now called Cru), has a wonderful description of the Holy Spirit:

·         He guides us (John 1:13), empowers us (Micah 3:8), and makes us holy (Romans 15:16). He bears witness in our lives (Romans 8:16), comforts us (John 14:16–26), gives us joy (Romans 14:17). . . .

·         As our teacher of spiritual truths, the Holy Spirit illuminates our minds with insight into the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:12–13) and reveals to us the hidden things of God (Isaiah 40:13–14). . . .

·         As you are filled with the Holy Spirit, the Bible becomes alive, prayer becomes vital, your witness becomes effective, and obedience becomes a joy. Then, as a result of your obedience in these areas, your faith grows and you become more mature in your spiritual life.

Sheets then points out that the Holy Spirit “was Christ’s help and He must be ours as well.  As a human, Jesus was filled with, led by, empowered by, and anointed by the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 4:1-2a NIV  Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,  (2)  where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. 

Luke 4:14 NIV  Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

Paul gives us some further insights into the role and blessing of the Holy Spirit:

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NASB) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship [koinonia] of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Sheets then points out that “the following English words are all translations of this Greek word koinonia:

·         Fellowship—the Holy Spirit wants to visit with us.

·         Communion—the Holy Spirit wants to commune with us.

·         Sharing together—the Holy Spirit wants to share His insights and power with us.

·         Participation in or with—the Holy Spirit wants to participate in our efforts and activities.

·         Distribution—the Holy Spirit wants to distribute revelation, gifts, anointings, and blessings to us.

·         Impart—the Holy Spirit wants to impart God’s nature and benefits to us.

·         Partaking—the Holy Spirit wants us to partake of His anointing and life.

·         Partnership—the Holy Spirit wants to partner with us.”

Wow!  What a rich statement!  What a great explanation of the advantage we obtained by Jesus going to heaven and sending the Holy Spirit to us!

And that is my prayer today:  May we realize every day the great advantage that Jesus provided us by going away -- the koinonia of the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent to us!

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”