The Spirit of Truth, as revealed in scripture, guides believers to discern between divine truth and worldly error (I John 4:6). It equips them to test spirits, affirming those who confess Jesus Christ's incarnation as from God (I John 4:1-3). Promised by Jesus, this Spirit proceeds from the Father, testifies of Him, and leads into all truth, revealing future things (John 15:26-27, 16:13). As a Comforter, it abides forever with believers, unseen by the world, fostering an intimate connection to God (John 14:15-17). It instills hope and love in hearts, empowering righteous living and relationships amidst opposition (Romans 5:5, 15:13). Thus, the Spirit of Truth anchors believers in God's reality and kingdom.

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What is Truth?

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

Truth is a fundamental base of a relationship between God and His people. As the days grow evil, God's people must cling to the truth and love His holy law.

Discerning Spirits and Discerning the Body

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In a world rife with confusion and deception, where lies are often accepted as truth, the ability to discern between what is of God and what is of error is crucial. The Spirit of Truth, as revealed in I John 4:6, serves as a guiding light for believers to distinguish between genuine faith and falsehood. By this, we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error, enabling us to test the spirits and determine their origin, whether they are of God or of the world. The Spirit of Truth stands in stark contrast to the spirit of error, which aligns with the world and its deceptive teachings. As I John 4:4-6 emphasizes, those who are of God have overcome false teachers because He who is in them is greater than he who is in the world. Those of the world speak as the world, and the world hears them, but those who know God hear the apostolic teaching, marking the clear distinction between truth and error. This discernment, rooted in the Spirit of Truth, is essential for recognizing the source of inspiration behind prophets and teachers. As I John 4:1-3 instructs, every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, while those who deny this truth are not of God, revealing the spirit of the Antichrist. Thus, the Spirit of Truth equips believers to navigate a society filled with false prophets and deceptive influences, ensuring they remain anchored in God's reality.

The Wonderful, Powerful Gift of God's Holy Spirit

Sermon by John O. Reid

In the remarkable events following Jesus Christ's resurrection in 31 AD, He imparted a profound gift to His disciples, breathing on them and declaring, "Receive you the Holy Spirit." He instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Father, assuring them that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit and receive power to be His witnesses across the earth. This Spirit of Truth, as Jesus later described in John 15:26-27, proceeds from the Father and testifies of Him, enabling the disciples to bear witness to His life, His amplification of God's laws, His love for others, and the absolute truth of God's Kingdom. Further, in John 16:13, Jesus emphasized that when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide into all truth, not speaking on His own authority but declaring what He hears and revealing things to come. This divine guidance stands in stark contrast to the lies and superstitions of the world, offering a foundation of truth for righteous living amidst persecution and hatred. The Spirit of Truth equips believers to stand firm, amplifying the reality of God's Kingdom and providing the strength to live obediently, reflecting love, kindness, and service in a world that often opposes such values.

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Spirit of Truth, as introduced by Jesus Christ, holds a pivotal role in guiding believers into a deeper understanding and relationship with God. In John 14:15-17, Jesus promises that if His followers love Him and keep His commandments, He will pray to the Father to send another Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, to abide with them forever. This Spirit, which the world cannot receive because it neither sees nor knows Him, dwells with and within the believers, providing an intimate connection to divine truth. Further, in John 16:13, Jesus elaborates that when the Spirit of Truth comes, it will guide believers into all truth. This Spirit does not speak of itself but conveys what it hears, revealing future events and essential insights. It imparts the most critical knowledge regarding relationships with God and fellow man, determining the quality and length of life, as well as preparation for God's kingdom. Through the Spirit of Truth, believers receive truths about God, their own nature, their destiny, and the means to achieve it, alongside guidance for improving relationships. This divine gift empowers believers with hope, a powerful motivator, as seen in Romans 15:13, where hope is instilled through the power of the Holy Spirit. Additionally, Romans 5:5 reveals that the love of God is shed abroad in believers' hearts by the Holy Spirit, providing the power to make relationships work. Thus, the Spirit of Truth is essential for spiritual growth, enabling believers to yield to God and fulfill His plan for their lives.

Testing the Spirits (Part 2)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

I John, addresses a congregation grounded in the truth but vexed from within by a number of anti-Christian teachings, including Docetism and Gnosticism.

Truth (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Through the shaping power of God's Holy Spirit, He starts to fill the chasm that divides us so we can have fellowship with Him.

The Five Paraklete Sayings

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The five parakletos sayings of Christ prove that the Holy Spirit is the essence, mind, and power of God and Christ in us, providing us assistance and counsel.

Strategies for Interfacing with Babylon without Becoming Assimilated (Part Five)

Sermon by David F. Maas

God is not a closed triangular Trinity, but a family consisting of God the Father and God the Son, and will include billions of resurrected, glorified saints.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit is never venerated as a separate being. Our hope is the indwelling of Christ, used interchangeably with 'Spirit of God' and 'Spirit of Truth.'

The Helper and the Angel of the Lord

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Christ frequently used 3rd person titles, such as the Son of Man and the Helper. Just as Christ sent the Helper—Himself—so Yahweh sent His Angel—Himself.

Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Seven)

Sermon by David F. Maas

The antidote to double-mindedness and distractions is single-minded focus on God's law through meditating God's word, thus guarding our hearts.

Man's Greatest Challenge (Part Three)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The minister's main task should consist of exhorting on spiritual matters rather than worldly ones, rejecting the profane in favor of the spiritual.

False Gospels

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A major clue for discerning false gospels is that any teaching attempting to change the nature of God or Christ or their doctrines is anti-Christ and false.

Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Two)

Sermon by David F. Maas

In the Olivet prophecy, Jesus gave His disciples a pointed warning about rampant deception occurring at the close of the age, engineered by the arch deceiver.

God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part Four)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Satan's malicious forked tongue has become a symbol of lies and falsehood, blending good and evil, truth and mendacity, into poisonous mixtures.