I Will Not Leave You Comfortless

From my notes I present an edited message about our Bible Study on Sunday.

Jesus was poured out as sweet smelling ointment as a sacrifice for our Salvation.

As our Bible study began, we read from Song of Solomon 4:13-15  Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,  Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:  A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.

This reading reminds us of the precious oils and spices used for anointing and for incense in the temple worship with the priests.  Also that Jesus is the Living Water.

Jesus was telling his disciples that soon he was going away, but he would not leave them comfortless.  They did not understand why they could not go with him, as they thought he was traveling somewhere.  They did not realize that Jesus spoke of his death burial resurrection and his ascension into heaven.  He promised to send a comforter to be with them and in them bestowing them with power and boldness.

The Holy Spirit is the promise sent to abide with us and in us; to be our guide, our teacher and our assurance of salvation.

At Salvation we receive a quickening and a knowing from Holy Spirit that we have received Eternal Life.  Next we are to ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and a separate experience is ours.  At that time we are able to use the gift of tongues to pray and intercede.  There are other gifts available to encourage, direct and inspire us to go forth in Jesus Name and do exploits for him.

What sort of men were the disciples?  They were rough fishermen, business men, tax collectors, physicians, a motley crew.

John 13:33 Jesus calls us his children, he gives us a new commandment: to love one another and to be an example of right living to others.

John 14 15-17 If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.

Jesus says to ask seek and knock believing we shall have what we ask for.

Jesus declares he is the vine and we are the branches and we must bear fruit.  Jesus said without me - - you can do nothing.  We must depend on Jesus to do the work through us. 

As we abide in Jesus the true vine, there are rewards, both now and also later in heaven.

When we abide in Him, there will be fruit.  If we fail to abide, there will be no lasting fruit.  Jesus gave a warning if there is no fruit, about the vine being cut off.  

It is wise to stay close to Jesus and not break our connection with Him.