John 16:1-15  "These thing I have spoken to you, that you may be kept from stumbling."  Jesus and His disciples left the upper room.. but they have not gone into the garden yet.  There are things that Jesus wants to say.. things that would prepare them as best they can for what is about to happen.  

He has talked about oneness.. with the Father and with Himself. He has talked about loving one another and being hated by the world.  Jesus does not want them to "stumble"... to trip up and be trapped by the things that are coming, so He warns them ahead of time.  They will be persecuted. They will be thrown out of the synagogue.  They will be killed.  "And these things they will do because they have not known the Father, or Me."  When this happens.. "remember"..  Remember that Jesus went before us.. He suffered persecution.. He died.. but that was not the end of the story! Hallelujah!

Jesus repeated His promise to the disciples that He would send the "Helper".. the "Spirit of truth".  The disciples didn't know exactly what that meant at the time.. but they clung to that promise.  

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit who would "convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgement."  He would guide them into "all the truth".  He would hear the Word and speak the Word, disclosing to them "what is to come".   He would glorify Jesus by taking what is His.. what is the Father's  and disclose it to them. 

We also have been given the Spirit of Truth, the Helper, who comes to disclose the Word of God to us.  He is the One who convicts of sin.. so that we can turn to Jesus Christ in faith for forgiveness of all sin.  He convicts of righteousness.. "because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me."  Righteousness is found in Christ alone.. He is the Redeemer who died and rose again so that we can be declared righteous when we are in Him.  The Spirit also will convict of "judgement".  Judgement is certain.. "the ruler of this world has been judged".  There is no escaping from God's righteous judgement.. there is only one Hope.. and that is in the glorified Son of God.  The Spirit guides us into these truths. 

Father in Heaven, open our ears to hear the Truth that we might not stumble but walk in the Light of Your Spirit who brings us the Word.  When we see the events of this world and know the hatred that comes upon Your children, may we stand firm by remembering all that Jesus spoke.. may we be ready, covered by His righteousness, filled with Your Spirit, and living in the power of Your Name. Direct our hearts into the greatness of Your Love we pray.  In Jesus' name. Amen.