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John 15:26 - 16:15
(John 16:12-15)
Sponsored, 2015, in honor of
Alaska Native Lutheran Church in Anchorage, AK,
a congregation of the ELCA,
by Pr. Sara Brown

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV. Chapter 16.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary (Matthew Henry, Wesley's Notes, Geneva Notes, etc) & sermons. Chapter 16
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • XLVI.42-58; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
  • III.XVII.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter X, On Baptism,  Tertullian (c. 198)
  • Chapter VIII, Chapter XXII, Chapter XXVIII, The Prescription of Heretics, Tertullian (c. 200)
  • Chapter XVII, Chapter XXX, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • II.12, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • VII.XVII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • XI.14, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • Epistle LV -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
  • "On Luke 10:22 (Matthew 11:27)," Athanasius (290-373).
  • From Augustine's Tractates on John: 
    • Tractate 92 (15:26, 27)
    • Tractate 94 (16-4-11)
    • Tractate 96 (16:12, 13)
    • Tractate 97 (16:12, 13)
    • Tractate 98 (16:12, 13)
    • Tractate 99 (16:13)
    • Tractate 100 (16:13-15)
  • Chapter XXVI, Proslogium, Anselm of Canterbury, 1077-1078.
  • "Christ's Defence against Those Who Slandered Him," John 15:26 - 16:4, Martin Luther, c. 1525.
  • From the Geneva Notes. Chapter 16
    • "The Spirit of God works so mightily by the preaching of the word that he forces the world, whether or not it wants to, to confess its own unrighteousness and Christ's righteousness and almightiness."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary. Chapter 16
    • "Christ's departure was necessary to the Comforter's coming. Sending the Spirit was to be the fruit of Christ's death, which was his going away. His bodily presence could be only in one place at one time, but his Spirit is every where, in all places, at all times, wherever two or three are gathered together in his name."
  • The Holy Spirit, Convincing the World of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgement (John 16:8): sermon by George Whitefield.
    • "For, as God is a sovereign agent, his sacred Spirit bloweth not only on whom, but when and how it listeth. Therefore, far be it from me to confine the Almighty to one way of acting, or say, that all undergo an equal degree of conviction: no, there is a holy variety in God's methods of calling home his elect."
  • From Wesley's Notes. Chapter 16
    • "It is universally allowed that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost dwell in all believers. And the internal agency of the Holy Ghost is generally admitted. That of the Father and the Son, as represented in this Gospel, deserves our deepest consideration."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871). Chapter 16
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891. Chapter 16
    • "What seemed then a crushing sorrow was a real blessing. His mission could never be accomplished unless he went away."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • John 16:12-15
    • Commentary, John 16:12-15, Gilberto Ruiz, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
      • "The question we are left with is whether we will listen to the Spirit and be open to newer and deeper understandings of our faith and to the implications of Jesus's revelation for us today."
    • Pulpit Fiction, with podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2016.
    • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2016.
    • Commentary, John 16:12-15 | Mark Holcomb | University Chaplain, Olivet Nazarene University | A Plain Account, 2016
      • "This week is Trinity Sunday, the week we attempt to move beyond the "activity" of the Spirit and Pentecost, to explaining the Spirit and the nature of the Triune God. How do you explain existence? How do you explain the claim we make of a God expressed in three forms?"
    • The Truett Pulpit, Dr. George Mason, Senior Pastor, Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.
    • "How Much Can You Bear?" Robert Warren, Prospect, 2016.
    • Commentary, John 16:12-15, Lucy Lind Hogan, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
      • "The Holy Trinity is about relationship and indwelling. It is about collaboration and the self-communication of God. "
    • "Hope in the Meantime," David Lose, Working Preacher, 2013.
      • "So my advice to you this Trinity Sunday? Don’t preach on the Trinity, preach on hope instead."
    • "The Spirit as the Emissary of Truth," D Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2013.
      • "If Pagels’ thesis is correct, this text could be part of that ongoing polemic, centering the theology embraced by the Johannine community in Christ. On the other hand, it could also be validating the Johannine community’s theology even though it is different from what other Christian communities hold (such as reflected in the synoptic gospels)."
    • "The Power of Three," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2013.
    • Lectionary Greek, Rob Myallis, 2013.
    • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, John 16:12-15, David Ewart, 2013.
      • "...we need to hear this brief section from Chapter 16, not as Jesus giving a lecture on the doctrine of the Trinity, but as a personally intense commitment of abiding, continuing, present love / loyalty / protection / guidance / bonding with his followers then - and now - and always."
    • "Are We There Yet?" Mike Stavlund, The Hardest Question, 2013.
      • "Did we miss something in the past, or are we missing something that will come yet in the future? Or are we living in it right now, yet longing for something else?"
    • Truth That Catches Us, Dr. Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2013.
      • "What 'Truth' still lies hidden or forgotten for you? What do you wonder most about?"
    • "How Hard Is It Raining," Neil Chappell, aweirdthing, 2013.
    • Commentary, John 16:12-15, Sarah Henrich, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
      • "There is always a degree of finagling that goes on when any biblical text is called upon to support a doctrine or understanding of the church..."
    • Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
    • More about the Spirit of Truth, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2010.
    • John 16:12-15, Trinity C, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
    • "First Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary: Trinity," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
      • "Not everything which masquerades in garments of light brings light. To affirm this Spirit, this Christ of John, is to deny counterfeits and to encounter popular spiritualities inside and outside the church critically."
    • Exegetical Notes (Trinity C) by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
      • "The doctrine of the Trinity is not something Jesus explained to us. It, like most doctrines, came out of the experience of the early believers. How can we put our experiences of God the Creator and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit into words?"
    • Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2010.
      • "Anangello, then, has to do with 'reporting back' or 'sending news back.'  KJV has 'show.'  NIV has 'tell.'  NASB has 'disclose.'  NRSV has 'declare.'  These translations seem to assume that the Spirit knows the future, but they don't say it quite as clearly as 'report back.'"
    • First Look, John 16:12-15, Lee Koontz, reflectious, 2010.
    • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, John 16:12-15, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
      • "So we are again and again in the middle of things received and passed on. All the while we move closer to one another."
  • Commentary, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (Pentecost B), Ginger Barfield, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
    • "The temptation when preaching Pentecost is to make the sermon a witness to something that happened."
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Scott Hoezee, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, illustration ideas, 2015.
    • "So as people of Pentecost, we need to let the Spirit use us to tell the world what's wrong but we do this ever and only with hope in our voices."
  • "Spirit, guide us into all the truth," Commented Bible Passages from Taizé, 2008.
    • "Am I ready to recognize that the full truth about Jesus still lies before me, that I still have to let myself be led towards it?"
  • "Your Pain Will Turn into Joy," Commented Bible Passages from Taize, 2011.
  • "Breath of God," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer.
    • "When we can live every aspect of life, from work to family to play to worship to eating to sleeping to walking in the constant awareness of God's presence, then we can become living witnesses to the life and love that the Spirit breathes into us all."
  • "They Were All In One Place," Porter Taylor, The Liturgical Theologian, 2015.
  • Evangelio Commentario del San Juan 15:26-27, 17:4b-15, Luis Menendez Antuna, 2015.
  • Commentary, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (Pentecost B), James Boyce, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
    • "...the Spirit gives power to the community of believers not to identify themselves as abandoned or forsaken, but rather as empowered and sent to bear witness to the world that in the events of the Son God's love has indeed been made real and present for all the world. "
  • Jesus Talks about the Advocate, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2012.
  • "Everyday Pentecost," Alyce M. McKenzie, Patheos, 2012.
    • "Pentecost is not an event we wait for. It's one in which we participate. Every moment is Pentecost."
  • "Being Here, Not Here, and Not Yet," Neal D. Presa, The Hardest Question, 2012.
    • "The Full Absence and Full Presence of Christ Among Us."
  • Lectionary Blogging, Pentecost, John Petty, 2012.
    • "When the parakletos comes, he 'will guide--hodegesei--into all truth.' Hodgesei includes within it the word hodos, or 'way.' The fourth gospel, quoting Isaiah, said right off the bat: 'Make straight the way--hodos--of the Lord.' In chapter 14, Jesus himself is 'the way' (14:6). The parakletos will guide the people into Christ and onto his 'way.'"
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, John 15:26-27 and 16:4b-15, David Ewart, 2009.
    • "Whatever else we may want to say on this day of Pentecost about the Spirit, it is important to notice that Jesus always refers to the Spirit as the Spirit of truth. And in John truth is always the way, the life, the light, the joy, the friendship."
  • "First Thoughts on Year B Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Jesus is not left behind that we might soar into spiritual fantasy and relish the prospects of more magic and more religion. John promises no such flights and is silent about future miracles. The task of the disciples and disciples after them is to bear fruit, to let the seed sown in death rise to new life. Transitional events are minimised. What matters is life and love."
  • Pentecost According to John, Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
    • "...the Holy Spirit comes to convince the world (and the church) the truth about Jesus, the truth about sin, the truth about righteousness, the truth about judgment and this world in which we live."
  • Exegetical Notes (Pentecost B) by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
    • "Perhaps the paradoxical statement, "I believe that I can't believe," can lead us from being people of the world (I can do it myself, I understand it all myself) to people of God (God does for me what I can't do for myself and sometimes I am wrong)."
  • "The Work of the Spirit,"Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • Commentary, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Sharon H. Ringe, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  • John 15:26-27; 164b-15, Pentecost B, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • Commentary by Hall Harris at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "But why is it better for the disciples to have the presence of the Paraclete than the presence of Jesus himself as they do now? Because the Paraclete will not only be with them as Jesus has been, but in them as well (cf. 17:23, 26)."
  • "How to Handle a Hostile World (John 16)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "The ministry of the Holy Spirit, with respect to the unbelieving world, is to confirm the witness of the believer. The matter of witnessing is a cooperative venture, involving men and the Holy Spirit."
  • The Announcing World of the Paraclete, Easter to Trinity with the Gospel of John: Bearing Witness to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Paul S. Berge, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1995.
  • "Aging from the Perspective of the Cross," Stephen Sapp, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
    • "The discipleship of the cross recognizes that the cross Jesus Christ bids his followers to take up includes the ordinary, everyday sufferings of human life?including those associated with aging?that are borne as Jesus bore his sufferings."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Aloisi, John, "The Paraclete's Ministry of Conviction: Another Look at John 16:8-11," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Anderson, Paul N., "The Having-Sent-Me Father: Aspects of Agency, Encounter, and Irony in the Johannine Father-Son Relationship," Semeia, 1999.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Bammel, Ernst, "The Farewell Discourse of the Evangelist John and Its Jewish Heritage," Tyndale Bulletin, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Berge, Paul S. "Easter to Trinity with the Gospel of John: Bearing Witness to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," Word & World, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • D'Angelo, Mary Rose, "Imitating Deity in the Gospel of John: Theological Language and 'Father' in 'Prayers of Jesus'," Semeia, 1999.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Domeris, Bill, "The Paraclete as an Ideological Construct: A Study in the Farewell Discourses," Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2009. (Section on this text begins on page 189)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Jeske, Richard L., "Expository Article: John 14:27 and 16:33," Interpretation, 1984.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Jones, David Lee, "Visitation, Declaration, Trepidation, Implication and Anticipation: : Reflections on the Lectionary Readings for June," The Living Pulpit, 2007. (See also "Atonement," issue focus of The Living Pulpit, 16.2, 2007.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lutkemeyer, Lawrence, "The Role of the Paraclete (Jn 16:7-15)," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1946.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Morrison, Craig E., O. Carm., "The 'Hour of Distress' in Targum Neofiti and the 'Hour' in the Gospel of John," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • O'Brien, Bill, "Coming into Focus," The Christian Century, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Peterson, Eugene, "The Story Behind the Story: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15," Journal for Preachers, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Peterson, Robert A., "Is Christ 'The Electing God'?" Presbyterion, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Smith, D. Moody, "John 16:1-15, Expository Article," Interpretation, 1979.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Stefan, Crinisor, "The Paraclete and Prophecy in the Johannine Community," Pneuma, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Welker, Michael, "The Holy Spirit," Theology Today, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Is Social Media Trending or Transforming?" Samuel Wells, Faith and Leadership, 2015.
  • "What Kind of Math Is This?" Dean Wolfe, Day 1, 2013.
  • "The Dance," the Rev. Canon Charles K. Robertson, Day 1, 2010.
  • "The Church's Hope," the Rev. Dr. Fred R. Anderson, Day 1, 2009.
  • "The Spirit of Truth," "The Counselor," Ed Markquart, Sermons from Seattle.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily
    • Pentecost, 2006
    • Trinity, 2004
    • Pentecost, 2000
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2016.
  • Storypath, Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story, Union Presbyterian Seminary, 2016.
  • "The Unseen Power," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "The Holy Spirit Brings Us Together," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "Jesus Ascends," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
  • John 15 & 16 Word Search, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
• Drama:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, John 16:13, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • John 15:26 - 16:4, John 16:12-15, John 15:26 - 16:15, John 15:26 - 16:4, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • Clip Art, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: John 15:26; 16:7, 13. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, John 15, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, John 16, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of John

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