Dear Christian friends:

Last Sunday we preached about true happiness. I showed you that true happiness was not found in money, health or earthly things, but true happiness we find only by faith in Jesus Christ.

But many of you say that you believe in Jesus Christ. If I asked you today, "Do you believe in Jesus Christ?" I think all of you will answer, "Yes." But are you really happy? Are you happy in your heart truly? Are you happy with other members? Are you happy at home with your family? Or are you cross and angry and displeased and unhappy?

What's wrong? In our text Jesus says the Holy Spirit will tell us the truth about three words which are very important. Listen and you may get real happiness.

I. The truth about sin

A. If you ask people what sin makes us go to hell you will get many different answers.

B. But the Holy Spirit Jesus says tells us the truth about sin. Sin does not make anyone go to hell, but "unbelief" Jesus says, "the Holy Spirit will correct the world about sin because they believe not on Me." And the time Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)

This is a wonderful comfort for us that no sin makes us go to hell. Jesus has suffered and paid for all sins. Only those who refuse to believe in Jesus must go to hell. How come?

By faith in Jesus we become perfectly righteous before God. The Holy Spirit also teaches us the truth about that. Righteousness is the second thing about which the Holy Spirit teaches us. Jesus says the Holy Spirit will correct the world about righteousness because "I go to My Father and ye see Me no more." (verse 10)

How good must any one be to go to heaven? People have many different ideas about that. Many say, "Do your best and God will be satisfied with you." That's self-righteousness. That's not good enough God is perfect and so we must be perfect also if we hope to stand before Him in heaven.

Jesus says, "Holy Spirit will correct the world about righteousness, because I go to My Father." What does He mean "because I go to My Father?" Jesus said these words on Thursday evening before He was crucified. He means that He must now suffer and die and then arise again on the third day and ascend up to His Father in heaven.

By His perfect life and His innocent suffering and death and resurrection Jesus wins a perfect righteousness for all of us. If we give up our own little righteousness which is as filthy rags, and accept Jesus' righteousness, then, we can stand before God holy, perfect and without fear.

St. Paul says, "I not have my own righteousness which is of the law, but the righteousness which is of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3) (Tell the parable of the man without a wedding garment)

The Holy Spirit comforts us by helping us to accept Jesus' perfect righteousness and not argue or trust in our own good works. Because when troubles come and sickness or death then the devil blames us and tempts us and says, "You are a sinner; you can't go to heaven. God doesn't want you." You broke your marriage vows, You cheated on your husband. You stole some money." The devil knows how to tempt us to give up faith in God.

But if we do not trust in our own works and self-righteousness, but confess that its no good and instead trust in Jesus' righteousness then we need not be afraid of the devils blaming and tempting. Also we do not need to be afraid of the judgment day when Jesus comes again to judge us all.

Jesus says, "the Holy Spirit will correct the world about judgement because the Prince of this world is judged." (verse 11) Who is the Prince of this world? Satan!

Many people are afraid of the Judgment Day. Satan keeps blaming them and troubling them with their sins and they are afraid Jesus will come and condemn them to hell. They don't want to hear about Judgment Day and they try to forget it. They don't want to even come to Church because Satan keeps blaming them and giving them trouble about their sins.

But we are foolish if we listen to Satan. His charges and blaming us with our sins can't destroy us because we by faith have put-on Jesus' perfect righteousness.

Luther sings: "He's judged; the deed is done, One little Word can fell Him" That little word is "Jesus." When the devil tempts you and blames you, say to him "Jesus", Jesus is my righteousness! Jesus is my plea! You can't blame me before God.

Like that beautiful hymn, Just as I Am, Without One Plea:

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd'st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Not true? The Holy Spirit by showing us the truth about these three words gives us very much comfort and joy. That's why Jesus calls Him the Comforter. Do you want other deaf to have this comfort? Then be kind to them and forgive them in Jesus' name. Don't be cross and angry with them or blame them like the devil does.

You have God's forgiveness so be kind and forgive and give comfort to others. If you have hurt someone and sinned against someone ask God to forgive you in Jesus name. Then be happy and cheerful and go ask that person whom you hurt, ask him to forgive you.

The Holy Spirit can give you this wonderful comfort and joy so that you really accept God's forgiveness and peace and then go make peace with others.

Amen.