“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.” (John 16:4b-11)  Happy Birthday, Church!  I would imagine that you have heard that saying at some point on the day of Pentecost.  Because it is the coming of the Holy Spirit that gives birth to the church.  Without the Spirit’s activity, we have nothing, and so once again, Happy Birthday, Church!  This part of Jesus’ farewell address is important for us because it speaks of three of the Holy Spirit’s revelatory activities.  The Spirit speaks of sin, righteousness and judgment.  Without the Holy Spirit’s work (Pentecost and the Spirit’s coming to us), we can never comprehend those three things.  To try to condense something of profound significance, this is what the Spirit teaches us.  Sin is not a list of do’s and don’ts but is our failure to trust in Jesus.  Righteousness is never something we possess or can speak of with pride.  Instead, the only righteousness that we have is our sharing in the Lord’s.  Finally, there is judgment.  Judgment has come in Christ and what the Spirit testifies to is that Jesus the judge has accepted judgement in our place.  So do you struggle with any of those?  I sure do.  Depending on how well I do with the sin list, it is easy for me to fall into either a sense of self-righteousness or of self-condemnation.  But if I pay attention, the Holy Spirit gently testifies to the truth of the Gospel: as I trust in Jesus, he becomes my righteousness and my condemnation.  He is all in all and invites me to share that glorious truth.  I do hope that you have a very happy birthday and are ever mindful of the sufficiency of our Lord to whom the Spirit continues to testify.  Have a great week!