Our Helper! The Holy Spirit!
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TITLE: Our Helper! The Holy Spirit!
TEXT: John 14:15-31
TONE: Encouragement
TARGET: Believers
TASK: To encourage believers to live a life of love (i.e. ‘obedience’) through the power of the Holy Spirit.
TEACH: My wife is my helper. I’m always better when I’m with her. I witness better when I’m with her, I preach better when I’m with her. I pray better when I’m with her. I love being with her. Yet, I have a greater helper and that is the Person of the Holy Spirit. He is my Advocate and my Helper, my Comforter.
TRUTH: At the beginning of the Farewell Discourse Jesus provided His disciples with a real life illustration of love. Love is a choice, an action, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The hallmark of genuine love is obedience. Those who are genuinely saved will respond in submission and service unto Christ. Yet, this life of loving obedience is impossible apart from the Spirit’s presence in our lives. He is our Helper!
There are several things we need to know about our Helper. First, we need to remember….
I. The Identity of our Helper is Perfect (Jn. 14:15-17)
a. Jesus said, “…he will give you another Helper…the Spirit of Truth.” Paraclatos (Advocate, Helper, one who comes alongside).
b. Spirit of Truth (reveals truth, empowers to obey)
c. He is a real person who is divine. He is equal in essence to both the Father and the Son, yet distinct in His person. Jesus referred to Him as “another Counselor. There are two different Gk words for “another.” One is allos (meaning ‘another just like the first’) and heteros (meaning ‘totally different’). The term allos is used here. Thus, the Spirit is ‘another just like the first’ fully divine, which is the identity given to Him in (Acts 5:3-4).
d. “Here Christ promises the Paraclete to the ones who love and therefore obey Christ. This promise introduces the Paraclete as the indwelling Spirit of truth. The Paraclete is “another” Paraclete. Another of the same kind, therefore, the Holy Spirit is another Person, just like Christ, we will mediate the presence of Christ.”[1]
Illustration: Imagine a house with different rooms representing different aspects of our lives -our thoughts, emotions, actions, relationships, and more. Before accepting Jesus into our hearts, this house is empty and lacks true life and purpose.
However, when we invite Jesus into our lives and accept Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. The Holy Spirit moves into this house and begins to transform it from the inside out.
As the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts, He begins to renovate each room of our house. He cleanses the room of our thoughts, filling them with truth and wisdom. He brings peace and joy to the room of our emotions, replacing fear and anxiety with hope and love. He guides our actions, aligning them with God’s will and purpose. He strengthens our relationships, fostering loves, forgiveness, and unity. (Kelly’s rumba bouncing around the house)
Application: Let Him in every room.
Second, we need to remember….
II. The Indwelling of our Helper is Powerful (Jn. 14:18-20)
a. Jesus said, “In that day you will know that I am in the Father, and you in me, and I in you.” Often this is referred to as the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist stated, “I baptize with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matt. 3:11).
b. Jesus Himself stated, “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5). Paul wrote, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body…” (1Cor. 12:13). Therefore, the indwelling of the Spirit is true of every believer.
c. The indwelling come with “every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Peter wrote, “His divine power has granted to us all that pertains to life and godlinesss, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2Peter 1:3). With the indwelling comes partakers, promises, and power,
d. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a distinctive blessing of the new covenant. However, it is important to note that even though we are “not” commanded to be indwelt/baptized, we are commanded to be filled. Paul stated this in (Eph. 5:18).
Illustration: Homeless couple, addicted to drugs changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Application: Let Him clean every room.
Third, we need to remember….
III. The Illumination of our Helper is Progressive (Jn. 14:21-25)
a. Here we see the result of the indwelling Holy Spirit. He mediates the presence of God and Christ to the ones who are in covenant with him. The manifestation referred to by Christ is in reference the His inner indwelling.
b. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things….” The Holy Spirit teaches us about Jesus according to the application of Scripture. He also illumines us to human need.
c. He illumines by opening blind eyes (to see), unfog the mind (to understand), He gently woos the will (to believe). He provides interpretation, explanation, and application of Scripture. He reveals truth progressively over time.
Illustration: As a young boy we would hunt racoons at night wearing headlamps to illumine the darkness. He helps us see sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Application: Keep everything picked-up.
Fourth, we need to remember…..
IV. The Instruction of our Helper is Precious (Jn. 14:15, 21, 22-26)
a. Jesus said, “If you love me you will obey me…” (v.15). He also said, “He who keeps my commandments, love me and will be loved by my Father and I will reveal myself to him” (v.21). Again, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Fathers who sent me” (v.22-26)
b. The instruction is one of loving obedience. Both are manifestations of the divine nature. Love is a fruit of the Spirit and obedience is the fruit of love. Without obedience there is no proof of Spirit empowered love, and without love there is no Christ.
c. “The implication is that even under the old covenant obedience that comes from fear, duty, or guilt rather than love is not the heart of obedience. Covenant faithfulness and love are inseparable.”[2]
Illustration: Marriage vows are precious. Even more so are the numerous commands to obey Christ as an act of love.
Application: Show it off.
Lastly, we need to remember….
V. The Impartation of our Helper is Peace (Jn. 14:27-31)
a. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you…..” The peace that comes from Christ through the Spirit is a salvific peace (peace with God), it is also a sanctifying peace (peace of God).
b. It’s a peace that transcends worldly understanding. It frees us from fears and anxiety. It provides us with divine assurance. We assurance of His presence, His promises, and His Parousia.
c. The peace that Jesus offers differ from the peace of the world in several important ways:
i. Source: The peace of the world often depends on external facts such as wealth, success, or relationships. It is fleeting and can be easily disrupted. In contrast, the peace that Jesus gives in rooted in our relationship with Him. It is a deep-seated inner peace that transcends externals.
ii. Nature: The peace of the world is based on temporary solutions or distractions that provide temporary relief from troubles and anxieties. On the other hand, the peace that Jesus offers is a lasting and transformative peace that goes beyond surface-level calmness. It brings true healing and restoration to the soul.
iii. Foundation: The peace of the world can be shaken by unexpected events, conflicts, or losses. It is based on shifting sands of human efforts and circumstances. In contrast, the peace that Jesus gives is grounded in the unchanging character of God.
iv. Effect: The peace of the world may provide temporary comfort or relief, but it does not address the deeper spiritual needs of the human heart. The peace of Jesus brings true transformation, inner healing, and reconciliation with God. Leads to a life of purpose and hope.
Illustration: When Jim Elliott chose the spear over the tribal leader’s damnation.
Application: Rest in Him.
TIE-UP: Just like when Kelly is with me, I am
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