The title of our message tonight is “Our Paraclete”. No, I did not say, “our parakeet”. We are not going to be talking about a bird. I said, “Our Paraclete”. We are talking about a Person. He is a very special person that you all know, but perhaps not by this name. Our Paraclete is the Holy Spirit.

Transition

I want us to get to know our Paraclete by examining definitions, inscriptions, and applications relating to Him.

Definitions Relating to Our Paraclete

  1. The verb – Parakaleo
    1. This is a word that I have mentioned many times in my sermons. It is that word is often translated comfort, beseech, desire, pray, exhort, intreat, or call.
    2. Thayer’s Lexicon defines parakaleo in this way:
      1. to call to one’s side, call for, summon
      2. to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc. (a. to admonish, exhort; b. to beg, entreat, beseech)
    3. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) gives this description:
      1. The first sense being that of “calling to” either literally or with such nuances as calling for aid, inviting, and summoning.
      2. A second sense is that of “beseeching,” e.g., calling on the gods in prayer.
      3. A third sense is that of “exhorting” or “encouraging,” and even on occasion of “winning over” for a plan.
      4. The final sense is that of “comforting,” mostly in the form of giving exhortation or encouragement in times of sorrow. This is not a common use.
        ☆ We sense love in this word and the speaker tenderly calls the listener close to him for a talk.
  2. The noun – Parakletos
    1. The noun describes the person who is calling someone to his side.
    2. He is the friend of the accused person. He is a helper to the one in need. He is the mentor of the one needing instruction.
    3. Thayer describes him as “one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defence, legal assistant, an advocate; in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant.”
    4. Zodihaites tells us that “In the Greek writers, used of a legal advisor, pleader, proxy, or advocate, one who comes forward in behalf of and as the representative of another.”
    5. TDNT describes him as “one called in for help”. … the basic thought is that of “Advocate” but the more general “Supporter” or “Helper” is perhaps the best rendering.
      ☆ The Parakletos or Paraclete is the person who tenderly calls the listener close to him to give him some sort of help.

Inscriptions Relating to Our Paraclete

  1. Scriptures that mention the verb parakaleo
    1. (2 Corinthians 2:7) So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
    2. (Romans 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
    3. (2 Corinthians 8:6) Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
    4. (Acts 27:34) Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
    5. (Acts 20:2) And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
    6. (Luke 15:28) And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
    7. (Acts 28:20) For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
      ☆ As we see in this sample of the 104 NT references, the verb parakaleo is bringing another person close to give him aid.
  2. Scriptures that mention the noun parakletos
    1. (John 14:16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
    2. (John 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
    3. (John 15:26) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
    4. (John 16:7) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:8) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
    5. (1 John 2:1) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
      ☆ We can see from Scripture that our Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, is called our Comforter and Advocate.

Applications Relating to Our Paraclete

  1. The Holy Spirit’s work
    1. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is described as the Christian’s Paraclete. He calls us close to Him to give us aid, to encourage us, to comfort us, and to exhort us. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
    2. As we just saw in the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit is another comforter just like Jesus. He is with us always to teach us. He testifies of truth. As you spend time with Him in Bible study, He will draw you close and teach you.
    3. When we witness He will work through our witness to reprove or convict the world. Ask for His help.
    4. When Satan accuses us after we confess a sin, our Paraclete or Advocate comes to our aid. He argues that He paid for our sin on the cross and thus He is just to forgive us and cleanse our confessed sin (1Jn 1:9).
  2. Our duties
    1. If you are a true Christian, you live in the presence of the indwelling the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Now as your Paraclete, He wants you to walk close to Him. (Galatians 5:16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
    2. The Paraclete will not force His help on you. You must choose to move close to Him and accept it.
    3. Christians are to be paracletes. Every Christian has a duty to walk close to the Lord so that he or she can help other Christians. We are to call those in need to our side and tenderly help them. Paul often did this. Unless you are walking in close fellowship with the Lord, you are not able to offer spiritual help to others.
    4. As Christians, we also need to receive help. When through a sermon, Bible study, or one-on-one talk your pastor or a godly friend seeks to bring you close and give you some helpful advice, and be willing to accept help.

Conclusion

Whether the paraclete is a godly Christian or the indwelling Holy Spirit, the paraclete is your friend. Learn to walk close to the Holy Spirit who is your divine Paraclete. Let Him speak to your heart through the Bible each day. Obey His conviction when you are tempted to act in a bad way. Answer His call when He calls you to do something for Him. Listen to His still small voice when He tells you to look away from a temptation or to think right thoughts. Rest peacefully in His comforting arms when burdens trouble your heart.

As you stay close to your divine Paraclete, He will help you learn from earthly paracletes and He will enable you to be a paraclete to others.

Song: Be Care-filled for Nothing (back of book)
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Our Paraclete
20 March 2016 PM – John 14:16 – Scott Childs