The Holy Spirit’s Ministry

21 April 2013 PM – John 14:16-18, 25-26 – Scott Childs

Introduction: Preparing for His return to heaven, Jesus told His disciples about the Holy Spirit. They knew quite a bit about God the Father. They had spent about three years with God the Son. However, they probably knew very little about God the Holy Spirit.

The Old Testament tells us that the Spirit of God acted during creation. It mentions the Spirit of the Lord as He came upon judges like Othniel, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. It tells us that the Spirit of the Lord came on King Saul. We read that God’s Spirit directed Elijah and gave Elisha power as a prophet, and the prophet Isaiah spoke frequently of the Spirit of the Lord. However, the average Old Testament believer did not know the Holy Spirit in a personal way.

Transition: In John 14, Jesus revealed several facts about the Holy Spirit that Christians then and now need to know.

I. The Holy Spirit is Another Comforter John 14:16

A. The Holy Spirit would comfort

1. The word “comforter” comes from the Greek word “paraklētos”. This is why Holy Spirit is sometimes called the Paraclete. It describes one who is called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid. It describes one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, an advocate, an intercessor, a helper, or an assistant. The word is translated in the KJV as “Comforter” or “Advocate.”

2. The Holy Spirit would be close by to plead for Christians, to help them, and to assist them.

B. He would comfort just like Jesus comforted.

1. The word “another” gives us additional encouragement. It literally means another of the same kind.

2. Because the Holy Spirit is God just as Jesus is God, they both comfort in the same way.

II. The Holy Spirit Will Abide with You Forever John 14:16

A. Before Pentecost, He came and went.

1. Samson is a good example. Several times during his life, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him to do a mighty act, but He did not stay.

2. Even King David prayed that God’s Spirit might not leave him.

Psalm 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

B. After Pentecost, He will never leave Christians.

1. Jesus said he would abide with believers forever. He will live in them until they go to heaven and He will be with them all eternity in heaven.

2. Jesus, while on earth, could only be in one place at a time. Having the Holy Spirit living in us, He is with us 24/7, no matter where we go. Being God and living in us, He knows every detail of our lives.

III. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth John 16:17

A. He is the Spirit of the Truth

1. Four times in Scripture the phrase is used and each time it contains the definite article “the” that is not translated. He is the Spirit of the Truth.

2. God is Truth. Jesus said He is Truth in John 14:6. God is the standard for truth and the source of truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Godhead.

B. He will guide Christians into truth

1. He will teach all things that are true (v.26).

2. We will also see this in chapter sixteen.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

3. He is the Author of Scripture so He is able to help us understand Bible truth.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

IV. The Holy Spirit Dwells With and In Christians John 14:17

A. He does not dwell with unbelievers

1. They cannot receive Him, nor even know Him.

2. Satan, the expert counterfeiter, causes religious some people to think the Holy Spirit causes them to bray like donkeys, laugh uncontrollably, roll on the floor, be slain in the spirit, speak in babble, and other similar phenomena. This confusion cannot be from the Holy Spirit. Here is why.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

B. He does live with and in true Christians

1. He is with us or beside us all the time.

2. He also lives right inside of us all the time.

a) The Holy Spirit will never leave you as a Christian. You are His temple. How you treat your body and how you dress is VERY important because God lives in you. Tobacco, alcohol, drugs, immorality, immodest clothing all dishonour the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

b) If you sin, you will grieve the Holy Spirit. If you do not get your sin right, you will quench His working in your life.

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

V. With Him Inside, We Will Not Be Orphans John 16:18

A. Jesus said He would not leave believers comfortless

1. The word He used here literally means orphans. Orphans have no parents, no loved ones, no one at all to care for them.

2. Jesus would return to heaven, but he would not leave His children without a loving Helper.

B. Jesus said, “I will come to you.”

1. Yes, Jesus came back to life after His crucifixion, but then He left again. I do not think He referred to this.

2. Yes, Jesus will come again to take believers to heaven as He mentioned in verse 3. However, that was a long way off.

3. I believe Jesus was saying that He and the Holy Spirit are the same Being just different Persons. Jesus came to them in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

VI. The Holy Spirit Will Teach and Remind Us John 16:26

A. He will teach us all things

1. This verse begins by telling us that the Comforter is the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit. The word translated Ghost is the same as Spirit and I think that is a much clearer translation. Also, the Father will send Him in Jesus’ name. He has all the authority and power that Jesus has because they are both God.

2. The Holy Spirit will teach believers all things they need to know to serve God effectively and to live a godly Christian life.

a) He uses His Word, the Bible, to teach us doctrine and how to live.

b) He also uses conviction, inner peace, or the lack of it to direct us.

c) Now that the Bible is complete, He no longer uses revelations and dreams to give us information. All that we need is in the Bible.

B. He will remind us of Jesus’ words

1. The Holy Spirit will bring to our minds the words of Jesus and other Scriptures as we need them.

2. We ought to talk to the Holy Spirit and seek His guidance when making decisions. He is just as much of a Person as Jesus or God the Father.

Conclusion: We do not have Jesus in His physical form here with us today, but we do have the Holy Spirit. He as our Comforter is always present as the Spirit of the Truth who lives in us so that we are never orphans. He teaches and reminds us of the Bible. Do you rely on Him daily? Do you speak to Him regularly? Do you keep His temple (your body) clean and pure? Do you faithfully study the Bible He authored? Do you quickly make things right when you grieve Him? He deserves our love and appreciation!

Song: Cleanse Me – 166