Another Helper (John 14:15-31)

Good morning. Peter, one of the pastors here. Welcome to Garden City. 

Familiar – MBTI – Myers Briggs-Type Indicator (Personality Test. 16. Not the end all be all. Destiny. Can be a helpful tool – understanding ourselves.)

-Extroversion/Introversion

-Sensing/Intuition

-Thinking/Feeling

-Judging/Perceiving

Interesting – Can affect/inform/dictate our understanding of God.

Feelers – How God makes them feel, emotions, the heart vs Thinkers – Right thinking, theology, doctrine. Debate/Argument over which is more important. Believers/Churches all over the spectrum. Same when it comes to the HS, most people seem to fall into two camps: Obsessed  vs ignore, personal vs academic. 

Important – That God informs and shapes our understanding of who he is, not the other way around. Biblically faithful – Not one or the other but Spirit and Truth. They go together. One without the other is dangerous – unbiblical. 

Last weekend – Works that Jesus did and even greater works. Left with the question: How is that possible? This week is the answer. John 14:15… Bibles. Screen. (Let’s read the rest of the chapter)

John 14 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “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. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

Up until this point in John’s gospel, there hasn’t been much talk about the Holy Spirit. But over the next couple of chapters, 14-16, we’re going to see Jesus talk much more about the Holy Spirit and its ministry. 

Today: 1) Who is the Holy Spirit 2) What does the Holy Spirit do? 3) Why does the Holy Spirit matter to us?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Begin by saying, there’s a lot we don’t know. Jn. 3:8. (Wind) But, there are definitely things we do know about the Holy Spirit from God’s Word. And to understand who the Holy Spirit is, you have to first understand…

God is Trinity – 1 God, 3 Persons – God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit. In eternally loving relationship. 1) Not 3 Gods. (Polytheism) 2) Not 1 God with 3 Modes (I’m Peter – Son, Father, Husband. Modalism). 3) No confusion between the 3 persons – Noninterchangeable. (The Father did not come down from heaven and die on the cross. That was God the Son, Jesus) These “other” views – Heretical – Views of God that are inaccurate. 

Everything starts here. – God is Trinity. Unity and Diversity – Tension to be held, not a problem to be solved.

Some argue – The word “Trinity” is not found in the Bible. And that’s true. But the revelation of God about himself in his word makes it very clear that he is Trinity. Ex: God in the OT, repeatedly (Isa.), I will not give my glory to another. But in the NT, the Son is given glory by the Father. (Jn.8) Others – Jesus never claimed to be God. But he does, over and over again by his words and works in the Gospels. Ex: I forgive your sins. (Mk.2) Before Abraham was, I am. (Jn.8) – Why the religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus. Blasphemy. Acts 5 – Spirit.

It’s important that we don’t limit who God is based on what we can understand. (“God can’t be Trinity because we can’t fully comprehend. It doesn’t make sense in my mind, so it can’t be true.”) We need to seek to understand who God is and has revealed himself to be to the best of our ability.

The Holy Spirit is Not:

-Feeling – Gut. Heart. (The heart is deceitful above all things. Wicked. Advice – Just follow your heart is terrible.)

-Free spirit that does whatever it pleases

-Coincidence – Hidden messages everywhere. Clouds. “Must be God.”

-Lesser than the Father and the Son

-Not more important than the Father and the Son

The Holy Spirit Is:

-God – Fully God

-Distinct Person

-Distinct Role 

Present throughout Scripture from beginning to end:

-Ge 1 – The Spirit was hovering over the face of the waters

-Imago Dei – Godhead – Let us make man in our image

-Deut 6:4 – The Lord God is one

-Kings/Leaders/Prophets – Annointing

-Jesus’ Baptism – Father is speaking his love over his Son and the Spirit of God descending upon Jesus (Mt.3)

-GC – Go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

-Acts “of the Apostles” vs “of the Holy Spirit”

-Rev. – Spirit of God speaking to the churches and revelations of Jesus and his second coming and establishment of his eternal kingdom

Within the Trinity – The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, testifies of the Son and brings to completion what the Father wills and the Son does in obedience to do his Father’s will to make it happen – creation and redemption. 

(Theology lesson for the day.)

What does the Holy Spirit do? (Jn. 14, 15,16)

Helper/Advocate (Comforter) v. 16, 26 – Paraklete – Speaks alongside. (Legal Assistant who steps in to plead a cause or present a case.) Another like Jesus, and in the words of Jesus, better for us that he leaves so the Spirit comes. Why? How does the Spirit help?

-Teaches us all the things. (v. 26) – Illuminates the Scriptures so we can understand God’s Word and what Jesus said.

-Remember Jesus – His words and works. (v.26) 

–Words – Doesn’t create it. You have to hear it, read it, etc. You as a believer have some responsibility. Has to be there already. In times of – need, in temptation, in counseling, in sharing the gospel, for every situation – the Spirit brings to remembrance Jesus words in Scripture. (Ex: Wasn’t me)

–Works – Make Christ’s saving work larger in our hearts. (v. 26)

-Jn. 15:26 – “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

-Jn. 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

The Spirit is never about the Spirit – making much of itself or doing its own thing. But about Jesus – what he has said and done for us.

-Grieves over your sin, convicts you of sin, and gives you victory/power over sin. (Eph.4:30, Jn.16, 1Cor.10) NOTE: (In Christ) Does not condemn you for your sin. Convicts you. Condemnation pushes you away while conviction is an invitation to come back – repent. (Ro. 8:1) Power – No to sin. Before, we didn’t. We were slaves to sin. Now there is no temptation or sin that cannot be overcome by the Spirit. Hope for every addiction/sin. Fighting sin from victory not for victory.

-Intercedes/Prays for you. Ro. 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. So amazing. God the Holy Spirit prays for you! Sometimes you’re just at a loss for words, don’t know what to even pray, and the Spirit steps in knowing exactly what to pray for you in whatever situation you are in. Advocating for you for all your needs perfectly and effectively.

-Guides/Speaks – Acts 16 6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

Acts 13 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

The Holy Spirit guides and speaks directly, through Scripture, and also oftentimes through people – Regardless, it should be tested and held up against Scripture. Because the Holy Spirit never speaks or leads in contradiction to what The Father has spoken through Jesus and in his word. So if (believer)…

-Feeling condemned by your sin – Ro. 8:1

-Alone – I will never leave or forsake you

-God must not love me. Forgotten – Hard life circumstances – God’s love not determined by your circumstances but what he has done for you in Jesus.

-“I feel like God is telling me to…” leave my spouse, cheat, steal lie, gossip, and whatever Scripture says, you know it’s not from God

Careful – God told me…I have a word from the Lord…Unless it is directly from Scripture – Humility – This may be from God… I’ve had people prophesy things over me and it was really clear they had no idea what they were talking about. (Really bad attempt at fortune telling.) But other times, I’ve had people speak into my life with Scripture, especially, and it was exactly what I needed when I needed it.

My calling into ministry – Never had that kind of experience ever. Only time. – Got back and asked a bunch of people in the church to speak into it. Wanted to make sure I wasn’t crazy/hallucinate.

Listen, there are other voices in your life competing and trying to be louder in your ears. 1) Your flesh – that craves sin. Satan – Deceiver/Liar/Accuser. (Ge. 3 – Who told you that you were naked? – IOW – Who else have you been listening to?)

-Will use Scripture (Jesus’ Temptation)

-Will twist Scripture (Did God really say? Out of context. Bypass God’s ways.)

And you need to be aware of this and discern who is actually speaking to you – God’s Spirit, God’s Word, God’s People. (And your goal is not to become stronger and more powerful than Satan. But to lean into the one who is already greater – The Spirit.)

-Equips/Empowers believers with spiritual gifts. (1Cor. 12:7. John 14:12.) For the purposes of building up the church and advancing the gospel. But this is not the primary, most important ministry of the Spirit – We are not supposed to be overly obsessed with the gifts or to worship them. – We are to be overly consumed by Jesus and leverage the gifts for Jesus mission and glory. So if there’s a greater emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit and on us exercising the gifts than on Jesus himself, then, there’s a problem. Because the Spirit’s work is primarily about the glory of Jesus. (Jn. 15, 16)

-At work from beginning to end in the work of redemption. – Draws people, opens eyes, makes new. There is no part of our salvation or sanctification or glorification (b.m.e.) that the Spirit is not actively part of. 

(Lastly) -Dwells with you and in you. – v17. God’s presence dwelling with his people in loving relationship – Always the goal. 

-Ge. 1 (We chose sin and left God’s presence.)

-Ark & Temple (Dwell. Presence left because of our sin.)

-Jesus – Emmanuel – God with us.

-Holy Spirit – God in us. 

-Heaven (Rev., Ezek 48:35) – Jesus is there. With him.

Why can’t the world receive the Holy Spirit? (v.16) And why does God wait until after Jesus to send his Holy Spirit? (Good to do it before?)

God didn’t send the Holy Spirit, the life giving power and Spirit, because it wouldn’t make sense to pour it out on spiritually dead people. But after Jesus – for those who know put their trust in him for eternal life through his sacrifice – they have a way to be forgiven of their sin, released from the penalty of death, and brought back to life through his resurrection. So then the Spirit can come to dwell in them. Only after Christ and his redeeming work can people be made alive to God by the Spirit. (OT – Credit, NT – Debit)

Don’t miss the significance of this. – In the Fall, in Ge. 3, we didn’t just sin and deserve death. We lost the presence of God. And what we have here is the presence of God being restored back to us. – With us forever. How Jesus and the Father make their home with you not leaving us as orphans. (v.18, 23)

Crazy. Mindblowing. The Holy Spirit of God dwells in you. Seals us. Downpayment – guarantee of our salvation/inheritance. (Eph. 1:13-14) So we don’t have to fear that we will lose God’s presence like David in Ps. 51. We can never lose God’s presence again! – Jesus!

So people who say/think – Holy Spirit – Not that big of a deal. WRONG. HS is not as important and God the Father and God the Son, Jesus. WRONG. Absolutely critical. The Holy Spirit coming to dwell within his people – continuation Jesus (flesh) coming down to dwell with us – as Emmanuel, God with us. Holy Spirit – God in us.  

Why does the Holy Spirit matter to us? Why should we care? (In case…)

1. The Holy Spirit empowers us to love God.

V. 15 – If you love me… – everything else hinges on this. How do we love God? Is it possible for us to truly love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength AND our neighbor as self? Is it possible for us to keep all of God’s commandments? Or even just the 10 Commandments. Murder. Adultery. Covetousness. Honor mother and father.

The answer is a big NO. The problem: We don’t and we can’t love God as we ought (we love ourselves) and so neither are we able to obey God and keep his commandments. So how then will we love Jesus and keep his commandments? There has to be a power that is outside of ourselves to give us new hearts that love God as we should.

Only possible through the Holy Spirit. – People often have the misconception that Jesus will only give you what you can handle. Couldn’t be further from the truth. God always puts you in impossible situations you cannot handle because you were never meant to handle them on your own, in your own strength, but to depend completely on him. Like the command to love him and to keep his commandments.

We know what love is and we can love God because God first loved us. From that and only by the Spirit are we able to love God and obey him.

Everything else – moralism. External behavior modification. – Not lasting or effective. 

Note: Jesus does not say, if you obey me, I will love you. No. I love you because I am love. Not because you deserve it. And that love produces the love of God in your life…

2. The Holy Spirit empowers our sanctification, our faith, and our works.

-Power that raised Jesus from the dead. 

-Power that raises us from the dead.

-(Is) The power that changes us to be like Jesus – become like him.

–(Santification) – Salvation was a work completely of God. And so is our sanctification. Our growing in Christlikeness. Without the Spirit, nothing. Gal. – We’re just saved by the gospel through the working of the Spirit and we are made holy like Jesus by the Spirit, not of our own strength. We never outgrow our complete dependence on God. The Spirit alone empowers us to put our flesh/sin to death and to love God and love others to the degree that Christ loved us.

Faith – Jesus – Don’t have to be afraid because God is not just on our side, he is inside. Indwelling the hearts of all believers. Never a moment when you are alone. Confidence and boldness greater than you would have even if Jesus were by your side. That should give us a boldness and faith exploding out of us. (Grinch – Heart)

Works – The fruit of our love for God and what he has done for us and is doing in us – Obedience in keeping his commandments and doing his works and even greater works. And these works that flow from loving Jesus – Only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Love for Jesus and obedience/works goes together. James – Without works – dead – not real genuine faith. If I say I love my wife Grace but there are no actions that back it up. Do I really love her?

3. The Holy Spirit empowers our prayers.

When we pray, we don’t pray to a God who is far off, way up there somewhere. Maybe hears us, maybe doesn’t. But what if he was so near –  here with you, dwelling in you. Changes everything. Confidence and expectation. Faith to pray more than we could ever ask or imagine. (X Telephone) Direct access to our heavenly Father, through the Son – work – and in his name, by the Spirit. Makes us pray!

Spirit filled people – Are not those…But those who delight in and talk about the Father’s love in Jesus and what he has done, and what he is doing through his Spirit. Eph. 5:18 – Be filled with the Holy Spirit…making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Trinitarian love is the basis for everything! The Father loves the Son, Jesus, and Jesus loves his Father. And God the Father and God the Son and God the Spirit loves us. And the Spirit seals us into the love of the Trinity and stirs up love in us for God and for others – making us like him.

God promised – Ezek 36. (Joel2) – Pour out his Spirit and put a new Spirit in us. Only possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus took our place. He took on our sin and was forsaken and abandoned by God. He lost the Father’s presence that he had for all of eternity, so we could have it back for eternal life.

God – Not leave you in your sins or as orphans – Not the nature of the Father. Who he has always been. And he cannot stop. There is a day, we will be with God face to face. The delay is purposeful. So there’s time for the nations to hear the gospel. But in the meantime, we have his presence in the Holy Spirit, who is our Helper. Rejoice… 

And we can be sure that he will keep his promise to take us to be with him. And that should give us incredible faith. What do we have to fear? What could ever separate from God? – Ro. 8:37-39. EE – Joy is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances. 

Well, what about when I don’t love God and I don’t feel like doing it? – I don’t want to be fake. – No one wants you to be fake but do it anyway… (There are times when I don’t feel like…) 

I need to work with the HS (confluence) to prime the heart to love God. 

Unforgivable Sin – There’s only 1. Jesus – Mark 3 28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – Rejection of the message of Jesus the Spirit testifies to.