The Helper – The Holy Spirit
Our text for today is found in John chapter fourteen. Please follow along with me as I read:
"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 said to you.” John 14:26 (NASB)
I can only imagine how often the disciples would run to Christ to tell Him their problems and concerns. I would imagine that they would come to Him as little children would to a caring friend. They would bring every want, every sorrow, and every agony before Him. They knew that it was He who could bandage up there hurts as would a wise physician. I imagine that He would tell them, “Fear not. All things will be well.” It must have been wonderful to live at a time when Christ walked the earth.
But even for the disciples those days came to end. He was arrested, beaten, crucified – buried – and although He arose from the grave – His time on earth after the resurrection – was all too short – and now He was gone. No longer could they see Him face to face and bring their petitions to Him. No longer could they rest their weary heads on His shoulder and be comforted. He was gone – but they were not left alone. Jesus tells them:
"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 said to you.” John 14:26 (NASB)
In fact did He not also tell them:
"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7 (NASB)
Jesus had to go away. He had to leave – in order that The Helper would come to them.
Folks, here is a great truth: Jesus never deserts His disciples.
He will not leave lost sheep alone in the wilderness. He will not abandon sailors caught in a storm at sea and He will not desert his disciples in the valley of death. God always – always takes care of His own and He takes care of us by sending a “Helper”.
Before I continue on let us talk about “the Helper” – for a moment. In John chapter fourteen and verse twenty six the Greek word that is translated “Helper” is Parakletoes. In various translations it is translated in various ways. Of course the New American Standard Bible translates it – “Helper”. The King James Bible translates Parakeletoes as – “Comforter.” The New International version translation says – “Counselor”. The New Revised Standard Translation says – “Advocate”. And the Message Bible says – “Friend”.
I find no problem with any of these translations – because all of these translations show me the deep workings of the Holy Spirit. He is my “Comforter” when I am going through times of sorrow. He is my “Counselor” – when I am confused and need someone to guide me. He is my “Advocate” when I have been accused and need someone to stand beside me. He is my “Friend” when all others have turned their backs on me. Overall He is my “Helper” in times of trouble. I thank God – that He is my Helper and that He is always there.
But that is not all – verse twenty six says gives me two insights into what the Holy Spirit does. (1) The Holy Spirit is there to instruct me in understanding my walk with Christ and (2) He there to remind me of things I have forgotten. Jesus Christ had been a great teacher of his disciples while He was on earth. In fact they called Him “Rabbi” – which means teacher. (John 1:38) The disciples sat at no other teacher’s feet to learn their doctrines; but they learned the lessons direct from the lips of Him who taught as no one else had taught. (John 7:46)
And now Jesus says, “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 said to you.” The Helper shall unravel mysteries that Christ had taught you. He will untwist any knots of confusion. He will give you understanding of things you could not understand on your own. He will teach you ALL things.
Folks – no one learns anything aright, unless he is taught by the Helper – the Spirit of God.
Jesus said:
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.” John 16:13-14 (NASB)
No one can truly know Jesus Christ unless he is taught of the Spirit. You can read the Bible backward and forward – but unless the Spirit of God teaches you – you read it in vain. It is the Spirit of God who will disclose to you what is to come. It is the Spirit of Truth who will glorify the Christ. It is God’s Holy Spirit who will reveal the deep sayings of Christ Himself and disclose them to you. He is your Comforter. He is your Counselor. He is your Advocate. He is you Helper. Turn your ear to Him and listen to Him. He has good news for you.
Today I would like us to look at five characteristics of the Helper.
1. The Holy Spirit is a LOVING Helper
First of all when I am in distress and I want someone who will care for me – I want someone who loves me. I want someone who will offer me consolation and be sincere about it. I want someone that when He hears of my cries of sorrow – will step up – sit down – and show genuine concern for me. The Holy Spirit is that person. He speaks soothing words to ease my pain. He is no stranger – He knows me inside and out – and even in spite of that – He loves me.
His words are able to bring comfort to a dry and thirsty soul. They are water to my dry sponge of a soul – and my soul is ready to soak it up. His comforting words cut through me like a hot knife does through butter – He penetrates right to my heart. He comes in and breaks my grief – shatters my sorrow. His words are music to my ears. They are joy and refreshment to me. I know that He has only my good in mind – because He loves me. His love is the password to my heart.
Oh, there is a language love. It speaks a dialect all its own. You cannot fake it. You cannot mass produce it. It must be sincere and genuine. This is the love that the Holy Spirit shows to His own. It is love which can reach the mourning heart. It is a love which can wipe every tear from our eye. It is a love that can heal the sorrow of the soul. Christian – it is the love that the Holy Spirit has for you.
Do you not know how much the Holy Spirit loves you? Can you calculate it in your head? No way! It would be easier for you to count every grain of sand on the seashore than to totally comprehend God’s love for you. It would be easier for you to measure the weight of the universe than to try to figure out how much the Holy Spirit loves you. Can you tell me how many drops of water the oceans of the world contain? No way! But I will tell you this – God’s love for you is greater than that amount. The Spirit of God is a loving Spirit. He loves you with an immeasurable amount of love.
John chapter three tells us:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NASB)
God the Father sends the Son to redeem us. The Son sends the Spirit to help us. All of this is done because God loves you – the Holy Spirit is a loving helper.
But that is not all:
2. The Holy Spirit is a FAITHFUL Helper
Love in this world sometimes proves to be unfaithful. Oh! sharper than a serpent’s tooth is an unfaithful friend! Far more bitter than the gall of bitterness is a friend who turns their back on you when you are in distress! It is sorrow of sorrows to have one whom you love – forsake you in the hour of your need. It is a dark day when they are nowhere to be found.
But such is not case of God’s Spirit. He is a faithful Helper. He is always there. He will never turn His back on you. He will never desert you. He always loves and loves to the end. Hebrews chapter thirteen tells us that Jesus Himself has said:
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
The next verse says:
So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV)
Folks – God does not abandon His children. He does not leave us as orphans. God will always – always – always – stick by your side. The Holy Spirit is a faithful helper.
Child of God are you in trouble? Turn to Him who will never turn away from you. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." These words should ring in our ears – for they are always true. God is ever faithful.
But you say, “Ah! but I have sinned.” Do you think that God does not know that? Do you think He has not seen where you have been and what you have done? Folks – He knows. But even in our unfaithfulness – He remains faithful. The Bible tells us:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
Notice in this verse – who the faithful one is. It is not you nor I – but it is God Himself. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Yes you have sinned – but your sin is not greater than God’s faithfulness and forgiveness. The promise stands true - “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The scars of sin have marred our beauty – but not in the sight of God. He is a faithful Lover.
Come to Him in the boldness of faith. Tell Him how you have grieved Him and grieved your own soul and He will forgive your wandering, and will receive you again - for He is faithful. The Holy Spirit is a Faithful Helper.
But that is not all:
3. The Holy Spirit is a WISE Helper
Job’s friends came to help him – but I think Job spoke the truth when he said, "Sorry comforters are you all.” Job 16:2 (NASB)
I am sure the friends of Job thought themselves to be wise. But did they really comprehend the grief and sorrow of Job? Did they fully understand Job’s situation? Could they see into his heart – and know the depth of his hurt? They came to give him a prescription for healing – but it turned out to be the wrong prescription. Rather than providing healing - it caused more hurt.
Sometimes we go and visit people and we mistake their disease – just as Job’s friends did. We want to help – but instead we bring more hurt. It takes wisdom to help people. When the Holy Spirit comes – He comes in wisdom for He is a Wise Helper.
The Wise Helper takes the soul, lays it on the table, and dissects it in a moment. He finds out the root of the problem. He sees where the disease is, and then He applies the knife where surgery is required. He never makes a mistake. The Holy Spirit is always wise. With Him we are always in safe hands.
Folks - when the Holy Spirit moves – do not hesitate to follow Him – for He will not lead you astray. Open your ears. When you are in prayer or Bible Study and God’s Spirit speaks to you – listen! When He moves you in a church service do not just sit there but respond. Follow His leading. For when He speaks He will speak words of wisdom to lead you and guide you. He will take you to green pastures and beside still waters. He will restore your soul. Do resist or hesitate to follow Him for Jesus said, “He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” He is a wise helper.
4. The Holy Spirit is an ACTIVE Helper
He does not comfort by words only but also by deeds. Some comfort by saying, “Be ye warmed, and be ye filled.” But they give nothing. But the Holy Ghost gives us understanding. He gives us promises. He gives us grace. He gives us comfort. He helps us build a relationship with the Father. The Bible says:
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:15 (NASB)
The Spirit will actively guide and direct us. He does not sit back and watch us stubble and fall – but He will lead us. He will give us strength. He will give us courage. Isaiah tells us of the Spirit that was to come and rest on Jesus. Isaiah chapter eleven says:
“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:2 (NASB)
Folks do you think that you have been given a different spirit than Jesus received? Think again. God’s Holy Spirit is one and the same. He is the spirit of wisdom. He is the spirit of understanding. He is the spirit of counsel. He is the spirit of strength. He is the spirit of knowledge and He will teach us what it means to respect and fear the Lord. God’s Holy Spirit wants to be active in your life. Allow Him to guide you and lead you - for He will lead you on the path righteousness. He will warn you of danger. He will convict you when you have gone astray. He will draw you to the Father’s side - and He does it - for your own good. He wants to be actively involved in your life.
And now to our fifth point.
5. The Holy Spirit is an EVER-PRESENT Helper
Folks – here is a truth. If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior – your God is always near you.
When you are distressed – God is there. When you are depressed – God is there. He is an ever-present help in time of trouble. He will never leave you – nor forsake you. His love is always pointed in your direction. Paul said:
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)
The Message Bible says it this way:
“I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans 8:38-39 (MSG)
God did not call your name to abandon you in the wilderness. He sent you a Helper to be with you forever.
A man had a hundred sheep – yet one night one of them was not to be found. So what did the man do? Did he say, “Ninety nine is enough.”? No! He left the ninety nine to search for the one that was missing. He searched high and low and He did not give up his search until the lost one was found. And when He found it – He rejoiced over it. In fact he went around to his friends and told them the good news – and invited them to rejoice with him.
Folks – do you think you are less valuable than a sheep? Do you think that you have wandered too far away from the fold? Let me tell you right now – if you have these thoughts – the Good Shepherd is looking for you. He is a persistent Shepherd. He cares about you. He loves you. He wants you back where you belong. Why don’t you follow Him back to the fold?
