Cornerstone Church April 29, 2012
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT – THE UNSEEN COMFORTER
John 14:15-18
Intro Thoughts:
Children are refreshing, honest and say the darndest things:
“A little girl named Lucy asked God: ‘Dear God, are You really invisible or is that just a trick?’
Norma asked: ‘Dear God, did you mean for a giraffe to look like that or was that an accident?’
One of my favorites was asked by Nan: ‘Dear God, who draws the lines around all the countries?’
Anita asked: ‘Is it true my father won’t get into heaven if he uses his bowling words in the house?’
Hilarious, charming, innocent… and oh, so perceptive! Don’t you wrestle at times with similar questions?
I saved Seymour’s question for last: ‘Dear God, How come You did all those miracles in the old days and You don’t do any now?’”
Embraced by The Spirit by Chuck Swindoll, pg. 7
I hope I will not be remembered this morning like these children for asking an outlandish question. I have one I want to ask.
Why don’t we talk more about the Holy Spirit?
Talk more about The Holy Spirit with one another?
Talk more about The Holy Spirit in the church?
We know plenty about God the Father.
We know significantly more about Jesus – God the Son
But when it comes to God the Holy Spirit the third person of the Trinity our knowledge seems to dissipate like fog or morning mist.
“The Holy Spirit is God’s agent on earth, yet He is the least understood, least preached about, and least discussed member of the Trinity. And that is sad, because without Him, our spiritual lives will always become a dry, mechanical struggle.”
Spirit Rising: Tapping Into the Power of the Holy Spirit by Jim Cymbala, pg. 17
Perhaps it is because of our lack of understanding and reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit that has led the American Church to rely so heavily on: marketing, business, and entertainment to build and expand the church.
Chuck Swindoll says:
“Most of us are intrigued by the Holy Spirit. Like a moth to a lamp, His bright warmth attracts us. Our desire is to draw nearer, to know Him intimately. We long to enter into new and stimulating dimensions of His working – but yet we hold back. We’re hesitant… fearful of being wrong of misunderstood.”
Embraced by The Spirit by Chuck Swindoll, pg. 6
The hesitancy comes from not wanting to go too far in either direction:
We want to avoid becoming too excessive bordering on the mystical or weird.
Or
We want to rely too heavily on our intellect and reason that we leave the Holy Spirit out of our study to know God’s word or service for Him becoming sterile like the Ephesians that lost their first love.
This morning I hope to stir our hearts to want to know more about the Holy Spirit.
Not every question related to the Holy Spirit will be answered.
I am purposefully avoiding an exhaustive look because the subject is too vast for our time together today.
I. THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 14:15-17
I remember vividly the last conversation I had with my father before he died last year. While neither one of us realized it would be the last time we would speak it was a great conversation. It is one I cherish and will not forget.
Farwell thoughts shared with others come at different times:
It might be thoughts shared by a parent (father or mother) with their children as death nears.
Son or Daughter – as you continue on your journey remember this truth.
It might come when someone makes a long distant move across the county.
It might be the words and wisdom shared before a deployment.
Whatever the reason the words shared:
You remember!
They carry and hold great weight!
This is the context for our verses this morning.
* Jesus and the Disciples are Celebrating Passover (The Last Supper)
* Jesus was going to die soon. He will die, be resurrected and ascend back to His Father.
* Jesus spent 3.5 years with His disciples (nearly 24/7/365).
* Jesus knew:
o Each of their strengths
o Each of their weaknesses
o What made each of them smile
o What made each of them sad, mad or afraid!
Jesus in His farewell words:
* Tells them that He is preparing a place for them (in Heaven)
* Tells them that He is sending someone to reside within them
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:15-18 NIV
WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT?
* The Holy Spirit is not an “It!”
* The Holy Spirit is not “The Force!”
* The Holy Spirit is not a ghost or phantom!
The force might sell movies. But the force is the stuff of Eastern and New Age Religion that is false and is not in any way to be a part of the life of a Christian nor is it a tangible way to represent the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal mechanistic force in the universe!
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another
Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.
Another = “another just like the first one”
Counselor (parakeletos) “one who is called along side of us to help”
Paraclete =
* Counselor
* Helper
* Comforter
* Advocate
The Holy Spirit is another (advocate / counselor / helper /comforter)
Who was the initial Advocate?
1 John 2:1 NIV My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense (an advocate)—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Rom. 8:9 NIV You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
Our Advocate:
* Strengthens us during times of opposition, trial or hardship
* Comforts us when we need help
* Guides us into all truth and knowledge of God’s will
* Reveals Jesus to us
* Glorifies Christ
* Illuminates God’s Word for us to understand it
The Holy Spirit is a Gift from God
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another
Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.
Luke 11:13 NIV If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Jesus – God the Son now sits at the right hand of God the Father.
God the Holy Spirit is now the presence of God in our lives and in the world.
He dwells in us permanently as God’s gift to help us every day.
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Triune Godhead (the Trinity)
THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Is Co-equal and Co-Eternal with God
Displays the Attributes of God:
* Omniscient (all knowing)
* Omnipresent (everywhere present)
* Omnipotent (all powerful)
* Love
As a Being the Holy Spirit exhibits:
* Intellect – knows the mind of God (inspired the Word of God)
* Will – Carries out the Will of God – sent Paul to Macedonia!
* Emotion – has feelings (you can grieve the Holy Spirit)
Holy Spirit has manifested Himself in a physical form (like a Dove at Jesus Baptism)
Luke 1:35 NIV The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Matt. 28:19 NIV Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…
Acts 5:3-4 NIV Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”
Boom – Gone from this world!
This Divine Being indwells us permanently!
But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
1Cor. 6:19 NIV Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
II. THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
EFCA Statement of Faith – Point 6
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
This is where we need more time to unpack these precious truths about the Holy Spirit.
Was active in Creation
Gen. 1:2 NIV Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Regenerates the Believer (OT and NT)
John 3:5-8 NIV Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Old Testament – Empowered the saints for acts of ministry and service
Inspired the Word of God (overseeing the process)
Baptized believers into the Body of Christ
Rom. 8:9 NIV You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
This reveals that receiving the Holy Spirit is not a separate act of grace or seeking on the part of the Christian at some later date.
Sealed by the Holy Spirit
Eph. 4:30 NIV And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Holy Spirit Intercedes for us on our behalf
Holy Spirit Restrains Evil in the World
Holy Spirit convicts the lost of sin, righteousness and the coming judgment
Holy Spirit helps in our Sanctification
Holy Spirit Teaches us
John 14:26 NIV But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Illuminates the Word of God for us
Produces the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in Us (a sign of His presence)
Helps us to follow and discern God’s will for our lives
Gives to each Believer a Spiritual Gift and helps us to use that gift
The Holy Spirit exalts Jesus
John 16:13-14 NIV But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
That verse gives us insight as to why the Holy Spirit seems to be he more Unseen Member of the Trinity.
* The Holy Spirit’s quieter role and ministry should not diminish our need for Him or our respect for Him.
* Neither should it keep us from learning more about Him and allowing Him to use us!
III. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Let’s bring all of this back full circle. Jesus was instructing His Disciples during His final hours before His death.
Near the end of John 14 he tells His followers to be glad He is going!
What?
John 14:28 NIV “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
Why? Look at the verses that we started with again:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:15-18 NIV
Two of the hardest trials in this life to face is:
* “Thinking that you are all alone!”
* “Believing that no one cares!”
WHAT DID JESUS PROMISE?
“I will not leave you as orphans;”
When Jesus was on earth He could only minister to His disciples and followers from a single location because He was now God in Human flesh.
* He was in Galilee
* He was in Jerusalem
* He was in Nazareth
He could only minister to the masses related to His physical presence and hours in the day!
But it is better if I go!
But He told them to wait until they received the Holy Spirit.
Why?
He knew that they would fumble, fail and fear without His presence in their lives.
He knew they could only offer Him service in the power of the flesh.
Acts 1:4 NIV On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
Acts 1:8 NIV But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
JESUS WAS RIGHT (SERVING GOD IN THE FLESH IS IMPOSSIBLE).
When the guards took Jesus the disciples abandoned Him.
Peter denied Him.
Thomas doubted Him.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:1-4 NIV
That day came and lite the darkness!
It was better for Jesus to leave!
The Holy Spirit now takes up His residence in the heart
of every true follower of Christ!
WHAT HE WANTS TO DO IN US?
Transform us!
Isn’t that what happened to the early believers?
Acts 2:36 NIV “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
“Brothers, what shall we do?”
Acts 2:38 NIV Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
“I will not leave you as orphans;”
Now God’s Spirit is present in the lives of every believer!
We are not left in this world to face it without His help and alone!
Because the Holy Spirit lives in us and like Jesus He knows us intimately!
* He knows our strengths
* He knows our weaknesses
* He knows what makes us smile
* He knows what makes us sad, mad and afraid
* We have someone to guide us
* We have someone to lead us
* We have someone to strengthen us
* We have someone to protect us
“I will not leave you as orphans;”
WHAT HE WANTS TO DO THROUGH US?
What He has always wanted to do!
Reach a lost world for Him with the gospel.
“In 1983 John Sculley quit his post at PepsiCo to become the president of Apple, a role in which he served for ten years.
Sculley says he made the risky move after Apple cofounder Steve Jobs goaded him with the question, ‘Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you what a chance to change the world?’”
Embraced by The Spirit by Chuck Swindoll, pg. 37
When we live our lives solely in the power of the flesh:
* It puffs up!
* It places the focus on us and not on Christ!
* It leaves us bored, sterile and joyless in our walk with Christ.
* It leaves us with a rote, ritual and mechanical faith!
God the Holy Spirit – The Unseen Comforter
does not want to be sidelined or benched from our life!
He wants to consume us!
He wants His power to flow through us!
He wants His power to flow through His church!
The Holy Spirit is the Power of God (dynamite) living in us, keeping us, working through us Guiding His People and His Church until Jesus Returns!
It is time that we yield all of ourselves to Him!
He is God the Holy Spirit – the powerful
Advocate, Counselor, Comforter and Help!
