Revealing The Father Through The Son And The Spirit

REVEALING THE FATHER THROUGH THE SON AND THE SPIRIT

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: John 14:8-17

Supporting Texts: Hebrews 1:1–3, Colossians 1:15, Matthew 11:27, John 10:30, Romans 8:14–16

INTRODUCTION:

In John 14:8–17, we witness a profound moment in Jesus’ conversation with His disciples. Philip, one of His followers, makes a sincere request: "Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us." This request reveals a longing that exists in the hearts of many believers even today — the desire to experience and understand God in a tangible way. Jesus responds by declaring a timeless truth: whoever has seen Him has seen the Father.

Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God. He came not only to redeem but also to reveal the nature, character, and presence of the Father. Yet, Jesus goes further—He promises another Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who will dwell in believers and continue this revelation from within. The triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is committed to an intimate, indwelling relationship with His children.

This passage opens our eyes to the oneness of the Godhead, the purpose of Christ’s mission, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It calls the Church to walk in the revelation of the Father through the Son, and to be empowered by the Spirit to live out divine truth on earth.

1. JESUS IS THE PERFECT REVELATION OF THE FATHER

Jesus came to make the invisible God known in a visible, personal, and relational way.

a) To know Jesus is to know the Father (John 14:9)

Jesus is not a representative of the Father—He is the express image of His person.

b) Jesus reveals the Father through His words and works (John 14:10-11)

Every miracle, teaching, and act of love reflected the Father’s heart.

c) The Father and the Son operate in perfect unity (John 10:30)

There is no division or conflict in the Godhead; they work as one.

d) True revelation of God starts with encountering Jesus (Matthew 11:27)

No one can know the Father except through the Son, and the Son reveals Him to whom He chooses.

Biblical Example: On the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–5), God publicly affirmed Jesus as His beloved Son, commanding the disciples to listen to Him.

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTINUES THE MINISTRY OF REVELATION

Jesus promised another Comforter who would make His presence real in every believer.

a) The Spirit reveals truth beyond the natural mind (John 14:17)

He is the Spirit of truth, leading us into spiritual understanding that the world cannot grasp.

b) The Holy Spirit dwells with us and in us (John 14:17)

His indwelling is permanent, not temporary—He takes up residence in the believer.

c) He teaches and reminds us of all Christ has said (John 14:26)

The Spirit ensures we never forget Jesus’ teachings by bringing them to our remembrance.

d) He testifies of Christ and glorifies Him (John 16:14)

The Spirit never draws attention to Himself; His role is to magnify Jesus.

Biblical Example: At Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4), the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, empowering them to speak boldly of Jesus and revealing God’s power to the world.

3. THE BELIEVER IS INVITED INTO THIS DIVINE UNION

We are not just observers—we are participants in the life of the Triune God.

a) Believers carry the presence of the Father, Son, and Spirit (John 14:23)

God does not dwell in buildings but in hearts that love and obey Him.

b) The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are God's children (Romans 8:16)

We live with the assurance that we are known, accepted, and loved by God.

c) Our lives must reflect the reality of this union (Galatians 2:20)

Christ lives in us, and we are called to display His nature to the world.

d) Walking with the Spirit deepens our experience of God (Galatians 5:25)

We grow in revelation and maturity as we yield daily to the Spirit’s leading.

Biblical Example: Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56)—an example of deep intimacy with the divine.

4. THE WORLD CANNOT KNOW GOD WITHOUT REVELATION

Without the Spirit, the world remains blind to the truth of God.

a) The world seeks signs, but not relationship (1 Corinthians 1:22)

People want proof, not transformation; revelation requires faith.

b) God hides truth from the proud and reveals it to the humble (Matthew 11:25)

Spiritual truth is not discovered through intellect but through spiritual openness.

c) Unbelievers resist the Spirit because they cannot perceive Him (John 14:17)

Only those born of the Spirit can truly see and know Him.

d) Our witness must be Spirit-empowered to be effective (Acts 1:8)

Without the Spirit, our message is powerless; with Him, it brings conviction and change.

Biblical Example: Saul of Tarsus persecuted Christ ignorantly until the risen Lord revealed Himself on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–6), transforming him into Paul the apostle.