The Comforter Has Come!

THE COMFORTER HAS COME!

John 15:26-27; 16:13

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: WHEN NOTHING HURTS

1. Renee and Daniel had been married for over 50 years. One morning, Daniel reached over to take Renee’s hand, and she said, "Don't touch me!" "Why not?" replied Daniel. "Because," Renee said, "I'm dead."

2. "What on earth are you talking about?" said Daniel, "We're both lying here and talking to one another."

3. Renee said, "I'm definitely dead. I’m sure of it." "What makes you think you're dead?" asked Daniel. "Because I woke up this morning and nothing hurts!"

B. TEXT

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. John 16:13, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

C. THESIS

1. Many people have a gym membership. But few of us know how to use the vast array of equipment there.

2. So gyms have “personal trainers” to help the patrons get the maximum benefit out of using the gym equipment.

3. Christianity too has personal trainers to help Christians get into spiritual shape – to become like the master-pattern – Jesus!

4. Today we’re going to look at who our personal trainer is and how we can work with Him to become the men & women God wants us to be.

I. THE TRUE CHURCH: DEPENDENT ON THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. FOR ITS EXISTENCE

1. Apart from the Spirit, the Church would not exist. The life principle that characterizes the church as a living body is provided solely by the Spirit.

2. It may be said that the Spirit is incarnate in the church just as the second Person of the Godhead became incarnate in the human Jesus.

3. One may rightly consider the Day of Pentecost as a “Birth Event” paralleling that which had taken place in Bethlehem 33 years before.

B. H.S. DIRECTS, ENERGIZES THE CHURCH

1. Insofar as the church is a spiritual entity working toward the evangelization of the world, it is directed, energized, and equipped by the Spirit.

2. It has been said: “The amount of God’s power flowing out into the world is directly proportion to the opportunity given the Holy Spirit to dwell in His Church.” [L. Thomas Holdcroft]

3. Paul spoke of the multitude of converts which as a building fitly framed together “grows into a holy temple in the Lord: in whom you are builded together as a habitation of God through the Spirit” Eph. 2:22-23.

4. The Holy Spirit is the administrator of the church on the earth. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers” Acts 20:28.

II. HOLY SPIRIT: OUR PERSONAL TRAINER

A. JESUS’ TEACHING MINISTRY CONTINUES IN THE SPIRIT

Acts 1:1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

B. HOLY SPIRIT = SPIRIT OF TRUTH

1. John 14:17 “…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.”

2. John 15:26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.”

3. In naming Him this, Jesus acknowledges that the Holy Spirit possesses all truth, that His Nature = Truth. There is no error in Him. When He speaks to us, He conveys only truth.

4. Since we are ignorant and need to learn, the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.

C. HE GUIDES US INTO ALL TRUTH

John 16:13, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

D. HE TEACHES US

1. Luke 12:12, “…for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

2. John 14:26 But the Advocate, 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.

3. 1 Cor. 2:13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

4. 1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.