The Coming Of The Spirit And Peace With God Series

The Coming of the Spirit

Text: John 14:16-31

So if you remember from last time, Jesus has told His disciples that He was going away. He was going to go away and prepare a place for them, and that He would return later and they would all be together again… He also told them that while He was away, they were to continue the works… He even said that they would do greater works – but what would make that possible?

Well… if you look at John 14:12, 13, and 14 (READ John 14:12-14), you can see that these “greater works” are tied directly to praying in His Name. But it’s also tied directly to something else that we’re going to be looking at this morning.

So if you have your Bibles (and I hope you do), please open them up (if you haven’t already) to John 14, and follow along as I read to you – beginning in verse 16 down through verse 20.

(READ John 14:16-20)

So yes, Jesus was going to leave the disciples, but He was not going to leave them alone – or without help. He says that He is sending “Another Helper”, and this “Helper” would show them and teach them all the things they needed to know to be faithful followers of Jesus, and ultimately; get them to that place He was going way to prepare for them. But before any of that happens, Jesus want’s to tell His disciples a little bit about this “Helper”.

The first thing we see here is that the “Helper” is going to be sent to them by the Father. In other words, God is going to send this Helper.

Now that word “Helper” is the Greek word “Parakletos”, and it literally means “One who is called to your side.” Or, “One who comes alongside.” Jesus had lived alongside these disciples for 3 and ½ years. He had been with them in each and every situation they faced. In was there teaching them, training them, correcting them, working alongside them. But now He’s saying, “I’ve got to go away.” He has to complete His mission. He has to die on the cross for our sins and ascend to the Father, but they don’t have to be afraid, or fearful, or anxious because God is sending them One to come alongside them. A “Helper” who will help them, who will lead them, who will continue to teach them and strengthen them, and equip them for ministry.

And this wouldn’t be a temporary thing… the last part of verse 16 Jesus says, “He will be with you forever!”

You see, Jesus has to be the One to fulfill the mission. Because He is 100% God and 100% man. He has to fulfill the Law and all righteousness, but He also has to die for our sin. But this other “Helper” will be able to be with us always – FOREVER.

That’s what Jesus tells them. And then He tells them who this “Helper” is – It’s none other than the Holy Spirit Himself. In verse 17, Jesus calls Him the Spirit of Truth, but later on, in verse 26 He tells the disciples very plainly – The Father is sending the Holy Spirit.

Now just think about this for a second. If the disciples had just stopped and listened for a second… if they had been able to hear and comprehend what Jesus was saying, you would think that they would’ve been celebrating – right? Because Jesus is saying… The Father is going to send the Spirit of Truth – the Holy Spirit – the Third Person of the Trinity… and He dwells with you, but He will be IN YOU!

In other words, God the Holy Spirit is going to take up residence inside of you. He is not only going to be WITH you, but IN you.

Now catch this – Jesus says, “I’m going away, but don’t be troubled. The Father (that’s God the Father) is going to send the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Truth, and He is going to come alongside you, and dwell within you, and be with you FOREVER. But I want you to notice what Jesus also says in verse 17, “The world CANNOT receive the Holy Spirit.”

And why is that? Because they do not believe.

Now just so you understand this – this giving of the Holy Spirit happens after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and after the disciples have come to believe… we see it in John 20:22, which, Lord willing; we’ll get to one of these days…

But the thing is – they had to believe that Jesus died for their sin. They had to believe that He had been raised because they had been justified and God’s purpose was fulfilled… and at this time – in John 14 – they didn’t believe any of those things, because they hadn’t happened yet. So Jesus was telling them about something that was GOING to happen, but that hadn’t happened yet. And I know that sometimes it confuses people when they realize that the disciples aren’t saved at this point yet. They’re called, they’re elect, The Holy Spirit has come upon them, and empowered them, but at this point He isn’t indwelling them. At this point they haven’t been saved, and wouldn’t be saved until after the resurrection.