The Coming Of The Spirit Series

JOHN 14: 15– 20

THE COMING OF THE SPIRIT

This is the first of several teachings on the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room Discourse. Jesus teaches so much about the Holy Spirit because apart from the Spirit of God we cannot live the Christian life God calls us to in His Word. We need to know who the Spirit is, what He does, and how He does it.

Jesus is going away, but they will not be left to their own resources. The Father will send the Spirit in Jesus’ place. This gift of the Spirit is an outgrowth of the loving relationship between Jesus and His disciples.

The power of God is resident in Jesus and His disciples are invited to know Jesus and gain life from Him, and share His power. This is only possible because of the Coming of the Spirit.

I. THE TEST OF LOVE, 15.

II. THE GIFT OF LOVE, 16-17.

III. THE INDWELLING OF LOVE, 18-20.

In verse 15 we find that obedience is a test of our love for Jesus. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

Love is an important theme in the gospel of John. As a noun or verb love is used 56 times. Jesus has spoken of His love for His disciples and their obligation to love one another, now He speaks of their love for Him.

The sentence is conditional. Jesus’ precepts (entole) will be kept if we love Him. A constant love for Christ is the motivation for continuous obedience.

The 140 year old church I pastored in Spring City, TN was on a road that was a short-cut connection between two major highways. The families on that street had a genuine concern about the lack of safety as a result of SPEEDING VEHICLES.

In response to the situation the city officials came up with a solution. They parked unmanned patrol cars just off the road. Obviously these cars couldn’t pursue lawbreakers or write tickets, but just the appearance of patrol cars was enough to make people slow down. It was a creative way to trick people into obeying the law.

As believers in Christ, we shouldn’t have to be forced or tricked into doing what’s right. In fact, obedience can be drained of its significance if we obey only out of obligation or duty. Our desire should be to do what is pleasing to our Lord because we love Him. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My precepts. We should make it our aim to be well pleasing to Him (2 Cor. 5:9)

Let’s do what’s right out of a heart of gratitude for His love and grace to us. Our desire to love Jesus is our highest and most powerful motive for obeying God.

As a SUCCESSFUL NEWSMAN, he seemed to have everything the world could offer. One bright Sunday morning in 1971, while he and his wife were vacationing, they slipped into a little white clapboard church in Cove Creek, Arizona. The sight of the dozen or so people sitting on wooden folding chairs stirred boyhood memories: John 3:16 had been planted early in his mind, and one night he had knelt by his bed and received Jesus as his Savior. But that was years ago.

The minister announced his subject - baptism. The newsman yawned but became attentive as the pastor talked of giving one’s entire life to serve Christ. The newsman mused, "Long years ago I had asked to be saved, but had I offered to serve? I began to realize how much of me I had been holding back." That morning the issue became clear and Paul Harvey, one of Americas best-loved broadcasters, surrendered his life to Christ.

A year later, Paul Harvey said, “Though I had learned John 3:16 early in life. It took me till last year to learn John 14:15. ‘If you love Me, keep My commandments.’ The Christian life is one of obedience, not partnership.”

Christ offered Himself for our sins; we offer ourselves for His service. If we want to know the joy of living for Christ, we must surrender every area of our life to Him. [D.J.D. Our Daily Bread]

Let your days be Mine to order; Where I lead, obedient be.

Let your own desires be nothing; Only seek to follow Me. - Anon.

II. THE GIFT OF LOVE, 16-17.

In preparation for His departure Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to His disciples in verse 16. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

The Holy Spirit is introduced to us as paraklçtos (also used in 14:26; 15:26; 16:7).

Para-kletos comes from a verbal root that describes someone “called alongside” and occurs in secular Greek literature for an advocate in a court of law, who comes “alongside” a person to speak in his or her defense and provide counsel. [The word does not mean “comfort” as in the KJV and even “Counselor” (RSV, NIV) can be misleading. Rather, one must think of a “legal counselor.” The best translation is “Advocate” (NRSV), so that Jesus is pointing to the Spirit’s judicial or legal service. [Burge, Gary NIV Application Commentary, John. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000, 395] It referred to an official advisor, legal counsel, mediator or intercessor. The Holy Spirit is ready to help and guide, especially in times of need.