Truth For A Troubled Soul Part 3 Series

Alliance Church

Pastor David Welch

“Another Encourager”

Part Three – John 14, 16

REVIEW

I. The public ministry and teaching of Jesus 2-112

II. The Private teaching and ministry of Jesus 13-17

A. Forgive as I forgive

B. Love as I love

C. Hold on to the truths that encourage the troubled soul 14:1-31

1. Stop fretting and continue trusting the plan of the Father and the Son

2. Realize a future reality exists beyond this life

a) Jesus had to leave in order to prepare a place for us

b) Jesus will physically return and gather those who trust Him

3. Trust in Jesus alone for ultimate access to heaven and intimate relationship with the Father and the Son.

4. Realize that genuine disciples will accomplish the great works of Jesus and greater because Jesus ascended to the Father.

5. Demonstrate your love for God by obedience

This is not a command but a statement of fact. Love motivates us to serve the one we love.

It is automatic. If we love someone, we naturally want to please him or her. The word used here to “keep” means:

“to keep in view,” “to note,” “to watch over”; it takes on such nuances as “to rule,” “to observe,” “to ward off,” “to guard,” “to keep,” and in a transferred sense “to see to” “to apply oneself to,” “to defend oneself.”

As our love for Jesus grows our desire to please Him grows.

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God (love for God), that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:2-3

Jesus reprimanded the Ephesian church for having allowed their love to grow cold demonstrated by neglecting the deeds of love. You have left your first love.

How did he know? They had great doctrine and Theology. They were careful to avoid heresy in the church. They stopped doing the deeds associated with a “first love.” The early church DEVOTED themselves to the apostles teaching which was essentially Jesus’ teaching, genuine fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. These are the things that demonstrate the church’s love for Jesus. Jesus calls the church to repent for their failure to maintain a first love fervor for Him.

6. Respond to the Holy Spirit promised to those who love Him. 16-26

Up to this point, John has included only a few glimpses of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. The first saw him at Jesus’ baptism resting upon Jesus and providing power for ministry.

Then in chapter three John mentions the Spirit as the necessary agent of New Birth.

John affirms the Spirit as the source of all life in chapter 6.

In chapter seven, John identifies the coming Holy Spirit as the source of the ever-flowing rivers of refreshment flowing out of genuine believers.

But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:39

Here and in chapter sixteen Jesus introduces the Holy Spirit as the source of strength and ability to carry on without His physical presence.

There are a number of characteristics concerning the Holy Spirit that attract our attention.

• The Holy Spirit came at Jesus’ request

“And I will ask the Father…” vs 16

"But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. John 16:5-7

"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me, and you will bear witness also, because you have been with Me from the beginning. John 15:26-27

Jesus asked them to trust in Him and the Father. Now He informs them that a third divine dimension is about to dawn upon them. In His absence He will send the Holy Spirit.

• The Holy Spirit functions in a similar way as Jesus

“…and He will give you ANOTHER Counselor…” vs 16

Someone else will come and carry on the ministry I have had with you. Not “heteros” another of a different kind (i.e. heterosexual) But “allos” another of a similar kind.

This is someone just like Me. It is two Greek words combined. “called” connected to the preposition “along side” or “beside” expressing the concept of a person called along side such as a lawyer or advocate or counselor.