Keep Calm and Trust the Holy Spirit

Introduction

2009 saw the birth of one of the most notorious British memes, in the history of memes: “Keep Calm & Carry On”

Most of us remember posting some variations of this phrase in social media, such as:

Keep Calm & Go to Target

Keep Calm & Put Bacon On

[My personal favorite] I Can’t Keep Calm, I’m Dominican

You may not know this, but the “Keep Calm & Carry On” British poster was originally intended to boost morale in the event of a large-scale invasion during World War II.

Now, why do I bring this up?

In hindsight, Ministry Training/Preparation can often feel like a “large-scale invasion”, doesn’t it?

I enjoy everything I’m learning both here in the Summit Institute and in seminary. But, if you are like me, at times you probably feel overwhelmed with all the information we are taking in. You wonder if, when the time comes, you will “remember your training”.

Jesus’ words to his disciples in John 14:26 were meant to calm them, and to calm us.

It is almost as if Jesus is telling his disciples: Keep Calm & Trust the Holy Spirit.

As a matter of fact, this is my first and only exhortation to us this morning: Keep Calm & Trust the Holy Spirit.

“Read with me...”

John 14:26 ESV

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Why should the Disciples feel overwhelmed?

In the greater context of John 14:26, Jesus is giving his final instructions to his disciples before his “departure.”

It is understandable the disciples would feel anxious about it.

Their teacher and leader would no longer be with them. (Jn 13:33)

He gave them homework to do while He is gone! Namely, “keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15)

The stakes were high!

In a time where “note-taking” and “memos” where limited, the disciples had to rely solely on their memory.

Moreover, most of the times they didn’t even understand what Jesus was saying or doing!

To make matters worse, they were supposed to teach these things to others!

“I don’t know you but they surely sound like seminary students to me!”

But Jesus anticipates their reactions and commands them: “Let not your hearts be troubled” (Jn 14:27)

John 14:26 is the reason why they SHOULDN’T be troubled.

Why should NOT the Disciples feel overwhelmed?

Jesus was not going to leave them alone.

The Father would send them another Helper, the Holy Spirit.

The Father would send Him in the name of Jesus. Meaning, he would come as Jesus emissary. Not his substitute!

While on Earth, Jesus confined himself to a human body, meaning, He could only manifest himself bodily in one place, at one time.

The Holy Spirit, however, would be inside every believer, at all times!

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would teach them all they need to know.

This is the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Their feeble minds were not capable of retaining and processing everything Jesus taught them. But the Holy Spirit could!

The Holy Spirit knows everything Jesus said, and what He meant to say.

He also knows when and how to apply Jesus’ words into our lives.

“The Secret Sauce to a faithful ministry is trusting the Holy Spirit’s ministry.”

[Pausa] “That simple...”

Application

There is a paradoxical reality we learn as we grow in our relationship with Christ:

“The more we grow in our understanding of Scriptures, the more we realize how much we don’t understand.”

“If you are like me...”

You probably have a score of books waiting to be read.

You probably have more christian podcasts in queue, than time to listen to them!

If you think on terms of theology, philosophy and church history, we have more information to process now, than the Twelve Disciples did then.

And that can easily overwhelm us! [✋🏼Pause] But it shouldn’t.

For He who holds all knowledge and wisdom of the Godhead, dwells inside us.

He is our Helper, desires to help us.

Brothers and sisters, let not our hearts be troubled (Jn14:27)

Keep Calm and Trust the Holy Spirit.