Lessons from the Upper Room: The Promise of the Spirit

Introduction

Bible Passage: John 14:15–31

Summary: In this passage, Jesus reassures His disciples that even though He will leave them, the Holy Spirit will come to dwell within them. This divine presence is not only a promise but a living reality that empowers believers to live in accordance with God's will. The Holy Spirit acts as a counselor, reminding believers of Christ’s teachings, and instilling peace amid uncertainty as they navigate their faith journey in a challenging world.

Application: This sermon can help Christians and others recognize the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. By yielding to the Spirit, believers can experience true change and growth in their character and faith, which aids them in facing daily challenges with courage and assurance.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that the true empowerment for living a victorious Christian life comes from the Holy Spirit. It's not merely the act of following rules or traditions; instead, it’s about the internal change and guidance that the Spirit provides, allowing believers to embody the teachings of Christ in practical ways.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, Christ is seen as the initiator of the Holy Spirit's indwelling. His ascension leads to the Spirit's arrival, creating a continuous thread from Jesus’ earthly ministry to the Spirit’s work in believers. This connection emphasizes Jesus’ ongoing influence in the believer's life through the Spirit's daily guidance and empowerment.

Big Idea: The Holy Spirit's presence within us empowers radical transformation, enabling us to truly embody the love and teachings of Christ in our daily lives.

Recommended Study: As you prepare for this sermon, consider engaging with the nuances of the Greek language surrounding the term 'Comforter' to deepen your understanding of the Holy Spirit's role. It could also be beneficial to study the historical context of the early church and how the arrival of the Spirit shaped their mission. Logos offers great resources like theological dictionaries and commentaries that can provide insight into the interplay between the Spirit and the believer's life, enhancing your approach to this passage.

Good morning,

Today we will wrap up our Lessons from the Upper Room portion of our Journey to the Cross.

Last week we learned that Jesus is a comforting Savior. We learned that He is the only way, He has prepared a place for us, and we have the ultimate power in prayer.

This morning we continue in John 14 starting in verse 15 as we see the promise of the Spirit.

John 14:15–31 NIV

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—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. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. “All this I have spoken while still with you. 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. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.

1. Promise of the Paraclete

John 14:15–17 NIV

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—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.

Jesus first commands us to love Him

When we do this He promised a helper, Paraclete, advocate to be with us forever.

Keep in mind the context, Jesus talking to His disciples

The helper is unseen, unlike Christ at this moment

He lives in us

Direct line to the Father.

There is a direct relationship between love for Christ and obedience

We are not called to be legalistic

Rules for the sake of rules

No power in that, Power in the Spirit, transformative

You could explore how Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as an Advocate to those who love Him and keep His commands. This section underscores the intimate relationship between love for Christ and obedience, empowered by the Spirit. Maybe discuss how living by rules without love or without the Spirit results in a legalistic and powerless faith, contrasting with life invigorated by the Spirit who dwells within us, transforming our actions into reflections of divine love.

2. Presence in the Promise

John 14:18–24 NIV

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

We are never alone

Listen to the Word’s of Christ

The Spirit lives in us, thus Christ lives in us

Again, look at the context here

We can experience the Father’s love

In times of isolation and fear, the helper sits with us. We are surrounded by His love

Perhaps delve into Jesus' assurance that His followers will never be alone, as the Spirit ensures Christ's presence remains with them. This point could emphasize how the Spirit reflects the living reality of Jesus, enabling believers to experience the Father's love and guidance in profound ways. In times of isolation or fear, this assurance becomes a source of peace, reminding believers that they are part of God's family, never abandoned, and always surrounded by His love.

3. Peace Beyond the Present

John 14:25–31 NIV

“All this I have spoken while still with you. 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. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.

Peace comes through the Spirit

Not just peace for Yesterday, but peace for everyday

The world is full of fear and turmoil. The Spirit brings peace

We can face our trial, anxiety, uncertainty rooted in the certainty of Christ.

If you do not have this, it is available to you through Christ and in Him

Accept his free gift today.

Maybe elaborate on the peace that Christ offers through the Spirit, juxtaposed against worldly turmoil and fears. These verses highlight that this peace is unlike the world’s because it stems from the Spirit's indwelling, bringing understanding and remembrance of Jesus' teachings. Emphasize how the Spirit empowers believers to face anxiety and trials with serenity, rooted in the certainty that Christ’s legacy of peace lives on through them, transforming their approach to life's uncertainties.