Help for the Trials Ahead

Main idea: This sermon explores the promise of the Holy Spirit's eternal presence, guidance, and empowerment in our lives, as revealed in John 14:16-17.

Scripture: 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. —John 14:16-17

 Introduction

Following the Last Supper, Jesus takes the time to teach the disciples more about His mission and what would happen after He left the earth. He knew their darkest times were ahead. So, in today’s passage, He promised a Helper who would stand alongside them in the coming struggles. Struggles are not foreign to Christians. As a matter of fact, they are very visible in the life of every believer. Some struggle with one thing and others another but the one constant is we all have struggles.

Today, we are going to be looking at a passage from the book of John, chapter 14, verses 16-17. These are the words of Jesus Himself, spoken to His disciples, and as you and I read it and take it to heart, it speaks each one of us today.

"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."

These verses are filled with promises and assurances, comfort and encouragement, truth and hope to help us during our times of struggles.  They speak of divine assistance that is not fleeting or temporary, but everlasting. They speak of struggles that are not faced alone, but with the Spirit of God Himself. They speak of trials that are not merely physical or emotional, but spiritual, and yet, they are not insurmountable, for we have the Spirit of God within us.

As the great theologian J.I. Packer once said, "The Spirit's message to us is never, 'Look at me; listen to me; come to me; get to know me,' but always, 'Look at Him, and see His glory; listen to Him and hear His word; go to Him and have life; get to know Him and taste His gift of joy and peace.'" Let us begin our journey. The first thing the text teaches us today is about:

Divine Assistance for Our Journey

In the passage we read, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, promising them a helper, an advocate, who will be with them forever. This is a promise of divine assistance, a promise that is not just for the disciples, but for all of us who believe in Him. This is the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, who comes to live within us, guiding us, comforting us, and empowering us in our walk with God.

The first aspect we see here is the promise of the Holy Spirit as our helper. The Greek word used here for helper is 'parakletos', which can also be translated as comforter, counselor, or advocate. This is a beautiful picture of the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is our helper, always there to assist us, to guide us in the right path, to give us wisdom and understanding. He is our comforter, always there to console us in our sorrows, to give us peace in the midst of storms, to fill our hearts with joy even in the midst of trials. He is our counselor, always there to give us godly advice, to convict us of our sins, to lead us in the way of righteousness. He is our advocate, always there to intercede for us, to plead our cause before the Father, to stand by our side in our spiritual battles.

The second aspect we see in this passage is the permanence of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives. Jesus says that the Father will give us another advocate to be with us forever. This is not a temporary arrangement, but a permanent one. The Holy Spirit is not a guest who comes and goes, but a resident who stays. He is not a visitor who leaves after a short stay, but a family member who lives with us. This is a great assurance for us. No matter what we go through, no matter where we go, the Holy Spirit is always with us. We are never alone. We always have divine assistance.

The third aspect we see here is the identity of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth. In a world full of lies and deception, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. He reveals to us the truth about God, the truth about ourselves, the truth about the world around us. He guides us into all truth, helping us to discern what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is evil, what is of God and what is not of God. He helps us to live in the truth, to walk in the truth, to speak the truth, to love the truth.

In all these aspects, we see divine assistance is promised to us in this passage. The Holy Spirit is our helper, our comforter, our counselor, our advocate. He is with us forever, never leaving us, never forsaking us. He is the Spirit of truth, guiding us into all truth, helping us to live in the truth. He is within us, giving us the very presence, power, and life of God. This is the divine assistance for our walk with God. It is the divine assistance for our life in Christ. It is the divine assistance for our journey towards eternity. Our second point in our message today teaches us how to:

Dealing with Struggles through the Spirit

During life's trials and tribulations, we are not left to fend for ourselves. The words of Jesus in John 14:16-17 assure us of a divine presence that is both constant and comforting - the Spirit of truth. This Spirit is not a temporary or fleeting presence, but a permanent fixture in our lives, a promise of God's unending support and guidance.

This Spirit of truth is not just a guide, but also a comforter. He is there to soothe our worries, to calm our fears, to provide solace in times of sorrow. He is there to remind us that we are not alone, that we are loved, that we are valued. He is there to provide a sense of peace and tranquility amidst the chaos and confusion of life.

The Spirit of truth is also an advocate. He is there to stand up for us, to intercede on our behalf, to plead our case before God. He is there to remind us of our worth, to affirm our identity as children of God, to assure us of our place in His kingdom.

The Spirit of truth is also a source of empowerment. It is there to give us the strength and courage to face our trials, to overcome our obstacles, to persevere in our faith. It is there to equip us with the tools we need to live out our faith, to fulfill our calling, to serve God and others.

Finally, the Spirit of truth is a constant presence. He is there in our moments of joy and celebration, in our times of sorrow and despair, in our everyday routines and extraordinary adventures. He is there, not just beside us, but within us, a constant reminder of God's love and faithfulness. Our third and final point in the message today explores the:

Dynamics of Spiritual, Emotional, and Physical Trials

In the grand journey of life, we encounter trials of various kinds - spiritual, emotional, and physical. These trials, though challenging, are not meant to break us, but rather to shape us, to mold us into the image of Christ. And in this process, we are not left to our own devices. God, in His infinite wisdom and boundless love, has provided help for our journey.

In the realm of spiritual trials, we often find ourselves wrestling with doubts, questions, and fears. We may feel distant from God, or struggle to understand His ways. But let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness." The Spirit intercedes for us, prays for us, and guides us into all truth. He is our Helper in the journey of faith, providing us with the strength and wisdom we need to navigate the spiritual trials we face.

Emotional trials, on the other hand, often involve feelings of sadness, anxiety, or despair. These trials can be particularly difficult to navigate, as they affect our thoughts, our feelings, and our overall sense of well-being. But again, we are not alone. The Spirit of God is our Comforter, providing us with peace that surpasses all understanding, and joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. He helps us to process our emotions in a healthy way, and to find hope and healing in the midst of our pain.

C.S. Lewis, once wrote, "God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain." This quote beautifully encapsulates the role of the Spirit in helping us through our emotional trials. He equips us with the armor of God, enabling us to stand firm in the face of adversity, and to emerge victorious on the other side.

Physical trials, such as illness or injury, can also be incredibly challenging. They can cause us to question God's goodness, or to wonder why He would allow us to suffer. But even in these trials, the Spirit of God is our Sustainer. He provides us with the strength to endure, the patience to wait on God's healing, and the faith to believe in His promises. He reminds us that our bodies are temporary, but our spirits are eternal, and that our ultimate healing will come when we are united with Christ in eternity.

So, dear friends, let us take heart. Let us remember that we are not alone in our trials. The Spirit of God is with us, helping us, comforting us, sustaining us, and guiding us. Let us lean into His presence, draw strength from His power, and find hope in His promises. And let us act, not in our own strength, but in the strength that God provides, so that we may live out our faith in a way that brings glory to God and draws others to Him.

Conclusion

 Good afternoon, children, it’s been a joy to fellowship today. As we make ready to leave, let's remember the profound truth that we've been reminded of. The Spirit of truth, our Advocate, is with us always. We are not alone in our struggles; we are not left to fend for ourselves in a world that often seems overwhelming. We have a Helper who is always with us, who knows us intimately, who guides us in truth and fills us with the strength and courage we need to face each new day.

This is the goodness and love of our God. He doesn't just watch us from a distance, He is actively involved in our lives. He doesn't just give us a set of rules to follow and then leave us to our own devices, He gives us His very Spirit to guide us and help us. He doesn't just love us in a general, abstract way, He loves us personally and intimately, knowing each of us by name. I’m glad that God has given us the help that we need to run on to see what the end is going to be. Finally, all of our help comes from the Lord.