John 14:15-31

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Main Points: (Who is He, What does He do, and what does He want?

The Holy Spirit is God, the third Member of the Trinity, He inspired the writers of Genesis to Revelation to write the word’s of God they heard- Hence the title of the Word of God. We can trust the Bible because it was authored and preserved by God- and Jesus confirms this fact.

The Role of the Holy Spirit is Teacher, Correcter, Helper, Comforter, Giver of gifts, He is a bringer of conviction to all, and He is your Seal and down payment by the Father promising your inheritance of eternal life.

God’s will for you and your life ultimately and primarily- is to believe and trust in Jesus Christ.

Job? Trust me. Calling? Trust me. Relationship? Trust me. Finances? Trust me. Health? Trust me. Obedience? Trust me. The list goes on, trust Him.

Read Whole passage 15-31

Prayer

Read verse 15

How many times in this passage alone does Jesus say this- ‘If you love Me, you will keep My commandments/word?’

This verse, then verse 21”Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.

Then verse 22 “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word”

Then verse 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the Word that you hear is not mine by the Father’s who sent Me.”

There are many today who look at the Bible, and seek to label it an erroneous over translated unreliable fictional story book- because they don’t want to submit to the authority of God.

To me, this argument is as stupid as it is lazy. This idea of the Bible not being God’s word is proclaimed by those who are in rebellion to the teachings of Jesus.

And yet Jesus throughout the gospels referred to the Scriptures as the word of God.

We see that Jesus referred to the scriptures as the authority of what He is teaching! Not the culture and traditions of the pharisees around them.

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

So that begs the question, what is Scripture?

The whole Bible- Genesis to Revelation.

2 Peter 3:15–16 “And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.”

Peter himself confirms that Paul’s writings are Scripture- inspired of God. And he also confirms that even back then, there were these kinds of people that always twisted the Scriptures to their own destruction- trying to make it mean something it didn’t mean.

Trying to make it sound like the Bible really actually affirms homosexuality, trying to make it sound like God really is ok with transgenderism.

God inherently teaches and speaks against these two things- and anyone who would seek to teach these things saying God approves of it, whether they have a platform or not; THEY ARE A FALSE TEACHER.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

First Point:

So Who is He? The Holy Spirit is God, the third Member of the Trinity, He inspired the writers of Genesis to Revelation to write the word’s of God they heard- Hence the title of the Word of God. We can trust the Bible because it was authored and preserved by God- and Jesus confirms this fact.

There are these people that insist on dulling the teachings of the Bible. Of Repentance of wicked works and faith in Christ. That is the summary of the Bible- We as humanity FAILED and continue to fail. Jesus fully God and fully man comes down as one of us, lives the perfect life we couldn’t, dies the perfect death we should’ve, and is resurrected on the third day confirming His perfection as God and perfect sacrifice.

No matter where we look in the Bible, it is painting a picture that points us to Christ. Our need for Him.

And there are those who in their hatred for Him, and the teachings of Him, that they seek to twist and pervert that which God has ordained to call sinners home.

Beware of them.

If you love the Lord, you will keep ALL of His commandments, not just the ones that sound or feel nice to you.

Read verses 16-18

I can almost see the disciples panicking at this statement of Jesus. Because they love Him, they panic at the thought of perfect obedience. And Jesus responds reassuring them He is going to send another Helper- The Spirit of Truth- the Holy Spirit.

At this point they had seen each other’s repeated mistakes and sin even though they continued to follow Jesus and listen to His teachings. They knew they couldn’t perfectly obey and trust even with Jesus present, the thought of the Lord calling them to obedience as He leaves must have been terrifying.

Judas Iscariot also followed Jesus, he played the part externally. But as we’ll see in chapter 18 Judas’ heart is clearly portrayed, and that he could not care less about God’s teaching. He couldn’t care less about what God cared about.

Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Do you guys see the difference between Judas Iscariot and the disciples? Were the disciples any less sinless than Judas?

No. But their heart was repentant. Meaning they were in agreement with God about their spiritual condition being bankrupt, and they desired holiness. They desired to walk with God.

I’ve heard the fear of the Lord explained this way: I’m not afraid of the Lord hurting me, godly fear of the Lord looks like me being afraid of hurting God. That’s the heart of Psalm 119:11.

This is the Disciples heart- to walk in holiness, but also fully aware that they will need help- and Jesus see’s their heart desiring holiness but knowing their inability- and He points to the Holy Spirit.

Second Point:

So what does He do? Jesus tonight is pointing you to the Holy Spirit as your Helper, your Comforter, your Teacher of the truth proclaimed by Christ .

He is the One Who helps you to walk out what Jesus has asked of you.

But if we’re not careful, the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives can become distorted and confusing and untruthful, and really unhelpful in our walk with Christ.

Play Mission Bible Church short on the role of the Holy Spirit.

The role of the Holy Spirit is clearly defined throughout Scripture,

John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

Scriptures on the ministry of the Holy Spirit include: John 14:26, where the Holy Spirit acts as a teacher and reminder of Christ’s words; Romans 8:26, which states the Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know what to pray; Acts 1:8, which says the Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses for Christ; Galatians 5:22-23, describing the fruit of the Spirit as we abide in Christ; and 1 Corinthians 12:13, where the Spirit distributes gifts.  Ephesians 1:13-14 for sealing and redemption, and John 16:8 for convicting the world concerning sin, rightouesness and judgement.

Nowhere do i see emotionalism as a a part of the the Holy Spirit’s ministry.

Please hear me. Don’t misunderstand me, we should emote to the Lord. We should weep over our sin, rejoice over our salvation, have tears of gratitude during worship.

But don’t mix your emotions with the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Our emotions are a response to His ministry and role in our life, not the evidence of it. REPEAT x2

What do i mean by that? Example: If i show up to church this saturday night and don’t cry during worship, don’t have any high emotional experience- does that mean Christ isn’t present? Does that mean i haven’t propery invited the Holy Spirit, and somehow i missed out encountering Christ?

No. That’s unbiblical. Scripture doesn’t teach that my emotions are helpful in informing me of God’s role in my life.

That’s why He gave us His word.

So yes, weep before the Lord, rejoice, be thankful- emote! Reverence and seriousness is also an emotion.

Do not prescribe emotion to the Holy Spirit’s role. (meaning don’t think that if you don’t cry during the worship or the sermon that you didn’t experience the Lord’s grace)

Reverence and solemness is also an emotion.

The Holy spirit also points us to obedience to Christ and His word.

But Maybe you’ve been so hyper focused on obedience to Christ’s commands that you’re doing it in your own strength, and you’ve forgotten what it looks like to utterly rely on the Holy Spirit for help.

Strength that comes from the Spirit of Truth looks like faith in Jesus Christ, and His ability to change your heart and enable you to obey.

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Meaning at the day you arrive in His presence- whether by death in this body or the second coming of Christ, on that day Jesus Christ Himself will have completed the work of sanctification in you.

He has promised us to not leave us alone. He will not leave us as orphans.

It is The Promise of the Helper, not perfect obedience, that should assure us of our position in Christ. x2

He will not leave us as orphans. Does that stir you? Do you know that you are His and He will not leave you alone.

Read Verses 19-21

We have the promise of God that as Jesus lives, so we know that we have eternal life in Him by faith.

failing in temptation does not mean you are not a child of God. The disciples fled and abandoned Christ in the garden, Judas betrayed the Lord for money- but the difference between the disciples and Judas is that upon failing- they returned to Christ in humility and repentance- Judas hung himself.

When you fail in temptation, you fail to obey the word of Christ- where or who do you turn to?

Do you seek affirmation from your mentor before the comfort of the Holy Spirit?

Do you seek out the comfort of your doomscrolling before bed instead of intentional and raw heart revealing prayer before the Lord?

The heart of Jesus’ command- is repent and believe the gospel, Mark 1:15 “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””

the gospel, the good news, is that the kingdom of heaven has come and ha been revealed in the person of Jesus Christ coming to die and rise again for sinners, and it is by our faith and trust in Who He says He is, and what He did means that we are promised eternal life and eternal relationship with Him.

Read Verses 22-27

The Holy Spirit is the answer to verse 22. That God Himself will indwell us, and it will be so personally profound, it is God making Himself so at home within us, that He is holding nothing of Himself back from us any longer.

Psalm 91:1–2 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””

The Refuge and Fortress Himself- is coming to US. No longer do we have to offer sacrifices of burnt offerings.

No longer are we denied access to the Holy of Holies, but in fact God in His mercy and grace BRINGS the Holy of Holys to dwell in with the spirit of every believer.

That’s the grace and love of your Father to you.

Being called to obey the word of Christ without help is terrifying and fearful, and in verse 27 I believe Christ see’s the disciples fear of not having God with them any longer, and Christ speaks to them reminding them that not only will they have a Helper- it will be God Himself that dwells in our hearts to be all that we need and more.

The peace the world gives is earned.

You’ve gotta chase it, buy it, sacrifice your life for it and then maybe you’ll have some semblance of happiness for a short time.

The peace Christ offers is given freely by faith. Because of the promise of the Helper which points to the promise of Eternity- we have peace with God. You have a hope that nothing can take from you.

Don’t be afraid or depressed at Christ’s call to obedience, because He has provided the Holy Spirit to you to help you and teach you.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in you is proof and assurance that you are saved. That you have peace with God, that you are His son. You are His daughter.

Read Verses 28-31

Jesus here is talking about a different kind of love than you or I initially think of.

The kind of love He is referencing, is the kind that surpasses my own desires and wants for my life.

He’s saying, if you loved me with the kind of love that I love you with, you would lay down your desires and trust that My death and resurrection and ascension to the Father is greater and better for you, than Me conquering the Romans.”

That agape love that Jesus is actively teaching all of us about through His Spirit, is the love He mentions here in John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

That we would lay down the things most dearest to us, in the pursuit of walking with Jesus- who calls us friend.

Third and final point tonight is this:

So what does He want? God’s will for you and your life ultimately and primarily- is to believe and trust in Jesus Christ.

To give Him every part of your heart, mind, and life.

Not just once. But every day To trust Him, confused or clear, fearful or confident- regardless of you feel- and to trust His hand over your life.

The Holy Spirit’s will is to glorify Jesus, Jesus’ will is to do as the Father has commanded Him, and the Father’s will is that you would you would Believe Christ. John 6:40 “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.””

Summary:

The Holy Spirit is God, He spoke and is the author of the Bible. It is the authority in our lives, and the Author of what is good and holy and true has come and made His home in you, because He loves you.

The Father has sent the Holy Spirit as the down payment for you. He’s coming to collect what He’s purchased. The Holy Spirit’s role is to change you more and more into the image of Christ- to get you ready for the day He comes to get you. Yield to Him in faith.

God’s will for you is to do what He’s commanded you to: Which is to daily trust Christ. In every way possible, trust Him. He has not abandoned you, you are not an orphan.

Prayer