Fifth Sunday of Easter (2026)

John 16:5-15

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, in our Gospel lesson today, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure, and Ascension to the right hand of the throne of God where he shall intercede for us and plead our case that we may not perish but receive the fruits of His cross, and that He might fulfill his role as our High Priest, who will plead for your salvation. But Jesus promises His disciples that He will not leave them alone, but send to them not just A helper, but The Helper to encourage them, to comfort them, and to bring them through the challenges found in this world. So who is

The Paraclete

Why do they need a helper?

Jesus has spent time warning them, that if the world would not receive Him, they should not be surprised that the world will not receive them either. The disciples suffered greatly for the faith, because the world loves the darkness that sin offers to hide away our sins, and our flaws, and doesn’t want any light, especially the light of Christ to reveal the truth. So Jesus is sending them THE helper. Now,

Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit.

The 3rd person of the Trinity, who creates faith inside of our hearts, who works through the Word to save us. This promised helper comes upon them on the day of Pentecost, and then we hear from Peter on that day that those who are baptized will receive the Holy Spirit. Which is part of why we baptize our children. But ultimately what does the Spirit do?

He will point the disciples to Jesus.

This is key to understanding the work of the Holy Spirit and where some people go astray when it comes to knowing the work of the Holy Spirit. For the Trinity works in unison to save you. The Father sent the Son to save you, and the Son and the Father send the Spirit who creates faith inside of your heart that trusts in the Work of Jesus and that you might have that Spirit of Sonship by which we call God, our Father in heaven. Now Jesus also calls the Helper

The Spirit of Truth

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

So when Jesus says He will guide them into all truth, The Spirit is bringing back to mind all that Christ had said, and will declare to them what Christ has proclaimed. This is why we call the Scripture’s God’s Word, not John’s words, or Mark’s words, but God’s Word. Jesus clarifies that

The Spirit glorifies Jesus, not man.

This is where you see people in the ancient Church and today become confused. The Spirit focuses on Jesus, not on you or me. This is how you can tell what is of the Spirit, and what is of man. If someone talks about how they just had this feeling, that God talked to them, or they had this special message from God. They aren’t looking at Christ. You will also see people try to glorify a particular gift over the others, and claim unless you have this one gift you don’t have the Holy Spirit. In our day, that would the folks who claim to be speaking in tongues, when all their doing is making noise. These things glorify man, not Christ, and so they are not of the Spirit.

This is why Church is about Jesus.

It’s not about just what I like or enjoy, it isn’t about having fun. Why are the children of God joined together in God’s house? Because we have received the Spirit of Sonship through the Means of Grace and we desire to be where God’s Word is preached and the Sacraments are rightly administered. For without these gifts, you would perish in our sins, but with them you have the hope of everlasting life for the Spirit has brought you to life in Christ. But how do you know you have the Spirit? Well the Spirit convicts us of three things.

Christian Convictions

First, there is nothing good in me.

The Spirit reveals that you are a sinner, that you are under the wrath of God and subject to his judgment, and that works a terrible fear inside all of us as we realize it isn’t the world that’s the problem, nor your neighbor. You are the one that has sinned against God and your neighbor in thought, word, and deed and you deserve death and damnation. That’s why the first question in Christian Questions and Answers is, are you a sinner?

Second, Jesus gives His righteousness to you.

This part is beautiful and comforting for the Spirit shows you that Jesus is your savior. For Jesus, God in the flesh, not only died for you, but He rose for you, and Ascended for you. Jesus intercedes for you before the throne of God. So that when Jesus sees you standing before the throne, He greets you kindly, for Jesus has called you His brother, His sister and has prepared a place for you in His eternal home.

Third, Satan has been defeated.

When it says Judgment all of us panic a bit, but Jesus clarifies that the Spirit convicts us that the Ruler of this World, that is Satan, has been judged and cast down. Evil did not win, Sin did not win, Death did not win, Christ has the victory and He has triumphed over all of these things for you. So He can bring you home! This is why the Scriptures say we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. So if you wonder,

Do I Have the Spirit?

What question do we ask?

Are you a sinner? Have you kept the commandments? Do you know the commandments? Do you love God with all your heart, soul, and mind more than you love your family, friends, hobbies, and work? Do you keep your lips free from cursing? Are you at church every Sunday gladly? Do you respect your parents, your boss, and your government? Your hands may be free of blood, but do you carry hatred in your heart which mean you are a murderer? Do your eyes wander in life or online? Do covet your stuff? Do you engage in gossip and slander? Are you a sinner? Yes, yes you are.

Where does the service begin?

Confession, and you stand before the holy and righteous God and confess that you have rejected him in thought word, and deed and deserve hell because of it, and that’s important, because the world would have you rely upon your works, your efforts, but if you try to be a christian by your works, you will perish eternally. The Spirit teaches all of us to despair of ourselves, and throw ourselves on God’s mercy, and,

Next, you are forgiven because of Christ.

Not because of your good works, not because you were a decent person, not because you lived a good life, or tried hard enough. You already admitted there is nothing good inside of you. The Spirit through the Word, shows you the Savior of sinners, Jesus Christ, who set aside His heavenly crown that He might take up our crown of thorns and plead upon the Cross for you saying, Father forgive them for they know not what they do, and die in your place. The Faith the Spirit has created in our hearts, says, Amen, thanks be to God.

We need to talk also about

What the Spirit Isn’t

He isn’t found in your feelings.

You have to be careful here, because a lot of people but the emphasis on the feelings, and not on the Truth. The truth is, the Law will bring us low because it reveals the truth of our sinful condition. The Gospel will then lift us up and comfort us as the Good Shepherd takes us up in His arms to bind our wounds and carry us home, and Christ’s victory will bring us joy as we see that ancient foe, Satan cast down. But don’t think the feelings mean the Spirit is there, rather look at the Word.

He isn’t found in a single gift.

Don’t let anyone make you believe that the Spirit is limited to only one gift, God has called each of us together in the Body of Christ, and the Spirit has handed out gifts to each of you in proportion to your faith, for the building up of Christ’s church. Rather rejoice that God has given us different gifts to build up the body of Christ. Finally,

He isn’t found outside the Word.

Many go looking for the Spirit in a place where He is not. The Word is God-Spirited (2 Tim 3:16) the Spirit is the one who inspired the writers of the Old and New Testament that God may make you into His children, and build you up. If you go looking for God elsewhere you will not find Him, and that is why it is good that you dear child of God are here today, that the Spirit may continue to work upon you and build you up.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I hope you understand the importance of the Holy Spirit, and what He has done not only for the disciples, but for you as well. The Spirit glorifies Jesus, our savior, He enlightens our hearts and minds by not only revealing the darkness of sin that dwells inside of us, but also points us to Christ who gave His life for you. He also reveals to us the victory that Christ has over Satan, and the hope we have of everlasting life, and that is why He isn’t just the helper, but also the encourager, and comforter who keeps our eyes fixed upon Christ our Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.