Holy Spirit, the Dove Sent from Heaven

John 16:5-1

John 16:5–15 ESV

But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 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. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

In the Name of Jesus, dearly beloved:

Today we turn our attention to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed where we confess God, the Holy Spirit. This week we will look at the Work and the Person of this Third Person of the Holy Trinity; Next week, on Reformation, we will look at the Holy Catholic Church; the week after, on All Saints Sunday, at the “Communion of Saints” and then close out the Church year with a study of the “resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”

Today’s sermon will use the word “Dove” as our outline, as the Holy Spirit is symbolized by a Dove. He descended on Jesus as a Dove at His baptism.

The outline is: the Holy Spirit is DIVINE; The Holy Spirit speaks ONLY of Jesus; The Holy Spirit VIVIFIES us, that is- gives us life; and finally the Holy Spirit declares to us EVERYTHING that is to come, calling to mind EVERYTHING that Jesus taught us.

The Holy Spirit is DIVINE

One of the things that separates the Christian church from cults is our view of the Trinity. Of course, most cults attack either the divinity or humanity of Jesus— or both. But they also attack the Holy Spirit. They see the Holy Spirit as a power, and not as a person. Unfortunately, there are some liberal Christian Churches that tend to go that same way when it comes to the Holy Spirit (or Holy “Ghost”- same thing). That the Spirit is a power sent by Jesus, not a person.

Unfortunately, if one confesses that, the Athanasian Creed puts them outside of salvation. You cannot be Christian without confessing the Holy Trinity.

The Holy Spirit is Divine. We see Him as GOD, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and Son is worshiped and Glorified . Who spoke by the Prophets and still does every time His Word is read into our ears.

He was present at Creation. And, as He hovered over the formless deep then, so He hovers over the Baptismal fount now to give you life and faith in Jesus.

We confess the Holy Spirit to be God.

The Holy Spirit Speaks Only of Jesus:

John 15:26 ESV

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

Have you ever been to a stage show where they have spotlights on the actors? When it comes to faith, the Holy Spirit is the spotlight operator. He always shines the light on Jesus.

The Holy Spirit seeks to draw no attention to Himself. During the 1970s we had an issue in the Lutheran Church with the Charismatic movement. People were speaking in tongues, experiencing different types of worship and prayer, and they attributed it to the Holy Spirit. Of course, while we would never want to limit the work of the Holy Spirit, on the other hand there was no clear word of Scripture that tells us what was happening was of Him. People would say that they felt peace and joy when they spoke in tongues, but that is no sure sign that it was the Holy Spirit. There are things that we can do that make us feel peaceful and joyful, like enjoying a glass of wine, or we may think our opinions on controversial issues is right because it “feels right” and still be going against the Word of God.

One of the real issues was that the Holy Spirit was being exalted. The problem is- when the Holy Spirit is exalted He is not able to do His job. The Holy Spirit does not draw attention to Himself. For all He does is exalt Jesus, not Himself.

Paul reminds us,

1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

The explanation of the Third Article puts it this way: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or understanding believe in Jesus Christ or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and sanctifies and keeps me in the one true Church.”

When we believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit has moved our eyes upon where His spotlight is shining. It is His doing.

The Holy Spirit Vivifies Us

We call the Holy Spirit “The Lord and giver of life.” He gives life to us in three ways.

First, He has given us our earthly lives, even as He was the Breath of Life given to Adam.

Second, He gives us Eternal life now. Through Baptism He grants us faith in Jesus, forgiveness of sins, drowning out our Old Adam, raising us as His new creation to live lives of holiness before the Lord.

Third, He will raise us on the Last Day. The Creed says, “on the last day He will raise up me and all the dead, and give unto me and all believers in Christ eternal life.. This is most certainly true. So along with the life that He grants in Christ, He gives us hope.

The Holy Spirit will Teach us Everything:

John 16:13 ESV

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.

He is the one who first teaches the need for a Savior:

He convicts the world of sin, because the world doesn’t believe it exists.

He convicts the world of righteousness, because the world either doesn’t believe that it exists, or they think it exists in themselves.

He convicts the world of Judgment because the world thinks that it has to answer to no one.

And yet, the Holy Spirit changes this.

After all, He changed it in you. You know your sin, so you confess it before the Lord and Hear His absolution.

You know that you have no righteousness of your own, but you receive your Savior’s!

You know that the world will end with judgement, and you thank Jesus that Judgment Day already took place on the cross, and that God’s punishment was given to Jesus, hell was already suffered for you so that you have nothing but life.

The Holy Spirit is God. He shows you Jesus. He makes you alive. And He calls to mind everything that Jesus has done for you.