THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

SCRIPTURE: ;

If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to 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.

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, 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 heart be troubled and do not let it be afraid.

When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who goes out from the Father, He will testify about Me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

INTRODUCTION

1. This passage takes place in the upper room where Jesus met with His disciples on He night of His arrest and trial.

2. These are His final words to those He loved most.

3. H also knows that they do not have a clue as to what is about to happen.

4. He is giving them information they are going to need after He is gone.

5. The most important bit of information they will need is to know about the One the Father is sending in His name after He is taken up into heaven.

6. So, for the disciples this is pertinent information they are going to have to rely on.

7. Jesus introduces them to the One who is coming to empower them to do His work, the Holy Spirit.

8. Jesus then proceeds to tell them Who the Holy Spirit is and what He will do in their lives and what He will do through them.

9. The wonderful thing friends is that He, the Holy Spirit, is still doing these things in the lives of believers today.

10. Let’s look at what Jesus said the Holy Spirit will do for us.

I. HE WILL BE YOUR CONSTANT COMPANION

A. JESUS EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS GOING TO LEAVE THEM

1. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.

2. vv. 28-29 You have 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.

3. It was hard for His disciples to think of Jesus not being there with them.

4. This One who had all power and demonstrated it. Not being here? No way!

5. This was a concept that they couldn’t accept.

6. But Jesus explained “I will not leave you as orphans.” (v. 18)

7. You will not be alone when I am gone!

B. BUT I WILL SEND YOU ANOTHER COUNSELOR

1. “I will give another counselor.” (v. 16)

2. “Counselor” The word Counselor in the Greek word here to mean “one called alongside to help.”

3. It also means Counselor, Strengthener, Comforter, Helper, Advisor, Advocate, Intercessor, Ally and Friend.

4. The Greek word for “another’ is “allon” and means, “another of the same kind,” rather than “heteros,” meaning “another of a different kind.”

5. So, Jesus was telling them they will have another just like Himself who will do exactly as He was doing for them for 3 ½ years.

6. It will be like it is now, you will not be alone. I am sending another just like myself to be with you.

C. HE WILL BE WITH YOU FOREVER!

1. v. 16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another counselor to be with you forever.

2. He will be your constant companion!

3. This is something that you and I do not experience here on a human level.

4. No matter how much you love your mate there are times when you just cannot be together.

5. For some, that’s a good thing. There are times when you need your own space.

6. But when it comes to our relationship with God it is vitally important that we know that He is with us ALWAYS!

7. No matter what I do, where I am, or how I feel, He is always with me to help, council, encourage, enable, teach, direct, lead, guide.

8. What a wonderful promise we have with our constant helper.

II. HE WILL LIVE WITHIN YOU

v. 17 You know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.

1. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would not only be with you but He “will be in you.”

2. Jesus indicated here that the Holy Spirit was with them but that I the future he would be in them.

3. After the resurrection when Jesus met with the disciples He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit!”

4. Then on the day of Pentecost The Holy Spirit was poured out upon them and hey were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

5. From that time on believers not only have the Holy Spirit with them but He also resides within them.

6. So, wherever you go the Holy Spirit goes with you!

7. At home – He is with you! On the job – He is with you! Doing business – He is with you! At church He is with us!

8. What a wonderful promise and assurance is our with the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit.

III. HE WILL BE YOUR TEACHER

vv. 25-26 All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, 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.

A. HE WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS

1. This is one of the most amazing and helpful ministries of the Holy Spirit.

2. When you ask the Lord for knowledge and understanding He gives it to you.

3. If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men liberally.

4. When you suddenly know how to d something – that’s the Holy Spirit.

5. When you suddenly understand something – that’s the Holy Spirit.

6. When suddenly Scripture comes alive to you – That’s the Holy Spirit.

7. When God gives you insight into how to minister to another – that’s the H. S.

B. HE WILL REMIND YOU OF WHAT I SAID

1. When you share with someone about the Lord and His Word flows – that’s the H. S.

2. When faced with a situation that needs direction and the H. S. brings Scripture to you heart that meets the need – that’s the H. S.

3. When meditating on the things of God and His word comes as a source of comfort – that’s the H. S.

4. Fill your heart and mind with His Word so the H. S. has something to recall!

IV. HE WILL GIVE YOU PEACE

v. 27 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.

A. A COMMON GREETING

1. This was a common greeting between Hebrews, “Peace be with you!”

2. When Jesus appeared unto His disciples after His resurrection, twice, His greeting to them was, “Peace be with you!” (, , )

3. Today that is still their greeting, “Shalom!” – Peace be with you.

B. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE GIVER OF PEACE

1. Since it is the H. S. that is to minister to us He is the One who bring the peace of Christ into our hearts.

2. Jesus uses the greeting in a different way, He said, MY peace I give you.

3. This has the meaning of total wellbeing, and inner rests of spirit, in fellowship with God, which only comes through salvation.

4. This is a peace that the world knows nothing about it is a peace in the midst of all turmoil and demonic strife.

5. The cessation of hostilities. All is well! All is at rest.

6. In my life, in my heart, in my home, on my job, in my family.

7. It is a peace only he gives.

8. When all around is in turmoil His calm assurance brings peace.

THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

SCRIPTURE:

Now I am going to Him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: In regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

INTRODUCTION

1. Two weeks ago, on Pentecost Sunday, we began this journey on the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

2. Today we will finish:

(Everything we share is what Jesus said the Holy Spirit will do.)

3. To recap: Jesus said, “The Holy Spirit will…”

a. Be Your Constant Companion

b. Live Within You

c. Be Your Teacher

d. Give You Peace

4. Jesus was very specific about the ministry of the Holy Spirit & what He would do.

5. This is still the upper room discourse on the night of His betrayal and arrest.

6. Jesus is sharing with them about His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

I. JESUS WILL SEND ANOTHER JUST LIKE HIMSELF

A. I AM RETURNING TO THE ONE WHO SENT ME

1. They didn’t know what to make of this statement. (14:2; 16:5)

2. They didn’t even know what to say or ask. (v. 5)

3. They were smitten with grief. (v. 6)

B. THIS IS REALLY GOOD NEWS

1. It is good for you that I am going away, because if I don’t return to My Father the Holy Spirit will not come to you. (v. 7)

2. “But if I go I will send Him to you.” (v. 7)

3. “When He comes…” (v. 8)

4. The ministry of the H.S. couldn’t take place until Jesus returned to His Father.

II. HE WILL BRING CONVICTION TO THE WORLD

When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. (v. 8)

A. IN REGARDS TO SIN (v. 9)

1. (v. 9) In regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me.

2. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to expose sin and unbelief in order to awaken a consciousness of guilt and the need for forgiveness.

3. Conviction also makes clear the fearful results if the guilty persist in sin.

4. After conviction, a choice must be made. This will often lead to true repentance and a turning to Jesus as Lord and Savior.

5. It is our job to share the good news; it is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict of sin.

6. The Holy Spirit brings people to a personal confrontation with Christ. (v. 9)

B. IN REGARD TO RIGHTEOUSNESS (v. 10)

1. (v. 10) In regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see Me no longer.

2. The H.S. convinces people that Jesus is the righteous Son of God, resurrected, vindicated and now the Lord of all.

3. He makes them aware of God’s standard of righteousness in Christ, shows them what sin is and gives them power to overcome the world.

4. He does the same for each child of God; He holds us to a higher conduct and to a righteous character.

5. He will help you to clean up your act!

C. IN REGARD TO JUDGMENT (v. 11)

(v. 11) In regard to judgment because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

1. The H.S. convinces people of Satan’s defeat at the cross.

2. The H.S. reveals God’s present judgment of the world.

3. The H.S. convinces people of the future judgment of the entire human race.

4. We all will be brought to account and will have to answer for our actions.

5. One day we all of mankind will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

6. May our services be filled with the convicting power of the H.S. bringing men and women to true repentance.

III. HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH (v. 13a)

V. 13 When He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.

A. THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES BELIEVERS INTO TRUTH

1. Part of the work of the H.S. is to guide believers into truth.

2. He does this through teaching, preaching, instructing, correcting, guiding, admonishing, reading and all in agreement with the word of God.

3. He deals with sin in your life and brings you to His standard of righteousness that only the H.S. can do.

4. He guides us into truth through a “check in our spirit”

5. He guides us into truth by opening our hearts and spirits to His word.

6. You know when it happens because it will effect change in the way you live.

7. Through the H.S. things of God suddenly become clear to our understanding.

IV. HE WILL REVEAL TO YOU THINGS TO COME (v. 13b)

v. 13 He will tell you what is yet to come. (He will show you things to come.)

A. THE SECRET OF THE UNKNOWN

1. People have a great fascination for knowing what is going to happen.

2. There are “fortune tellers”, “psychics” and “mediums” that make their living by reading your future.

3. Which by the way God forbids us to get involved in.

4. But the child of God doesn’t have to rely on messengers of Satan to know what is coming, the H.S. will show us what we need to know.

5. He will reveal to you about His desire for people’s lives.

6. Example: The H.S. Confirms to parent’s hearts about their child’s choice of a life time mate.

7. Give you insight into His plan for their lives.

8. The H.S. will help you understand the news through Scripture.

9. He will show you things for your own life that will glorify Him.

10. His word is a prophetic picture of what is going to happen.

V. HE WILL TESTIFY OF CHRIST AND EXALT HIM

When the counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who goes out from the Father, He will testify about me, and you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it know to you.

A. THE H.S. ALWAYS TESTIFIES TO CHRIST

1. He, the H. S. will testify to the fact that Jesus is the Christ.

2. The Spirit will take what is from the Father and make it known to us.

3. He exalts Christ, not Himself, even though He is a member of the Godhead.

4. When the H. S. is doing His work in us then we will be drawn to Christ, not to supernatural manifestations.

5. Jesus Christ is the main focus of the H.S. He is the revealer of who Christ is.

6. He draws us closer to the Savior not to manifestations of supernatural power.

7. Since His job is to lift up Jesus, and if He is in us, then we too must testify and lift up Jesus.

8. When we allow the H.S. to do His work within us then Jesus becomes more precious to us day by day.

B. THE H.S. ALWAYS EXALTS CHRIST

1. He takes the truths of Christ and reveals them to us.

2. Because He dwells in the Spiritual realm the H.S. will take that which is Christ’s and reveal it to the believer.

3. He takes the presence, love, forgiveness, redemption, sanctification, power, Spiritual Gifts, healing and all that is ours through our faith relationship with Christ, and makes it experientially real in our lives.

4. The Spirit works within us to do what is necessary to awaken and deepen our awareness of Jesus’ presence in our lives, drawing our hearts toward him in faith, love obedience, communion, worship and praise.

5. Our lives too will exalt Him as we bring glory to our Lord and Savior.

C. THE UNITY OF THE GODHEAD (v. 15)

1. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. (v. 15)

2. Here we see the prefect harmony between the members of the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. With the Spirit indwelling us we too can live in harmony with the Godhead.

VI. HE WILL EMPOWER YOU FOR SERVICE

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

A. HE WILL CLOTHE YOU WITH POWER

1. This power is from on high, strait from the Father.

2. He was referring to the outpouring of the H.S. on the Day of Pentecost.

3. You will be clothed with it (just as you put on a coat he will clothe you with His power)

4. This power was for the glory of God to be revealed in us and through us.

B. THAT POWER CAME ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST

1. The H.S. came on the day of Pentecost and filled the believers with His power

2. It filled them all and they began to speak in other tongues or languages.

3. Those who were hiding in fear suddenly became bold & spoke with authority.

4. Those from other nations in the city heard them speak in their own language.

5. God is still filling believers with His power and glory.

6. Do believers still speak in tongues? – Yes!

7. Is it for us today? – Yes!

8. Can you receive it? - Yes!

9. It is a gift and it’s yours for the asking.

C. POWER TO WITNESS

1. The end result is that you will witness to who Jesus is.

2. The proof is in the dedication of your life to be His servant wherever you are.

3. Spirit filled churches are those with an outreach at home and abroad.

4. “I’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord, I’ll be what you want me to be, I’ll say what you want me to say.”

5. This is the desire and empowerment for the believer today.