Our Paramount Pursuit
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Our Paramount Pursuit
Our Paramount Pursuit
Passage- John 14:15-18
Introduction- Musky Fishing.....the rareness of the fish…the finickiness of the fish…the need for a good guide
Attention- For a few lucky guys in this world fishing can be a living....for most it is at best a hobby.
We can be so faithful to a hobby that generates at best temporary results
Problem- When it comes to the eternal consequences of our faithfulness to God the HS we are far too unfaithful....
In this passage John uses a title for the HS that gives us a glimpse into why our faithfulness to him is so important.
Context- Now…in the originals there are no sentences or verse or paragraphs or even chapters. Those with a much better understanding of the originals like to put verse 15 as part of the same sentence as verses 16 & 17
Now this becomes a little problematic if we read it wrong.
I want to propose to you that it does not mean that Jesus praying for the comforter is dependent upon our obedience.
As we saw last week…at salvation the HS comes to indwell and never leaves us.
-In the same manner that our salvation is not dependent upon our works neither is the indwelling of the HS....THANKFULLY!!
Now that we have gotten to the indwelling…an indwelling that has nothing to do with our works and is not not conditional.
Once we receive that indwelling John records that we are indwelt by the Comforter
Now…much has been said and written about this title for the HS and I want to share with you not only what has been stated but what you may not have heard
Historical Problem-
CPS
Interrogative (CPS in a question) When the Scriptures use the title paraclete for the HS what does that mean in the life of the believer?
Transition- I want us to look at several character traits of the Holy Spirit as paraclete and what that means to the believer.
The first character trait is that of....
I. Our Instructor (16)
I. Our Instructor (16)
Explain- The word translated Comforter here is used by times. , ; ; ; (advocate)
Now this becomes a little problematic if we read it wrong.
There are also other areas that this title is implied.
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
I want to propose to you that it does not mean that Jesus praying for the comforter is dependent upon our obedience.
Here we see that contrary to some teaching the Christian life will not always be a bed of roses…
As we saw last week…at salvation the HS comes to indwell and never leaves us.
But when opposition comes and accuse you...
-In the same manner that our salvation is not dependent upon our works neither is the indwelling of the HS....THANKFULLY!!
-I don’t know about you but when I am under attack it’s easy to freeze…to not know what to say...
Now that we have gotten to the indwelling…an indwelling that has nothing to do with our works and is not not conditional.
-This verse is teaching that when those times come we can trust that the Holy Spirit will speak in you
Once we receive that indwelling John records that we are indwelt by the Comforter
-It will be your voice…your personality but it will be words of the Father by means of the Holy Spirit.
Now…much has been said and written about this title for the HS and I want to share with you not only what has been stated but what you may not have heard
Remember “Who Wants To Be A Millionare”....they answered the set of questions each bringing them to a higher level of winnings.....and when they were stumped they had several helps....one of them was “Phone A Friend”
-We have, according to
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
There is also
For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
We have the HS dwelling within us that will speak through us the words that God the Creator of the universe has for them....
Not only does God the Father Himself, through the HS, speak through us....
The HS also brings to remembrance things we have heard, read, and memorized.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
If you are like me....not only do I have a difficult time remembering things (sometime even from the time it takes to go from my office up to the copy room)
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
-but also in times of distress…you all know those times, when you get that news and you don’t know what to think or say....that’s where the HS comes to help.
Or those times of trial or temptation and you want to hear or remember truth but your mind goes blank....then the HS puts into your mind that verse, that truth, that song lyric....
We also read in
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
The anointing that John is referring to here is the HS....and that anointing abides (or dwells) in us....and John goes on to say that you don’t need men to teach you (although it is not condemned but encouraged) but you have the HS to teach you.
This is similar to what the apostle Paul wrote in
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
One of the distinguishing character traits of the HS is that of teacher.
But there are times we need more than a teacher… and this leads us to a second character trait and
Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
Refute
Apply
Transition
The second character trait is that of...
II. Our Counselor (16)
II. Our Counselor (16)
Explain- What is the difference between teacher and counselor?
The teacher imparts knowledge and the counselor helps us to turn that knowledge into wisdom.
And you may be thinking this morning…why give a whole separate point to wisdom, why not just lump it in with teaching and get done a little sooner.
There is a vast difference between knowing facts and using them skillfully.
Illustrate- I have shared this before and will again…knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit but wisdom is leaving it out of the fruit salad.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
The devils (or demons) have this same knowledge…this belief that God exists yet tremble because of their lack of wisdom…they chose to reject God’s goodness.
Remember last week....the HS is a part of the Trinity…He is God, not just some force or agent that God uses to do His bidding. He is as co-equal with the Father as the Son is.
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Any of those scenarios we discussed earlier...
-Bad news
-Opposition
-Accusation
-Trials or Temptations
The HS not only teaches and brings truth into remembrance but He also helps us in how to practically work out that truth in our lives.
-I believe he helps us in four ways
1- God’s Word
2- Prayer
3- Our conscience
4- Fellow believers
God did not leave us on this Earth alone to figure out how to live
He gave us the HS of promise…His Word....access to Him by prayer…a conscience…and fellow believers
And each of these God uses in the final character trait and....
Refute
Apply
Transition
The final character trait is that of.....
III. Our Guide (16)
III. Our Guide (16)
Explain- Life is tricky sometimes....Actually a lot of the time
Between the world we live in with politics, Hollywood, the controversy and tension of this world we also have relationships
-
I have not hid from you all how important I believe relationships are…mainly because that is what life is built of, relationships.
-Work
-Neighbors
-Extended family
-Immediate family
-Church family
-And the list could go on....
We need help in these relationships....we need help navigating this fallen world and the system that Satan has set up
Refute
Illustrate- Mission trip to Mexico
We do not have to go at this life all alone....we have a guide....
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
As Philip is directed into another area to evangelize he notices a chariot and the HS says to Philip (guides Philip) to go to the chariot
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
As the church grew and sought the will of God they had the HS as their guide
And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
In the process of the Gospel going to the gentiles and Peter using the keys of the kingdom and Cornelius comes to Peter and the HS told Peter (guided Peter) to go to Cornelius
Then there are the verses such as which speak directly to the believer
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
-Friends, even if you are here this morning and feel all alone....or you feel lost in this life.
God has sent the Holy Spirit of promise to be our teacher....or counselor…and our guide in this life.
Conclusion
Review of the Principles and the Sermon Proposition
One of the problem, as we have mentioned that last several weeks is that God is faithful and therefore when we experience these types of feelings and problems in life they can be because we are not faithful to God
It is not always because of this but often is...
Final Statement God is faithful....we are not....
Remember our sanctification is a two way street....are we studying God’s Word....are we in prayer…church attendance......
I want to close this morning by challenging you to be more faithful to God...
Closing Hymn-
312 I Want To Be Faithful