Our Advocate: The Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit DWELLS With Us! – v. 16-17

Permanent Residence FOREVER!

Once Shaved – Always Shaved JOKE

After twenty years of shaving himself every morning, a man in a small Southern town decided he had enough.

He told his wife that he intended to let the local barber shave him each day. He put on his hat and coat and went to the barber shop, which was owned by the pastor of the town's Baptist Church.

The barber's wife, Grace, was working that day, so she performed the task. Grace shaved him and sprayed him with lilac water, and said, "That will be $20."

The man thought the price was a bit high, but he paid the bill and went to work. The next morning the man looked in the mirror, and his face was as smooth as it had been when he left the barber shop the day before. Not bad, he thought. At least I don't need to get a shave every day.

The next morning, the man's face was still smooth.

Two weeks later, the man was still unable to find any trace of whiskers on his face. It was more than he could take, so he returned to the barber shop.

"I thought $20 was high for a shave", he told the barber's wife, "but you must have done a great job. It's been two weeks and my whiskers still haven't started growing back."

The expression on her face didn't even change, for she was expecting his comment. She responded, "You were shaved by Grace and once shaved, always shaved!"

We are HIS FOREVER – When He comes to live in us – it is forever!!

Beginning with some of the earliest “Greek expositors, beginning with Chrysostom…”, translated this word “Comforter,” and this is important because we often are in need of comfort – we don’t feel like we belong to this body of faith – or our gifts don’t fit very well or whatever

· Beginning with some of the earliest “Greek expositors, beginning with Chrysostom…”, translated this word “Comforter,” and this is important because we often are in need of comfort – we don’t feel like we belong to this body of faith – or our gifts don’t fit very well or whatever

· because παρακλήσις very often, if not always, means “consolation;” but the word is passive in form, and

· denotes “one called in,”

· or “called to the side of another,”

o “for the purpose of helping him in any way, but especially in legal proceedings and criminal charges, so that the word “Advocate,” Pleader for us add in us, is the translation that most generally is accepted by almost all modern expositors.

§ Our enemy accuses us, the Advocate pleads for us – He is our Peace, and Comforter. He reminds us WHOSE we are – and What We Are Becoming in Christ!

o “Another” implies that Christ had already stood in this position while present with them, helping with tender care their first efforts to stand or serve.

o But now – it is no longer Jesus’ with just the 12 Disciples – it is the Spirit of Jesus with ALL the disciples all around the world.

o “John (1 Epist. 2:1) distinctly says, “We have now a Paraclete with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous,” etc.

o “And in this place (ver. 17) the coming of the Paraclete was his own true return to his disciples.[1]

[1] H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., St. John, vol. 2, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 226.

2. The Holy Spirit Convicts and Consoles!

He is very active in our lives!

We know and recognize the Spirit of Truth

We are not alone

He ABIDES in us!

We have peace & presence of God!

SLIDE

He will TEACH YOU ALL THINGS – that I have said to you.

• Spirit of Truth

• Spirit of Holiness –

• Spirit of Adoption –

• Spirit of Wisdom & Revelation –

• Spirit of Glory –

Conclusion:

“Speaking to a large audience, D.L. Moody held up a glass and asked, "How can I get the air out of this glass?" One man shouted, "Suck it out with a pump!" Moody replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass." After numerous other suggestions Moody smiled, picked up a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed." He then went on to explain that victory in the Christian life is not accomplished by "sucking out a sin here and there," but by being filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Today in the Word, September, 1991, p. 30.