The Holy Spirit Is The Comforter!

When I was in school as a kid I seem to remember one chant from the cheerleaders during a football game:

Always a fun chant and one that is easy to remember. Sometimes people seem to think the Christian life is about revving people up to give them assurance that “they have spirit;” or, more specifically, the Holy Spirit. In today’s modern society a major error is leading people away from faith to focus upon experience; and many church leaders have fallen into this trap.

Liturgical Setting

Today it’s common to hear people say something like, “I’m spiritual but not religious.” At the same time, instead of asking how much they should know about God, people seem to be more interested in how they may experience God. As I noted last week on our observance of the Ascension of our Lord, many think that when that happen Jesus left us. Many live by the motto, “When the cat’s away the mice will play,” thinking that Jesus isn’t among us so we are free to do as we please. On the contrary,

When the Holy Spirit was sent on the Day of Pentecost, Jewish people of a variety of languages heard “the mighty works of God” in their own (Epistle, ). It was as if “the whole earth” once again “had one language and the same words” as before the Lord confused the languages for their sin (Old Testament Reading, ). The office of the Holy Spirit, according to the words of Jesus in our Gospel, is to bring to remembrance all and only what Jesus has ever spoken. The Holy Spirit gives us understanding of the words of Jesus. On this Day of Pentecost, we praise God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who continues to bring the words of Jesus to us, and in doing so grants us consolation. The Collect expresses the liturgical setting well, as it prays: “O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation.”

Today it is common to hear people say something like, “I’m spiritual but not religious.” Then again, instead of asking how much they should know about God, people seem to be more interested in how they may experience God. As I noted last week on our observance of the Ascension of our Lord, many think that when that happen Jesus left us. On the contrary,

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day our Lord give the Holy Spirit to the Church. So, we are going to unpack, just a little, the person and work of the Holy Spirit by talking about how (1). The Holy Spirit is absolute, (2). Not a feeling, (3). But is our Comfort. You see, despite the noise heard elsewhere,

So, this morning we are going to unpack this a bit by talking about how (1). The Holy Spirit is an absolute, (2). Not a feeling, (3). But a Comfort. You see, despite the noise heard elsewhere

ntroduction: Our friends and neighbors may say, “I’m spiritual but not religious.” More people ask today how they may experience God in their own lives rather than how much they should know about God. Americans are looking for a deeper and immediate personal feeling of God within them. If they have it, the important question is settled; the rest are details. As we live in such a religious culture, quite often we are confused as to what the Holy Spirit does and gives. In today’s Gospel, Jesus clarifies for us concerning the office and work of the Holy Spirit.

Even as the World Is Suggesting a Wide Range of Options for Spirituality, Jesus Reveals the True Office of the Holy Spirit: Comforter!

Without his works we have no consolation and peace!

tells us what follows the coming of the Spirit. Peter preached on behalf of the Twelve, led people to repentance, taught the words of the Lord further, baptized them all, and distributed the Lord’s body and blood. Jesus is the Lord of the Church, as the Holy Spirit brings to remembrance all and only what Jesus has ever taught and spoken.

Again, Luther:

Relevant Context

As the Church hears the event of Pentecost from , she focuses her attention on , where Jesus teaches the office and work of the Holy Spirit. This is quite helpful because Pentecost is not an isolated event but belongs to the wholeness of the Lord’s achievement as well as his delivery of our salvation. Jesus said in our text: “Now I have told you before it takes place” (v 29). Jesus foresaw not only his Passion and resurrection but also the sending of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus accomplished our forgiveness on Calvary, he prepared the way of the distribution of that forgiveness by mandating preaching, Baptism, Absolution, the Lord’s Supper, as well as the office that serves them. Jesus then ascended to heaven. It was not to remove himself from the people on earth. On the contrary, it was to continue the earthly ministry he had begun () by using the apostolic ministry. The Ascension of the Lord is the presupposition of Pentecost, because the ascended Lord is the one who sent his Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

Textual Notes

Vv 23–24: Our text begins where Jesus answers the question by Judas (not Iscariot) in the previous verse: why he reveals himself to the disciples but not to the world. Jesus explains that he manifests himself to those who keep his words and love him. According to Jesus, to keep his words is to love him, and to love him is to keep his words (14:15, 21; 15:10; cf. 8:51; 17:6; ; ; , ). To keep his words also means that Jesus’ words always come first. Once we change or improve them, we only weaken his doctrine. It indicates that we do not love him. The use of tērein reminds us of Jesus’ mandating words of the Office of the Holy Ministry in . Rather than moral obedience, tērein speaks of keeping and treasuring, not missing anything of his words.

A reference to the dwelling of the Father and the Son not only refers back to the beginning of (v 2), but also evokes rich Old Testament precedence of the tabernacle and temple as Yahweh’s dwelling place (; ; ; ; ; ; Zech 2:14; cf. ; ; ; ). That Yahweh dwelt among his people through the Divine Service of the tabernacle and temple according to his mandate brings to mind Jesus now dwelling among us through the Divine Service of the New Testament Church—again, according to his mandate and institution of the Means of Grace. In the Church, the Father and the Son dwell among the people, walk among them, and serve them as their living God. Those who keep Jesus’ words and love him are not only safeguarded from future wrath, the devil, and all adversity, but also they daily receive his care for them here on earth in both body and soul.

At the end of v 24, Jesus reminds that the word his disciples hear is not his but the Father’s who sent him (7:16; 8:26; 12:49). Thus, Jesus already alludes to the Holy Spirit of whom he will speak in the next verse (cf. 3:34; 6:63).

V 26: Here, Jesus teaches concerning the office of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not presented as “motion created in things” (), an impersonal being, or a mere power, but the one called alongside to help, an Advocate, Defender, Comforter, and Counselor (paraklētos). While Jesus later speaks of the Holy Spirit as the one who bears witness to him (15:26) and glorifies him (16:14), here he explains that the Spirit’s office is to bring to our remembrance all Jesus has spoken. John records that until the Spirit was given, the apostles did not understand what Jesus had spoken and done (2:22; 20:9, 22). Dr. Luther connects this verse to the confession of the Church in his sermons on John in 1537 (AE 24:167–77). “I believe in the Holy Spirit and the Holy Christian Church,” so we confess in the Creed, because the Church is the place where the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance all that Jesus has spoken. In doing so, the Holy Spirit dwells in and continuously sanctifies the Church through Word and Sacrament.

If you yourself were holy, then you would not need the Holy Spirit at all; but since we are sinful and unclean in ourselves, the Holy Spirit must perform his work in us. . . . “I am not holy through myself but through Christ’s blood, with which I have been sprinkled, yes, washed in Baptism, and also through His Gospel, which is spoken over me daily.” (AE 24:169)

“He (the Holy Spirit) baptized me; He proclaimed the Gospel of Christ to me; and He awakened my heart to believe. Baptism is not of my making; nor is the Gospel; nor is faith. He gave these to me. For the fingers that baptized me are not those of a man; they are the fingers of the Holy Spirit. And the preacher’s mouth and the words that I heard are not his; they are the words and message of the Holy Spirit. By these outward means He works faith within me and thus He makes me holy.” Therefore just as we should not deny that we are baptized and are Christians, so we should not deny or doubt that we are holy. (AE 24:170)

In this way, Luther encourages the baptized to look for the Holy Spirit at the place he is found, “not up above the clouds” but “down here on earth,” where “the Word and the sacraments” are going on (AE 24:171).

V 27: Jesus is departing from the disciples and leaves his peace as his legacy. What he gives is not silver or gold, social status or worldly success, but peace, his peace (16:33; 20:19–21; ; ; ). The peace of which Jesus speaks has nothing to do with the absence of warfare. Precisely in the context of the daily battle of the Christians both from without (the devil, the world) and within (sinful flesh), Jesus leaves his peace. But where did he leave his peace behind to all the Church? Luther answers: “Nowhere else than in His Baptism, in the Sacrament, and in the office of the ministry” (AE 24:180).

V 28: How could the disciples rejoice when their Lord was departing? Jesus answers: they should rejoice because he is going to the Father and then coming back. He departed to answer for the sin of the world on Calvary. He died and was buried. He was not seen by the disciples during those three days. He then returned and showed the marks of the nails in his body. We should also rejoice, because he went away by ascension in order to come back to us. Jesus is not far but near. He is close to us for we are given his words, Baptism, and body and blood to eat and drink for the forgiveness of our sin. Again, Luther:

In days of trial it seems to the Christians that they have lost Christ. But those who believe in Him as His pupils and disciples, who have His Word and Baptism, who are daily at table with Him in the Sacrament of His body and blood, should not become despondent when they do not feel that He is present with His consolation, power, strength, salvation, and help. Though it seems that He has left them alone among their enemies in weakness and sadness, they should find support in the comforting assurance given them here that He will come to them. (AE 24:183)

Sermon Outline

Even as the World Is Suggesting a Wide Range of Options for Spirituality, Jesus Reveals the True Office of the Holy Spirit: Comforter!

Without his works we have no consolation and peace!

His Work is Special.

He creates faith in us.

Gives us a saving knowledge of Christ.

This work is called conversion (being turned) or regeneration (new birth).

He gives us the peace of Christ Jesus. (v. 27).

He makes us holy

He works a renewal in our whole life — in spirit, will, attitude, and desires — so that I strive to overcome sin and do good works. , .

Psalm 51:10 NKJV

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Psalm 51:10 NKJV

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

teaches us to love one another.

teaches us to love the Word.

He Teaches and Reminds us ONLY what Jesus has said to us.

Therefore, the Holy Spirit works through the Word

Reminds us of Jesus’ Commandment and Commission

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself.

Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and fo the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.

tells us what follows the coming of the Spirit. Peter preached on behalf of the Twelve, led people to repentance, taught the words of the Lord further, baptized them all, and distributed the Lord’s body and blood. Jesus is the Lord of the Church, as the Holy Spirit brings to remembrance all and only what Jesus has ever taught and spoken.

To Keep His Words is to love Him, and to love Him is to Keep His Words.

The work of the Holy Spirit is absolute and we know it by the Word. The work of the Holy Spirit is never a feeling.

1 John 5:3 NKJV

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

1 John 2:5 NKJV

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

John 15:10 NKJV

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

John 14:15 NKJV

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.

To Keep His Words means that Jesus’ Words always come first. That is, to TREASURE.

We should not be confused when the Holy Spirit is considered merely as these:

1. A created motion in things, an impersonal being, a mere power.

A created motion in things, an impersonal being, a mere power.

A nice “Christian-sounding” name for whatever spirituality anyone wants to invent. (Give examples.) Anything that does not directly lead us to loving Jesus and his Word (vv 23–24) cannot be of the Holy Spirit, because he is one God with the Father and the Son.

2. A nice “Christian-sounding” name for whatever spirituality anyone wants to invent. (Give examples.) Anything that does not directly lead us to loving Jesus and his Word (vv 23–24) cannot be of the Holy Spirit, because he is one God with the Father and the Son.

Rather, the Holy Spirit brings to remembrance all that Jesus has spoken (v 26).

B. Rather, the Holy Spirit brings to remembrance all that Jesus has spoken (v 26).

1. It happened to the apostles ().

It happened to the apostles ().

It takes place with us when we read the Holy Scriptures, which record Jesus’ own words.

2. It takes place with us when we read the Holy Scriptures, which record Jesus’ own words.

C. The Holy Spirit also brings to remembrance only what Jesus has spoken and taught.

The Holy Spirit also brings to remembrance only what Jesus has spoken and taught.

We are tempted to bring in alien thought from popular religiosity and our reasoning.

1. We are tempted to bring in alien thought from popular religiosity and our reasoning.

We are tempted to replace the words of our Lord with the best of our pious thinking and belief. (Give examples.)

2. We are tempted to replace the words of our Lord with the best of our pious thinking and belief. (Give examples.)

So we are invited to consider oratio-meditatio-tentatio (AE 34:83–88). Before we hear God’s Word, we pray that we may despair of our reason and understanding and that he may give us the Holy Spirit, who will enlighten us, lead us, and give us understanding. This we do because we are in the midst of tentatio, the spiritual attack by the devil, the world, and our flesh.

3. So we are invited to consider oratio-meditatio-tentatio (AE 34:83–88). Before we hear God’s Word, we pray that we may despair of our reason and understanding and that he may give us the Holy Spirit, who will enlighten us, lead us, and give us understanding. This we do because we are in the midst of tentatio, the spiritual attack by the devil, the world, and our flesh.

Back during the hight of the “Jesus Movement” of the 1070’s, a slogan was born: “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.” Today many Christians live by the “Star Wars” conviction: “My the force be with you.” Instead of living by the absolutes of God’s Word, feelings are the name of the game.

We should not be swayed when the Holy Spirit is considered as a feeling:

We have “peace” about something, then it must be what God wants for us. Jesus said he give us his peace, but we misinterpret this to mean something different that what He meant, which is forgiveness.

A nice “Christian-sounding” name for whatever spirituality anyone wants to invent. “God Spoke to Me,” or “I’m looking for the Holy Spirit to give me a sign.” Anything that does not directly lead us to loving Jesus and his Word (vv 23–24) cannot be of the Holy Spirit, because he is one God with the Father and the Son.

A nice “Christian-sounding” name for whatever spirituality anyone wants to invent. (Give examples.) Anything that does not directly lead us to loving Jesus and his Word (vv 23–24) cannot be of the Holy Spirit, because he is one God with the Father and the Son.

Rather, the Holy Spirit brings to remembrance only what Jesus has spoken and taught (v 26).

Rather, the Holy Spirit brings to remembrance all that Jesus has spoken (v 26).

It happened to the apostles ().

It takes place with us when we read the Holy Scriptures, which record Jesus’ own words.

The Holy Spirit also brings to remembrance only what Jesus has spoken and taught.

Yet, we are tempted to adopt foreign thoughts from popular religiosity and our reasoning.

We are tempted to bring in alien thought from popular religiosity and our reasoning.

We are tempted to replace the words of our Lord with the best of our pious thinking and belief.

We are tempted to replace the words of our Lord with the best of our pious thinking and belief. (Give examples.)

How many have heard the phrase, “God will never give you more than you can handle?”

NIV

“We do not want you to be uninformed…about the hardships we suffered…We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life…But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises from the dead.

2 Corinthians 1:8–9 NIV84

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

So we are invited to consider oratio-meditatio-tentatio (Prayer, Meditation, Trial). Before we hear God’s Word, we pray that we may despair of our reason and understanding and that he may give us the Holy Spirit, who will enlighten us, lead us, and give us understanding. This we do because we are in the midst of tentatio, the spiritual attack by the devil, the world, and our flesh.

III. Where The Holy Spirit carries out his office.

Jesus contrasts his peace with as the world gives.

1. The world may promise peace with money and property.

The world may promise peace with money and property.

Jesus contrasts his peace with as the world gives.

2. The world may promise peace with success and status.

The world may promise peace with success and status.

The world may promise peace with money and property.

The world may promise peace with good health and long life.

3. The world may promise peace with good health and long life.

The world may promise peace with success and status.

B. Peace that Jesus gives has nothing to do with the absence of warfare.

Peace that Jesus gives has nothing to do with the absence of warfare.

The world may promise peace with good health and long life.

1. We Christians daily fight against the devil.

We Christians daily fight against the devil.

Peace that Jesus gives has nothing to do with the absence of warfare.

We Christians daily fight against the devil.

We daily struggle with the world’s temptation.

2. We daily struggle with the world’s temptation.

We daily struggle with the world’s temptation.

We daily battle against our own sinful flesh.

3. We daily battle against our own sinful flesh.

We daily battle against our own sinful flesh.

Yet Jesus’ peace gives us comfort.

C. Yet Jesus’ peace gives us comfort.

Yet Jesus’ peace gives us comfort.

Because it was earned on the cross in his flesh.

1. Because it was earned on the cross in his flesh.

Because it was earned on the cross in his flesh.

2. Because it addresses our deepest need: sin.

Because it addresses our deepest need: sin.

Because it reassures our conscience.

3. Because it reassures our conscience.

Because it reassures our conscience.

We don’t have to look for the Holy Spirit to give us the peace of Jesus up above the clouds.

We don’t have to look for the Holy Spirit to give us Jesus’ peace in our hearts either.

B. We don’t have to look for the Holy Spirit to give us Jesus’ peace in our hearts either.

The place where the Holy Spirit grants us peace of Jesus is in the Church here and now.

C. The place where the Holy Spirit grants us peace of Jesus is in the Church here and now.

he place where the Holy Spirit grants us peace of Jesus is in the Church here and now.

In Holy Baptism. How certain!

1. In Holy Baptism. How certain!

In Holy Absolution. How personal!

2. In Holy Absolution. How personal!

In Holy Absolution. How personal!

In Holy Supper. How present!

3. In Holy Supper. How present!

In Holy Supper. How present!

Served by the Office of the Ministry. How near!

4. Served by the Office of the Ministry. How near!

Unlike popular notions about the Spirit and spirituality, the person and work of the Holy Spirit is for our comfort and joy. He is our Helper, Advocate, Counselor, Defender, and Comforter. Constantly attacked by our sinful flesh, the devil, and the world, it may seem to us that we also have lost Christ. In our days of trial and temptation, the Holy Spirit directs us to the place where Jesus gives his peace and consolation. Luther once said, “If you want your sins be forgiven, don’t go to the cross, don’t seek it in your heart, but run to the Word and Supper. There you will surely receive the forgiveness Jesus won on the cross for you as the body and blood of the Lord is put into your mouth to eat and drink” (paraphrase AE 37:213–14).

Where the Holy Spirit directs us, there Jesus dwells among us with the Father. He defends you from future wrath and the devil, and he cares for you daily, here and now, body and soul. The Holy Spirit is absolute, not a feeing, and is our comfort. The gift of the Holy Spirit is beyond measure. Overwhelmingly comforting! Blessed Pentecost!

American Christianity seems are looking for a deeper and immediate personal feeling of God within them. If they have it, the important question is settled; the rest are details. As we live in such a religious culture, quite often we are confused as to what the Holy Spirit does and gives. In today’s Gospel, Jesus clarifies for us concerning the office and work of the Holy Spirit.

Even as the World Is Suggesting a Wide Range of Options for Spirituality, Jesus Reveals the True Office of the Holy Spirit: Comforter!

Without his works we have no consolation and peace!

Again, Luther:

In days of trial it seems to the Christians that they have lost Christ. But those who believe in Him as His pupils and disciples, who have His Word and Baptism, who are daily at table with Him in the Sacrament of His body and blood, should not become despondent when they do not feel that He is present with His consolation, power, strength, salvation, and help. Though it seems that He has left them alone among their enemies in weakness and sadness, they should find support in the comforting assurance given them here that He will come to them. (AE 24:183)

Textual Notes

Vv 23–24:

A reference to the dwelling of the Father and the Son not only refers back to the beginning of (v 2), but also evokes rich Old Testament precedence of the tabernacle and temple as Yahweh’s dwelling place (; ; ; ; ; ; Zech 2:14; cf. ; ; ; ). That Yahweh dwelt among his people through the Divine Service of the tabernacle and temple according to his mandate brings to mind Jesus now dwelling among us through the Divine Service of the New Testament Church—again, according to his mandate and institution of the Means of Grace. In the Church, the Father and the Son dwell among the people, walk among them, and serve them as their living God. Those who keep Jesus’ words and love him are not only safeguarded from future wrath, the devil, and all adversity, but also they daily receive his care for them here on earth in both body and soul.

At the end of v 24, Jesus reminds that the word his disciples hear is not his but the Father’s who sent him (7:16; 8:26; 12:49). Thus, Jesus already alludes to the Holy Spirit of whom he will speak in the next verse (cf. 3:34; 6:63).

V 26: Here, Jesus teaches concerning the office of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not presented as “motion created in things” (), an impersonal being, or a mere power, but the one called alongside to help, an Advocate, Defender, Comforter, and Counselor (paraklētos). While Jesus later speaks of the Holy Spirit as the one who bears witness to him (15:26) and glorifies him (16:14), here he explains that the Spirit’s office is to bring to our remembrance all Jesus has spoken. John records that until the Spirit was given, the apostles did not understand what Jesus had spoken and done (2:22; 20:9, 22). Dr. Luther connects this verse to the confession of the Church in his sermons on John in 1537 (AE 24:167–77). “I believe in the Holy Spirit and the Holy Christian Church,” so we confess in the Creed, because the Church is the place where the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance all that Jesus has spoken. In doing so, the Holy Spirit dwells in and continuously sanctifies the Church through Word and Sacrament.

If you yourself were holy, then you would not need the Holy Spirit at all; but since we are sinful and unclean in ourselves, the Holy Spirit must perform his work in us. . . . “I am not holy through myself but through Christ’s blood, with which I have been sprinkled, yes, washed in Baptism, and also through His Gospel, which is spoken over me daily.” (AE 24:169)

“He (the Holy Spirit) baptized me; He proclaimed the Gospel of Christ to me; and He awakened my heart to believe. Baptism is not of my making; nor is the Gospel; nor is faith. He gave these to me. For the fingers that baptized me are not those of a man; they are the fingers of the Holy Spirit. And the preacher’s mouth and the words that I heard are not his; they are the words and message of the Holy Spirit. By these outward means He works faith within me and thus He makes me holy.” Therefore just as we should not deny that we are baptized and are Christians, so we should not deny or doubt that we are holy. (AE 24:170)

In this way, Luther encourages the baptized to look for the Holy Spirit at the place he is found, “not up above the clouds” but “down here on earth,” where “the Word and the sacraments” are going on (AE 24:171).

V 27: Jesus is departing from the disciples and leaves his peace as his legacy. What he gives is not silver or gold, social status or worldly success, but peace, his peace (16:33; 20:19–21; ; ; ). The peace of which Jesus speaks has nothing to do with the absence of warfare. Precisely in the context of the daily battle of the Christians both from without (the devil, the world) and within (sinful flesh), Jesus leaves his peace. But where did he leave his peace behind to all the Church? Luther answers: “Nowhere else than in His Baptism, in the Sacrament, and in the office of the ministry” (AE 24:180).

V 28: How could the disciples rejoice when their Lord was departing? Jesus answers: they should rejoice because he is going to the Father and then coming back. He departed to answer for the sin of the world on Calvary. He died and was buried. He was not seen by the disciples during those three days. He then returned and showed the marks of the nails in his body. We should also rejoice, because he went away by ascension in order to come back to us. Jesus is not far but near. He is close to us for we are given his words, Baptism, and body and blood to eat and drink for the forgiveness of our sin.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Holy Spirit Is The Comforter!

“We’ve got spirit, yes we do; we’ve got spirit, how ‘bout you!”

Jesus Reveals Himself by the Holy Spirit Through the Word.

Jesus Is Continuing His Earthly Ministry Today

Through the Ministry of the Word

by the Holy Spirit

Jesus’ Earthy Ministry Continues Through the Ministry of the Word By the Holy Spirit.

I. The Holy Spirit Is Absolute.

II. The Holy Spirit Is Not a Feeling

III. The Holy Spirit Is Our Comfort.

III. Where The Holy Spirit carries out his office.