The Helper
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in short while we will gather around the Lord’s Table to remember our Lord Jesus and proclaim his death
in many respects it is a table of love
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
is a tremendously encouraging account of the love our Lord Jesus expressed for his disciples
knowing the appointed time for him to suffer and die and be resurrected and raised to sit at the right hand of God he is eager to comfort and strengthen and his disciples
in spite of their weak to non-existent faith, their slowness to understand his teaching, their prideful jockeying for position and prestige and knowing they would for the most part abandon him in his greatest suffering, Jesus loved them deeply, fully and eternally!
over and over again in these chapters the love of Jesus for his disciples is gloriously displayed!
he told them it would hate them,
because it hated Jesus (15:18) and his Father (15:23, 24)
because they were taken out of the world (15:19)
because they did not know God (15:21)
the passage we are going to look at this morning begins with Jesus’ statement at the end of v.4
“… I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.”
at our last Lord’s Table we considered Jesus’ loving care for them in warning them of the hatred of the world
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.
he told them it would hate them,
because it hated Jesus (15:18) and his Father (15:23, 24)
because they were taken out of the world (15:19)
because they did not know God (15:21)
he kept these things from them until it was time for him to leave them because,
he did this, because,
As long as Jesus was with them they were safe and protected from the hatred of the world.
as long as Jesus was with them the hatred of the world was directed toward him
culminated in his being unjustly convicted, tortured and put to death in the most horrible and cruel way the Romans knew how
when Jesus ascended into heaven and the Apostles and disciples took up the Great Commission the hatred and persecution directed at Christ was refocused on them
this has always been the case for believers
the prospect of Jesus’ complete and permanent departure fill them with sorrow and dread
loved by God, lavished with promises, blessed beyond measure yet hated the world
Jesus to his disciples: “the world will hate you but I love you, the world will consider you its enemies but I call you friends”
knowing this we can endure the hatred of the world’s because we have our Saviour’s love
the world will be our enemy but Jesus will be our friend
the world will persecute us but Jesus will provide for all our needs
the world will trouble us but Jesus will give us peace
the world will cause us sadness but Jesus will give us joy
the world is under the power of Satan but we are under the power of God
1 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.
“I have told you these things to keep you from falling away”
“I have told you these things to keep you from falling away”
Jesus knew that they would be tempted to fall away if he were not with them and they were not prepared for the world’s hatred, opposition and persecution.
this was borne out when Jesus told his disciples that Satan had demanded to have them that he might sift them like wheat
when Jesus was arrested, tortured and crucified they scattered in fear
Jesus addressed Peter personally knowing that as the leader of the 12 he was a specific target for Satan’s attack
Jesus prayed for him that his faith would not fail!
this is often our experience is it not?
even though we know that persecution is our lot as Christians, when it happens we often stumble and fall into fear, doubt and sometimes even sin
we forget that persecution is normal
we fail to remember that Jesus told us to expect this
we neglect to think upon all of the promises he has given because he loves us
the persecution started almost immediately after Peter and John started preaching Christ
- they were charged not to speak and were threatened - so they prayed for boldness
- they were beaten and left rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer
in both cases they did not stop!
5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
7 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.
5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
having answered Peter’s and Thomas’ questions by telling them that he was going away to prepare a place for them and that he would come back for them they were still sorrowful that he was leaving them
both Peter and Thomas had previously asked this question and Jesus had carefully answered it for them
Aware of their sorrow Jesus told them that it would be better for the Holy Spirit to be in them than that he remain with them!
- you will follow me afterward - in my Father’s house ....
- I am the way, the truth and the life
6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
John 16:6
“these things”
Jesus was about to about to leave them and that they could not follow him and the world would persecute them
how did Jesus console them?
7 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.
Jesus was saying that it would be better for the HS to be in them than that he be with them!
up to this point the HS had been with them through Jesus presence
when Jesus left them the HS would take up residence within them forever
that could not happen though until Jesus ascended into heaven
the HS is the Father’s gift as a result of Jesus’ completed work on the cross
having taken on flesh Jesus was no longer able to be in more than one place at once
the advantage: the HS is able to be in more than one place at once
as long as Jesus was with them they did not need the HS
indwells each and every individual when they are saved
the advantages of the coming HS:
the advantage: the HS is able to be in more than one place at once
the HS will come to them as their Helper
he will be just like Jesus: always with them, always loving them, always teaching them
Jesus had not yet given them the Great Commission but when he did their assignment would be to go their separate ways and spread the Gospel throughout the whole world!
When the disciples went out and spread the Gospel they faced all kinds of challenging situations and opposition and persecution where they needed the Holy Spirit’s help, often at the same time!
surely, if the Great Commission had depended on the disciples’ own strength and ability they would have failed!
Jesus anticipated this when he told them not to be afraid when they were dragged in front of authorities because the HS would give them the right words to say (; ; )
Jesus spoke of this when he told them not to be afraid when they were dragged in front of authorities because the HS would give them the right words (; ; )
“he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (8-11)
scriptures clearly teach that apart from the grace of God
people love their sin and hate to be told they are wrong (John 3:19-20)
apart from the grace of God people love their sin and hate to be told they are wrong
sinners are dead in their sins ()
they suppress the truth and exchange it for a lie (Rom 1:18,25)
they are hostile to God, will not submit to God’s law and cannot please God ()
they love their sin and hate to be told they are wrong ()
they are hostile to God, will not submit to God’s law and cannot please God ()
they do not seek after God but go their own way (Rom 3:10-12)
they cannot understand the gospel because it is foolishness to them ()
he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment (8-11)
apart from the convicting work of the Spirit the ministry of the witness of the disciples would have been fruitless and hopeless!
apart from the convicting work of the Spirit the ministry of the disciples would have been fruitless and hopeless!
another advantage of the coming of the HS: he would tell them “the things that are to come”
he would tell them what Christ could not because they weren’t ready
specifically “the things that are to come”
Who is The Helper?
Who is The Helper?
manifested most clearly at Pentecost
He is the Holy Spirit
He is the Holy Spirit
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
The Holy Spirit is the third person (; ; ) of the Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son. (; )
Who is the Helper?
... the Helper, the Holy Spirit ...
the Helper, the Holy Spirit
the 3rd person (; ; ) of the Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son (; )
co-equal with the Father and the Son
His work is to do the will of the Father and the Son.
as he was involved in Creation () he is also involved in re-creation (; Tit 3:5)
enables sinners to see the truth of the gospel
those he enables to respond in repentance and faith are in-dwelt by him, thereby uniting them with Christ and with his church
he is the author of the scriptures
with the indwelling of the Spirit comes:
a new set of holy desires and purposes
the believer being comformed to Christ = sanctification
encouragement, exhortation, and conviction
the Spirit gives gifts to serve Christ and his body
the Spirit works in the believer to make them like Christ = sanctification
includes guidance, illumination, exhortation, conviction, comfort, strengthening, wisdom
being the author of the scriptures (; ) it is the key tool he uses to teach, edify, strengthen, convict and exhort
the indwelling Spirit is our downpayment and guarantee of our salvation and eternal security (; )
He Will Be In Them Forever
He Will Be In Them Forever
“… he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”
“… he dwells with you and will be in you.”
he dwells with you and will be in you.
The Holy Spirit is the Helper: one who is called alongside.
encourages and exhorts
how is the Helper given?
“… I will ask the Father ...”
Jesus asks the Father to give the Helper to all who love him and keep his commandments (see v.15)
Jesus’ asking highlights the intimate fellowship between the Father and the Son
Jesus speaks only what he hears his Father speak and does only what he sees him doing
the Father gives Jesus whatever he asks for
this is a picture for us for how our prayers are answered!
as we make it our goal to speak Jesus words and do as he did we can be sure that God will give us all that we ask
He is Rejected by the World
He is Rejected by the World
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, ...
17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?”
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive,
the world cannot receive the Spirit of truth
The world cannot receive the Spirit of truth. (Jn 14:17)
why can’t the world receive the Spirit?
scriptures clearly teach that apart from the grace of God
sinners are dead in their sins ()
they suppress the truth and exchange it for a lie (,)
they love their sin and hate to be told they are wrong ()
they are hostile to God, will not submit to God’s law and cannot please God ()
they do not seek after God but go their own way ()
they cannot understand the gospel because it is foolishness to them ()
Since believers have the rejected Holy Spirit living within them it is no wonder that world does not receive them also!
knowing this about the world it is obvious that apart from the help of the Spirit the ministry of Apostles and the disciples would have been fruitless and hopeless!
the devil has been sinning from the beginning
therefore they love lies and hate the truth
the devil has been sinning from the beginning
those who practice sinning are therefore of the devil ()
the world is under the control of the devil who is the father of lies () and the deceiver of the world ()
sinners naturally suppress the truth by their sinning and exchange the truth for lies (Rom 1:18,25)
therefore they love lies and hate the truth
sinners naturally suppress the truth by their sinning and exchange the truth for lies (,)
in the beginning God created vs. everything evolved
sex is only to be experienced in marriage between one biological male and one biological female united in a life long covenant vs it’s a natural urge to be satisfied however you choose with whomever you choose
the devil darkens the minds of unbelievers () and as a result the world loves darkness and hates the light
, & 3:19 - Jesus is the light which has come into the world and the world loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil
- believers are children of light not of darkness
14:26 - the Helper is the Holy Spirit
The Internal Work of the Helper
The Internal Work of the Helper
What does the Helper do?
He Tells the Truth
helper: one who is called alongside
encourages and exhorts
how is the Helper given?
“… I will ask the Father ...”
Jesus asks the Father to give the Helper to all who love him and keep his commandments (see v.15)
Jesus’ asking highlights the intimate fellowship between the Father and the Son
Jesus speaks only what he hears his Father speak and does only what he sees him doing
the Father gives Jesus whatever he asks for
this is a picture for us for how our prayers are answered!
disciples went from,
fearful to fearless
from weak to strong
from timid to confident
from powerless to powerful
He Tells the Truth
He Tells the Truth
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:
helper
for he dwells with you and will be in you.
the work of the Spirit in the lives of believers
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth ...”
“… when the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all the truth ...”
We see in these verses the primary characteristic and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is as the truth giver. (, 16:13)
the Spirit of truth dwells with and in those who follow Jesus
it is true that the HS will also work in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control ()
- causes us to cry “Abba! Father!”
it is true he empowers us to bear witness
but first and foremost as the Spirit of Truth the HS guides us into all the truth, taking what Christ taught and giving us understanding as to the meaning and its application
- bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
, - the indwelling Spirit convinces us that we are in God and he is in us
what does the Helper, the HS do this?
; ; - he is given to us as a guarantee of our eternal inheritance
2 Cor 1:22; 5:5; - he is given to us as a guarantee of our eternal inheritance
- he is seal
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
the great work of the HS is to provide disciples of Jesus Christ with the truth
he does this by teaching us all things and bringing to our minds all that Christ has taught
The Holy Spirit guided all of the New Testament authors to write down all that we need for life and for godliness. ()
another way of emphasizing the truth telling ministry of the HS
26 “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.
26 “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.
- the HS will teach all things and enable the disciples to remember everything Christ taught them (this became a reality after Pentecost)
another way of emphasizing the truth telling ministry of the HS
he teaches us Christ’s words, he reminds us of Christ’s words, he bears witness to Jesus
this sums up the work of the HS in revealing scripture to us
the NT is divine teaching,
the HS inspired the writers of the gospels to record what Jesus said and did
Acts tells us how the HS enabled the Apostles and disciples to fulfill the Great Commission Christ gave to them
in the epistles and letters the HS tells us how to apply Jesus’ teaching in our churches and our daily life
Revelation tells us how the Lord Jesus will bring history to a close and establish his eternal kingdom
the ministry of the HS is to enable us to understand and apply all these things
summed up in ,
13 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.
14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
13 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.
the HS does exactly what Jesus said he himself did
the HS does exactly what Jesus said he did
Jesus said he spoke only what he heard the Father speak
like Jesus, the HS does not speak on his own (John 12:49)
the HS conveys Jesus’ words, which are in turn the Father’s words
the result of the work of the HS in the hearts and minds of the Apostles and disciples at and after Pentecost
the power of this ministry in the Apostles and disciples at and after Pentecost
note the amazing transformation in the disciples after Pentecost:
from timid to confident
from fleeing persecution to being joyful in suffering
from hiding to bold witness
from ignorant to knowing how the OT preached Christ
the HS does exactly what Jesus said he did
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,
Jesus said he spoke only what he heard the Father speak
like Jesus, the HS did not speak on his own
he coveys Jesus’ words, which are the Father’s words
How does the HS teach and remind?
“he will guide you into all the truth”
HS uses the Word to teach
as we read the Word he impresses on our hearts and minds the truth
as we go out into the world the HS takes what we know of Christ’s commands and brings them back to mind as we need them
the more we know of Christ’s words the more the HS has to work with!
the more the HS has to work with the more fruitful we will be
He Bears Witness about Jesus
He Bears Witness about Jesus
- the Helper … sent by Jesus from the Father … is the Spirit of truth … bears witness about Jesus
26 “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.
it is true that the HS will also work in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control ()
A key result of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Apostles and disciples was boldly bearing witness to Jesus.
the proof we have the HS living in us is our doing what he does
because he bears witness to Christ, we bear witness to Christ!
not only does the HS teach Christ’s words and guide us so that we walk as Christ walked,
“… for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
The Helper, the Spirit of Truth, dwells with and within those who belong to Jesus.
rejoice over what he does as he dwells in us,
- causes us to cry “Abba! Father!”
- bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
, - the indwelling Spirit convinces us that we are in God and he is in us
; ; - he is given to us as a guarantee of our eternal inheritance
16:7 - if Jesus does not go away the Helper will not come to the disciples
The knowledge that the Holy Spirit of God has taken up residence in our lives, that He performs all these miraculous functions, that He dwells with us forever, and that He will never leave or forsake us is cause for great joy and comfort. Thank God for this precious gift—the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives! (www.gotquestions.org)
as long as Jesus was physically present with his disciples the HS was not needed
the work of the Spirit in the world
16:8 - the Helper convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
after Jesus ascended into heaven the HS was given to them to be with them wherever, forever
He Convicts
He Convicts
the first thing we must take note of is that this verse is directed to the world, that is, unbelievers
16:8 - the Helper convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment
when we read this most of us immediately conclude that the HS is going to work in the lives of unbelievers to make them understand that they are sinful, unrighteous and headed for judgment
I know that this is what I originally thought
the reason we think this way is because of the way we think of conviction
when we over-eat and feel the consequences we feel guilty and might say, “I was convicted about over-eating last evening”
by that we mean we felt bad
remember that those who possess the Spirit will do as the Spirit does!!!
sin is not believing in Jesus in spite of all that he did
the first thing we must take note of is that this verse is directed to the world, that is, unbelievers
this is not what it means when the HS convicts the world, he’s not making people feel bad for their sins
righteousness in Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God as proof he was who he said he was and that his Word was truth
judgment of Satan in that sin and death were conquered by Jesus on the cross
remember that the scriptures are crystal clear that no sinner will ever repent and believe the gospel on their own
He Glorfies Jesus
He Glorfies Jesus
apart from the work of the HS unbelievers will persist in their unbelief
16:14 - the Spirit of truth glorifies Jesus by taking his word and declaring it to them
14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
if a sinner is to be saved the HS must raise them out of their spiritual deadness, break through their native love of sin, give them grace to hate their sin and forsake it, and trust in Jesus’ righteousness instead of their own
no unbeliever has the capacity on their own to repent and believe
3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
“… God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”
God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
so if a sinner is to be saved the HS must work in them bringing them to see they are sinners, to sorrow, to an understanding of their guilt causing them to flee to Jesus for forgiveness and eternal life
this however is not what Jesus is talking about with his disciples
the word “convict” is a legal word used in a court setting
it means, “to indict by evidence”
it’s a word which describes what a jury would do in one of our Canadian courts
it means, “to prove guilty”
this is far different from what we mean when we way “I feel convicted” or “I feel guilty”
when an accused is declared guilty, they have been convicted as a law-breaker
they have been measured according to the law and found guilty
I was convicted over what I watched on my TV vs. I was convicted for shoplifting
that is the sense of the word in !
Jesus is not saying the HS is going make people feel bad about their sin he is saying he is going to measure them by the Word of God, he is going to prosecute them and declare them guilty law breakers
note the Greek word for the HS is “paraclete” which is also a legal term meaning “advocate”
Jesus used this same word for Jesus in !
examples of the use of the word “convict”:
19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done,
John accused him, prosecuted him and declared him guilty
20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
rebuke = convict
what is to be done with an elder who doesn’t live up to the standards laid out for him and when he is confronted, won’t repent?
he is to be prosecuted: evidence of 2 or 3 witnesses is weighed and if found guilty he is convicted
9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
when believers show partiality and are held to and compared against the law of Christ they are declared guilty, they have been convicted
James
so, as we come back to , when Jesus says the HS will convict the world he means that the HS will prosecute the world with the law of God and declare it guilty and worthy of condemnation
he will do so in 3 primary areas: sin, righteousness and judgment
sin = not believing in Jesus
righteousness = was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven was God’s seal of approval that he was a perfect man
judgment = when Jesus died on the cross and said “it is finished” sin and death were conquered and Satan’s power broken
now the question is, how will he do this?
as the Spirit of Truth he does it through the testimony of scripture
he does it through the preaching of the Word
example:
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,
25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
as imitators of God believers are to have nothing with sexual sin (3-4)
1 Cor 14:24-25
believers are not to be partners with them (7)
believers are to walk as children of light trying to discern what is pleasing to the Lord (8b-10)
then we have v.11 which sums up these verses
Eph 5:
expose = convict = hold them up to the light of scriptures and declare them guilty
Paul’s instructions to Pastor Timothy:
2 Tim 4:
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
“rebuke” is the word “convict”
one of Timothy’s responsibilities as a pastor and a preacher was to measure people against the Word and convict them as guilty, convicted criminals
this was the same charge Paul gave Titus
first to Christians:
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
then to non-Christians:
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
those who preach the Word of God are to convict the church and the world
so all believers, preachers and disciples alike, are to prosecute with the Word of God
one of the reasons we recoil at this is because of our cultural sensitivities
we are afraid to confront people with their sin because it is a cultural no-no
our culture tells us we must never offend people
others of us react against the hellfire and brimstone preaching that was all judgment and no grace
if you are like me you have at one time or another thought to yourself, hell seems like unjust and cruel punishment
recognizing that God is perfect in every way, in love, in grace, in justice, in holiness, hell cannot be cruel and unjust
the problem must therefore be our inability to comprehend how evil sin is
since the horror of an eternal hell is the reward for sin then sin must be extremely horrible in the sight of God
as such it is the responsibility of those who have been saved from it not just to warn of hell but to convict sinners
all gospel ministry starts here
we do people a great disservice when we tell them the good news without the bad news!
at one point we were measured against the Word of God and found wanting
at the present we continue to measure ourselves by the Word of God
in our ministry to unbelievers we are called to measure them by the Word of God so that when they are convicted some may repent and believe
a gospel without conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment is not the gospel!
and if we would convict the world we will be hated and persecuted
the greatest sin is not obeying God’s command to believe on his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ
14:16 - Jesus asks the Father to give the disciples another Helper to be with them forever
manifested most clearly at Pentecost
the Helper is given to those who love Jesus by keeping his commandments
the Spirit of truth dwells with and in those who follow Jesus
- causes us to cry “Abba! Father!”
- bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
, - the indwelling Spirit convinces us that we are in God and he is in us
; ; - he is given to us as a guarantee of our eternal inheritance
The knowledge that the Holy Spirit of God has taken up residence in our lives, that He performs all these miraculous functions, that He dwells with us forever, and that He will never leave or forsake us is cause for great joy and comfort. Thank God for this precious gift—the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives!
a word to any who have been listening and would like to have this HS within them,
13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Jesus says that the Father’s desires to give the HS to all who ask
what this looks like:
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.