It is to your advantage
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· 296 viewsJesus said that we are better off if he leaves
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Sermon: The Holy Spirit – our Helper
Speaker: Nicholas Booth
Text:
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 depart, I will send Him to you.
Introduction
Have you ever been reading the bible and find some things really difficult things to believe? As believers we don’t really like to admit that so we often go past these verses as read over quickly verses. You know, the ones that you believe but just don’t understand and really don’t spend a lot of time thinking about because they seem to mess with your head a bit.
Well, today I’d like to preach about what I believe is the most disbelieved scripture in the whole bible. In fact, the majority of bible believing, church going Christians live their lives where their practice of this is completely contrary to these words.
I am not talking about rule-keeping here, but perhaps something that can change our perspective totally. I believe that a proper practice of this really ought to revolutionise our lives.
God has an intention to have a living relationship with you, one where you are adopted into his family. One where you hear his voice and one where you know his presence.
Jesus said “you are better off without me”. Did you hear that! I told you that you didn’t believe this verse! I don’t know if I fully believe this verse! I mean, what would be better than sitting at Jesus feet like the disciples did, hearing Jesus teach. Witnessing the miracles that he did. But that was not Jesus intention for the first disciples after his initial time with them.
Let’s look at that verse then from
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 depart, I will send Him to you.
Who is the Helper?
· God’s Name is helper because God knows that we need Help! (especially if your name is Ben, Wayne or Nick)
· Jesus promised another Paraclete! He was the first Paraclete and continues to be that for us before the father according to 1 John.
· Yet Jesus Promised another Paraclete (Helper, Cousellor, Comforter, advocate). Who would be with us always. 24/7
The late Leon Morris: Australian Theologian and Biblical Scholar
Now he says that it is better for them if he leaves them. He is telling them that his physical presence, while helpful to them during the time of his ministry, was not the best thing for them. Obviously it was limited in time and space, and their need would not always occur when they were physically with him. But the coming of the Spirit was different. That would be a presence that would never be taken away. It was better for them, as it is better for us, that the divine Spirit be permanently present.
Did you get that. The Holy Spirit makes the presence of the Godhead permanent in our lives and universal in its effectiveness.
Friend “We Need a strong relationship with God the Holy Spirit”
How are we better off?
Larry Hart: Charismatic Southern Baptist
“What could be better than having Jesus physically by one’s side? Indeed, the disciples often seemed to be dismal failures when he was not there. But Jesus was preparing them for the gift of the indwelling Spirit, whereby both he and the Father could be in them twenty-four hours a day”
· Jesus could only ever be in one place at a time in his humanity. The Holy Spirit brings the Omnipresence of the Godhead into your and my life. He is with us, everywhere and every-when.
What is the work of the Holy Spirit?
· He Seals us at salvation/ regenerating our spirit so that we are Born again
The seal of God’s Spirit is a bit like a wedding ring is a seal of a marriage relationship.
Story of my lost wedding ring!
And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.
· He Convicts the World of Sin, of Righteousness and Judgement
And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment
· He is our Comforter and our Advocate (defence lawyer)
Another translation of the name Paraclete is Comforter not just helper. Please notice that the one who comforts us if not making us comfortable. He actually comes and strengthens us! Comes to our defence.
· He is our comforter/ counsellor
So much in the word Paraclete that no single English word can fully explain it sufficiently.
AMP
But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.
· He leads us into all truth/ causing us to remember Jesus teaching.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the 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 intercedes for us, through us
26. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
· He empowers us for witness
But 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.
You will find in the writing of Luke (books of Luke and Acts), that the agenda of the Holy Spirit is not what he does in the individual but what he does through the individual to impact the world.
We still need God’s power today! A powerless Christianity is not a biblical Christianity. God is the same Yesterday, today and forever!
· He gives a prayer language that is for your edification!
1. Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
You give the voice, he gives the words. If you think that you don’t need this then I would ask you to reconsider the urging of Paul who says “I speak in tongues more than you all! And Again, I wish that you all spoke in tongues.”
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Ephesian 6:18
· He works miracles and healings through believers.
Paul says, earnestly desire Spiritual gifts (especially that you may prophesy). You are allowed to want them! And you should never just use the excuse that that is not my gift! But remember, it is God who gives them according to His will, for the good of all.
6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
The gifts of the Spirit are never given so that any person can say “look at me”. They are specifically about saying “Look at God” and look how God wants to help you!
Likewise, the gifts of the Spirit are not for a select few special people. They are for all believers as the Spirit determines!
Application/Conclusion
Are you feeling alone, orphaned, distressed? God has promised that he would not leave you on your own. He sent the Holy Spirit to be with you always. In fact, the Father and the Son make their home with you through the Holy Spirit. God, the One God lives in you through his Holy Spirit!
Are you sick? God wants to bring healing into your life.
Are you feeling lost and away from God? Well the Holy Spirit is drawing you! Calling you! Convincing you of your need of a saviour even now. Will you respond to His call today?
Altar call.
Come to Jesus…..