Sermon Tone Analysis

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)

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.

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

There is also

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.

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)

-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

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

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

Refute

Apply

Transition

The second character trait is that of...

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.

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.

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)

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....

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

As the church grew and sought the will of God they had the HS as their guide