Embracing the Holy Spirit: Our Divine Helper
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into John 14 to explore the often misunderstood and neglected role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Many of us have grown up with varying perceptions of the Holy Spirit, ranging from fear and confusion to outright neglect. This confusion is not accidental; it is a tactic of the enemy to keep us from experiencing the full power and presence of the Holy Spirit. A.W. Tozer once said that Satan has opposed the doctrine of the Spirit-filled life more bitterly than any other doctrine, surrounding it with false notions and fears.
Jesus, in John 14, breaks the news to His disciples that He will be leaving them but promises to send "another Helper," the Holy Spirit, who will be with them forever. This Helper, or Paraclete, is not just a substitute but an extension of Jesus Himself. The Holy Spirit is described as a Counselor, Advocate, Comforter, and Helper, roles that are crucial for our spiritual journey. Unlike the Old Testament where the Spirit would come upon individuals temporarily, the New Testament promises that the Holy Spirit will dwell within us permanently.
The Holy Spirit's role is not just to convict us of our sins but to guide, comfort, and help us in our daily lives. He is our advocate, pleading our case before God, and our counselor, offering divine wisdom and guidance. The Holy Spirit also comforts us in our times of need and walks alongside us, helping us navigate the complexities of life.
To truly experience the Holy Spirit, we need to be open to His presence and guidance. This involves reading the Bible, memorizing Scripture, engaging in prayer, and practicing silence to hear His still, small voice. The Holy Spirit is always speaking; we just need to position ourselves to listen.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Holy Spirit as a Helper: The Holy Spirit is not just a distant entity but a personal Helper who walks alongside us, guiding and comforting us in our daily lives. He is an extension of Jesus, offering the same love, wisdom, and guidance. This understanding transforms our relationship with God, making it more intimate and personal. [06:28]
2. Overcoming Fear and Confusion: The enemy has sown seeds of fear and confusion around the doctrine of the Holy Spirit to keep us from experiencing His full power. Recognizing this tactic helps us to overcome these barriers and embrace the Holy Spirit's role in our lives, leading to a more Spirit-filled and empowered Christian walk. [01:09]
3. The Four Roles of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit serves as our Counselor, Advocate, Comforter, and Helper. Each of these roles is essential for our spiritual growth and daily living. Understanding these roles helps us to rely more on the Holy Spirit for guidance, comfort, and advocacy in our spiritual journey. [10:37]
4. Hearing from the Holy Spirit: To hear from the Holy Spirit, we need to engage in practices like reading the Bible, memorizing Scripture, praying, and practicing silence. These practices help us to tune into the Holy Spirit's voice, which often speaks in a still, small voice, offering divine guidance and wisdom. [25:42]
5. The Importance of Spiritual Community: Being part of a spiritual community, like a life group or a discipleship group, provides us with the support and accountability we need to grow in our faith. These communities offer a space where the Holy Spirit can work through others to speak into our lives, offering guidance, encouragement, and correction. [20:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:09] - Fear and Confusion about the Holy Spirit
[02:19] - The Enemy's Tactic
[03:47] - Self-Filled vs. Spirit-Filled
[05:07] - Jesus' Bad News and Good News
[06:28] - The Promise of Another Helper
[07:48] - The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testament
[08:59] - Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit
[10:37] - The Four Roles of the Holy Spirit
[12:04] - Another of the Same Kind
[13:26] - The Holy Spirit as Our Helper
[14:41] - The Holy Spirit in Daily Life
[17:20] - The Spirit of Truth and Conviction
[18:53] - The Role of Counselors and Coaches
[20:13] - The Importance of Spiritual Community
[25:42] - How to Hear from the Holy Spirit
[32:06] - The Power of Silence
[36:53] - Seeking a Word from God
[39:18] - The Importance of the Holy Spirit in the Church
[40:20] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- John 14:15-17 (ESV): "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 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."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the different roles of the Holy Spirit mentioned in John 14:15-17? How do these roles help us in our daily lives? [10:37]
2. According to the sermon, why has Satan opposed the doctrine of the Spirit-filled life so bitterly? [01:09]
3. How does Jesus describe the Holy Spirit in John 14:16-17, and what is the significance of the term "another Helper"? [06:28]
4. What practices were suggested in the sermon to help us hear from the Holy Spirit? [25:42]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized the importance of keeping His commandments in relation to receiving the Holy Spirit? [06:28]
2. How does understanding the Holy Spirit as a Counselor, Advocate, Comforter, and Helper change your perception of His role in your life? [10:37]
3. What are some ways that fear and confusion about the Holy Spirit can hinder a believer's spiritual growth? [01:09]
4. How can being part of a spiritual community help us to better experience and understand the Holy Spirit's work in our lives? [20:13]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with the Holy Spirit. Do you see Him more as a distant entity or a personal Helper? How can you cultivate a more intimate relationship with Him this week? [06:28]
2. Have you ever experienced fear or confusion about the Holy Spirit? What steps can you take to overcome these barriers and embrace His role in your life? [01:09]
3. The sermon mentioned the importance of reading the Bible, memorizing Scripture, praying, and practicing silence to hear from the Holy Spirit. Which of these practices do you find most challenging, and how can you improve in that area? [25:42]
4. Think about a recent situation where you needed guidance or comfort. How did you seek help, and how might relying on the Holy Spirit have changed your approach? [10:37]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of being part of a spiritual community. Are you currently involved in a life group or discipleship group? If not, what steps can you take to join one and experience the support and accountability it offers? [20:13]
6. Identify one specific area in your life where you need the Holy Spirit's guidance or comfort. What practical steps can you take this week to invite His presence and listen for His direction? [14:41]
7. How can you be more intentional about creating moments of silence in your daily routine to hear the Holy Spirit's still, small voice? What changes can you make to your schedule to prioritize this practice? [32:06]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Holy Spirit as Our Personal Helper
The Holy Spirit is not just a distant entity but a personal Helper who walks alongside us, guiding and comforting us in our daily lives. He is an extension of Jesus, offering the same love, wisdom, and guidance. This understanding transforms our relationship with God, making it more intimate and personal. The Holy Spirit's role is to be our Counselor, Advocate, Comforter, and Helper, which are crucial for our spiritual journey. Unlike the Old Testament where the Spirit would come upon individuals temporarily, the New Testament promises that the Holy Spirit will dwell within us permanently. This permanent indwelling means that we have constant access to divine wisdom, comfort, and guidance.
The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives is transformative. He helps us navigate the complexities of life, offering divine wisdom and comfort in times of need. By recognizing the Holy Spirit as our personal Helper, we can develop a more intimate and personal relationship with God. This relationship is not based on fear or confusion but on the understanding that the Holy Spirit is an extension of Jesus, offering the same love and guidance. [06:28]
John 14:16-17 (ESV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 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."
Reflection: Think about a situation in your life where you need guidance or comfort. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to be your Helper in this situation today?
### Day 2: Overcoming Fear and Confusion About the Holy Spirit
The enemy has sown seeds of fear and confusion around the doctrine of the Holy Spirit to keep us from experiencing His full power. Recognizing this tactic helps us to overcome these barriers and embrace the Holy Spirit's role in our lives, leading to a more Spirit-filled and empowered Christian walk. Many of us have grown up with varying perceptions of the Holy Spirit, ranging from fear and confusion to outright neglect. This confusion is not accidental; it is a tactic of the enemy to keep us from experiencing the full power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
A.W. Tozer once said that Satan has opposed the doctrine of the Spirit-filled life more bitterly than any other doctrine, surrounding it with false notions and fears. By understanding this, we can begin to dismantle these barriers and open ourselves up to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Embracing the Holy Spirit's role in our lives allows us to live a more Spirit-filled and empowered Christian walk. [01:09]
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: Identify a specific fear or confusion you have about the Holy Spirit. How can you confront this fear and invite the Holy Spirit to work in your life today?
### Day 3: The Four Roles of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit serves as our Counselor, Advocate, Comforter, and Helper. Each of these roles is essential for our spiritual growth and daily living. Understanding these roles helps us to rely more on the Holy Spirit for guidance, comfort, and advocacy in our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit's role is not just to convict us of our sins but to guide, comfort, and help us in our daily lives. He is our advocate, pleading our case before God, and our counselor, offering divine wisdom and guidance.
The Holy Spirit also comforts us in our times of need and walks alongside us, helping us navigate the complexities of life. By understanding these roles, we can develop a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit for our spiritual growth and daily living. This reliance transforms our relationship with God, making it more intimate and personal. [10:37]
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
Reflection: Reflect on which of the four roles of the Holy Spirit (Counselor, Advocate, Comforter, Helper) you need most in your life right now. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to fulfill this role for you today?
### Day 4: Hearing from the Holy Spirit
To hear from the Holy Spirit, we need to engage in practices like reading the Bible, memorizing Scripture, praying, and practicing silence. These practices help us to tune into the Holy Spirit's voice, which often speaks in a still, small voice, offering divine guidance and wisdom. The Holy Spirit is always speaking; we just need to position ourselves to listen. By engaging in these spiritual practices, we can develop a deeper sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's guidance and wisdom.
Reading the Bible and memorizing Scripture helps us to understand God's will and recognize the Holy Spirit's voice. Prayer and practicing silence create space for us to hear the Holy Spirit's still, small voice. By incorporating these practices into our daily lives, we can develop a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit and receive His divine guidance and wisdom. [25:42]
1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV): "And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."
Reflection: Set aside 10 minutes today to practice silence and listen for the Holy Spirit's voice. What do you sense the Holy Spirit is saying to you?
### Day 5: The Importance of Spiritual Community
Being part of a spiritual community, like a life group or a discipleship group, provides us with the support and accountability we need to grow in our faith. These communities offer a space where the Holy Spirit can work through others to speak into our lives, offering guidance, encouragement, and correction. Spiritual communities are essential for our spiritual growth and provide a space for the Holy Spirit to work through others.
In these communities, we can receive guidance, encouragement, and correction from fellow believers. This support and accountability help us to grow in our faith and develop a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. By being part of a spiritual community, we can experience the Holy Spirit's work in our lives through the support and encouragement of others. [20:13]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Think about your current involvement in a spiritual community. How can you engage more deeply and allow the Holy Spirit to work through others in your life?
Quotes
1. "Can I tell you, the Holy Spirit is not a thing. It's a person who's active and is moving and is power. And we're going to look at that today. But then there are other churches where you see the Holy Spirit and people are running up and down the aisles and jumping in and out of baptismal pools. And y'all know what I'm talking about. And what has happened is that the enemy has done a great job. Bringing fear around this theology of who the Holy Spirit is." [01:09] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So why does Satan oppose the doctrine of the Holy Spirit? Because I believe that a spirit-filled believer is dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. It's dangerous. And I think it's dangerous to the world because we preach a truth. And when we have the truth and we have power, that's dangerous to a dark world because we can literally go in and bring change through Jesus working in and through us." [03:47] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So Jesus is saying, hey, if you love me, you'll naturally just want to do these things. He says, so guys, listen, if you love me, keep my commandments. And I'm going to ask the Father and he will give you what? What are those two words? Another helper to be with you, not sometimes or just on Saturdays at five o'clock in the afternoon or on Sunday morning when you gather. He says that he's going to be with you forever." [06:28] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would come upon someone to do something incredible. In the New Testament, we have this promise that he's not just coming upon you. He's coming within you. He lives in you. God gives us the Holy Spirit as a helper who walks with us. Who journeys with us." [07:48] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The word helper in the Greek is this word called paraclete, not keet, cleet. Say that with me. Paraclete. Paraclete. All right. This is your Greek word, for the day. And what paraclete is, it's really weird in the Greek, it's translated in four different ways. So when Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is the paraclete, he's the helper, there are four translations. So number one, the translation could be a counselor. So the Holy Spirit is a counselor. This means that he can be trusted. When we ask for advice or we ask for guidance, he gives us that counsel." [10:37] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The greatest ministry of the Holy Spirit is helper, our paraclete. Now, I don't know about you, but I know I could use some help. I know I can face days where I need help and I need the Holy Spirit to lead and to guide and direct. That's what he does. He brings his perspective in. He brings his counsel. He advocates. He comforts. And he helps." [13:26] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You cannot hear from God if your Bible is closed because God speaks through His Word. How do you know what His voice sounds like if you won't even read His book? Sometimes we don't hear from God because we're not in His Word. You want to hear from Him? Memorize Scripture. I can't memorize Scripture. I get it. I'm with you. I can't remember my PIN number to my card. I can't remember phone numbers." [27:11] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Prayer is not a monologue. It's not me just telling God all these things. God, I think you need to know. He already knows, but I'm telling you all these things. It's not me doing all the talking and telling God everything that I need him to know. That should free you up just a little bit. One thing I know about communication is that one person talks and the other person does what? Listens." [30:48] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If we can't get the Holy Spirit right, we have missed the whole thing. It's like a car without an engine. A church without the Holy Spirit moves nowhere. And the Holy Spirit is in this place. He wants to speak. posture ourselves to do that. And as I do, feel free to come forward. Feel free to cry out." [39:18] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If God tells you you need to be praying for somebody, go pray for them right now. Because the word that they may be looking for, God's given you to give to them. So Father, I thank you so much for who you are. I thank you that we serve a God who's personal. A God who wants to speak to us. A God who does have a word for us." [40:20] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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