Enlarged Hearts: Holy Spirit’s Gift of Divine Love

The collect asks God to pour into human hearts a love that exceeds all that can be desired, and the text answers by naming that love as God the Holy Spirit, the very love of the Father for the Son and the Son for the Father. The Spirit is love in person, the going out and coming in of divine self-giving. Jesus sends the Son into a world of stony hearts, and by the Son’s cross and resurrection the Spirit conquers those hearts and turns them again toward God, drawing disciples into the very life they see in the Son, a life of perfect love for the Father and for brothers and sisters, even for those who drove the nails.

John’s Gospel sets the scene on the night of betrayal. In loving exasperation, Jesus strips, takes the towel, and washes the disciples’ feet, then gives the new commandment to love one another as he has loved them. That commandment points to foot washing, to sacrificial love, to a life poured out. The other commands are likewise hard, forgive without counting, turn the other cheek, store treasure in heaven. Love, however, longs to please the beloved, as adult children slowly recognize the costly love of a mother and desire to honor it.

Jesus therefore promises the Paraclete, not merely an attorney but One called alongside, Advocate, Comforter, Strengthener. The Spirit leads into all truth, unveils who Jesus is, and builds up the church in love. The rebellious world does not see or know, yet the baptized already know the Spirit, for new birth by water and the Spirit has been given. Still, more can be given. Hearts can become larger. The Spirit can fill what obedience and desire have stretched open. This is no merit and reward calculus. It is, as Jesus’ friend says, a just in time inventory system. As the church loves Jesus and keeps his commandments, as it is steadfast in worship, sacraments, Scripture, and good works prepared by God, the practices stretch the heart, and God honors the desire by pouring in more love.

The crucified and risen Lord, with the Father, now sends the Spirit so that disciples are not left as orphans but are pledged into an eternal fellowship. By the Spirit, the Son is in the Father, the Father in the Son, and disciples in the Son with the Son in them. In that communion, commandments become possible, life becomes life indeed, and the church begins to look like its Savior. So the collect’s petition lands true, that God would pour such love into the heart that loving him in all things and above all things, the church obtains promises that exceed all that it can desire.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Spirit enlarges the heart [29:06] The Spirit is not an add-on but the love of God making room within a person. Desire and obedience stretch capacity, and God fills what is opened. As the heart grows, it becomes capable of loving God and neighbor with a sturdier, steadier charity. [29:06]
• 2. The Spirit is love in person [30:16] The Father gives all to the Son except paternity, and the Son returns all except sonship; that mutual giving is the Holy Spirit. To receive the Spirit is to be drawn into that communion, not just to learn about it. Participation, not mere admiration, is the grace on offer. [30:16]
• 3. Baptism begins life in the Spirit [38:57] New birth by water and the Spirit means the church already knows the Spirit’s presence. Yet the gift is dynamic, capable of increase as trust and practice widen the vessel. Assurance of beginning does not cancel the invitation to more. [38:57]
• 4. Obedience stretches capacity for love [41:28] Keeping Jesus’ commands, along with steadfast worship, sacraments, Scripture, and works of mercy, stretches the heart’s fabric. These practices are not ladders to climb but places where the Spirit has promised to meet and enlarge. Over time, duty ripens into delight as love learns its shape. [41:28]
• 5. The Advocate keeps from orphanhood [42:02] Jesus does not depart to abandon but to indwell by the Spirit. The Paraclete stands alongside, comforts, strengthens, and unites disciples to the Son’s own communion with the Father. In that union, assurance rises, and obedience becomes possible. [42:02]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [10:54] - Opening collect for purity
• [11:21] - The two great commandments
• [14:14] - Collect for love beyond understanding
• [14:51] - Invocation of the Holy Trinity
• [29:06] - God wants bigger hearts
• [30:16] - The Spirit as love in person
• [30:55] - Conquering stony hearts
• [32:24] - Upper Room context in John
• [33:43] - Foot washing and the new commandment
• [34:50] - The hard commands of Jesus
• [37:13] - Who is the Advocate
• [38:57] - Baptized life in the Spirit
• [40:07] - Just in time obedience
• [41:28] - Disciplines that stretch the heart
• [42:02] - Not left as orphans
• [42:22] - Mutual indwelling by the Spirit
• [43:11] - The collect prayed again

1. In John 13:34, Jesus ties the command to love others directly to His example. What specific actions or attitudes in the sermon illustrated how Jesus loved His disciples (e.g., foot washing, sacrifice)? [34:04]
2. According to the passage in John 14:16-17, why is the Holy Spirit called the “Helper” or “Advocate,” and how does the sermon describe His role in a believer’s life? [37:50]
3. The sermon mentions that obedience “stretches the heart” to receive more of the Spirit. What practices or disciplines are listed as ways this stretching happens? [41:28]

1. Jesus says the world cannot receive the Spirit because it “neither sees Him nor knows Him” (John 14:17). How does the sermon explain the difference between how the world views love and how the Spirit defines love? [38:29]
2. The sermon compares the Spirit to a “just-in-time inventory system” rather than a merit-based reward. How does this metaphor help clarify the relationship between obedience and receiving more of God’s love? [40:07]
3. In John 14:18, Jesus promises, “I will not leave you as orphans.” What does the sermon suggest about how the Spirit’s presence addresses feelings of spiritual loneliness or abandonment? [42:02]

1. The Spirit enlarges hearts through obedience. What is one area of obedience (e.g., forgiveness, serving others, prayer) where you sense your heart needs “stretching”? How could you lean into that practice this week? [41:28]
2. The sermon describes love as a “life poured out,” like Jesus’ foot washing. Who in your life might need a tangible act of sacrificial love right now, even if it feels costly or uncomfortable? [34:26]
3. Baptism is described as the beginning of life in the Spirit. How does remembering your baptism (or commitment to Christ) encourage you to seek more of the Spirit’s filling? [38:57]
4. The Advocate “comforts and strengthens” believers. When have you experienced the Spirit’s comfort in a season of doubt or struggle? How might you create space to recognize His presence daily? [37:50]
5. The sermon warns against viewing obedience as a “ladder to climb” but instead as a place to meet the Spirit. Where do you tend to fall into performance-driven faith, and how could you shift toward trusting the Spirit’s work in your growth? [40:30]