family10_5_92203

Posted: 9/19/03

LifeWay Family Bible Series for Oct. 5

The Holy Spirit: The abiding presence of Christ

John 14:15-17,25-26; 16:7-15

By David Jenkins

New Hope Baptist Church, Big Sandy

Most of us entertain all kinds of “guests” during the course of our lives. Some are casual acquaintances. Others are “house guests” whom we invite to spend quality time with us. Then, due to unusual circumstances, a guest sometimes comes to stay.

Such a guest is the Holy Spirit, God's abiding presence within believers' lives to comfort, support and reveal divine truth. He also is present to convict the world of sin. Our study sessions during October will explore these various ministries of the Holy Spirit.

The promise

During the night before his crucifixion, Jesus had many things to say to his disciples. They had depended completely upon his personal presence with them. But now their champion was going away. They would be left to face those forces determined to destroy anyone related in any way to Jesus. It was, without doubt, the darkest hour of their lives. Because Jesus knew this, he told them something that would change their lives, their outlook and their future.

Jesus began by telling the disciples they would prove their love for him by keeping his commandments. Furthermore, those who truly love Jesus will not be left alone in the world to shift for themselves. He would send them “another Comforter.” The word translated “another” means “another of the same kind.”

The concept of the Holy Spirit was not new to the disciples, but was referred to throughout the Old Testament–the active agent in creation, the one who empowered individuals to do miraculous deeds for God and to speak in God's name. John the Baptist had prophesied that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). Jesus had spoken earlier to Nicodemus about the work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5).

Jesus told the disciples he would “request the Father” to send the Holy Spirit. This is another of the mysterious relationships between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are one in essence and yet diverse in their manifestations. They work to one end. Yet in this instance, one requests, one gives and one comes.

Jesus calls the Spirit “another Comforter,” implying he was the first Comforter who walked with the disciples. Whereas the Spirit had been “with” the disciples already, he would now be “within” them forever. Jesus' physical presence with them had been limited, but not so with the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit will be the bearer of divine truth, the sinful world, blinded to the God's truth, will not receive him.

The perplexity

Because Jesus saw the disciples were having great difficulty understanding what he was saying to them about the Holy Spirit, he gave them some special words of assurance.

He would not leave them “orphans,” as little children are left when their father dies. Close on the heels of Jesus' death was the promise of his return (14:3). In the interim, the Holy Spirit would affirm their Lord's living presence within them.

The world had seen Jesus only with their natural eyes, but his disciples had seen him with spiritual understanding. Jesus further assured them he would live, and because of his atoning death, they would also experience that life found only in the new birth. All of the promises spoken rested on Jesus' statement, “if you love me” (v. 21) which he carefully repeated (see v. 15). All of these blessings will come automatically to those who love Jesus and keep his words.

Judas, who probably was the disciple called Thaddeus or Lebbeus (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18), had difficulty believing Jesus could appear to the disciples without appearing to the world also (v. 22). Patiently, Jesus repeated almost verbatim what he had said, with one startling addition–both he and the Father would come to those who obey him and live in their hearts (v. 23). Then Jesus told them they were not to worry about fully understanding or remembering all he had said to them. The Holy Spirit would be their teacher and guide.

The provision

Jesus could see the disciples still were discouraged. So he carefully reiterated what he had already told them, only this time he gave them more details about the broader ministry of the Holy Spirit in the world. Not only would he be their constant guide, he would also convict the world of sin.

The word “convict” means that whether the conviction is admitted or not, its truth would be beyond question. This conviction would deal with sin, righteousness and judgment. The sin is that of unbelief. The righteousness referred to will be so inarguable it will bring either repentance or final rejection. The same judgment that has been passed on Satan (“the prince of this world,” v. 11) will smite the world's conscience.

Jesus further impressed upon his disciples that his return to the Father and the coming of the Holy Spirit would bring great joy because he would make the words Jesus had spoken to them clear and understandable.

Question for discussion

Do you consciously depend on the Holy Spirit to direct your life each day in a way that would bring glory to God?