Theme: “Returning to Our First Love”
Topic: Depending on The Holy Spirit
Mani Text: John 14:8-21, 25-26.
Key verse: John 14:26 “26 But the [g]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (NKJV)
Introduction:
The Oxford English dictionary defines to depend on/upon as “be controlled or determined by” and “be able to trust/rely on.” For three years, Jesus’ disciples depended on his physical presence, guidance, and leadership. In John 14, their world was about to be shattered; they would be bewildered, confused, and ridden with anxiety because of the events that would soon transpire. Anticipating their devastation, Jesus spoke to comfort their hearts. Jesus promises his disciples the Holy Spirit, who will be a “helper” and “teacher” to guide them and remind them of Jesus teachings, ensuring his presence and guidance even after his departure. In verse 15, Jesus spoke of the disciples’ love for Him; here, He revealed His love for them. In keeping with His intercessory work as their Great High Priest, Jesus promised to ask the Father to send His people another Helper—the Holy Spirit. Parakletos (Helper) is a term the meaning of which cannot be exhausted by any one word. It literally means “one called alongside to help” and has the connotation of a helper, comforter, counselor, exhorter, intercessor, encourager, and advocate (defense attorney). Depending on the Holy Spirit, our Helper means to rely on, trust, be controlled, or have our actions determined by Him.
Q1. Read John 14:7-9 (1a) Philip’s question expressed a universal desire of mankind to see God (e.g., Moses in Ex 33:18). Why was Jesus’ reply so staggering? (1b) From John 14:10-11, what did Jesus call the disciples to believe? (1c) Read v12–15. Discuss what it means to ask in Jesus’ name. What is the significance of the promise given in these verses? How are you applying them in your life?
Paragraph 2:
No one but God, the son, could answer Philip as Jesus did. The Father is in Jesus, and Jesus perfectly reveals Him (John 1:18). The disciples had come to know God because they saw Him manifest in Jesus’ ministry – through His words and through His works. They would soon have further witness through His death and resurrection that Jesus was, in fact, God and that to know him is to know God, the Father. This is a point repeatedly emphasized in John’s Gospel (see John 1:1-3,14,17,18,5:10-23,26,8:58,9:35,20:28). Jesus goes on to introduce the disciples to the Holy Spirit. He reassures the disciples that the Holy Spirit would be just like Himself (“another of the same kind”), would dwell in them and abide with them forever, and would enable them to do “greater works,” i.e., greater in extent. They would become witnesses to all the world through the power of the indwelling and infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) and would bring many to salvation because of the Helper dwelling in them. The only way Jesus’ disciples would be able to be used to do those greater works was through the power of the Holy Spirit, who could not be sent as the Helper until Jesus returned to the Father (John 14:26; 7:39).
Q2. (2a) Read John 14:16-17,26, What elements of the Holy Spirit’s ministry are described? How does the Holy Spirit’s description as “Advocate” help you to understand Him and His ministry? (2b) What did Jesus say that the Holy Spirit would do when He came? (See. John 14:26; 16:13-15) (2c) According to Genesis 6:5, Matthew 15:18-19, Mark 7:21, and 1 Corinthians 2:12,14, why do we need to depend on the Holy Spirit for God’s truth?
Paragraph 3:
Jesus promises believers comfort from five supernatural blessings that the world does not enjoy: a supernatural Helper (vv. 15–17); a supernatural life (vv. 18–19); a supernatural union (vv. 20–25), a supernatural teacher (v. 26); and a supernatural peace (vv. 27–31). The key to all of this is the love of Jesus Christ, evidenced by obedience to His commandments (John 14:15). The Holy Spirit supernaturally energized the hearts and minds of the apostles in their ministry, helping them to produce the NT Scripture (John 14:26). The disciples had failed to understand many things about Jesus and what he taught while He was with them, but, when the Holy Spirit came, He brought the things they had been taught to their remembrance (John 14:26), revealed the meaning to them and gave them the understanding that is recorded in the Gospels and the rest of the NT Scriptures (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21).
Q3. Read Joshua 1:8; Matthew 7:8; Mark 4:24. (3a) How do these passages relate to John 14:26, 16:13-14?
(3b) What is our role, as believers, in being dependent on the Holy Spirit (Prov 3:5)? (3c)What comfort do you draw from Jesus’ words to His anxious disciples in John 14:23-31?
Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Teacher. Strengthen our faith to carry out greater works in Your name and bring us peace as we walk in obedience to Your Word. Guide us daily to seek Your wisdom and live out Your love. Amen.