Paraclete

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 The Comforter (The Holy Sprit)

John 14:16-17

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

"Comforter" or "advocate" in the usage here means "a friend along side." Not only is the Holy Spirit a member of the Trinity, but He also has a vital ministry in the Believer's life.

The Spirit's Help in Regeneration.

  1. When the gospel is presented accurately, the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin to a lost person. Along with this is the realization that there is the lack of righteousness (Ephesians 2:1) and the realization of the inability to meet the righteousness God requires.

  2. When the gospel is obeyed by the exercise of faith in Jesus Christ, the Spirit regenerates the repentant sinner. Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness with we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. John 3:6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

The Friendship of the Spirits Help.

He is the friend alongside. He has a definite ministry to the believer. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18: "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

"Changed" means to change the inward reality to something else. A constant inward change of character changes one into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit indwells ever believer. Romans 8:11: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. In fact, Paul says that if a person does not have the Spirit, that person is not one of His. Every saved person has the Holy Spirit.

Notice several things the Spirit does for the believer as a friend.

  1. The Spirit leads the believer. Romans 8:14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

  2. The Spirit relieves the believer of fear. Romans 8:15: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

  3. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. Romans 8:16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.

  4. The Spirit makes intercession for us in heaven because we do not fully understand the mechanics of prayer before God. Romans 8:26: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. This is no "glossolalia."

  5. The Spirit illuminates the Scriptures for the believer. 1 Corinthians 2:9-11: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

The Fruit Produced by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. "Fruit" is the production of the Spirit. It indicates the source or the enabling.

Unsaved people do not produce the fruit of the Spirit nor do unsaved church members.

  1. Love "a new constraint." This is more than just liking people. It is the deliberate preference for the welfare of someone else. It enables the believer to get beyond a self-centered life. it relates to a deep concern for others.

    1. This puts missionaries in the field.

    2. This fills our prayer meetings.

    3. This builds churches.

    4. this makes a believer faithful under all circumstances.

  2. Joy "A new cheer." This is a joy grounded in a consciousness of a good relationship with God. Joy is love bubbling over. It means that no selfishness is ruling in the life.

  3. Peace "A new composure." It is more than the absence of hostilities, but love abiding. It is living in the spiritually dark world with the promises of God in the Light.

    Peace means:

    1. I am content with the Lord's Will for my life.

    2. I am content with the Lord's Ways in my life.

    3. I am content with the Lord's Work in my life.

  4. Long-suffering "A new continuance." A patient endurance with others when injuries are inflicted by them. This not merely indifference to difficulties, but "hanging in there" with a good attitude. "Long-suffering" is love holding out.

    Paul was chained to a Roman soldier for four hours at a time and yet he wrote in Philippians 4:22: All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. Never is it recorded that Paul sought sympathy for all his maltreatment and sufferings. He did request prayer for these matters.

  5. Gentleness "Kindness-gentleness" is a kind of disposition that prevents the believer from waking up each morning mad at the world. it means we treat others with the same disposition that the Lord displays towards us.

  6. Goodness "A new character." This is related to kindness. This is generosity in action.

  7. Faith "A new confidence." it means someone who is willing to die for their confession of Christ. It describes someone who is dependable or reliable. Revelation 2:10: "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

    Faithfulness is love proving itself.

  8. Meekness "A new courtesy." This is a gentle submission to the right thing. "Humility" is a characteristic of a person who is never angry at the wrong time or object. It is the spirit which corrects its own faults. Galatians 6:1-2: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

  9. Self-Control "A new discipline." Self-discipline give victory over fleshly lusts. When things are done in excess, it can create a problem.

Conclusion: All of this fruit was in the life of Christ and the Holy Spirit desires to reproduce it in the life of the believer, adn thereby meet the standard of spirituality.

We may not have some of the gifts of the Spirit, but He will aid us in producing the fruit of the Spirit.

Randall Runions, Pastor

317 Church Street

Po Box 161

Clifton, Tn 38425