Ministry of the Spirit

Jesus Teaches us About

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

John 14:7-31

John 14 was spoken during the Last Supper. At the end of the chapter, Jesus said, “Arise, let us go from here” (John 14:31 NKJV). The next two chapters were spoken as Jesus and His disciples walked to a remote, quiet area known as the Garden of Gethsemane, where He would be arrested and crucified. This is the location where Jesus' longest prayer is recorded in John 17.  

This makes John 14-17 the last instruction Jesus personally spoke to his disciples while on earth, as their companion and Lord. Thus, this instruction should carry a sacred place—a saving place—in the hearts of all who “love the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 16:22).

John 14-17 is the longest dialog Jesus gave in one setting. It consists of 123 verses and 2,840 words, making it longer than the Sermon on the Mount, which has only 111 verses. The personal pronoun YOU appears more than 200 times. This should tell us that Jesus intends us to apply His last instruction personally. It is spoken to believers, not the general crowds that often surrounded Jesus.

   In this study, we are primarily interested in what Jesus taught us about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is why we started this study at verse 7.

To God be the glory in all we teach, “so that the Father may be glorified [honored] in the Son” (14:13).

John 14:7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him [God] and have seen Him [the Father God]. NIV

14:17 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. NKJV

John 14:7 (Amplified Reflection): If you had really known me, you would have known and seen my Father, at the same time you see Me. To see me and to know me personally, you also see and know the Father personally.

From Now On

 From this point onward, the disciples must connect God and Jesus together, in harmony and in character. Jesus now becomes the clearest reflection of God, as known in the Old Testament. He amplifies and corrects all the earlier pictures of God in the Old Testament. Jesus is the complete picture of God's character. Because Jesus knows all about His Father, since He is the Son of God.

·         Jesus Says, “If You Really Know Me”: The disciples could affirm that they do know Jesus, having seen Him, daily walked beside Him. Daily ate their meals with Him. Watched as He healed thousands with just a word or a touch. Daily listened to Him teach. They were free to ask Him any questions. They were with Him for over three years.

·         Jesus Says, “You Will Know My Father”: You will identify my actions, my character, my promises, as the same as if it were God speaking and daily walking beside you.

·         Jesus Says, “You Do Know Him”: God the Father was fully revealed and reflected through Me.

·         Jesus Says, “You Have Seen Him”: You have seen God the Father, since you first met me in the days of John the Baptist.

New Lessons to Learn

As the disciples look at Jesus. As they dialog with Him in person, standing beside them. Now they must also see the Father God’s words, deeds, and actions of love. This is a big step for them. The God of the Old Testament was never seen in person.

They should remember what Jesus had previously declared, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58). The existence of Jesus was not confined to his birth through his Mother Mary.

One of the earliest lessons that the disciples learned was that this man, Jesus, was the Son of God. God the Father initiated Jesus’ public ministry with these words, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17). This is a unique experience in all of human history.

Once Jesus asked his disciples who he was. Peter—quick to be first—boldly affirmed to them all: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). This was accepted, with no question, when they saw Jesus heal in an instant thousands of people, and even with a word control the weather and raise the dead.

New Lesson on Love

In the prayer of Jesus, before his trial and resurrection, he affirmed to His Father, “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them” (John 17:26). This is a deeper lesson than understood previously since the creation of this world. Jesus came not only to reveal the love of God, which had largely been lost sight of in history. But Jesus also came to bring God’s love down to us, so that we can know it for ourselves.

The presence of God’s love in us is the dynamic spirit of the Gospel, which is different than all other world religions that have ever existed.

·         “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain [live, abide] in my love” (15:9).

·         The one who loves me will be loved by my Father” (14:21)

·         Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (14:23)

·         “I have come so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me” (14:31)

·         “The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” (16:27).

·         “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” (17:24)

·         “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (17:25,26)

Later: The Apostle Paul Explains the Divine Connection of Jesus

Later, all the Apostles were able to explain this mystery of seeing Jesus the man is also seeing God the Father. As Paul wrote to the Colossians, “The Son is the Image of the invisible God…For in him [the Son] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth…For God [the Father] was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in him [His Son]” (Col 1:15-19).

When we have faith in the Son of God—as he himself has all the fullness of God—we become part of God the Father’s embrace.

The Holy Spirit

Jesus has just given us the first introduction to the ministry of the Spirit. Jesus is speaking not only to His disciples, but all of us, as we read His words. We are promised that from now on, you do know Him [Father God]. This knowledge of God is made possible by the coming of the Spirit, as repeatedly explained in John 14 and 15.

John 14:8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” NIV NKJV

14:8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be content. NET Bible

The Name of God the Father

The word Jesus used for God, “Father,” appears 45 times in Matthew and 109 times in John. This was not a new concept for the disciples at this point. The religious leaders had made the Hebrew word for God, YHWH, so remote it could not be spoken out loud. Whereas Jesus made the word for God as common as a child in their mother's arms, calling one parent "father."

Later Paul wrote that through the influence of the “Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship, and by him we cry, ‘Abba Father’” (Rom 8:15). Some have translated it as “Dear Father.”

Most High God

Jesus knew that His disciples did understand He was the Son of the Most High God. As Isaiah describes God: “God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it” Isa 42:5). God was present in His vailed fulness in this man “born of a woman” (Gal 4:4), Jesus of Nazareth. As Paul later wrote, “god was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in him” (Col 1:19).

Jesus as a Young Boy

When Jesus came to His hometown, where he was seen as an ordinary man, the son of Joseph and Mary. In the streets of His hometown, He healed every disease with a word or a touch. The people who knew Him were shocked and said: “And what is this wisdom that has been given to him? What are these miracles that are done through his hands? Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” And so, they took offense at him” (Mark 6:2-3). In other words, they may have refused to come to him for healing because they related to him as just a hometown boy.

Philip’s Request

Notice the ease with which Philip asked a question of Jesus. The atmosphere between Jesus and his disciples was pleasant, open, and sociable, like a family around the dinner table. The disciples could interrupt Jesus with a question at any time. Had Jesus not given them the privilege, the honor, and the right to ask what was on their minds? Had Jesus not told them, “For everyone who asks receives” (Matt 7:8).

 “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). Faith by itself is evidence.

Within the next few minutes, Jesus will reiterate this open invitation: “The Father himself loves you because you have loved me… Ask, and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:27,24). We, too, should never hesitate to lay our request before Jesus and our Heavenly Father.

 John 14:9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 14:10 Don’t you believe that I am in [ev] the Father, and that the Father is in [ev] me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living [menó] in [ev] me, who is doing His work[s]. 14:11 Believe me when I say that I am in [ev] the Father and the Father is in [ev] me; or at least believe [me] on the evidence of the works [miracles] themselves.  NIV

14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 14:11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. NKJV

14:9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known  me, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father residing in me performs His miraculous deeds. 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, but if you do not believe me, believe because of the miraculous deeds themselves. NET Bible

God is in the Son and the Son is in the Father

The Greek word for in is en (ev). It is a preposition, meaning: “in, inside, within, in which something operates from the inside, denoting position.”  It is used in three different ways.

·         “I am in [en] the Father and the Father is in [en] me.” (14:10,11)

·         “The Father is living in [en] me who is doing His works.” (14:10)

The Father is Living [menó] In Me (14:10)

The Greek word for living or dwelling is menó (). It is a primary verb meaning, “to remain in a given place and abide there, to live, to continue, to dwell”. The Father was within and living the Son, and His Son was inside the Father.

As believers in the Son of God, we do not have the Father in us, nor are we living in the Father, as was the case with Jesus, His Son. Instead, we are given the Holy Spirit, the Advocate-Comforter, to “live with us and be in us” (14:17). Through this means the Father and His Son make their “home” with us (14:23).  

Later in this chapter we will gain a better understanding of how the Spirit abides-lives [meno] in us, like God the Father lived-abided [menó] in His Son.

·         “The Spirit of truth…lives [menó] in you” (14:17)

·         “Abide [menó] in Me, and I in you… unless it abides [menó] in the vine.” (15:4) NJJV

·         “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain [menó] in the vine.” (15:4)

·         “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain [menó] in me and I in you, y u will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (15:5)

·         “If you remain [menó] in me and my words remain [menó] in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (15:7)

·         “If you keep my commands, you will remain [menó] in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain [menó] in his love” (15:10).

The Father Is Living in Me

 When Jesus spoke, His words perfectly reflected God’s words because God was living His life through His Son. His words were a duet with God—so harmonized that we cannot tell one voice from the other.

The works of Jesus, his miracles and life example, were in perfect harmony with God the Father. Whatever we may have thought about God before, as seen in the Old Testament, we should correct that view by looking at Jesus. There we see a true picture of God, as Jesus prayed to His Father: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God…” (John 17:3). We come to know God through looking, listening to Jesus, and through the ministry of the Spirit of God.

The Words of Jesus Carried Power and Authority:

Giving Evidence They were From God

·         In Jesus’ closing prayer of His ministry, He affirmed that he spoke the words that God had prepared for him to say. “For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them” (John 17:8). His words, his promises, his teachings, did not come from himself: they did not come from His study; they came directly from God the Father.

·         “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world; there is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. (John 12:47,48). The words of Jesus, honored and valued in our lives, will cause us to bypass the day of Judgment. Cuts off..

·         “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). The words of Jesus, honored and valued in our lives, bring answers to prayers.

·         “Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’” (John 6:68). The words of Jesus, honored and valued in our lives, are our assurance of eternal life.

Jesus Answers Philip’s Question—In Detail

   Jesus answers Philip with a question. A simple question: “Do you know me?” Philip’s quick response would be with a “Yes, I know you.” This would be the truth. He was among the privileged few over the last 2,000 years to be alive during Jesus’ ministry. He was among the very few, among the billions of Jesus’ followers, to be called his apostles. The men who followed him closest, day after day, for a long time.

Yes, Philip knew Jesus—not just by faith, but by sight, touch, and hearing, seeing with his eyes and listening to him as he interacted with people in the towns they visited.

Jesus Responds to Philip

  “Since you do know me,” Jesus responded to Philip, then you should also know that there is no difference in myself or my origin from “the Holy One of Israel” (Isa 55:5). Jesus asked Philip to look past his physical form and see him as “God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18).

Was there evidence to sustain this claim? Yes—abundant overflowing evidence. He performed thousands of instant miracles, controlling the weather by his command, and fed massive crowds using a small boy’s lunch of bread and dried fish. Even the devils were forced to cry out in recognition: “I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (Mk 1:24). Jesus’ response was absolute control and the silencing of demons. All the forces of nature were subject to Him, as some observed, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matt 8:27).

The Disappointment of Jesus

 After Philip had time to agree that he was the Son of God. Jesus opened his heart to Philip, so he could see a side of Jesus never before seen. Jesus was disappointed that Philip had not recognized that the influences surrounding him were solely from God. Even Nicodemus, an outsider, realized early on that “no one could perform the signs [thousands of miracles] you are doing if God were not with him” (John 3:2).

Jesus Reveals His Real Connection with God

It was more than just God accompanying Jesus or being with Him. To see Jesus is to see God in character. This is the only time God the Father has been born or made visible in the whole history of humanity. Philip was slow in understanding this reality; we often are just as slow.

Don’t You Believe me, Philip?

Jesus is asking Philip a direct question so that he could acknowledge his faith. He asks Philip to open his mind and heart to accept the clear truth—that Jesus was the Son of God. After Jesus, with a single word, stopped a terrible storm, “They said, ‘You really are the Son of God!’” (Matt 14:33 NIRV)

The Uniqueness of Jesus: He was the One and Only Son of God

·         To see Jesus is to see God. “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).

·         To hear Jesus speak is to hear the voice of God. “I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me” (John 14:31).

·         Every word spoken by Jesus was given to him by God the Father. “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken…So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say” (John 12:49,50).

·         Every miracle of Jesus was performed by God the Father. “By myself I can do nothing… I seek not to please myself but him who sent me” (John 5:30) and “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38).

·         As Jesus was present with the disciples, so the Father was present with Jesus His Son. The Son knew it, could see it and feel His Father’s presence in his every waking moment. Jesus could say, “I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. I always do what pleases him” (John 8:28.29).

·         As the Creator God lives forever in the heavens, lives in the body and soul of Jesus. God was veiled by the human form of Jesus. Only once did the disciples see his real physical body, when on the mountain, “He was transfigured [transformed] before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him” (Matt 17:2,3 NKJV).

·         The Father and the Son worked in perfect unison. So close that we could not see one without the other.  Although united in ways past understanding, they are separate but together. “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:29).

·         Jesus mirrored His Father’s actions. On the Sabbath, Jesus was healing all the people in the place where He was visiting. The temple leadership accused Him of working on the Sabbath, which was clearly unacceptable to them.  Jesus answered them, “My Father is always doing his work. He is working right up to this day. I am working too” (John 5:16). Jesus justified his Sabbath work on the basis of what He knew God the Father, the God of Moses, Abraham, and Jacob, was Himself working on the Sabbath. “For this reason, the Jewish leaders tried even harder to kill him. According to them, Jesus was not only breaking the law of the Sabbath day. He was even calling God his own Father. He was making himself equal with God” (John 5:18).

The Primary Sources to Know God

   To truly know and love God, our primary source material must be centered on:

·         The Gospel Story

·         The Birth, the life, and the teachings of Jesus

·         The letters of the Apostles

·         The witness of the Early Church in the Acts of the Apostles

·         The Gospel to the Gentiles in the work of the Apostle Paul, affirmed by the apostles.

Through the lens of the New Testament, we see the complete and final revelation of God. The Old Testament remains an essential supporting foundation that points forward to this final expression.

“I am in the Father and the Father is in me, believe [me] on the evidence of the works themselves.”

·         Mass Healing: “Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing.” Matt 15:30,31

·         Universal Restoration: Jesus healed “every disease and sickness among the people.” Matt 4:23

·         The Touch of Faith: “They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They asked him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.” Mark 6:55-56

·         The Touch of His Garments:  “And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and asked him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.” Matt 14:35,36

·         Peter’s Mother-in-Law: Healed instantly of a severe fever. Matt 8:14-15

·         Healing Deaf-Mute of Decapolis: Given hearing and clear speech. Mark 7:31–37

·         Healing Man Born Blind at Birth: Given sight through the creative miracle of clay and a washing. John 9:1

·         The Invalid of Bethesda: Healed instantaneously after thirty-eight years of paralysis. John 5:1–9).

·         The Infirm Woman: Delivered from twelve years of painful, chronic internal bleeding by touching His garment. Matt 9:20–22

·         The Crippled Woman: Straightened up completely after eighteen years of being bent double. Luke 13:10–13

·         The Ten Lepers: Instantly cleansed of their debilitating disease while on their way to the priests. Luke 17:11–19

·         The Withered Hand: Fully restored in a public synagogue setting. Matt 12:9–13

·         The Widow's Son at Nain: Raised directly from his funeral bier, restoring joy to his mother. Luke 7:11–15

·         Malchus' Ear: Instantly healed and reattached during Jesus' arrest in the garden (Luke 22:50–51).

·         The Wedding at Cana: Turning water into choice wine, revealing His glory. John 2:1–11

·         Walking on the Sea: Defying gravity to reach His terrified disciples in a storm. Matt 14:22–33

·         Feeding the 5,000: Multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed an enormous crowd. Matt 14:13–21.

·         Feeding the 4,000: Multiplying seven loaves and a few small fish in the region of the Decapolis. Matt 15:29–39. 

New Definition of Sin

Jesus shifts how we understand sin. He remarks later in the discourse, “If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin” (John 15:24). Because Jesus perfectly manifested the character and will of the Father, sin is no longer defined merely as breaking external rules or the Ten Commandments. From this point onward, the core definition of sin is clear: “About sin, because people do not believe in me” (John 16:9).

Double Promise

John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me [knows me] will do the works I have been doing, and they [all believers] will do even greater things than these [extent & outreach], because I am going to the Father. 

14:13  And I will do whatever you ask [by faith] in my name, so that the Father may be glorified [honored] in the Son. 14:14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. NIV

14:12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 14:13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14:14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. NKJV

Twofold Promise

When we ask “anything” in the name of Jesus, twice He has promised, “I will do it.”

Conditions to Answered Prayer

“Whoever believes in me” (14:12) and “asks in my name” (14:13), “I will do it” (14:14). It is not because we use the expression “in the name of Jesus” that prayers are answered. As Jesus has told us: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?... everyone who comes to me and hears my words must put them into practice,” it is like a man building on a solid rock foundation (Lk 6:46,47).

·         “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).

·         The five foolish virgins who had lamps, but no oil, were waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus. After the five wise bridesmaids with the oil in their lamps, which is the Spirit that connected them to Christ, went into the supper and the door was shut. The others also came saying, “‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’” (Matt 25:11,12).

Prayer with Obedient Love

“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:3-6).

There are two overlapping themes. If we keep His commands, it is not evidence that we know Christ (1 John 2:3,4); that is, that we can pray in the name of Jesus, “in my name” (14:13,14). The evidence that we know Christ is that the love for God is made complete in us. Then, by keeping His teachings with love, we will walk “as Jesus walked” (1 John 2:5,6).

·         “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love” (2 John 1:6).

Conditions to Answered Prayer

Whatever we ask in prayer is to be for the glory and honor of God (14:13). This is a question we should ask ourselves before we pray. Will our prayer request be for our own honor, mostly benefiting our finances or our reputation?

Think about the purpose of our prayers before we ask them. Will our Father be honored, or are our prayers mostly for our benefit? If we filter our prayers first through the honor of God, most self-centered prayers will not be offered. We have listed just a few requests that are always for God’s honor.

There are hundreds more. If our intent is to know Jesus, His name, and we meet with difficulties or problems, small or large, it is to God’s honor to help us to be united to His Son. God can be trusted with our troubles. “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me” (Ps 50:15).

·         For more love: As Paul prayed, “This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” (Phil 1:9,10).

·         To do good: For God to help us “turn from evil and do good” (1 Pet 3:11). “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Heb 13:16).

·         To have inner peace and grace from God: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:2). Pray that the “peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).

·         Bless our health that we can live to do good with love: “While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. (Luke 5:12-13).

·         To ask the Holy Spirit to be our teacher (14:26): “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13).

·         Ask God to open up new ways to do good. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal 6:10).

Prayers Should be Directed to Jesus (14:13,14)

   We have the right to ask Jesus anything in prayer because Jesus has the same authority as God the Father. He just stated: “Anyone that has seen me has seen the Father” (14:9) and “It is the Father living in me, who is doing His works” (14:10).

Directing our prayers through the name of Jesus will keep us asking in harmony with how He lived His life and the values He taught us.

“Ask in My Name” and the Lord’s Prayer

This is a promise from Jesus and His Father that we “can take to the bank.” However, there are conditions; it is found in the Lord’s Prayer.

·         “Our Father in heaven,

  hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:9,10).

·         Our Father in Heaven: God is like a loving father, and we are to see ourselves as His cherished children, “children of God” (1 John 1:12). We are thankful and grateful that God has designated Himself to be our Father.

·         Hallowed be your name: God’s name represents all that is pure and merciful. In God’s holiness, He listens to us; we who are far from any kind of holiness. Thus, we desire to live to a higher standard and to “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim 4:12). Because God is our “Holy Father” (John 17:11), in heaven.

·         Your will be done on earth as in heaven: Every morning we are to pray that we will do the “will of God from your [our] heart” (Eph 6:6). Always in prayer saying, “not my will, but yours be done” (Lk 22:42). True prayer does not wish to ask of God any requests that might be contrary to His known will. We need to pray daily for God to show us His will, because we do not naturally know it. Then ask God to give wisdom, skill, influence, and ability to do His will—in love, “as God has so loved us” (1 John 4:11).

Jesus Promised: “I Will Do It”

"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thess 5:24). God will do many things through those who believe, with “His Spirit” (2 Cor 1:22) abiding in them (see John 14:17).

Work That I Have Been Doing

 As followers of Jesus, we seek to teach what Jesus taught. To be kind, merciful, and helpful to others, as reported in the Golden Rule (Lk 6:31). Many will be sent as missionary medical workers and pastors around the world, following the pattern of Jesus public ministry.

We must not lift ourselves up in pride, saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). We are to be humble, just as our Lord taught us: “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mk 9:35).

Greater Things Than These

Jesus is opening a door to do what seems impossible. He sees the future when believers will encompass the world, teaching, comforting others, and doing good, doing more than Jesus did during his three and a half years.

Do Greater Things Than Jesus Did

 Jesus is excited to tell his disciples of their future global ministry: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8). The disciples were to model their ministry after the examples Jesus gave them. They were to follow the ministry He practiced.

The work of the early believers spread throughout the Greek and Roman world, something Jesus could not do because of his localized ministry. Paul’s aim was “to present to you the word of God in its fullness” and to “present everyone fully mature in Christ” (Col 1:25,28), this was how God was glorified.

Since the Resurrection, Christians Have Done Greater Works

 Throughout the last several centuries, individuals and groups of believers have done works like Jesus, in teaching the gospel, healing, and showing loving-kindness to others. They have left a profound impact on society. Just to name a few:

·         Martin Luther (1483-1546): For hundreds of years, he has established the faith of millions, teaching Justification by faith alone.

·         George Whitefield (1714-1770), American Evangelist, recalls: He was known to preach to up to 20,000 people outdoors with no microphone. Whitfield recalled preaching to coal miners who had never heard of God’s grace: “Having no righteousness of their own to renounce, they were glad to hear of a Jesus who was a friend to publicans and came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. The first discovery of their being affected was the sight of the white gutters made by their tears, which plentifully fell down their black cheeks as they came out of their coal pits. Hundreds of them were soon brought under deep conviction. Another time, while preaching within the sight of thousands, some in coaches, some on horseback, and some in the trees, and at times all affected and in tears, was almost too much for, and quite overcame me.”

·         David Livingston (1813-1873): A Physician, an abolitionist and humanitarian. A missionary explorer who dedicated his life to opening up Africa to the Gospel and fighting the slave trade.

·         Salvation Army (Founded 1865): Established by William and Catherine Booth as “The Christian Mission." Designed to bring spiritual salvation and physical food to the poorest and most forgotten members of society.

·         Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892): Often called the “Prince of Preachers,” who spoke weekly to crowds over 20,000, with no microphone. He had an impact on countless thousands. He built orphanages and a pastor’s college, always pointing people strictly to the Scriptures. He did not preach about himself, but about Christ alone.

·         Modern Global Ministries: Today, hundreds of non-profits are found all over the world. Baptist, Adventist, Catholics, and many other Christian groups have provided food and shelter in disaster areas.

Collectively, millions of Christians have promoted health, healing, and faith around the world. Day after day, month after month. All this is made possible because Jesus rose from the dead and now “is seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1). God and his Son have made this possible. They have called, chosen, and sent numberless people, all over the world, to witness to His name. Around the world, every minute, in every location, God has His miracle workers.

In this chapter, Jesus will show us how we can do similar works through the promised Holy Spirit. Our work will be of the same nature, for the same purpose, to bring honor to our Father and His Son.

Jesus, who had the Father abiding in him (14:10), we are privileged to have the Spirit abiding in us (14:17), as Jesus is ready to explain in the rest of this chapter.

The Ministry of the Spirit

John 14:8-27

At this point, Jesus speaks with His disciples in the Upper Room; He introduces the Ministry of the Spirit. The Spirit had been prominent during the life of Jesus and those around Him. The following is an account of the Spirit’s presence during Jesus’ life.

Below is an accounting of the Spirit’s presence leading up to this moment.

1. Before Jesus was born: Mary was “pregnant through the Holy Spirit” (Matt 1:18,20 ).

2. At His Baptism: “As soon as Jesus was baptized… At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him” (Matt 3:16).

3. At his Wilderness Temptation: “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matt 4:1).

4. Jesus Predicted the Spirit's Help: “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time, you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matt 10:19-20).

5. Jesus Fulfilled the Prophecy of Isaiah: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I [God] will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

6. Warning Against the Ultimate Sin: “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matt 12:32).

7. John the Baptist was Filled with the Spirit: “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born” (Lk 1:15).

8. The Meeting of Pregnant Mary and Elizabeth: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Lk 1:41).

9. The Father of John the Baptist: “Father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied…” (Lk 1:67).

10. Priest Simeon was Waiting for Baby Jesus: “Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him” (Lk 2:25).

11. John the Baptist Prediction: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Lk 3:16). Jesus’ ministry was Spirit-filled: “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside” (Lk 4:14).

12. Jesus Was Filled with Joy of the Spirit: “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit” (Lk 10:21).

13. Jesus Told us to Pray for the Spirit: “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Lk 11:13).

14. The Witness of John the Baptist:  “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him” (John 1:32).

15. Jesus Predicted the Sprit to Nicodemus: “I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5).

16. Jesus Predicted the Spirit to the Woman at the Well:  “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

17. The Bread of Life Sermon: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63).

The Spirit Jesus continues to explain is a promise extended to all future believers. The Spirit will come at Pentecost and spread all over the world, forever. Prior to the event John observes, “Up to that time [before Pentecost] the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified” (John 7:39).

The Spirit has countless functions on behalf of believers, which can be summarized into three broad categories.

·         The first: The Spirit will dwell in us within our bodies and “live with you and be in you [inside]” (14:17).

·         The Second: The Spirit will have a broad teaching ministry to “teach you and remind you of everything I have said to you” (14:26).

·         The Third: The Spirit has a ministry to the world, to convict unbelievers of the truth of Jesus and declare sin as a rejection of the gospel. When the Spirit “comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me” (16:8,9).

John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands [my words]. 14:15 And [then] I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate [Spirit]…for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17)

If: Is a Desire, not a Pre-condition

   “If” is a heart’s desire, instead of a requirement. It is when you do love God, and you want to follow Him. It can also be a desire to love Christ and follow His teachings, even as you feel weak and spiritually troubled. We say to God, “I want to love you, and I want to honor and keep your teachings for me.” God responds by sending us His Spirit.

   The word “if” reflects our intent to seek “the will of God” (Heb 10:36) and to “rely on the love God has for us” (1 John 4:16). Then God will give us His Spirit, called the “Helper” or the “Advocate” to “live in us” so that we can love God and His Son and seek to follow and honor His teachings or His “words” (John 12:47-48; 14:24).

The early church in the Book of Acts often called the gospel the “spreading [of] the word” (Acts 11:19). They reported that “the word of the Lord spread through the whole region” (Acts 13:49). This is true evangelism, the work of the Spirit, which spotlights Christ.

The Spirit’s Work: To Bring Honor to Jesus Always

   Why is the Spirit given to us? It is given to us so we can be faithful to the “commands” of Jesus. Because this is the very purpose of the Spirit: to teach us about Jesus. The Spirit is also entitled: “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:19), and as Peter says, the purpose of the Spirit is to be obedient to Jesus, “through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 1:2).

·         “The Advocate [helper], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26).

·         Jesus said, “He [the Spirit] will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you” (John 16:14).

We cannot receive the Spirit unless we are committed to the instructions of Jesus and His Apostles, who were commissioned by Jesus to “testify” about him (John 15:27).

Jesus is warning all who read this in the years to come never to stray from His teachings. Never teach as truth what is contrary to the “Spirit of truth” (John 14:17;15:26). Never command people to obey any observance that is not rooted in Christ's words or the eyewitness testimony of His disciples. Such ideas can easily become established religious customs over the years, posing as the “spirit of truth” (1 John 4:17).

The Spirit is Given to Teach Us Love

Love of Jesus precedes obedience.

The best example is that of a young married mother’s first child. She loves that child, before it takes its first breath. The child comes to love their mother very soon. Springing from this love, the child, as it grows, starts to love and please their mother.

In John 14-16, “love” is mentioned 20 times. Love for God’s Son is the engine that drives our capacity and desire to keep God’s “great commandment”.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:37,38).

Loving God and His Son naturally overflows into increasing love for our neighbors.

John and Jude Made Love Primary

   John sat closest to Jesus as He said these words in the Upper Room, and they permanently changed his life. He never forgot them. In John’s three short letters, he emphasizes the word “love” over 30 times, and in the Gospel of John it appears nearly 40 times. By comparison, in the letter of James, the word “love” is used just three times. Paul wrote about “love” over 120 times in his letters.

   The book of Jude, the brother of Jesus, imparts to us instruction we should never forget: “Dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith [in Jesus] and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life” (Jude 20-21).

Counterfeit Gospels vs. Spirit-Led Love

Attention to Jesus' commands without love will lead to many counterfeits of religion. “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (John 15:9,10). When the Spirit dwells with us, we will want to “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Col 1:10).

 The Spirit is given to us so we can stay focused on New Testament themes, which point to love at the first sermon given: “And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased '” (Matt 3:17).

Paul said: “This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight…” (Phil 1:9).

When the Spirit is Present There Will Be More Love

When the “Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:19), is present, there will be more love for God, the words of the Gospel, and more love for one another, coming from “love in the Spirit” (Col 1:8).

·         “Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1)

·         “The disciple whom Jesus loved was reclining next to him” (John 13:23).

·         “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).

·         “The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them” (John 14:21).

·         “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23). See also: John 14:15, 21,23,24,27,31; 15:9,12.

The Work of the Spirit: With Us and In Us

John 14:15-31

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you [Helper] and be with you forever [anytime for all time]— 14:17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him [Can not prove his existence]. But you know him, for he lives [menó] with you and will be in [en] you. NIV

14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 14:17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. NKJV

A More Detailed Look

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate [paraklétos] to help you to be with you forever [stay always, never leave you alone].”

·        “the Advocate [paraklétos], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send” (John 14:26)

14:17 “The Spirit of truth [teach you truth, what is true or false]. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for [personally because]

He lives [menó] with you [continually] and will be in [en] you [inside]” NIV

·         “You know him because he abides [menó] with you and will be in you” New American Standard

·         “You know him because he resides [menó] with you and will be in you” NET Bible

·         “You know him because he dwells [menó] with you and will be in you” NKJV

·         “But ye know him; for he dwelleth [menó] with you, and shall be in you” KJV

·         “You do know him, because he remains [menó] with you and will be in you” Christian Standard Bible

·         “You know him, for he is ever with you and within you.” Helen Montgomery’s New Testament of 1924

Our Advocate—The Holy Spirit

The Greek word paraklétos is used only five times in the New Testament: John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; and 1 John 2:1. Finding a suitable English translation is very difficult. No single English word has the same range of meaning as the Greek word.

The Spirit is not given to us as a passing experience, like an infatuation of school children. The Spirit is given to us, in the sense of setting up housekeeping within us. Like a lifelong marriage, to stay with us till death do us part.

What greater companion and helper could we possibly imagine? The Spirit is special, because it is through the Spirit that we are given access to God our Father and His Son. But more. All together they come and make their home with us, as Jesus said:

·         “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23).

The Greek prefix para in paraklétos is from “close beside,” that is, every day, every hour, providing ongoing help. Thus, our Advocate-Helper-Comforter is always personally close to us. To aid us, admonish us, warn us, lead us to know the will of God, pray for us, and teach us “the way of the Lord” (Acts 18:25).

Various Bibles, through the centuries, have translated this Greek word paraklétos for Advocate with many different English words:

·         Another Advocate: Joseph Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible (1902), Weymouth NT (1903),  New International Version (1973), New Living Translation (1996), Berean Study Bible (2023), NET Bible (2019), and Lexham English Bible (2010).

·         Another Helper: Moffatt Bible (1913), Edgar Goodspeed NT (1923), Chester B. Williams NT (1937), English Standard Version (2001), New American Standard (1971, 2020), New King James (1982), New Heart English Bible (2018), The VOICE Bible (2012), Berean Literal Bible (2021), Easy-to-Read Version (1987) and English Standard Version (2001).

·         Another Comforter: Wycliffe Bible (1382-1395),Tyndale Bible (1526), Coverdale Bible (1535), Matthew’s Bible (1537), Geneva Bible (1587), The Great Bible (1539), King James Bible (1611, updated 1769), Bishop’s Bible (1668), William Whiston NT (1745), John Worsley NT (1770), George R. Noyes NT (1869), Leicester Ambrose Sawyer NT (1858), American Standard Version (1901) and A Faithful Version (2008).

·         Another Counselor: Riverside NT (1923), Common Edition NT (1999) Christian Standard Bible (2017), World English Bible (2020), Evangelical Heritage Version (2019), and Holman Christian Standard Bible (2004)

·         Consoler or The One who Consoles: Clementine Vulgate Latin Bible 1592

·         Another Intercessor: Julia E. Smith Parker’s Translation (1876)

·         Another Friend to help you: New International Reader's Version (1996)

·         Frefrind (Befriend): West Saxon Gospels (990).

·         Another Companion: Common English Bible (2011)

·         Comforting Counselor like me: Complete Jewish Bible (1998)

·         Someone else to stand by you, to be with you always: Phillips (1958)

·         Helper, one called alongside to give assistance, relief, comfort and encouragement: Jonathan Mitchell New Testament (2010).

·         Another Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby: Amplified Bible Classic (1987).

   The word another means one of the same kind or similar in type—to Jesus Himself. The Spirit is given to bring Jesus close to our hearts, in love, in faith, in trust, in truth not error, in prayer—to God our Father.

The Spirit Will Live [menó] in Us and is in [en] Us :

This theme of the Spirit dwelling or abiding in us is repeated in various ways three more times in this chapter:

·         “You will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I in you” (John 14:20).

·         “I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:21)

·         “We will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23)

Paul Describes the Presence of Spirit Who Lives In You

Paul describes the presence of the Spirit in our lives, meaning “to dwell in, to inhabit, to be at home,” with us.

·         “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives [enoikeó] in you” (Rom 8:11).

·         “Keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” (2 Tim 1:14).

·         “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Cor 6:19).

·         “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives [dwells] in you” (Rom 8:9).

·         “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Phil 2:13).

·         “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).

John Teaches us About the Ministry of the Spirit

·         “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

·         “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit” (1 John 4:13).

·         “As for you, the [Spirit] anointing you received from Him [Christ] remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:27).

The Spirit Enables us to Know God and His Son Personally

Jesus statement that “you know him for he lives [abides] with you and will be in you” (John 14:17) highlights a common expression John used in his first letter.

1.    “We know that we have come to know him…” (1 John 2:3)

2.    “This is how we know we are in him… (1 John 2:5)

3.    “But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him…” (1 John 3:2)

4.    “This is how we know who the children of God…” (1 John 3:10)

5.    “We know that we have passed from death to life…” (1 John 3:14)

6.    “This is how we know what love is…” (1 John 3:16)

7.    “This is how we know that we belong to the truth…” (1 John 3:19)

8.    “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts” (1 John 3:20)

9.    “We know it by the Spirit he gave us…” (1 John 3:24)

10. “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit…” (1 John 4:13)

11. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love…” (1 John 4:16)

12. “This is how we know that we love the children of God…” (1 John 5:2)

13. “And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:15)

When we are uncertain about what is right or wrong, or which direction is best for us to take. It is our privilege to ask our Father in prayer, in the name of Jesus His Son, to show us the right way to continue. The Spirit will reveal God’s will to us in several ways.

·         Sometimes, God uses providential openings and closing of doors of opportunity.

·         Sometimes, we are directed by advice from a spiritual friend.

·         Sometimes, as we spend time in prayer and study of NT Scriptures, the word of God directs us by convictions of truth and error.

·         Sometimes, we can hear a distinct inner voice of direction or warnings.

·         Sometimes, after prayer, we just know what to do, what direction to move.

The Spirit as Our Comforter

The Spirit is one who is with us in sorrow, pain, and loss, for our present distress—comforting us, encouraging us, renewing our faith and trust in God. To inspire us with reasons to hope again, to love again, to be whole and alive again. To know that God loves us no less today and tomorrow. To just stand near us with a comforting, assuring presence. 

Ask God to give you the Comforter if you have experienced painful loss of family, child, husband, and feel you are all alone. You feel you are loveless and left in the dark. Look for the Comforter; He will be there for you.  

·         “Your merciful kindness be for my comfort…Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live” (Ps 119:76,77 NKJV).

·         “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass” (Isa 51:12).

·         “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isa 66:13).

·         “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Cor 1:3,4).

The Spirit as Our Helper

As our Helper, the Spirit will lead us to the right path when we are confused. Point out our mistakes so that we will not repeat them. Stand by us when nobody else seems to care. He is there to assist us in carrying out difficult tasks or just giving us a helping hand, aiding both the aged and young to stand strong when they are weak.

Our Helper can personally aid millions of believers all over the world, all at the same time. The Spirit is a global influence dwelling “inside” the life of millions born of the Spirit, all day and night. We “have access to the Father by one Spirit” (Eph 2:18), the one Spirit is able to live inside every believer, wherever they live and whenever they call on God.

The Spirit is sent to be close, personal, and attentive to individual needs, fears, and our internal struggles. The Spirit is a Helper to either a male, a female, or a child. The Spirit “strengthens” us in our “inner being” (Eph 3:16) to lead us to repentance and sorrow for our sins. To lead us to live a kinder, sweeter, and more loving life, as Jesus has taught us.  

The Spirit is the same inside male or female, North America, Asia, or South America, for there is only “one Spirit” (Eph 2:18; 4:4). At the same time, with power to still the heart, to change the motives and heart’s desires of everyone all at once. At the same time, our Heavenly Father knows the Spirit, it is known as “God’s Spirit” (1 Cor 3:16) and “the Spirit of God [that] lives in you” (Rom 8:9). Thus, through His Spirit, God our Father hears all our prayers, all our fears, all our difficulties and thus is never far away.

The Spirit, to say the least, is very busy with our troubles, having no time off. The Spirit prompts us to pray and to be thankful for all things. The Spirit helps us have faith and trust God even when the outlook on life seems dark. The Spirit calls us to praise God for His many blessings we have in our lives.

The Spirit as Our Counselor

When we pray to God to give us wisdom to know what to do or how to do something in a difficult circumstance. The Counselor will be present to impart to us “wisdom and understanding” (Col 1:9), to suggest new ideas, new solutions, to urge us to trust God and wait on Him. The idea of being Counselor is one who directs our ways to honor God, gives us solutions, and tells us the truth about our motives and actions. The Spirit will give us correction and reproof when needed, combined with the sweet comfort of hope, bringing to us an awareness of God’s love. 

Our Counselor will be present to teach us about our mistakes that have caused us trouble. To offer a way out, a way to survive. To lead us to pray and encourage us to have more faith in God’s promises.

The Spirit is the only one that can open the eyes of our understanding about the grace and love of God. The “truth about God” (Rom 1:25), “the truth of the gospel” (Gal 2:14), which brings to us everlasting life.

Only Jesus can give us access to the Father, through the means of His redemption and forgiveness. Jesus sends the Spirit from the Father, by whom we are able to worship God because the Spirit lives in us. John says, “It is the Spirit who testifies [about Jesus], because the Spirit is the truth” (1 John 5:6).

Our Helper, Our Comforter, Who Will Be with Us Forever

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate [Holy Spirit] to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16). The Spirit is with you at work, with you at home, at sleep and in our private time, when we are alone. It is in our company forever or from this moment into eternity. Ask God to make you aware of the Spirit working in your life.

The Spirit will be our helper, to stay with us always, from the day we are “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). To make their “home” (John 14:23) with us and abide in us. What more could our Father do for us? What a gift that keeps giving to us, as Jesus said, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your [good] Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Lk 11:13). Can we imagine a better gift?

The Spirit of Truth (14:17; 15:26; 16:13)

First, the Spirit brings spirit-like deep convictions about “the message of truth, the gospel” (Eph 1:13). This conviction takes over our whole being, leaving deep impressions that are almost indelible.   

Second, the Spirit will lead us to know “the will of God” in the many choices that daily confront us. “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9). After you pray to know “the will of God,” when you don’t know what direction to turn. Waiting for your answer, you may often have to sleep on it. Rest your faith that God will show you His will through His Spirit. Remember that God has not left you in this world “orphaned” (John 14:18).

The Spirit of Truth: Will Testify About Jesus

“The Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me” (John 15:26). The Spirit will teach us about what Jesus spoke and taught. The Spirit, when given to us, will lead us to be helpful and loving to others. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2). We are to “walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us” (Eph 5:2).

Jesus is the center of truth, and “the Spirit is the truth” (1 John 5:6) because it testifies about Jesus, it is known as “the truth that is in Jesus” (Eph 4:21). Christ is presented through “the truth of the gospel” (Gal 2:5, 14; Eph 1:13). The call of the gospel is the truth we are to believe in, which pleases God.

·         “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6)

·         “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Ps 25:4-5).

The Spirit Sanctifies Us

One of the most important functions of the Holy Spirit is to bring holiness into our hearts and lives. “Through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,” to bring us into “obedient to Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 1:2). This work is not intellectual, but in our souls, our inner feelings, creating a strong desire “so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Col 1:10). So that we might be “marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:13), “sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30).

·         “But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness [of Christ].” (Rom 8:10).

·         “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor 13:5).

·         “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (Gal 4:19).

·         “God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Gal 4:6)

The Spirit Has a Teaching Ministry—To Lead us to Christ and Center Us In Christ

Jesus said the Spirit will “testify about me” (John 15:26). The Spirit “will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26).

Learning about Jesus is of the utmost importance because only through Him can we find access to God the Father. As Jesus has taught us: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

John says the same truth: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life” (1 John 5:11,12 NET Bible).

Thus, it can be said that the Spirit brings Christ within us: “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).

The Spirit Will Lead Us into Spiritual Growth

Since the Spirit is entitled “the spirit of holiness” (Rom 1:4), the Spirit as our spiritual helper, He will lead us into spiritual growth. The Spirit, when given to us, will lead and teach us to be like Jesus, whom the disciples knew and loved. The Spirit will be “with you and will be in you” (Jn 14:17), where you are, closer than the physical presence of Jesus. This makes Spiritual growth possible and can often be explosive and fruitful.

The clearest picture of “godliness and holiness” (1 Tim 2:2) is the fruits of the Spirit. As in nature, fruit trees often take many years to become prolific, so in the Spirit world the Spirit plants a desire for these fruits and nurtures their growth with encouragement and reproof.

·         The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22,23 NAS). Meaning they are a fulfillment of the law because the law cannot find any fault in us when we practice them.

The Many Functions of the Spirit

·         The Spirit proceeds or comes from the Father (John 15:26)

·         Jesus asks His Father, on our behalf, to send to us the Spirit (John 14:16)

·         The Spirit is to abide with us forever (John 14:16)

·         The Spirit dwells with us and in us (John 14:17)

·         The Spirit will never speak on His own (John 16:13)

·         The Spirit is called the Spirit of truth (John 14:17; 16:13)

·         The Spirit will guide and lead us, help us to understand truth (John 16:13,14) 

·         “He [Holy Spirit] will testify about me…” (John 15:26)

·         “He [Holy Spirit] will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” (John 16:15)

·         “It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth” (1 John 5:6)

·         “This is how we know that He [God] lives in us: We know it by the Spirit, he gave us” (1 John 3:24).

His Word is Implanted Inside Us

·         “I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one” (John 2:14).

·         “We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe” (1 Thess 2:13).

·         “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21).

“If you Keep my Commands” (14:15)

Jesus will ask His Father to give us the Helper, the Holy Spirit: “If” we are committed to keep “my commands” (John 14:15;15:19) and “keep my word” (John 14:23;15:3,7,17).

When Jesus gives us instruction, saying, “I say to you,” “I tell you,” “truly I tell you,” “listen to me,” “Jesus said,” “listen carefully to what I am about to tell you,” “I say,” or “do not.” These are just some of His commands. Jesus’ commands are also seen in the things that He says are necessary, such as:

·         “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matt 20:26).

·         “You must be born again” (John 3:7).

·         “You must love one another” (John 13:34).

·         “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:3).

·         “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).

I will ask the Father—“If” we love him (14:15)

The word “if” is an experience that comes from God and His Spirit, which enable us to seek His will, to love His instructions and His Words. Obedience is always preceded by love and faith; if it does not, it is pure legalism.

In John 14-16, “love” is mentioned 26 times. Four of these passages deserve special attention; these promises follow after we have experienced love by the Holy Spirit, our Helper.

The most wonderful gift of the Spirit is love for God. “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Rom 5:5). Helen Montgomery’s New Testament of 1924 reads, “for through the Holy Spirit who has given to us, the brimming river of the love of God has overflowed in our hearts.”

All who have come to God in faith come because God loved them first, for “we love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19). Knowing God’s love and that of His Son, we will want nothing to separate us from their love. “My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me. All the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps 23).

·         The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. (14:21).

·         “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (15:9).

·         “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (15:12).

·         “The Father himself loves you because you have loved me. He also loves you because you have believed that I came from God” (16:27).

The Spirit Will Teach Us About Love    

Jesus is talking to his disciples personally for the last time, till after the resurrection. They loved Jesus, and he loved them; they knew and could express it freely. Jesus taught them what it means to be loved, saying, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). The Spirit will continue to teach us about God’s love, our Savior's love, and our need to love others.

Many have never known what it means to be loved; instead, they have been used and abused, forgotten, or pushed aside. The Spirit will apply the gospel to our hearts, creating time and opportunity to love. “Through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit” (Rom 15:30 NKJV).

We, humans, are not very good at love; we lust after good, fight for good, hate each other for good, mistreat others for good—thus we need the Spirit of truth that will tell us when we do not love enough. When our love is selfish and shadowed.  We are often self-centered and careless about the feelings of others. The Spirit tells us the truth about ourselves, “cleansing our conscience” (Heb 9:14).

Who Does Not Have the Spirit?

Who does not have the Spirit? “Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teachings” (John 14:24). Therefore, they do not know about this wonderful gift from God our Father.

Truth is not Spiritual Bondage

Truth never leads to spiritual bondage. It never gives excess baggage of heavy religious rules not required by God, rules that make no sense. As Paul illustrated man-made rules, “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” (Col 2:21). Their “teachings,” as Jesus said, “are merely human rules” (Matt 15:9). Thus, they are not from the Spirit of Truth. For “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17).

Jesus declared about religious leaders of his day, “The rules that they give you are difficult to obey. Their rules are like heavy luggage, which they make you carry” (Matt 23:4 EasyEnglish Bible).

Paul has warned us about rules forbidding marriage and requiring special diets to please God. Some make food a requirement for spiritual growth. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith… They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth” (1 Tim 4:1,3).

Parallel Lesson: The Father was in Jesus

and the Spirit is to be in Us

Jesus said, “the Father is IN [ev] me” (John 14:10,11); in a similar way, the Spirit is “IN [ev] you” (John 14:17).

The Greek for “in” is “ev:” It is a primary preposition denoting a fixed position in place, time, or state. It was recorded that “Jesus was born in [ev] Bethlehem in Judea” (Matt 2:1).

The Spirit is to be in you, that is, inside us. The Spirit’s operation is not from the outside, but from the inside of us. Even though we cannot see the Spirit, we are privileged to sense His presence, the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

The Spirit gives us access to God, and the Spirit is the means by which God’s holy presence is felt in our hearts.

Parallel Lesson: The Father was living in Jesus

 and the Spirit is to be living in Us

Jesus said that “it is the Father living [meno] in [ev] me” (John 14:10). In a similar way, the Spirit, called our Helper or Advocate, Jesus said, “lives [meno] with you” (John 14:17).

The Greek word “meno” means: “to remain, to abide, to stay, to dwell, in a fixed location.” Not in the sense of a sojourn or temporary stay. This Greek word meno is used 12 times in John 14 and 15. From this we understand that the only way to “abide in the vine”, is through the Spirit. The Spirit makes the connection between God and us, and between God and His Son.

·         John 14:25: “These things I have spoken to you while abiding [meno] with you.” NAS

·         John 15:4: “Abide [meno] in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides [meno] in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide [meno] in Me.” NAS

·         John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides [meno] in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” NAS

·         John 15:7: “If you abide [meno] in Me, and My words abide [meno] in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” NAS

·         John 15:9: “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide [meno] in My love.”

·         John 15:10: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide [meno] in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide [meno] in His love.” NAS

·         John 15:16: “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain [meno], so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” NAS

The Heart of Worship

“God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” John 4:24 [Jesus, to Woman at the Well]

In the first Beatitude, Jesus taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matt 5:3), which is the heart of worship. God says, “I live in a high and holy place, but also [I live] with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit” (Isa 57:15). This describes the inner condition of a person who is deeply aware of their sins and is genuinely repentant before God. Amazingly, God is present, living in these humble ones. The Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised the Comforter or Advocate on your behalf, “lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17), as evidenced by deep and ever-deepening humility, which is being “poor in Spirit”. In need of God, in need of the Spirit, in need of daily knowing God’s will.

The heart of Spirit-filled worship is always accompanied by joy. “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52). Joy is the child of peace.  

Joy is always accompanied by the peace of God, for “the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom 8:6), because our flesh, our earthy nature, that is “dead in your transgressions and sins” (Eph 2:1), has been put to death by the Spirit. Now we are “made alive in the Spirit” (1 Pet 3:18).

Other Names for the Holy Spirit:

·         “The Spirit of holiness” (Rom 1:4).

·         “The Spirit of God lives in you (Rom 8:9).

·         “The Spirit of the living God” (2 Cor 3:3).

·         “The Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:9).

·         “The Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:19).

·         “The Spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Eph 1:17).

·         “The wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9).

·         “The Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (1 Pet 4:14).

·         “God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? (1 Cor 3:16).

·         “Spirit of God descending like a dove” (Matt 3:16; Gen 1:2).

·         “Love in the Spirit” (Col 1:8).

 Left as Orphans No More

John 14:18 “I will not leave you orphaned; I will come to you. 14:19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 14:20 On that day [Pentecost] you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. NIV

14:18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you 14:19 A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 14:20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. NKJV

14:18 When I go, you will not be left all alone; I will come back to you. Good News Translation

Understanding the Disciples’ Grief

The disciples were upset at the thought of Jesus leaving them. His recent words were heavy on their hearts. “I go and prepare a place for you; I will come back…” (John 14:3). There was a very close bond of love and trust between them. Even the thought of His absence for just a short time left them feeling lost in direction. His company gave them meaning and life. Gave them protection from the religious authorities that were determined to silence them by any means possible.

The promises Jesus gave personally to his disciples thankfully apply to us also. When we accept Jesus as our Lord, friend, and Savior. He has made provision that His presence would be with us, through the Spirit. When the Spirit is absent, we, just like the disciples, will feel its absence in our hearts.

Jesus Gives Two Personal Promises

First Promise: Notice how personal this promise is, “I WILL not leave you.” The Greek word for leave is aphiémi, which means “to send away, to leave, or to abandon.”

If the circumstances of your life cause you to feel that you are all alone and abandoned. Take Jesus up on His promise: “I will not leave you.” Look for it, wait for it, for the Father and His Son keep their promises.

·         “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart [do not lose hope]; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Ps 27:14 (NKJV)

·         “With all my heart I wait for the Lord to help me. I put my hope in his word. I wait for the Lord to help me. I want his help more than night watchmen want the morning to come. I’ll say it again. I want his help more than night watchmen want the morning to come. Ps 130:5,6 (NIRV)

Second Promise: I will not leave you as an orphan. This Greek word is orphanos, which means “orphan, fatherless, bereaved or parentless.” Neither God nor His Son have promised to leave us bereft of their presence.

·         To leave us lacking parental protection.

·         To leave us as underage children without a loving, good parent.

·         To leave us alone, broken and lost in tears of abandonment and friendlessness.

God knows our vulnerability; He knows about our fears of abandonment and hopelessness. If you feel this way. Ask God to send His Spirit to be your comforter, helper, counselor and friend (see John 14:15,16).

You in me and I in You

   Jesus is reemphasizing the purpose of the Spirit that comes from God: to live in them. Paul teaches that God dwells in them by His Spirit: “And in Him [Christ Jesus] you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph 2:22).

During the Absence of Jesus, He Promised Two Things

   First: They “will know” that Jesus is now with His Father, in heaven. They came to know this through their experience at Pentecost, where “fire in the shape of tongues” and “the flames separated and came to rest on each of them” (Acts 2:3 NIRV) on about 120 people. In Peter’s opening sentence after Pentecost, he declared Jesus had God’s approval: “Fellow Israelites, listen to this! Jesus of Nazareth was a man who had God’s approval” (Acts 2:22). Then Peter affirmed: “Jesus has been given a place of honor at the right hand of God. Peter had received the Holy Spirit from the Father. This is what God had promised. “It is Jesus who has poured out what you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33 NIRV).

The Apostle Paul affirms what they knew to be truth: “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Rom 8:34).

This was an event that Peter never lost sight of, writing years later: “Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him” (1 Pet 3:21,22). When you pray, keep in mind where your prayers are being heard and answered, for all heaven is a witness to your prayers in Jesus Name.  

On that Day, Pentecost: You in Me; I in You

·         “I am in the Father…the Father is in me” (John 14:10,11).

·         “Spirit of truth…dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:17).

·         “Christ lives in me…by faith” (Gal 2:20) We receive the Spirit by faith (Gal 3:1-5).

·         “Remain in me, as I also remain in you” (John 15:4) A promise made sure by the Spirit.

Second: Sooner than they could know, their friendship with Jesus, as disciples, will change in ways that were not imaginable to them.

Jesus tells them: “You,” the disciples, will be “in me,” and “I in you.” Jesus will become as Thomas later declares, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). The idea of having Jesus being “in you” or “in us;” stands for a closeness that is closer than twins or any family can be to each other.

How can this be accomplished? It is impossible without the presence of the Spirit: “the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father” (John 15:26 NKJV). Jesus has already explained the function of the Spirit, “he [the Spirit of truth] lives [abides, dwells] with you and will be in you” (John 14:17).

The Spirit living in us is the means by which we have absolute assurance of a resurrection and a place “in my Father’s house” (John 14:2). As Paul wrote: “If the Spirit of Him [God] who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he [God] who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you” (Rom 8:11).

I am Coming to You: A Visible Return Promised

The first dual promise:  At the beginning of this chapter Jesus told the disciples, “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). Thomas was very worried by the absence of Jesus, so he asked Him “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way” (John 14:4).

Jesus was soon to leave them, saying, “You will no longer see me,” but He would return to take them to His Father’s house, where He would be preparing a place for them (John 14:2).

Sure, Jesus was going away, but He promised to return and reunite them. This is what we all look forward to: the Second Coming of Jesus to earth. Has He ever broken a promise? No Never.

But we should note that Jesus will return to unite us with Him in person. It is not at that time we are to be united by “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:9) living in us. The ministry of the Spirit should be taught as essential in preparation for the Second Coming.

The Second dual promise is that the presence of the Spirit will be known to the disciples at Pentecost. Not just that day in 32 AD, but always the Spirit will be made available.

Because I Live…You Will See, and You Will Live Also

 Although spoken to His disciples, on the night of His betrayal, John records them for all who also will come to believe in Him. Jesus has given us many strong promises for us to claim in faith that is certain and absolutely trustworthy.

·         “Everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him” (John 3:15).

·         “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).

·         “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned” (John 3:18).

·         “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36).

·         “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).

·         “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life” (John 6:47).

An Unusual Promise

Jesus tells the disciples that no one in the world will see His public ministry soon. The promise is: You will see me, because I live even though I appeared dead on the cross. He will not be dead but alive again; thus you also will live. Here Jesus is giving them a promise of eternal life. To be alive again in the same manner that Jesus is alive, having risen from death to ascent to his Father into a life more abundant and complete. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

·         “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor 1:9).

·         Paul later declared: “You are a temple of God” because “the Spirit of God dwells in you” (1 Cor 3:16). It is a fact: “those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Rom 8:14).

·         “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father” (Gal 4:6).

The Spirit dwells in us, lives in us, and abides in us; it is the means that we become connected to both God the Father and His Son. Paul explains it this way, “If the Spirit of Him [the Father] who raised Jesus from the dead, is living [abiding, dwelling] “in you”, He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies, because of His Spirit who lives [dwells, abides] in you” (Rom 8:11). This is how we worship and serve God. Paul contrasting those who teach that circumcision is required to worship God, Paul responds “we who serve God by His Spirit who boast in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh” (Phil 3:3).

Through the means of the Spirit, we are brought into fellowship with God and His Son Jesus Christ. There are various descriptive names given to the Spirit:

·         Through the “Holy Spirit” (John 14:26);

·         Through the “Spirit of God” (Eph 4:30),

·         Through the “Spirit of truth” (John 14:17)

·         Through the “Eternal Spirit” (Heb 9:14)

·         Through the “Spirit of holiness” (Rom 1:4)

·         Through the “Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30)

·         Through the “sanctifying work of the Spirit” (2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2)

·         Through Christ Jesus we are to “live by the Spirit” and “keep in step with the Spirit” and be “led by the Spirit” (Gal 5:24,18).

·         Through being “sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Rom 15:16)

·         Through the “Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (1 Pet 4:14).

·         Through the “Gifts of the Spirit” (1 Cor 12:1)

·         Through the “Fruit of the Spirit:” which “is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal 5:22,23).

Through all of the above, “ministry of the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:8), there is “given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Pet 1:4). To share in the divine nature, while in our “earthly body” (Col 3:5) with hands having practiced sin, is only made possible by the “ministry of the Spirit” that lives in us and abides with us forever. Even through our mistakes and sins we confess, the Spirit still abides.

It is by the “power of the Spirit in your inner being,” making it possible for “Christ to dwell [abide, live] in [inside] your hearts through faith…being rooted and established in love” (Eph 3:17).

How important it is that we do not “grieve” or bring sorrow to “the Holy Spirit of God with whom you are sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30). 

·         “You, however, are not in the realm [control] of the flesh but are in the realm [control] of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ” (Rom 8:9)

The Mark of True Love: Keeping His Words

John 14:21 Whoever has my commands [instructions] and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. NIV

14:21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who [really] love me, and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” NKJV

Rewording the Verse: When we study the words of Jesus, claiming them as our own. Love will spring up into our hearts, from His life. As a result, God and His Son will love us and reveal themselves to us through the means of their combined love to us.

He Who Has My Commands

 This is a strong idea. This is a person that holds something that belongs to Jesus. The only thing that Jesus has left to us, in this world, is “His words” that have “authority” (Lk 4:32). It is His words which describe His life. Which give to us the lessons He wants us to know. Through attention to His word, we have a right to be called Christians. As at the time of Jesus’ public ministry, “because of His words many more became believers” (John 4:41). So, it is today, yesterday, and tomorrow.

First: What Has Jesus Left Us That Belongs to Him?

Not a temple to worship, not a location to come and visit—nothing at all. First His commands, His teaching in the Gospels and the New Testament. Without close attention to the word Jesus has left us, we are more likely to accept the “spirit of falsehood” (1 John 4:6) and not know the difference.

Second: What Has Jesus Left Us That Belongs to Him?

The Holy Spirit, which Jesus said, “I will send you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. (John 15:26).

As Peter taught in his Pentecostal sermon: “Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” Acts 2:38). The Spirit comes to us when we make a public confession of faith in Christ Jesus.

The good news is that the “promise” of the Spirit is “for you and your children, and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to himself” (Acts 2:38). The Spirit is to be given upon faith calling on the name of Jesus.

With the Spirit as our “helper” or “comforter”, it is as if Jesus Himself were teaching us. Thus, we are to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading every day of our lives. We are to be guided and walk in step with the Spirit's leading.

·         “Walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16).

·         “Led by the Spirit, (Gal 5:18).

·         “Live by the Spirit, (Gal 5:25).

·         “Keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal 5:25).

·         “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18).

·         “Live in accordance with the Spirit” (Rom 8:5).

·         “The mind governed by the Spirit (Rom 8:6).

·         “Serve [worship] God by [in] His Spirit” (Phil 3:3).

·         To “pray in the Spirit” (Eph 6:18)

To “keep in step with the Spirit” means to follow the Spirit’s leading and direction. To know where the Spirit is directing us and follow Him.

To not fall behind but instead walk beside the Spirit’s presence. Worst of all is not to hear the Spirit’s voice: “as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts'” (Heb 3:7,8). Not wanting to do what the Spirit is directing you will harden your heart. After a time, you will not hear the Spirit’s voice.

The Primary Sources to Know and Love God

·         The gospel accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

·         The birth, the life, and the teachings of Jesus

·         The letters of the Apostles

·         The witness of the early church in the Acts of Apostles

·         The Gospel to the Gentiles in the work of the Apostle Paul, affirmed by the apostles.

·         The ministry of the Spirit, for “those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Rom 8:14). The “Spirit of truth” that “will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). Not just in what is right and wrong, but more importantly directs us into the will of God for us individually.  Our career path, our home, our marriage and our defined purpose in life. Sad it would be to miss the Spirit’s guidance for our lives because we are blinded by the “God of this age” (2 Cor 4:4), or because we have never been “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

These are now the primary means of knowing God and, as a result, of being loved by God and His Son. The Old Testament is now a secondary, supporting source for knowing God. Without Jesus’ testimony about God, our knowledge of God would be vastly incomplete.

Love by the Father and the Son

Now, we, His followers, are privileged to honor His instructions; as a result, we will have an abundance of love for God and His Son, and from God and His Son to us. The privilege of knowing you are loved by God is priceless. It changes us forever, “being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor 3:18).

The same image as “God is Love” (1 John 4:16): to love in human ways is made possible only through God’s love. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8).

He Who Has…My Commands

The Greek word for command, entolé, is a feminine noun meaning “commandments, command, instructions, orders or requirements.” This is not the commandments of Moses or the Old Testament prophets. They are important, but less so than Jesus’ commands.

The word My is emphatic. The commands of Jesus are also called “the words I say to you” (14:10) and “If you remain in me and my words remain [abide] in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (15:7). If we desire the Spirit and are praying for the Spirit’s presence, we will be most often in the letters of Paul, John and Peter and the four gospels. Jesus makes this the condition for receiving the Spirit.

Like John the Baptist said about Jesus: “He must become greater; I must become less. The one who comes from above is above all” (John 3:30-31). The words of Jesus were more than just His words. They were also the words of God the Father, as Jesus said: “I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak with my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work” (John 14:10).

Adding and Subtracting from Jesus Teachings

One thing that we must watch carefully is when religious groups add additional requirements that are NOT found in the New Testament. Often, they misinterpret Scripture, creating mandates that are not rooted in the Words of Jesus. Often, they treat Old Testament commands as having the same authority as Jesus, Peter, and Paul. As John warned, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). The word “spirits” means movements that claim our affections and steal our hearts but are not from the “Spirit of God” (1 John 4:2).

The Uniqueness of Jesus: The One and Only Son of God

·         To see Jesus is to see God. “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).

·         To hear Jesus speak is to hear the voice of God. “I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me” (John 14:31).

·         Every word spoken by Jesus was given to him by God the Father. “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken…So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say” (John 12:49, 50).

·         Thus, every miracle that Jesus did was performed by God the Father. “By myself I can do nothing… I seek not to please myself but him who sent me” (John 5:30) and “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38).

·         As Jesus was present with the disciples, so the Father was present with Jesus, His Son. The Son knew it, could see it, and felt His Father’s presence in his every waking moment. Jesus could say, “I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. I always do what pleases him” (John 8:28-29).

·         As the Creator God lives forever in the heavens, in the same manner, in the body of Jesus, God lived. He was veiled by the human form of Jesus, “God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in him [His Son]” (Col 1:19).

·         If our eyes could be opened, we would have seen Jesus in His natural and rightful physical state as witnessed on the mountain when, “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light” (Matt 17:2)—so bright the disciples had to hide their eyes.

·         The Father lived in the body of Jesus, in His fullness. So close that we could not tell one without the other.  Although united in ways past understanding, they are separate but together. “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19). The Son, separately, can copy His Father’s movements.

Again, The Uniqueness of Jesus

 Every king, president, governor, general, police officer, or firefighter supports their authority by—their order of rank, power, money, education, or their elected position.  Not so with Jesus.

Instead, Jesus asks us to comply with His commands out of love, not authority alone. He said, “If you love me, keep my commands,” and “those who love me will keep my word” (14:15, 23).

Again, The Uniqueness of Jesus

 Jesus has demonstrated a love for us, as He told His disciples, “As I have loved you” (John 13:34). No king, president, governor, general, police officer, or fireman ever supports their authority by asking for compliance with their commands out of love. Then, going the second mile and demonstrating what love looks and acts like, for their subjects to imitate. This is what Jesus has done. So remarkedly that every genuine believer has been touched personally by the love of God and His Son. Not just once, but repeatedly, year after year, day after day.  

Again, The Uniqueness of Jesus

 Jesus has not only demonstrated His love for us by providing redemption and justification for all our sins. He also simultaneously demonstrated the love of God. There is a supernatural mix between the love of God and the love of Christ. The truth is that nobody else in all the world can display love from earth and from heaven at the same time. There is a current of love, from the gospel account, coming from heavenly places into our homes and our spaces on this earth. This current of love will sweep us up in thanksgiving and praise while we worship with “worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

·         “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

·         “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (John 15:9,10).

Keeping His Words Is Evidence We Love Him

In other words, when we keep His commands out of love, in simple terms it means:

·         To love the Gospel, “the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13). 

·         To love the “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17; see Rom 16:20).

·         To love our “Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14).

·         To love with deep gratitude the forgiveness of sins that come from Him.

·         To love the promised eternal inheritance and resurrection made possible by Him.

·         To love what Jesus taught, and the Apostles proclaimed.

John 14:22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” NIV

14:22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” NKJV

14:22 Judas (not the Iscariot) says to Him, “Lord, what indeed has taken place that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” Disciples’ Literal New Testament

Trying to Make Sense of Jesus

Thomas is trying to make sense of what Jesus is saying. First, He said, “I am going away,” but “I will come to you” (John 14:2,3; 14:28). Then He said, “The world will no longer see me,” however the disciples will see Him, “but you will see me” (John 14:19). The world cannot see Him, but the disciples can see Him. None of this made any sense to Judas.

Thankfully, Judas asked this question, for Jesus spends the rest of this chapter in further explanation to Judas.

John 14:23 Jesus answered him [Judas, not the betrayer], those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make Our home with them [those who love Him and keep His word]. NIV

14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, if anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. NKJV

14:23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and take up residence with him” NET Bible

14:23 Jesus replied: If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them. Contemporary English Version

Rewarding the Verse

When we study the life and teachings of Jesus, love will spring up in our hearts from His life. As a result, God and His Son will love us and reveal themselves to us through their shared love.

The First Promise

Jesus promised that He will come back to us and take us to live with Him, in what Jesus called “My Father’s house” (14:2,3).

The Second Promise

What is it that God and His Son promised? It is that they both will—yes, they will—make their home with us. The Greek word for home is moné, which means “dwelling or abode.” This word is only used twice in the New Testament: The first time when Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places [moné]” (14:2 NAS). The NKJV says, “In My Father’s house are many mansions [moné].”

This is our greatest privilege and honor in life: to have both God and His Son create a space for themselves, to dwell, to abide, to reside, and to live in us. This brings awareness of God's presence throughout each day.

How do we know that God and His Son are at home in us?

·         We sense God’s holiness through the Spirit, and we are always ready to confess a sin. We are ever ready to ask for wisdom all throughout the day.

·         Every morning we ask to know the will of God for the day, with the intent to follow it.

·         Every day we are praying for more love, for God and His Son, and for others.

·         We are always drawn to New Testament Scriptures for further enlightenment.

·         We are ready at any time to worship God in praise and thanksgiving.

·         We love to pray; it is easy and natural. We look forward to having more time for prayer.

·         We look for ways to do good to others.

·         We know our heart's waywardness and deeply regret any word that was not said in kindness, love, or truthfulness.

·         We feel a need for God, every hour and minute of the day, and wish to be drawn nearer to Him, through sacred music and prayer.

·         We take everything we face to God in prayer; even when thoughts come to us that are offensive to us, we petition God to remove them.

·         We seek to “keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal 5:25) in our lives.

This is how we know that God and His Son are making a home in our hearts. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “I will not leave you orphaned, I will come to you” (14:18). Although Jesus is not physically present on earth, He is able to continue His ministry, through the Spirit, during His physical absence, until He returns saying to us, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matt 25:34).

·         “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6,7). The blessing of God’s home inside us will only be understood in the coming endless ages of time.

This is the Greatest Honor

The greatest honor that believers in Jesus can have in their lives—unheard of before the advent of Christ on earth—is this permanent connection.  Before the birth of Jesus, it was recorded that a “virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will name him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us” (Matt 1:23). Now God is still with us, through His Spirit; by means of His Spirit we are mysteriously born again, just as Mary a virgin, gave birth to Jesus. We are in possession of the continued presence of “God with us,” inside a believer; for “the Spirit of truth…lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17).

The Spirit is entitled “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; 16:13). Because we come to believe “the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation; when you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:13). The truth about God is that He “lives in us and will be with us forever” (2 John 1:2).

·         “You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own” (1 Cor 6:19 Contemporary English Version).

·         “Remember this: Your body is the home of God's Holy Spirit. God gave his Holy Spirit to you and he lives in you. You do not belong to yourselves any longer” (1 Cor 6:19 EasyEnglish Bible).

·         “Don’t you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is in you, and you have received the Spirit from God. You do not belong to yourselves” (1 Cor 6:19 New International Reader's Version).

John 14:13: Reworded

Jesus replied to Judas's question about how He would be visible to His disciples while not visible to the world (14:19). Jesus explained to Judas in terms he understood, because he loved Jesus, and being a disciple with love for each other was inseparable. Since Judas loved Him, he would endeavor to be true to all His teachings. No doubt about this.

Since Judas did love Jesus and desired to keep following Him. As a result, His Father would love Judas, and together, both Jesus and His Father would come and create a home within the heart and life of Judas. Jesus continued to explain how this seeming impossibility is made possible through the ministry of the “Holy Spirit” (14:26).

Keep His Teachings in Your Heart

The Greek word for keep is téreó: meaning “to keep, to guard, to observe, to watch over.” The same Greek word was used for the “centurion” soldiers who “were guarding (téreó) Jesus” (Matt 27:54). To keep His words is first to know them all and to treasure them.

Last Instruction of Jesus

Protecting Them From Added Human Traditions

Starting with the 13th chapter of John, while at the Last Supper, until the end of the 14th chapter. When Jesus said, “Arise, let us go from here” (14:31 NKJV). All this conversation took place in “a large, furnished upper room” (Lk 22:12).

During this time, Jesus paid close attention to honoring His instructions. This is very important, for all false or deceiving religions have one thing in common: they make up laws and commands and add additional requirements not founded in Christ or His apostles. They often built up a group of believers around the “tradition of the elders” (Matt 15:2), which they call truth.

·         Paul has warned us, saying, in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments [words]” (Col 2:3,4). If the “fine-sounding” Biblical teachings are not clearly founded in Christ or His Apostles—it is a deception. He calls them the “commandments and doctrines of men” (Col 2:22).

·         Jesus called them human rules: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” (Matt 15:8-10)

Make Their Home with Us

Home is a feminine noun meaning a permanent place where our families live full time. Now, in our body, like the Hebrew sanctuary, is the place where Jesus and His Father join us, making their home with us, calling their “temple” (1 Cor 6:19). No longer do we look to the Hebrew Sanctuary for worship; it was just “a shadow of the things that were to come” and of better things coming. “The reality, however, is found in Christ” (Col 2:17).

 Our Savior, the Lord Jesus, and our “God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all” and best of all, the Father is in you all” (Eph 4:6) abide together. This is the heart of the Christian faith. God with us, in us, by us, and for us (see 14:17). This is our celebration, our joy and reason for our delightful friendship with other believers who also know what Paul means when he says that “Christ is formed in you” (Gal 4:19).

We know it, we feel it, we sense it—it calls us to love and follow Jesus. It is only made possible by the Spirit. It is known as the mystical union with Christ for “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1). No, never need there be any condemnation.

Final Advice

Love for Jesus and His Father will come naturally as you read the New Testament. Ask God to place love in your heart, and naturally you will want to keep what you have learned. Because you have learned to follow Jesus with love. These are the conditions—not something that we must do first, but instead a work that Jesus and His Father do for us.

As a result, even as the first glimmer of love for God and His Son arises in your heart, we will be given the Holy Spirit in order that both God and His Son may make their home within us. From their location, love will be natural and obedience to the teachings of Jesus will be willingly followed.

14:23 Jesus answered him [Judas], those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make Our home with them [those who love Him and keep His word]. NIV

John 14:24 Anyone who does not love me will not [cannot] obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. [See 14:10,11]

14:24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, and the word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

14:24 The one who does not love Me ignores My message, which is not from Me, but from the Father who sent Me. VOICE

Two Groups of Believers

First Group: Loving Disciples (14:23)

·         They love the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father.

·         They have an earnest desire to keep, to honor, and to love the teachings of Jesus, God’s Son.

·         They know this love because God and His Son have made a place for themselves to dwell with them, which they call their home. God and His Son are at home in their temple with them, through the means of the Spirit.

·         Their “bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own” (1 Cor 6:19). We should take the expression “you are not your own” very seriously. Through the “Spirit of God” (Eph 4:30) or the “Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:9), we are privileged to know and do the will of God in our lives.

Second Group: Professional Believers (14:24)

   These are Christians by profession.  They hear the words of Jesus in sermons, songs, books, and in Scripture. But they do not treasure His words or carry them out into their lives. Thus, they have very little love for God and His teachings. They may love the idea of being a Christian, of belonging to a church, or holding Bible doctrines intellectually. 

Any teacher who does not often focus on Jesus and His teachings is not sent by God.

Christian teachers or preachers who do not have “the Spirit of God” living in them (Rom 8:9) will focus on many subjects other than His life and teachings, and those of His apostles as first and foremost.

   False teachers who are not touched by the love of God and the love of His Son will lead others “astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3). Into a devotion to their own leadership, claiming their money, loyalty and service as they claim to be instructing us in “the way of the Lord” (Acts 18:25).

The Spirit as Our Teacher

John 14:25 All this [John 13-14] I have spoken while still [present] with you [as your teacher].

14:26 “But the Advocate [helper-comforter 14:16], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name:

[First]: Will teach you all things and

[Second]: Will remind you [so as not to forget] of everything I have said to you. NIV 

14:25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  14:26 But the 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

14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you. NET Bible

14:26 But the Comforter [Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall [will remind you of, bring to your remembrance] everything I have told you” Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

The Father’s Gift to Us

         Jesus says that His Father will send the Spirit, bearing the name of His Son, on behalf of His Son, and to represent His Son. The Spirit is a gift from God to us: “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

         The Son will ask the Father to send to us the Holy Spirit: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—He will testify about me” (John 15:26). The Spirit is sent by God; he comes from the Father Himself.

The Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of God” (Gen 1:2; Rom 8:14) and “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:9). The Spirit draws power from God so that Christ and the gospel account can be proclaimed: “power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So, from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ” (Rom 15:19).

When we receive the Spirit, we will become Christ-centered. The Spirit will create a desire, inside our spirits, to learn about Christ and talk about Him.

A Gift That Never Stops Giving to Us

         By receiving this gift, we are given direct access to God in prayer: “For through him [Christ] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit” (Eph 2:18). God gifts to us the Spirit, so that we may know Christ and the gospel of “hope” (Col 1:23). Through this gift, we are given access to “the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14) and “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor 1:3). We come to God, in prayer, in the name of Jesus, honoring His life. The Spirit is a gift that never stops giving.

·         “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9).

·         “But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness” (Rom 8:10)

The Spirit Teaches us the Truth (John 14:17)

         The Spirit is sent to us to lead us into “the way of truth” (2 Peter 2:2); the way of right and wrong. To show us the better choice out of many. We have the privilege to ask of God and his Son to lead us, daily, into “the path of life” (Acts 2:28), “through the narrow gate” (Matt 7:13).

         When we are unsure of the best course of action. When we are uncertain as to which opportunity to accept or reject, so that we might do His will. The Spirit is present with us to lead us. If we pray for direction and instruction, we will receive them and know the right course of action. Jesus has promised not to leave us “orphaned” (John 14:18), with no parental guidance and love.

·         “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). This guidance is not all at once; it is over a lifetime. When we meet difficult circumstances with prayer, we learn new things from the Spirit of God. For we are privileged daily to “walk by the Spirit” (Gal 5:16).

·         “When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:13). God places His seal over our lives, showing that we belong to Him and that the evil one cannot possess us, when we surrender our lives to Christ Jesus.

Spirit-Taught Children of God

“Those who are [daily] led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Rom 8:14). As God’s children, we are privileged to receive His personal care for us, even in the details of our lives. Where we go to school, the friends we meet, and the life partner we are to marry. We are under the care of God.

God knows worldwide immense and exhaustless detail, even to notice when a sparrow falls, as Jesus said: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care [knowledge].” Details that nobody can know, “even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matt 10:29-30).

As children of God, guided and taught by His Spirit into the truth of the Gospel, we are known by God in ways that are past finding out by anyone.

 We are sheltered “with his wings; you will find safety under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall” (Ps 91:4 NET). Notice that it is God’s faithfulness that protects us, for if it were dependent on our consistent and flawless faithfulness to Him, only the fewest of the few could claim that God is their shield.

·         “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore, the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings” (Ps 36:7 NKJV). Notice that we can trust God’s personal up-close care for us because of His lovingkindness toward us.  

God has given us the Spirit to teach us individually His will for us. More importantly, He individually directs us into the will of God.  Our career path, our home, our marriage and our defined purpose in life. The right places to go and the wrong direction to turn. Who you can trust, and who is untrustworthy.

Sad it would be to miss the Spirit’s guidance for our lives, because we are blinded by the “God of this age” (2 Cor 4:4) and “prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2 NKJV). Because we have never been “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8) or “born from above” (John 3:3, footnote).

·         “Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I escape safely” (Ps 141:10).

·         “Whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). For this reason, the Spirit is given to us, so that in doing the right things, in knowing the express will of God for us individually, we may have eternal life.

The Spirit Comes in Jesus’ Name--Only

The Spirit will come only through the name of Jesus—that is to support His “commands” (John 14:15, 21; 15:10) and His “words” (14:10, 24; 15:7; 17:8). His teachings are the only thing in this world that belongs to Jesus and carries His authority with the full approval of God the Father, coming with His blessings.

Teachings that come from the Gospel stories belong to Jesus. They have His signature, which is His name; this is what the Spirit will teach us about. To be Spirit-filled is to be Christ-Jesus and gospel-focused.

Another Name for the Spirit

Another name for the Spirit is the “Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:19). It is only through the Spirit that Christ is brought near to us and becomes dear to us. We are privileged to “worship God in the Spirit [and] rejoice in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:3 NKJV).

Those who have the Spirit will be centered in Christ, their life, their words, and what they teach. As Paul declared: “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ” (Rom 8:9). They are “false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ” (2 Cor 11:13).

The Spirit is not sent in the name of Moses, Elijah, or King David, only in the name of Jesus. Spirit-filled teachers will spend about three-fourths of their time in the New Testament and the Psalms, with about a fourth in the Old Testament, which prepared the way for the Messiah of the world.

The Spirit Carries to us What Jesus Values

The Spirit is sent in the name of Jesus; His name carries what He valued and what he taught. Paul declared to young Timothy: “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David—this is my gospel” so that we may “obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” This is called “the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:8,10,15) and “the message of truth, the gospel” (Eph 1:13). 

The Prime Purpose of the Spirit

When the Spirit comes to us, it is for the purpose of bringing to us Christ, so that by faith there will be “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).

If any other influence claims to be from the “Spirit of truth” which is not Christ-centered, it is a counterfeit. John asks us to “test the spirits” to know the difference between “the Spirit of God” and “the spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:1-3).

The “spirit of antichrist” is self-centered, and they mix into their teaching requirements “that do not belong to Christ” (Rom 8:9). They sow “weeds among the wheat” (Matt 13:25). They “belong to the world” (John 15:19), and they “belong to the night” (1 Thess 5:5).

As children of God, sealed by His Spirit, we are to strive, through the influence of the Spirit, to “find out what pleases the Lord” (Eph 5:10). For “the fruit of the light consist in all goodness, righteousness and truth,” that is what is true (Eph 5:9), for this is the mission of the Spirit.

The Spirit is a Gift Forever

       There were only a few hours remaining before Jesus would be their personal teacher. Thus, He introduces to us a new teacher, the Holy Spirit, who will “be with you forever” (John 14:16).

We can be blessed with the Spirit’s presence all through our lives, even while we are dead. Paul writes to the Romans, “if the Spirit of Him [from God] who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.” Think of this: the same “one Spirit” (Eph 4:4) of God that lived in Jesus, while on earth, we are honored to share this same Spirit living in us.

Paul continues, “He [God] who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [that have died], because of His [God’s] Spirit who lives in you” (Rom 8:11). The Spirit, in us, does not die just because we are dead, buried, or cremated.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thess 4:16). The “dead in Christ”, are those who are “in Christ,” due to the presence of the Spirit during their lives, who are risen from the dead.

Songs Born of the Spirit

Spirit-Inspired Music

Colossians 3:16

·         “Let the message [words] of Christ dwell among you richly [abundantly] as you teach and admonish [encourage] one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit [spiritual-Spirit songs], singing to God with gratitude [grace] in your hearts” (Col 3:16)

The source of all wisdom is from the Spirit. Paul prayed for the Ephesians that “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father” would give us “the Spirit of wisdom” (Eph 1:17).

To the Colossians Paul prayed for “God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9).

Songs from the Spirit have a sanctifying influence on us. Through Spirit-inspired words and melody, our hearts are moved closer to God in surrender and love. Through Psalms of praise and thanksgiving, Spirit-filled music influences us with “faith and love” (Col 1:5).

Sometimes Christian music does not have an uplifting influence. Because the singer does not love God from their heart, or is more interested in self-promotion.

Spirit-Inspired Music Ministry

Eph 5:18-20

·         “Do not get drunk on wine [intoxicated], which leads to debauchery [recklessness, carelessness]. Instead, be filled [fully satisfied] with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit [Spirit-inspired songs]. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph 5:18-20).

When drunk with wine, we are led to say and do things solely because we are under the influence of alcohol. When a person is full of wine, there is no room for the Spirit; the two are antagonistic and opposite. Wine will stay with us, and the Spirit will leave, and we will not know “what the Lord’s will is” (Eph 5:17).

Just as wine has a strong influence over our judgment, reason, and behavior, so likewise, the Spirit will exert a strong influence over our judgment, giving us insightful wisdom, giving us directions, pointing out to us God-given opportunities. The Spirit does this not from the outside of us, but from the inside of us. As Jesus has taught us, the Helper will “dwell with you and will be in you” (John 14:17).

As alcohol influences our behavior, so the Spirit has a similar influence. We are to be filled with the Spirit, for “by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” (Rom 8:13). Only through the Spirit is it possible to silence the calls to evil that arise from within our sinful inclining nature. Through the presence of the Spirit, we are led and directed into God's will.

Speak to One Another

Paul is encouraging the habit of praising and singing, with thanksgiving for everything, during their worship time together. One person may have a Psalm they have memorized or learned to sing. While others have hymns of praise. The point is, all were to participate in worship, individually and all together.

In Old Testament Sanctuary Temple worship, the priests performed the service all alone. They prepared the sacrifice of the lamb brought as an offering. Now, in gospel worship, all are to have a part, sharing and singing.

Psalms-Focused 

The Early church was Psalms-focused. They were to encourage each other by quoting the Psalms in verses. They sang the Psalms by voice and instruments.

It is estimated that Jesus quoted from the Psalms about 50 times. In the New Testament, the Psalms are quoted about 116 times and are alluded to about 400 times, more than any other Old Testament book. Thus, the Psalms should have a central place in worship.

We can imagine the first believers coming together, sharing encouraging, heartwarming, and uplifting Psalms of praise and trust in their worship service. The Psalms and the gospel uniquely go together; they can easily be blended more than any other Old Testament book or the five books written by Moses.

Some of the best-known modern worship praise songs draw on the Psalms more than any other book in the Bible.

To the Colossian believers, Paul instructs them to repeat the Psalms in worship. Singing and reading the Psalms create a rhythm of praise and trust in God, bringing vibrant color and opening us to embrace uplifting, encouraging thoughts that are life-changing. A worship service without praise Psalms is half empty. The old hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” can never match the simple melody of a praise song.

Songs from the Spirit

The Greek word for "spiritual" is pneumatikós, an adjective derived from the Greek word pneúma, meaning "Spirit".

Thus, the passage could be translated as “Spirit Songs”. Songs inspired by the Holy Spirit, songs that move your heart to love and praise God. Songs that are deeply spiritual, awakening worship of God in our hearts. These songs will foster greater love for God and more inner peace. Through music, we become more aware of the Spirit’s presence in our hearts and sing in appreciation.

Spiritual Music

We are encouraged to keep spiritual music playing throughout the day. It should be inspirational music that moves you to feel the Spirit's movement on the strings of your hearts.  We should come to know the songs that awaken the spirit of praise and devotion to God and move your heart. Songs that awaken prayer, praise, and love for God. You will know which songs are touched by the Spirit and which leave you empty.

This is helpful so that we can “walk in the way of love” (Eph 5:2) and “overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). Notice the role of the Spirit in urging us to sing Psalms and praises to God. Songs of praise that sing of the love of God are the life-giving sap that runs from the “Vine” to the “Branches” (John 15:1-6).

If we are inclined to sing crude secular songs with strong sexual overtones, or to attend rock concerts that make no room for God. We should know that these songs are sponsored by the “ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Eph 2:2) or “the dominion of darkness” (Col 1:13), which is a means by which evil spreads a pall of spiritual darkness that blinds spiritual eyesight. Some secular songs invite darkness into our souls. For “what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14).

Which means that in some songs we invite darkness into the living rooms of our hearts; this darkness will in time seek to dominate. Since dark songs don’t mix with Spirit Songs, when we come to worship God, the spirit of praise and love will be dampened. Meaning we will sit in our seats with no “joy of the Lord” (Neh 8:10).

Paul told the Colossian believers to “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly… through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Col 3:15,16). Thus, through Spirit songs, the believer can carry the peace of Christ with them throughout the day.

Wonderful is a worship service that offers warm, heart embracing songs that inspire us to praise and open us up to worship because “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). In truth deep inside us, not formal or untouched by the Spirit, with “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).

Spirit Songs: Songs and Melodies Inspired by the Holy Spirit.

·         Songs that move our hearts individually to love and praise God.

·         Songs that move our hearts, singing altogether, in love and praise to God

·         Songs that are deeply spiritual, awakening worship of God in our hearts.

·         Songs that generate more love for God and greater trust.

·         Songs that build up our faith, our love and our joy in the Lord.

Through music, we become more aware of the Spirit’s presence in our hearts and sing songs of appreciation to God for His many blessings. Thus, “with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Col 3:6).

“To one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:19). “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Ps 34:8).

While singing spiritual songs, we are led to prayer, and we worship God in the Spirit through the sounds and the words that the Spirit has inspired, many unforgettable melodies that warm our hearts. That deepens our love for God and draws us to confession of faith, which would not happen if it were not for music.

·         Through the Spirit, music we can “Pray in the Spirit” (Eph 6:18).

·         Through the Spirit, music we can “Worship in the Spirit” (John 4:24).

·         Through the Spirit, music we can praise “God in the Spirit” (1 Cor 4:16).

·         Through the Spirit, music we can receive “love in the Spirit” (Col 1:8).

·         Through the Spirit, we can “be made alive in the Spirit” (1 Pet 3:18).

We Bless Each Other with Gifts from the Spirit

There are many different Spirit-given gifts to those who love our Lord and His teaching. The entire body of Christ needs one another as they worship and “serve God by His Spirit” (Phil 3:3). We bless one another through the many different gifts of the Spirit.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid [with fearfulness, unrest and anxiety]. NIV

14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither [nor] let it be afraid. NKJV

My Peace I Leave With you

My Peace I Give to You

There are two things that Jesus has left with us: they are foundational to receiving the Peace He possessed.

·         First: His words, teachings, and the example of his life; we are to follow (John 14:21-24).

·         Second: The Holy Spirit as our Helper and Teacher. (John 14:16-17, 25).

My Peace

Jesus has promised to leave with us His peace. It is personalized as part of Himself and sent to us by Himself. To be “in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor 1:30) is to have, to experience, to know the presence of peace personally. As Peter wrote, we are to “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him” (2 Peter 3:14).

Inner peace with God is the best mental health a person can possess. It is drug-free; it is applied inside our minds and hearts by the Spirit of God. This peace is how the wild thoughts, feelings, emotions, and temptations of the flesh are silenced. Thus, our hearts will not be “troubled” or “afraid” of events in our lives that are very distressing.

Dual Peace, from Jesus and His Father

·         “The peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7 Common English Bible).

·         “Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds. He will do this because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood” (Phil 4:7 NIRV).

·         And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7 NAS)

This peace is sourced from God, as we “believe in the one He [God] has sent,” His Son (John 6:29). Because it comes from a Divine source, it brings an influence; it dominates our hearts and minds. It does not originate from humans. It is not sourced from meditation and mindfulness. It comes by faith in Jesus, who promised, “whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). The “light of life” dispels the darkness of fear, troubling foreboding, and anxiety that weakens and darkens everything around us.

Thus, it cannot be explained on paper or by words. Peace is a Divine influence that creates space inside us for peace to dwell. Peacefully contented, untroubled by former terrors coming from inside our feelings, our flesh, and our troubling circumstances.

This peace is a unique gift from God. Paul describes God’s peace as exceeding “all understanding,” and it “will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). God gives us peace for our minds; our anxious thoughts and worries fade into the distance when we look to His Son. From Jesus we receive dual peace: “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1).

Peace can only be sustained, day after day, with much time in the words of Jesus, His apostles, and the Psalms. Give yourself time to grow, time to love more, time for more prayer.  As Jesus later said, “you are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you…Remain in me and I also remain in you” (John 15:3-4). Which is to be spiritually connected, partaking every day of the “bread of life” (John 6:35).

·         “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Ps 119:11).

God’s peace through Jesus Christ is rich with mercy and love. It never stands alone; peace is partnered with an abundance of grace and forgiveness.

·         “The God of peace be with you all” (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:9).

·         “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:3; 2 Cor 1:2; Gal 1:3; Eph 1:2; Phil 1:2; 2 Thess 1:2).

·         “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (2 Tim 1:2).

·         “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior” (Titus 1:4).

·         “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Pet 1:2)

·         “The God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor 13:11).

·         “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 5:23).

·         “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love” (2 John 1:3).

·         “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace” (Num 6:24-26).

·         “There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked” (Isa 57:21).

Peace Applied to Us Through the Means of the Spirit

We are not orphaned, all alone on our own without His presence. We have, as a companion-helper, the Spirit whom Jesus asked His Father to give us (John 15:26). Then we are given what Jesus called “my peace.”

The Spirit is for us and “to be with you [us] forever” (John 14:16). Every day there is time to have, to taste, to experience, and to know for ourselves—this wonderful peace. Which silences the self-judgment, enticements of the flesh, fears of the future, and our often-troubled minds over many things. From “God’s Spirit” we receive peace, rest, quietness, and assurance. The peace of God and the peace that comes from Jesus sometimes bring us guidance on what to do next. Sometimes peace comes with a call to have patience and to trust the outcome, unseen by us, into God's hands.

·         “The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isa 32:17).

 The Spirit has a protective effect in our lives; when we are confronted with anxiety and depression, the Spirit enables us to rise quickly above our troubles and find peace.

·         “For the kingdom of God is… righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

·         “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom 15:13).

Warning Sign: Sudden Loss of Peace

Peace is a state of inner harmony, sourced from within the “body temple” by the presence of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal 5:22). When we lose this Spirit-given peace, it creates a feeling of spiritual discomfort and a loss of peace and joy in the Lord. If this occurs, stop and pray. Look for the cause and confess it as soon as you know that peace has disappeared.

Peace is sensitive, and guilty actions will bring turmoil and fearfulness back into our thoughts.

The loss of peace warns us to stop and pray for direction and discernment. Find out what is numbing you spiritually. Peace is to guard our hearts and spiritually alert us when false steps have been taken. Peace comes from the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6), made available to us because we “are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph 2:22).

Peace is sent to us by the Spirit, to dwell in us and with us wherever we go. For “the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom 8:6), for:

·         God at creation “fashioned us for the very purpose” to give “us the Spirit, as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Cor 5:5). God creates, in our hearts, living room space for the Spirit to bring to us real peace-filled life.

·         By means of the “peace of God”, we are led into maturity in our faith. For the “God of peace, sanctify you through and through” (1 Thess 5:23) so that “Grace and peace be yours in abundance” (1 Pet 1:2). We receive peace, never because we deserve it by our good behavior. We are given peace because of the great love and mercy of God toward us.

·         “Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me” (Ps 69:16).

·         “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken” (Ps 62).

 How to Foster Peaceful Living

Paul advises us to be positive; peace matures and spreads over our souls with hope. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things…put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:8,9).

Peace A Fruit of the Spirit

An important benefit of being a Spirit-filled believer is receiving the gift of “peace” (Gal 5:22), the third fruit of the Spirit. It is the most precious of gifts, which yields a happier and longer life.

Peace is not like the world, which offers us security with wealth, fame, or hired protection. Jesus gives us an inner peace because we have learned to trust Him. He answers our prayers, He loves us, He guides us in “the way of the Lord” (Acts 18:25).

·         “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23 NAS). Two captains sustain peace: “love” and “patience.” While impulses to love, to share and do good to others, channel “joy” all around us. Love and joy together bring about lasting peace.

·         “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

·         “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom 15:13).