(#10) John 14 Sermon: Speaking to the Holy Clutter

(This is the FINAL post in a Sermon on John 14:15-31. Read the passage and the previous posts first.)

B. He – the Spirit will tell you NOT new things, but old Truths in a fresh way.

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.

The Spirit takes what Jesus says and makes it real today.

The Spirit doesn’t wonder off on his own. He is sent from the Father (in this text), in the name of the Son. So he’s not trying new paths and making you do things that would be unexpected in the Gospels. And the Spirit doesn’t speak in a way that is new to Jesus. He remind you of what Jesus said. And the disciples needed to be reminded, because most of the time it was just foggy.
He has more to say – and we’ll be exploring that next week from John 16.

JI Packer called the work of the Holy Spirit 'a floodlight minstry' in his book, Keep in Step with the Spirit. A floodlight is powerful and Bright; however, it points to its subject. And what is the Spirit’s subject: Jesus. Without the light, you’ll see nothing, but the point is not the light, but Jesus whom he floods with light.

The Spirit is not more insightful than Jesus himself. And the Spirit doesn’t provide you with experiences that end up taking you to the experience, rather than Jesus.

To my young friends, what to say and what to pray?

Its not going to settle every question and every confusion.

First – love God. Make that number one. Keep his commands.
Second – Claim by faith the illumination of the Spirit.

But make sure it is what Jesus said (his commands, his Word). Spend your time begging the God who is love. And the God you love. As hi to tell you more about Jesus. And that’ll be a good start….

Fin.

Any comments?