HELP IS ON THE WAY

George Butterfield
May 17, 1998

A. The setting of John 14:15-31 is Jesus' last conversation with his disciples before his death. It is a "farewell address."

1. He had been with them for three years and now he would be "going away."

2. He wants them to know that his leaving does not mean that they will have to do it all on their own. He promises that there will be help available to them as they strive to live the Christian life.

B. This morning we honor our graduates and their families.

1. Graduation from high school is an important rite of passage in our world.

2. I believe that Jesus' words to his disciples on the eve of his death can be an encouragement to you.

a. It was a transition time for Jesus and his disciples even as it is a transition time for you.

b. If you go to college or if you stay at home and get a job or move out and get a job, home will never be the same. You are going through a change of life right now that will impact the rest of your life.

c. I pray that what we do here this morning will encourage you and everyone else here who has come to hear the word of the Lord.

C. So, what does Jesus say to his disciples on the eve of his death and ultimate departure to be with the Father?

I. When I Leave I Will Send You a Permanent Helper, the Holy Spirit.

A. Jesus promises that his disciples will not be alone for he will send them the Holy Spirit to be with them and help them live the Christian life.

B. Notice in this passage what Jesus says about the Holy Spirit.

1. He says that he will ask the Father and the Father will give them the Spirit. The Spirit is God's gift to Jesus' disciples.

2. He refers to the Spirit as an "Advocate." This is the Greek word Paraclete which is variously translated as Advocate, Comforter, Counselor, or Helper. What does it mean?

a. It literally means "one called to the side of another for the purpose of helping them."

(1) A Paraclete might be a person called in to give witness in a law court or to stand beside you and plead your case. This is why some translations use the term "Advocate." Fred Marsh might want to change his business card from "Attorney at Law" to "Paraclete."

(2) A Paraclete might be an expert that you call on to give you advice in a difficult situation. This could be legal advice but it could be advice about finances, you name it. This is why "Counselor" is often used to translate Paraclete. Perhaps Susan Black and Jack Holland will want to use "Paraclete" instead of "Counselor" on their business cards. Deb and I had an experience where we needed such help. We had been married 18 years and then found out that there was no legal record of our marriage. The minister had not turned in the marriage license. So we needed help. We needed a Paraclete to give us some advice. Actually, in that circumstance we called on several Paracletes.

(3) The word Paraclete was used of a person who would come and speak to a company of soldiers who were depressed and dispirited to put new courage into their minds and hearts. On one occasion I was in a dispute with a boss and it looked like I might have to take some legal action. This person had been my friend and I felt betrayed. One Saturday I just stayed in bed, something unusual for me. I was depressed. I don't get depressed too often. I'm usually the person who depresses others! By 10:30 Deb decided she needed to take action. She called my best friend, Bob. Bob came, rousted me out of bed, and took me to the marina for a day at the beach. He was my Paraclete that day for he came to my side and helped me deal with my situation.

b. In other words, Jesus says, the Spirit will be our friend.

(1) Notice in this text that Jesus says he'll have his Father send "another" Advocate. Jesus had been their friend, their Advocate, and now they'll need and have "another."

(2) Notice also the personal pronouns used for the Spirit. Although in this passage those pronouns are all neuter, if you read the Gospel of John you will see mostly masculine pronouns used for the Spirit. The gift that the Father will send the disciples is a person, the Spirit, our friend.

c. What greater gift could the Father give any of us than his Spirit to go along beside us and help us? What greater gift could you have to take with you to college or to the new circumstances in life you will experience now that you are graduating from high school?

d. My experience in life has been that, when you have a good friend, that is a great gift. And this is what Jesus promises his disciples, a friend who "will be with you forever" (v. 16).

3. Notice also that he calls the Spirit "the Spirit of truth" (v. 17).

a. The Spirit communicates truth to Jesus' disciples.

b. How does he do this?

(1) He "will teach you everything" (v. 26). This doesn't say how he'll do it but that he will. Traditionally the Church has said that the Spirit teaches us through many different means. As we worship with the saints, as we hear the word of God preached, as we meditate upon the Scriptures and practice the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, meditation, etc. Basically, the Spirit uses every opportunity to teach us the ways of Jesus.

(2) Jesus also says that he will "remind you of all that I have said to you" (v. 26). You can understand how these first disciples would need to be reminded of things Jesus had taught them which they had forgotten. But you and I need to be reminded, too. The Spirit is the one who reminds us of what we have learned and he enables us to see the full meaning of Jesus' words.

(3) I think it is important for us to read this in its context. Jesus has been telling his disciples that, if they love him, they will keep his commandments. Now Jesus tells them that the Holy Spirit will be with them to help them do just that.

4. Finally, Jesus told his disciples that not everyone will have the Holy Spirit (v. 17).

a. The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit. It didn't see Jesus for who he was. It certainly will not be able to see or know the Spirit of Jesus.

b. But, Jesus says, the disciples will know him "because he abides with you, and he will be in you" (v. 17). The Spirit "abides" or remains. He, Jesus says, "will be with you forever" (v. 16).

c. It is the disciples of Jesus, those who love Jesus, those who keep his commandments, those who trust in him, who will see and know the Spirit. And the Spirit is God's gift to us "forever."

II. I Will Not Leave You Orphaned; I am Coming to You.

A. The language of being "orphaned" (v. 18) was not unusual. The disciples of the rabbis were said to be orphaned at his death as were the disciples of Socrates at his death.

B. But Jesus says that this will not be true of his disciples. We will not be orphaned when Jesus dies and goes back to the Father. We are not alone. Listen to the words of Jesus:

1. [Read vv. 19-20].

2. V. 23b- "we will come to them and make our home with them." Think of that as you leave home. Jesus promised that he and the Father will make their home with you.

C. But what does Jesus mean by this: "I am coming to you"?

1. This language is used in a context in which Jesus speaks of sending the Holy Spirit. So perhaps that is what he means by "I am coming to you" (v. 18).

2. Perhaps Jesus is referring to his post-resurrectional appearances to his disciples. They will see him after he is raised from the dead, although the world will not see him.

3. In this context I believe that Jesus is speaking of the revealing of the ways of God that come to us as we love Jesus and keep his commandments.

a. Notice how this whole discussion began: [read v. 15].

b. [Read v. 21].

(1) Notice that it is to those who love Jesus and keep his commandments that Jesus reveals himself, or "comes to" them (v. 18).

(2) Notice also the language Jesus uses here: he speaks of those who "have" his commandments and "keep" them.

(a) To "have" Jesus' commandments is unusual language. The meaning appears to be to make the commandments one's own, to take them into one's inner being.

(b) To "keep" his commandments is to observe them in daily life.

D. We greatly prize education in our society. But notice what Jesus says about our education as disciples.

1. First, we're not alone. It's not all left up to us. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit dwell in the believer and help us on our journey.

2. Second, the kind of knowledge that is important to Jesus is that a person know him and know the Father.

3. Third, love is an important part of a person's spiritual education. Those who love Jesus are the ones who keep his commandments.

4. Finally, true learning, true revelation, occurs in the person who loves Jesus and keeps his commandments.

a. Oftentimes a person assumes that having knowledge means having something in their mind.

b. Jesus says that having knowledge begins in your heart. From love of God comes obedience to his teachings and that leads to revelation, learning.

c. You may or may not have the mind required to go to college, although I assume you do. But do you have the heart? And, more importantly, do you have the heart to be a follower of Jesus?

(1) "The head bone's connected to the heart bone."

(2) If you love Jesus, you will keep his commandments. And when you do, Jesus promises to come to you. He will reveal himself to you.

III. Peace I Leave With You; My Peace I Give to You.

A. In parting, Jesus says "Shalom" to his disciples. But for him it is not the thoughtless salutation of ordinary men and women. It is the gift of salvation.

1. Jesus' peace is not the absence of trouble. In this very same passage Jesus says that "the ruler of this world is coming" (v. 30) a reference to Satan and the fact that Jesus' death is imminent.

2. Jesus' peace is a power that helps us deal with our troubles and fears in the midst of trials. [Read v. 27].

B. My final word for you graduates and for our whole church is an admonition the apostle Paul gave to the church in Colossae, as recorded in Colossians 3:15: "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts."

Conclusion

A. This morning, brothers and sisters, we magnify the name of Jesus who did not leave us orphans.

1. He has given us his Holy Spirit, our helper, our friend, to be with us forever.

2. He has promised to reveal himself to us as we love him and keep his commandments.

3. He and his Father have made a home within us.

4. And he has granted unto us his Shalom.

B. To our graduates and to the whole church, let not your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.