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A Recap from Sunday’s Sermon
Seeking the Helper

Preaching Text: John 14:15-24

The fear of abandonment goes deep to the heart of a person. We are made for relationships. Thus, Jesus caused some great concern among his disciples when he told them he was returning to his Father in heaven. But he assured them that he would not leave them as orphans (v. 18). He promised to send the Helper to be with his disciples forever (v. 16). In the preceding paragraph he even said we would do greater works than he did (v. 12). All of this would be possible because he would ask the Father to send the Helper (the Holy Spirit) to be with us.

We are better off because of Easter.

As awesome as the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry were, his resurrection and ascension opened up a new day for his followers. Their relationship with him 2,000 years ago, and ours today, must be a spiritual kind of relationship. They were accustomed to having Jesus bodily present, but he had to return to his Father. 

The Helper is the word the ESV uses to translate the Greek word parakletos, which literally means “one called alongside.” That word could be rendered comforter, teacher, advocate, counselor, guide, or several other similar words. All of these roles are being accomplished through a spiritual connection with the Holy Spirit, who dwells within believers.

The Holy Spirit works with a person to lead them to seek Christ. When a person responds in faith, he comes into their life and begins to transform them from the inside out. He helps them experience true life by participating in the divine life of the Trinity (v. 20).

Taking It Home: Read Ezekiel 36:26-27 and discuss with your small group or another Christian about the transformation that happens when God’s Spirit is present in a person’s life.