The Advocate of Truth and Peace

John 16:5-15

Sometimes we have to let go of one thing, to make room for another.  In today’s passage, Jesus tries to explain to the disciples why he must go away.  I’m sure they were wondering who this “Advocate” was who was coming and wishing their dear friend could stick around a while longer.  But Jesus was adamant – the only way the Father’s plan would be complete is through the arrival of the Holy Spirit.  God gave the world his Son and now the Son is proclaiming the good news of the Spirit.

Not to trivialize, but it makes me think of the Three Musketeers, “All for one and one for all!”  We can’t get to the Father except through the Son and we get to the Son through the Spirit.  We need all three.

Several times throughout the book of John, especially in Chapter 14, Jesus mentions that He is the way to the Father and promises the Holy Spirit.  “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me…” (v. 11) “And I will ask the Father and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” (v. 16).

This advocate is the Spirit of Truth – not the Spirit of Half-Truths or the Spirit of What We Hope to Be True, but real truth.  The only truth that matters.  ”The Advocate, 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. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14: 26-27).

Just as I’m sure the disciples were worried about what was to come, we too are worried about what happens next.  When we can’t see things clearly or understand why something happens, our humanness causes us to be afraid, but the Spirit’s message is peace.  So why not let go of the worry for something far greater – peace in Christ, through the Spirit, from the Father.

PLUGGED IN?

Scripture: John 14:15-27

We recently had a heater/air conditioning unit installed in our 3-season room to make the room useful year-round.  We hired a handyman experienced in working with such units.  And after several hours of work, it looked great, was solidly attached through the wall and ready to do its work of climate control in our room.  Only one problem – we don’t have a 220 volt power source to that room!  So it sits there, a bundle of potential but doing nothing to help heat the room.  What needs to be done? We need to have an electrician connect it to a 220 circuit.

As I read this passage in John 14, I thought of our non-working heating unit.  Jesus was with his disciples for one of the last times before he would ascend.  They had sat under his teaching for 3 years, learning what it means to follow Jesus fully.  They were full of potential, ready to work for the Kingdom.  But they had no power to do what was required – it was too big a job, needing greater strength and wisdom than they had as humans.  The resistance to their work would be too great.

So, Jesus told his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit when he returned to the Father.  “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor (or Advocate) to be with you forever (vs 16).”  Further, he gave more description of the Holy Spirit’s purpose: Since he is the Spirit of Truth, he will teach the disciples all things;  and, since he promised to be with and in Christ’s disciples, the Holy Spirit will remind them of everything Jesus said.

These are potential benefits the Holy Spirit has for all disciples – but how do we get plugged in?  Jesus tells us 3 different times in this passage:

·         If you love me, you will obey what I command (vs 15)

·         Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me (vs 21)

·         If anyone love me, he will obey my teaching (vs 23)

Did you get that answer?  Loving God, shown through obedience, connects us to the Holy Spirit’s power. 

The result?

·         All the promises God offers through the Holy Spirit are ours (God’s presence, his truth, his wisdom, his help in trouble)

·         We have the peace of Christ in our hearts

 

Do you want more power in your life to be able to do what God calls you to do?  Get “Plugged In" to the Power Source 

by loving God and obeying him.

 

 

[BTW, we just got power to our heater, and our plants in the 3-season room are happy!]

 

 

You Do Not Have to "Go It Alone"

Were you ever assigned a task that you were not prepared to do?

Many years ago (more than I care to admit) I was asked to be on a church stewardship board. I knew very little about Biblical stewardship and I would have to ask people for money (gasp!). I accepted, but I felt totally inadequate for the job. I had neither the skills nor the training.

The apostles must have felt like this shortly after Jesus death. Just before ascending to heaven, Jesus told them to “Go and make disciples of all nations and … teach them ...” Jesus had previously told the apostles he would be leaving, but would have God send an advocate (or counselor) to be with them. Most likely the apostles forgot about this promise, but even if they remembered, did not understand what it meant.

Today’s reading (Acts 2:1-4) is about the arrival of that counselor, the Holy Spirit. What an awesome event that was!

Today the Holy Spirit comes in a less dramatic, yet equally effective, manner. Through our baptism, because of Jesus death, He makes us Holy and acceptable to God. We also become members of Jesus’ Heavenly Kingdom. A blessing indeed!

Members of the kingdom have the privilege of carrying out Christ’s work in this world. We are to worship God, care for people and “Go and make disciples”.

Being asked to serve in the church made me realize I had an active role to play in the Kingdom. Before that, I suppose I thought that all I had to do was sit back and enjoy God’s blessings.

I survived my role on the stewardship board. I met a lot of people, I learned a lot about God’s plan and with God’s help, the board even raised enough money to build a new sanctuary for the church.

Later it dawned on me. The counselor, that is the Holy Spirit, provided me with everything I needed to carry out God’s work.

The counselor is with me. I do not have to go it alone. What a relief!