The Helper
2.7.2019
The Helper
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. … He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. – John 16:7, 14-15
Hello Church Family,
“Faith is … the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Most of reality—especially ultimate reality—is unseen, so we live and conduct ourselves by faith. We talk about “mind over matter,” but actually, matter comes from mind—the Mind of God. Or, as Hebrews puts it, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible”(Hebrews 11:3).
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). God reveals Himself in nature and speaks in his Word, so his Holy Spirit is essential to our relationship with Him. At one time, God walked among us in the person of Jesus Christ. But now, He lives within us in the person of His Holy Spirit. When He left earth, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our “Helper.”
Here are some ways the Helper helps:
• He bears witness through his people about Jesus Christ. – “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:26-27).
• He convicts the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. – “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:8-11).
• He keeps us from falling away in times of trouble. – “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away” (16:1).
• He guides us into all the truth. – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (16:13).
• He glorifies Christ while He’s away, by telling us of the riches we have in Him. – He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (16:14-15).
• He keeps us rejoicing until we see Jesus again. – “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (16:22).
• He enables us to ask and receive from the Father in Jesus’ name. – “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. … In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf” (16:23-24, 26).
• He gives peace in tribulation. – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (16:33).
• He convicts the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. – “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:8-11).
• He keeps us from falling away in times of trouble. – “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away” (16:1).
• He guides us into all the truth. – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (16:13).
• He glorifies Christ while He’s away, by telling us of the riches we have in Him. – He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (16:14-15).
• He keeps us rejoicing until we see Jesus again. – “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (16:22).
• He enables us to ask and receive from the Father in Jesus’ name. – “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. … In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf” (16:23-24, 26).
• He gives peace in tribulation. – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (16:33).
Praying in the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is someone worth getting to know. Seek Christ in prayer and through his Word. He is our Treasure, and the Spirit of God reveals Him to us.
The Holy Spirit is someone worth getting to know. Seek Christ in prayer and through his Word. He is our Treasure, and the Spirit of God reveals Him to us.
Christianity is more than a subculture. It’s the kingdom of Christ. The Church is not developing a worldview or crafting a comprehensive understanding of the world for others to consider. We’re proclaiming Christ, the King and Savior of the world. His Word created the world. His blood redeemed the world. And He rules the world through the truth of His Word and the work of His Spirit, who is in us.
The fact is, we have serious business to do here on earth. So let’s pray for the Spirit’s help to do the work of Christ for the praise of His glory.Pray for:
• The Holy Spirit’s prompting and direction for opportunities to tell others about Christ’s love and sacrifice for sin.
• Powerful conviction of sin, the debt to God that it brings, and the inevitable reality of judgment.
• Strong faith at all times, especially in trouble or persecution.
• A clear understanding of the truth and conviction that leads to action.
• An appreciation of what matters and has lasting value.
• Unshakable Joy.
• The ability to ask and receive from the Father in Jesus’ name.
• Peace in Christ during times of tribulation.
• The Holy Spirit’s prompting and direction for opportunities to tell others about Christ’s love and sacrifice for sin.
• Powerful conviction of sin, the debt to God that it brings, and the inevitable reality of judgment.
• Strong faith at all times, especially in trouble or persecution.
• A clear understanding of the truth and conviction that leads to action.
• An appreciation of what matters and has lasting value.
• Unshakable Joy.
• The ability to ask and receive from the Father in Jesus’ name.
• Peace in Christ during times of tribulation.
In Him,
Dave Dussault
Northpoint Prayer Ministry
– Each week, Dave updates a monthly Bible reading plan and writes a Bible and prayer focus, Prayer Life. The preceding is a recent installment. You can pick up both offerings at the Information Center in the Foyer on Sundays, or sign up there to receive them via email. You can also click here to find the archive: https://