Holy Spirit, The Comforter

Introduction

* Why does the Holy Spirit seem so mysterious and unfathomable to the human nature?

* Many believers lay claim to their experience of the Holy Spirit.

* Beware of the wide array of Holy Spirit manifestation, coupled with its various doctrine. 

* As with the Holy Spirit is concerned, we should not develop a doctrinal theology out of our own experiences.

However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  <1 Cor 1:9-11>

Why did so much confusion and chaos arise in the understanding of the Holy Spirit?

1) Because we are curious

2) Because we are weak and limited

Who is the Holy Spirit and what does HE do?

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another counsellor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. <John 14:15-17>

1) Given to those who love the Lord Jesus and seek to obey Him <v15>

2) Another Comforter (Counsellor or Helper)

3) Spirit of Truth

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.

<John 16:13>

Experiencing the Holy Spirit as our Comforter (Counsellor or Helper)

1) When in suffering and misery…

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. <Ro 5:3-5>

2) When facing persecution…

Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. <Mk 13:11>

3) When in weakness…

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. <Ro 8:26-27>

4) When in need of healing (wounded)…

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free <Luke 4:18>

5) When in need of empowerment…

* No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. <Ro 8:37>

* But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

<Acts 1:8>

Reflection

1) Have you ever came across misleading teachings about the Holy Spirit?
2) Have you experienced the comfort, help or empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your Christian living?