Seeking the Counselor October 4

Think About It How did you feel the last time you were separated from a friend by a move? Jesus was preparing to return to heaven … He wanted to assure the disciples  Today we look at God’s plan to be with us in a very personal way, even thought Jesus would be physically gone

Listen for words and phrases that describe the Holy Spirit. John 14:15-18 (NIV) "If you love me, you will obey what I command. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- [17] 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. [18] I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Coming of the Holy Spirit What words or phrases do you see that describe God’s Holy Spirit? Note: the Holy Spirit is a person He is not an “it” He understands us He can be insulted, grieved He is God

Coming of the Holy Spirit Why can the world not accept the Spirit of Truth? Jesus used the term “Counselor.” What kind of counselors do we have in our culture? What kind of counsel do we need in the spiritual realm? Verse 15 talks of loving and obeying Jesus. What does that have to do with the presence of the “Counselor” in our lives?

Coming of the Holy Spirit Consider the “Fear of Abandonment” Worry of losing those close to you Causes feelings of Insecurity, anxiety, unworthiness Panic, dread Why would the disciples have these kinds of reactions to Jesus physically leaving them

Coming of the Holy Spirit What statements did Jesus make that would dispel these feelings?  God loves us too much to leave us parentless. God wants us to be able to feel and know that He is with us at all times, He offers assurance that we are never alone We never need to be independent of Him

Teaching of the Holy Spirit Why do we need teachers (in church, in schools, in universities)? Listen for how the Holy Spirit acts as a teacher.

Listen for how the Holy Spirit acts as a teacher. John 14:25-27 (NIV) “All this I have spoken while still with you. [26] But the Counselor, 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. [27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Listen for how the Holy Spirit acts as a teacher. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. … 15:26-27 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. [27] And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

Teaching of the Holy Spirit What did Jesus say the Counselor would do? How are we taught by the Holy Spirit? Jesus says the Counselor is a Spirit of Truth. Why is it necessary to have Him testify Truth about Jesus?

Teaching of the Holy Spirit What, in turn, are we (as believers) to testify of? Why?  I need to be ready to testify to Truth that God’s Spirit has revealed to me, in me.

Listen for insight into Jesus’ going and the Spirit’s coming. John 16:7-14 (NIV) But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. [8] When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: [9] in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;

Listen for insight into Jesus’ going and the Spirit’s coming. [10] in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; [11] and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. [12] "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.

Listen for insight into Jesus’ going and the Spirit’s coming. [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Work of the Holy Spirit According to this passage, why was it for His disciples’ benefit that Jesus was leaving? Why was it necessary for Jesus to send the Holy Spirit What would the Counselor do for the world?

Work of the Holy Spirit How is the Holy Spirit convicting (convincing) the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment? Let’s enumerate the summary gives of what the Spirit of truth would do for Jesus’ disciples (and us) when He came

Application Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you spiritual truths this week As you read God’s Word As you deal with daily tasks As you pray about your concerns

Application Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in reaching people who are dead in their sins. Pray for opportunities, divine appointments Breath a prayer as you initiate a conversation about spiritual things Pray that the Spirit will convince people of their sin of unbelief

Application Each day surrender your life to God’s Control Tell God you want His Spirit to be the “boss” in your life From Campus Crusade’s Four Spiritual Laws …

Seeking the Counselor October 4