The Spirit as Our Helper
This morning Pastor Alex continued his series on the Holy Spirit by focusing our attention on the role of the Holy Spirit as a Helper. Although the word “helper” can sometimes have negative connotations, the Bible often presents God as our Helper (Psalm 54:4, 30:10, 33:19-20, 46:1). We have an absolute dependence upon God for help in every way, even for each breath that we take. The Holy Spirit is the person of the Trinity who provides this help on a daily and experiential basis.
From John chapters 14-15, Pastor Alex gave us three ways in which the Holy Spirit is active in our lives as Helper.
1. John 14:16-17 – The Holy Spirit is our Helper through His presence
The Holy Spirit is present with us and in us (John 14:17) all the time and in every place. The disciples had difficulty understanding how Jesus’ departure could have positive effects for them, but Jesus assured them that having the Holy Spirit is much better! Jesus was limited by his human nature to one place at a time. The Holy Spirit is not limited in this way, and therefore we can say that “it is better to have the Holy Spirit in us, than Jesus beside us.” This permanent presence of the Holy Spirit is powerful, tenacious, and consistent. It provides the help that we need from one minute to the next.
2. John 14:26 – The Holy Spirit is our Helper by teaching us
As Pastor Alex reminds us each week, the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible by inspiring and teaching men of old what they ought to write. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 2:11-16, the only way we can understand God’s Word is by being taught by the Holy Spirit. Just as He taught men to write those words, and now he teaches us to read and understand and be transformed by them. Psalm 119:8 is a prayer we can pray to ask for his help, “Open my eyes that I may see, wonderful things in your law.”
3. John 15:26 – The Holy Spirit is our Helper by empowering our witness
The Holy Spirit bears witness about the truth of God. Through his power, we also bear witness to the world around us that our God is the true and living God. We are often tempted to withdraw from the world or conform to the world. Both of these are responses of fear. The Holy Spirit helps us by empowering us to engage with the world, so that they might know the truth of the gospel. He empowers us to speak truth and grace to a world that desperately needs and wants the joy of the gospel. For an example read Acts 7:2-53, which is the story of Stephen’s confidence.
In our weaknesses, the Holy Spirit is our Helper. God delights in showing His strength in our weakness so that He will get the glory for the great things that he is doing through us.
To Discuss Today
1. In what ways have you experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? Where do you struggle to acknowledge or realize your dependence upon God?
2. Does the way you read the Bible reflect your need for the Holy Spirit’s guidance? How can you be proactive in seeking his help when you read God’s word?
3. Do you tend to withdraw from the world? Conform to the world? Engage with the world? Give some examples from your life. Identify some specific things you can ask the Holy Spirit to help you be at witness to the gospel.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, we thank you for being our Helper. We know that you are present with us and that we depend upon your presence. We know that we need you to open our eyes so that we can see and understand your Word. We know that we need your help to be witnesses to the gospel. We confess that we often attempt to live without your help and we ask that you forgive us for turning away from you. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear the truth that we need to depend upon you as our Helper in all things. In your name we ask, Amen.
