The Holy Spirit - My Helper
July 1, 2012
Romans 8:26
Introduction
- During the last weeks we have been examining how to be overcomers and conquerors
- Jesus tells us in Revelation 3 that it is the overcomers who will sit with Him and reign with Him
- It is the overcomer who will be a pillar or strong support in God’s house, the temple of God
- Though sin wants to pull us down, we are told it is God’s intention that we master the sin, so it does not beat us down
- Last week we looked at the role of God’s Word in overcoming
- By filling our mind with God’s word on a particular issue, we are enabled to change that issue right at its root - our mind
- But what is God’s role in this?
- How does God help us to overcome?
- Today we are going to look at the role of the Holy Spirit, in helping us to be conquerors of the issues in our lives
The Holy Spirit – our Helper
- Before Jesus left, on the evening of the Last Supper, Jesus made us a promise
- John 14:12, 16-17
- Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit, who would dwell in us
- The disciples did not have this.
- The Holy Spirit was with them, working through them, but He was not yet dwelling in them
- This happened on Resurrection Day, a few days later, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit on the following Day of Pentecost
- Let’s take a look at this word for Comforter
- 3875 parakletos {par-ak'-lay-tos} a root word; TDNT - 5:800,782; n m AV - comforter 4, advocate 1; 5
- 1. summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid 1a) one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate 1b) one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor 1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins 1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant 1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom
- So the Holy Spirit is One who comes alongside us and helps us in various ways
How does the Holy Spirit help us?
- 1. One way that the Holy Spirit helps us is that He intercedes for us
- Eastons Bible Commentary – “Comforter the designation of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; R.V. marg., "or Advocate, or Helper; Gr. paracletos"). The same Greek word thus rendered is translated "Advocate" in 1 John 2:1 as applicable to Christ. It means properly "one who is summoned to the side of another" to help him in a court of justice by defending him, "one who is summoned to plead a cause." "Advocate" is the proper rendering of the word in every case where it occurs.
- “ It is worthy of notice that although Paul nowhere uses the word paracletos, he yet presents the idea it embodies when he speaks of the "intercession" both of Christ and the Spirit (Rom.8:27, 34).”
- So, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us
- He is a continual connection between God and us
- When we pray, He is the one who communicates our prayers to the Father, through Jesus
- Romans 8:26-27
- When we don’t know how to pray about a particular issue, the Holy Spirit knows the right way to intercede so that the prayer is in accordance with God’s will
- And when we pray according to God’s will, we will receive what we ask for
- John14:13-14, 1 John 5:14
- This means we want to have a close relationship with the Holy Spirit
- 2. Another way the Holy Spirit helps us is by teaching us
- John 14:13 – he will guide you into all truth
- The Holy Spirit is the one who is our instructor in God’s ways.
- This can be seen as the one who gives us Bible knowledge
- But it is a broader meaning than that – he will lead us into all truth
- He communicates truth to us, when we are confronted with lies in our thinking
- So he tells us, there is a better way to deal with the issue, than believing the lies the devil throws at us
- We replace the lie with the truth the Holy Spirit gives us, and are then enabled to stand against the issue
- 3. He gives us the tools to live the Christian walk
- God does not leave us without the tools to overcome
- 2Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
- Galatians 5:22- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
- As the Holy Spirit dwells in us, these fruits will be evident in our lives
- How can we express love, joy and peace, and yet be subject to issues like anger
- This means we have the ability to overcome these issues, because the Holy Spirit has given us that ability!
- He then helps us to stand against the issue and overcome the trial
- 1 Cor 10:13
- It does require us exerting effort
- We are expected to stand up to the trial (translate issue) and go on to victory
- But God watches over us so that we will not be tempted beyond what we are able to bear.
Conclusion
- God intends for us to be conquerors
- We are already conquerors, in the sense that we have conquered death through Jesus dwelling in us.
- We have eternal life, through God’s presence
- We are also expected to overcome sin, just as Jesus did
- Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
- Jesus understands where we are at, and he will help us on to victory
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