HOLY ISN’T HIS FIRST NAME – The Spirit of Comfort
John 14:15-31 (p. 752) April 26, 2015
Introduction:
In 1845 Capt. John Franklin set out with 2 ships and 138 of England’s finest sailors to chart a northwest passage around the Canadian Arctic to the Pacific Ocean...they never returned.
Even though they were planning an Arctic expedition, projected to take 2 to 3 years the sailors carried no special clothing other than their uniforms. They only had a 12 day supply of coal for the auxiliary steam engines if the wind went slack...but they did take plenty of entertainment items: a 1,200 volume library, an organ, fine china and cut glass goblets as well as silver knives, forks and spoons. Years later these place settings would be found near frozen cannibalized bodies.
Strange how this officer would lead such an expedition so ill prepared. Captain John Franklin seemed more equipped for afternoon tea than for a dangerous expedition into the unknown.
In our text the followers of Jesus are about to set out on a journey more perilous than an Arctic expedition. This rag tag group of men and women will be asked to go to every corner of the known world as witnesses of the resurrected Jesus.
Jesus hasn’t painted a picture of ease either...He tells them in
MATTHEW 10:16-20 (p. 681)
Sheep among wolves...be shrewd...be on your guard...but you’ll be flogged and put on trial...as my witnesses. It doesn’t say...if they arrest you...Jesus states “when they arrest you.” But don’t worry (not so easy), the Holy Spirit will give you what needs to be said!
The mission of Jesus’ followers wouldn’t be a Caribbean cruise...it would be more like crab fishing on the Bering Sea.
When do you think Christians began to believe that Christianity was safe and comfortable? That Church is a padded pew building instead of a life’s journey filled in an antagonistic world?
Maybe when Christians begin to think about their own comfort instead of the global commission...we pack up the things that entertain us...our choruses or hymns, our preferences and traditions...and then we wonder why we freeze to death spiritually in our faith.
Folks in our text Jesus is about to die. He has told them... “My children I will be with you only a little while longer...I’m going away and where I’m going you cannot come.” (John 13:3)
Peter is distraught... “Where are you going? Why can’t I go with you? I’d die for you!” (John 13:36-37)
It’s not their time to die for him. For all but John, the beloved, that time will come with martyrdom...but Jesus has a job for them before them...
“Be my witnesses...before kings and governors and the gentiles. Go into all the world and make disciples.”
The most important journey ever, would require the right preparation...and the Holy Spirit to bring comfort as they went through the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus would make sure they had everything they needed for the trip...even when:
I. THE JOURNEY STARTS WITH A TROUBLED HEART
John 14, 15 and 16 are a continuous conversation between Jesus and His followers...and He’s just told them He’s going away...and He’s just told Simon Peter He will deny Him 3 times. It’s gotten somber and real...so much so Jesus says
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled...trust God and trust Me.”
[I preached one of my best friend’s funerals a month or so ago...I spent a lot of time with him and his wife and kids through the cancer. They all loved Jesus, but had troubled hearts through this journey.
I’ve got another dear friend, she’s 48 and she’s struggling through chemo and cancer every single week. She and Travis have troubled hearts.
I’ve been with parents of children who have taken their lives. I’ve been with mates who have had their spouses walk out for good.
I’ve stood with families who have had floods and tornados destroy everything they own. All their hearts were troubled.
My heart’s been troubled and so has yours...and it might be right now. If it’s not...it will be.]
So what’s the answer? The world says, “Numb the pain” – give me a bottle...give me a pill. But numbness doesn’t heal the troubled heart...it just postpones the payment of grief.
Jesus tells us the answer is “hope.”
Trust in God...Trust in Me.
In the midst of pain Jesus is literally saying “wait before you give up on me.” “Don’t judge forever with right now’s pain.”
Satan is a liar. He speaks defeat, hate, anger and hopelessness in times of troubled hearts. Many listen and allow bitterness and cynicism to become their constant companions. Worry and stress eat away at any peace. And sometimes this is true even for Christians...Satan cannot steal our salvation...but we can certainly surrender our joy to him.
So Jesus says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)
They had no idea what that meant at the Last Supper, or the Garden during Jesus’ arrest, or during the trials, betrayed and crucifixion...and no idea especially when He lay in the tomb for 3 days...Satan must have whispered over and over again...He’s dead...God is dead...I win!”
Most of us have heard that whisper from the evil one...maybe even believed if for a while. Maybe you still do.
That’s why the Spirit of Comfort was given. Jesus promised:
II. HELP IS ON THE WAY!
I love this saying...“Pick the people who pick the right paths, and you will end up in the right place.”
I’ve discovered that picking the right friendships helps me pick the right path.
Have you ever heard this saying? “STUPID RUBS OFF”
Hang around with people who cuss and profanity rubs off. Work with people who cut corners and put forth little effort and laziness rubs off. Anger rubs off. Cynicism rubs off. Lots of things you don’t want...rub off.
1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Bad company corrupts good character.”
But the opposite is true...courage rubs off. Wisdom rubs off. Kindness rubs off. Joy rubs off. Encouragement rubs off.
Jesus has walked with his followers for over 3 years of ministry. He’s rubbed off on them. He’s taught them...and Jesus says, “The person who knows my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.”
But Jesus is leaving. He’s said I’m going away to the Father...and you can’t follow right now...and they are troubled, afraid of being without Jesus...who will take care of us now?” must have been on their hearts.
So Jesus promises them something...someone even more helpful than His physical presence. He literally says...“Help is on the way.”
(the Message Translation in John 14 verses 25-32 says)
“I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.
“You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away, and I’m coming back.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life.
“I’ve told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me. I’ll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me. But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father’s instructions right down to the last detail.
“Get up. Let’s go. It’s time to leave here.”
After Pentecost when the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples they will have an internal teacher, reminder, encourager and comforter! In the midst of persecution and trouble The Holy Spirit will speak “peace.” He will smother their hearts with the hope of eternity.
Satan speaks lies...The Spirit speaks truth.
“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 14:17)
Bob Benson said,
“When life caves in, you do not need reasons – you need comfort. You do not need some answers – you need someone. And Jesus does not come to us with an explanation – He comes to us with His presence.
Jesus Promises His followers...“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you.” (John 14:20)
The Holy Spirit is the presence of Christ living within His child. This body might be deteriorating, and it might have a heart that’s troubled, it might feel like a prison...but when Christ enter it with His presence it becomes a temple.
“Grandpa walked into the family room and found his little grandson, Jeffy, standing up in his playpen, crying.
“He looked so pitiful, standing there in his little baseball T-shirt and diaper. His face was red and tear-stained from crying. When Jeffy saw his grandpa, his face lit up in a way that smote the old man’s heart. He immediately reached up his chubby little hands in supplication.
“Out Papa, out!”
“What grandpa could resist such a plea? Not this one! He walked over to the playpen and reached down to lift his little buddy out of captivity and distress.
“Just then, however, Law and Order stepped into the room.
“Jeffy’s mother walked out of the kitchen with a dishtowel in her hand and spoke sternly. “No, Jeffy! You are being punished. You have to stay in bed! Leave him right there, Dad.”
“Oh, fine. Now what’s a grandpa to do? His grandson’s tears and reaching little hands tugged mightily at his heart- but he didn’t want to interfere with a mother’s discipline either.
“He couldn’t stand staying in the same room with the boy, reading his newspaper and pretending to be aloof. Nor could he turn around and walk out the door without feeling like a betrayer to his little pal. What could he do?
“Love found a way.
“Since Grandpa couldn’t take Jeffy out of the playpen, he climbed in with him. “If you’re in the playpen, Buddy, I’m in the playpen. What’s your sentence? How long are you in for?” And finding a big, jolly grandpa suddenly filling his little prison cell, the little boy found comfort even in his captivity.”
The Greek word for “comforter...or advocate” is “Paraclete.” (one who comes alongside).
In ministry it’s vital to share life with leaders who understand where we are going and how we’re trying to get there. I could not imagine what I would do if I did not have those who come alongside and say... “we’re with you...let’s go.”
The Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus who tells us, even in the darkness of grief “I’m here...I’ll never leave...look toward heaven.” He’s climbed in this little prison of a body to do just that.
You see comfort is not only extended to God’s child...it is extended through God’s child to a fallen, troubled, broken, hurting world.
Brennan Manning says this in his superb book, “The Signature of Jesus”:
The Signature of Jesus is offered to Christians who want to live by faith and not by mere “religion,” for those who recognize that many of the burning theological issues in the church today are neither burning nor theological, (for those) who see Christianity neither as a moral code or a belief system but a love affair, who have not forgotten that they are followers of a crucified Christ, who know that following Him means living dangerously, who want to live the gospel without compromise, who have no greater desire than to have His signature written on the pages of their lives.
The Spirit of Comfort is the signature of Jesus written upon my life...It requires living dangerously...It means you pick up the homeless man for church...it means you walk into the women’s hope center and love on these women...it means you are a lamb among wolves so comfort can be extended to those about to be eaten alive.
It’s painful to revisit the burn unit. It’s painful to remember the divorce. It’s painful to relive the grief of a lost child or mate, but there is no ministry more powerful than saying...I’m here...I know what you’re going through...I’ve been there....and now I’m here, alongside you...help is on the way.
Let’s Pray.
