INTRODUCTION
At the Last Supper our Lord spoke of His betrayal and of His coming death and departure. Though Christ had taught His apostles of this for some time (Matthew 16:16-21), yet it seems that only then did the reality of it grasp them. The thought of life without Jesus in their midst crushed them. As Christ went on to speak of coming persecutions (John 16:1-4) their hearts were filled with sorrow (John 16:6).
The apostles had long seen the clouds of trouble gathering, but they felt secure in Christ's presence. Our Saviour had stilled each storm, fed the multitude when they were helpless, and cast out the demon which they could not. He had been their infallible guide and their teacher. They now felt like helpless orphans. Against the dark background of His soon departure our Lord spoke the comforting words of John chapters 14-16. It was at this time that He gave to them the promise of another Comforter (John 16:7).
Among Christians today who have never known Christ after the flesh (II Corinthians 5 :16) the fears of the apostles may seem as weakness. We tend to forget that all our strength and guidance comes from the indwelling Spirit of God. In this lesson we wish to delve into this mission of the Spirit as our Comforter. This work is so wonderful that it was expedient that Christ should go away that the Spirit might be sent (John 16:7). I. WHAT IS COMFORT.
While comfort is a pleasant experience yet it implies the presence of trouble. This world is a place of tribulation, persecution, and tears for the child of God. Before Christ's departure He assured the apostles that trouble would be their lot in life (John 16: 1-4). The child of God is therefore not to look for the cessation of trouble but rather for comfort during his trials. II. THE NEED OF COMFORT.
The Christian who goes through life as if he were an unhappy orphan is certainly living beneath his privileges. God intends for His children to have comfort and joy in this world (John 14:27, John 16:33, Romans 14:17, John 14:18). A miserable Christian is guilty of unbelief (Romans 15: 13), and is a poor testimony. The joy of the Lord is our strength and the key to success in service (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 51:12-13).
Note: It should be mentioned that Christian joy is not incompatible with a degree of grief over indwelling sin and with a longing for Heaven. We receive comfort in our aff1ictions and can rejoice in trials (James 1:2). III. THE COMFORTER.
The Greek word for Comforter is paraclete which means "one called along side." The Holy Sprrit as a comforter is our helper, our counselor, our advocate.
In I John 2:1, Christ is mentioned as our paraclete. In John 14:16 Christ said that He would send "another" Comforter. The Greek word for "another" is allos which means "another of the same kind." The Holy Spirit is therefore (as was Christ) a Divine person who cares for us in Christ's physical absence. Being omniscient He can teach us God's will. Being omnipotent He upholds us in the world (I John 4:4). He loves us in the same way that Christ does, and holds communion with us (Romans 15:30, II Corinthians 13:14). IV. HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT COMFORTS SAINTS.
A. The Spirit teaches Christians.
Christ taught His apostles constantly during His earthly ministry, yet at His departure they still had much to learn. He therefore promised them "another Comforter" who would continue to teach them (John 14:26, John 16:13-14). On this account the Holy Spirit is called the "Spirit of Truth" (John 14:17). The Spirit was even to give them the words to say when they were hailed before courts (Matthew 10:17-20). In Apostolic times He taught by both revelation and illumination. Since the completion of the New Testament His work is confined to illumination. B. The Spirit intercedes for Christians.
In Romans 8:26-27(6), we find that the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us by inciting our prayers. This is not to be confused with the intercessory work of Christ who alone is our advocate (Gk. paraclete) with the Father (I John 2:1). On the basis of Christ's finished redemptive work He intercedes in our behalf before the Father. The Holy Spirit however ,intercedes in our behalf not directly, but by teaching us how to pray. His work may be compared to that of a lawyer who instructs his client as to what he would say in court. It is interesting in this regard that the word paraclete has a legal connotation and [is translated “advocate" in I John 2:1. How good it is to know that when we kneel to pray we have One guiding us who knows the will of God and can lead us in our desires and petitions (Romans 8:27, Zechariah 12:10, Ephesians 6:18).
Note: The author cannot help but reflect upon the fact that our Lord taught His disciples to pray during His days on earth. The Holy Spirit is truly "another Comforter" of the same kind.C. The Spirit seals Christians.
In Ephesians 4:30, we find that saints are sealed by the Spirit until the day of redemption. The fact that the indwelling Spirit would never depart from believers was used by Christ as a strong basis of consolation (John 14:16-17). These Scriptures seem to contrast the abiding presence of God's Spirit with the temporary nature of Christ's physical presence. D. The Spirit assures Christians of God's love.
The Holy Spirit comforts God's elect people by making known to their souls the love that God has toward them (Romans 5 :5). The Spirit reveals to us all that God has prepared for us (I Corinthians 2:9-10) as a result of His love. E. The Spirit produces faith in Christians.
The Holy Spirit is the producer of all faith and hope in the believer. He sustains these graces which act as an anchor to our souls (Romans 15:13,Galatians 5:22). F. The Spirit produces joy in Christians.
Romans 14:17, Galatians 5:22 G. The Spirit sanctifies Christians.
The Holy Spirit comforts the believer by strengthening his graces and giving him victory over sin. The Spirit will not let the work begun in regeneration be overcome or destroyed by Satan (Philippians 1:6, Romans 6:14). H. The Spirit empowers the gospel.
The Holy Spirit comforts the saint by giving success to his work in the Great Commission. We are not left alone to do an impossible task, but are endued with Heavenly power (Acts l:8, I Peter 1:12, I Thessalonians 1:5). I. The Spirit equips the church.
The Holy Spirit is a comfort and a help to God's people by placing in the churches those gifts that are necessary for edification (I Corinthians 12:1-31, Ephesians 4:11-12). The next time we are blessed by the ministry of another saint let us remember Who enabled that person to be a blessing. CONCLUSION
The Saviour alone spoke of the Holy Spirit as our "Comforter," and this He did only hours before Calvary. To appreciate the benefits we daily receive from our Heavenly Paraclete let us meditate on the feelings of the apostles that sad night. How helpless and forlorn they were. Do we not to little appreciate the blessing we receive from the advent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost? _____________ Note
6. In verse 26 the words "groanings which cannot be uttered" have confused some. They refer to the burning emotions of the saint who feels remorse for failings or who desires to be more like Christ. Often these desires are so strong that they are vented in groans rather than verbal prayers. God hears them however and understands just as the mother who listens to the groans of a sick or thirsty child. Of course the Holy Spirit is the One who produces such desires in the Christian's heart.
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