Help with the Helper

John 14:16-17

For a lot of Christians, no question evokes uneasiness as much as those concerning the

Holy Spirit.

Feelings of inadequacy in understanding, and therefore ability to explain, exactly who the

Spirit is, what His role is within the Godhead, and how He fulfills it cause us to dodge or

equivocate when it comes to “evangelical” or “charismatic” topics.

Perhaps this lesson will provide some

Help with the Helper

I. Understanding the Spirit within the GodheadThink of the three personages of the Godhead in this way:

• God the Father as the Architect / Engineer who planned, designed, and oversees everything, Gen.1:26; Eph.1:3-14;

• God the Son as the Builder / Contractor who brought those plans to fruition, Col.1:15-23; Matt.16:18; and

• God the Spirit as the Caretaker / Maintenance as well as the Marketer (Advertiser) who not only operates and maintains, but also markets what the Architect designed and the Builder built. See if this helps…

Help with the Helper

II. The Spirit’s role further exploredAgain, think of the Spirit in these ways:

• As the Draftsman who aided the Architect in planning and designing, and the Carpenter’s Helper who assisted the Builder in construction, John 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7;

• As the Maintainer / Caretaker who operates and maintains the structure, Rom.8:12-17; and

• As the Real Estate Agent / Marketer who makes the structure available to attain through education and advertising, John 16:13; Acts 2; 1Cor.2:10-13; Eph.3:3-5.

Help with the Helper

III. But...We’re OK with all of this, except the Maintenance / Caretaking part- how does the Spirit accomplish this?

• Rom.8 has long been the “playground” of those who want and claim the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit (see vv.9,11).

• They say the Spirit leads us to, v.14; is the Agent of, v.15; and bears witness of our adoption as sons of God, vv.16-1. While these things are not doubted, the critical question is:

• How does the Spirit accomplish these things: a) personally and directly; or, b) for everyone through the gospel?

Help with the Helper

III. But how does He accomplish these tasks?Look specifically at Rom.8 again, and notice carefully:

• Nothing in the context suggests either miraculous or personal (me as opposed to others) methods being used by the Spirit to accomplish His objectives.

• Instead, codified/literal laws are under consideration, vv.1-4: the “law of sin and death,” and “the law of the Spirit of life.” These represent the Law of Moses, and the Law of Christ (given by the Spirit, v.4).

• If such is doubted, notice carefully vv.5-8 where “the Law of God” is required to please God. Now…

Help with the Helper

III. But how does He accomplish these tasks?Ask and answer these questions regarding these things:

• If “the Law of God” is essential to us pleasing Him, which “law” is it: Moses’ or Christ’s? Rom.7:4-6

• If the Spirit leads/directs one personally and directly but not everyone, isn’t He a “respecter of persons”? Acts 10:34-35 Rom.3:21-25a

• But if the Spirit leads, adopts, and bears witness through His work of revealing the Law of Christ (the gospel), doesn’t this “fit” not only with the context of Rom.8, the book of Romans, and the rest of the N.T.?

Help with the Helper

III. ConclusionsPlease understand:

• The personal and miraculous measure of the Spirit was promised to Jesus’ 12 disciples, not everyone, John 14:25-26 Acts 1:1-2,3-8 Acts 2:1-4.

• Only these 12 men could pass on this “gift” of the Spirit, Acts 8:4-18a.

• Therefore, with the death of these 12 men, and the subsequent death of those on whom they had imparted the Spirit, the miraculous and personal indwelling of the Spirit ceased, 1Cor.13:8-12. But the “word of the Lord” imparted by Him remains forever, Eph.3:3-5; 1Pet.1:25!