The Helper
Spir-IT, part 2 of 6
One of the most important things that the Holy Spirit (the provider of the “It” factor) does in our life is to serve as our helper. The bible talks about how when Jesus told the disciples that He would be leaving and that He would not leave them alone to their own abilities and powers. He promised them that when He left, He would send the helper, that is, the Holy Spirit to provide help in their lives and in their ministry to the world. In this message we will look at the ways the Holy Spirit can serve as a helper when we let Him.
Download the notes.“And I [Jesus] will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth…”
(John 14:16-17a, NKJV)
I) THE HOLY SPIRIT: CALLED ALONG SIDE US
What it means to be “called along side” us:
1) The Holy Spirit is ready to __help__ us where needed.
“… He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.”
(John 14:16, NKJV)
2) The Holy Spirit is ready to __comfort__ us when hurting.
“… He will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever.”
(John 14:16, KJV)
3) The Holy Spirit is ready to __counsel__ us when confused.
“…He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.”
(John 14:16, NIV)
II) THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE “IT” FACTOR * People who have “IT” desperately ___depend on___ the Spir-IT’s assistance.
“In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us.”
(Romans 8:26a, CEV)
III) DEVELOPING DEPENDANCE ON THE SPIR-IT
Four Key Ways People With “IT” Depend On The Spir-IT (from Romans 8)
1) We look to the Spir-IT for our __true personal identity__.
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the law of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the requirements of the law would be fully accomplished for us who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.”
(Romans 8:1-4, NLT)
2) We focus on the Spir-IT to shape our __core inner thoughts__.
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.”
(Romans 8:5-6, NLT)
3) We call on the Spir-IT to carry us through _life’s ups and downs_.
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children… heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we indeed share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
(Romans 8:15-17, NIV)
4) We rely on the Spir-It to satisfy our ___deepest desires___.
“And the Holy Spirit helps us with our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”
(Romans 8:26-27, NLT)