Sermon Archives

May 9, 2010
Pastor Dan Selbo

"Why We Need the Holy Spirit"
John 14:23-29

            Dear friends, Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus.

            Today we’re going to be talking about the Holy Spirit and about why we need the Spirit (in our lives), what the Spirit does to teach us and lead us in our relationship with God. But because it is Mother’s Day, and because Mothers are often times our most influential teachers, I thought I’d start with a couple of Mother/Teacher-related stories.

            The first is the story of a teacher who was teaching her second grade class about magnets. (It was the science lesson for the week.) She was talking about magnets, (and about how they work), and so she brought in a number of magnets (of different shapes and sizes), and showed the kids what the magnets could do.

            The next day, (as a follow-up) she gave them a little quiz. One of the questions (on the quiz) was, “There are six letters in my name. The first letter (in my name) is ‘M.’ I’m good at picking up things.” When she collected the papers and took a look at what the kids said, more than three-fourths of the class, (begins with the letter “M”, good at picking up things), instead of writing magnet, wrote Mother.

            That’s the first story. The second is about a teacher who was teaching a math lesson, using a story-problem (as her teaching tool). She said, “Suppose your mother baked a pie and there were seven of you, (your mom, your dad, and five children). What fraction of the pie would you get?”

            One boy raised his hand and said, “One sixth.” The teacher said, “That’s a good try, but that’s not quite right.” She said, “Remember, there are seven of you in your family.” The boy replied, “I know there are seven. But you don’t know my mother. My mother would never cut the pie to include herself.”

            Now, I don’t know what it’s like in your family. In our family (when I was growing up), all I remember is that I never missed out on my part. But I do know that moms are not only good at picking up things, (more often than not) thinking not of themselves, but of their families, but they’re also some of the best teachers we’ll ever have.

            And so it is we come to today’s story. It’s not a story (today) about mothers, but about the Holy Spirit. And it’s not about teachers, but about the way in which the Spirit works to teach us and lead us (and guide us) as followers of Jesus.

            Before talking about the verses we read, let’s talk (for a moment) about the setting in which they were first shared. Now, we didn’t read the larger section (today) in John’s gospel. (We only read a few verses from chapter 14.) But the larger section (chapters 14 thru 16) is oftentimes referred to as Jesus’ “farewell discourse.”

            It comes at a time (in Jesus’ life), not long before he’s to go to the cross. In these chapters, he’s saying farewell to his followers. (He’s saying goodbye.) And because he’s saying goodbye, one of the last times he’ll be sharing with them (before his death), he’s speaking to them about some of things he wants them to remember and to know.

            Now, we’re not going to deal with the entire section (this morning). But I’d encourage you (later today) to go home and read through what Jesus says in these three chapters. They give us a good look at what matters to our Lord. They reveal his heart. They speak of the things (in life) that count.

            He talks (for example) about heaven, and about the place (in God’s kingdom) that’s being prepared with you in mind. He talks about the connection between love and obedience, and that if you truly love God (want your life to be used in this world) for Jesus, then you’ll do what he says. He talks about living a Christian life in an un-Christian world, and about how (if you’re faithful) to what God has called you to do (and to be), that more often than not, you’ll find yourself not quite fitting in. And he talks about the sadness (his followers will have) when he goes away, because he’ll no longer be with them, but how it’s to their benefit (for our good) that it would happen, because he would give to them (give to us) his Spirit.

            “Why We Need the Holy Spirit.” Let’s talk for a moment about the identity of the Spirit: who the Spirit is, what the Spirit does. Now, this is nothing new today. (We’ve talked about this before.) But (traditionally) when we talk about the Spirit, (about the persons of the Trinity), we (more often than not) do so in terms of their functions, what they do and have done for us.

            For example, we talk about God the Father as the creator, the one who called this world into being out of nothing. We talk about Jesus, the Son, as the Savior, the one through whom God worked to carry out his purpose and plan. And the Holy Spirit, the Spirit’s task is to take what Jesus has done, (the things accomplished on the cross), and make them real for us.

            In other words, (and here’s the point), the work of the Holy Spirit is as important in us as the work of Christ was necessary for us. (I hope you realize that.) I hope you understand how important the Spirit is in your life.

            You see, Jesus had to die. (He had to die.) Without his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, you and I would still be trapped in our sin. The Bible says we’d be separated from God. We’d be eternally and forever lost and without hope. Jesus’ death on the cross was a necessary work in the saving plan of God.

            But without the Holy Spirit to take the work of Jesus (what he’s done and accomplished for us) and apply it in our lives, Jesus could have died a thousand deaths, and it wouldn’t have mattered. The work of the Spirit is to help you believe that when Jesus died, he died for you. His suffering was for you. His resurrection (from the dead) was for you.

            Now, there are a number of ways to describe the work of the Spirit. In today’s story, Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit as our Counselor. Other passages refer to him as our Comforter. Jesus says he’s the Spirit of Truth. He’s our Advocate. Most literally, he’s the one (Jesus says) who is “at our side forever,” watching over us, caring for us, making sure that we’re never alone.

            A couple of weeks ago, I was flipping through the channels (on the television) and I came across a nature channel that was showing a clip of a mother bear and her cub. It was fascinating to watch how the mother bear never lost sight of the cub. Even when the cub didn’t see her, she was there and saw him.

            The clip they showed was one in which the cub thought it had lost its mother. It was down by the river. And when it turned around, there was a lion moving in for an attack. (It was fascinating to watch.) As the lion moved in, the little cub stood up on its back feet and let out a (not so mighty) growl. And to everyone’s surprise, (including the cub), the lion backed down and began to walk away. Next thing you know, they showed the mother bear in the background, unseen by the cub, but well-in-sight of the lion.

            Now, as I watched that clip, I thought to myself that that’s how it happens with the Holy Spirit. That’s who the Holy Spirit is. That’s what the Holy Spirit does. He’s our comforter, our counselor, the one who protects and watches over us, who is at our side, (at your side) all throughout life.

            Now, we could talk (for a long time) about the many ways in which the Holy Spirit works in our lives, the many times when the work of the Holy Spirit is exactly what we need. In times of questioning, the Spirit is there to gives us counsel. In times of sadness or loss, the Spirit works to comfort us and to help us know that it’s all going to be OK. And in times when we feel like we’re alone, (the reality is that we’re not). The Holy Spirit is there, always by our side.

            “Why We Need the Holy Spirit.” That’s the identity of the Spirit. Let’s talk about the influence of the Spirit, the way in which the Spirit works to influence our lives. Because I think we all realize that it happens, but maybe not always (as aware) of how.

            I still remember my first year in college. It was growing year for me. I was trying to find my way, figure out what I was planning to do. And (looking back) I know I was enjoying some newfound freedom.

            I was a student at West Valley, and (for the most part) did pretty well. But there was one class I wasn’t enjoying, and so because I didn’t have to, (I had a little freedom), I ending up missing as many classes as I made.

            Guess what happened? (I didn’t flunk the class.) But I got a big fat “D.” And it was a wake-up call. It was a harsh reminder. (I already knew it, but all of a sudden it was real.) Do you know what it was? It was a reminder that if you don’t go to class, you’re not going to learn. If you don’t put in the time that’s needed, you’ll never end up with what you need.

            The work of the Holy Spirit is like that. The Holy Spirit promises to work in your life, (to have an influence in your life). But it doesn’t just happen on its own. It’s not automatic, once you join a church.

            Now, this is (a bit of an aside) for a moment. We have a group of new members joining our church this weekend. And it’s a good group (some good people). And we talked about it last week in class. But it’s not automatic. (A lot of people think it is.) Just join a church and then you’re all set. (But it’s not.) The Holy Spirit promises to work, to have a major influence in your life, but not without showing up at class and putting in the time.

            Now, I don’t want to give the impression (here this morning) that the Spirit is limited in how and where (and in what ways) it can work. God isn’t limited by anything. And certainly not by how he can (or can’t) work. The Holy Spirit can work in countless ways in our lives.

            But where has the Holy Spirit promised to work? How has the Holy Spirit committed itself to work? The Bible says that it’s through God’s Word that the Spirit works in your life. And it’s through the sacraments (of baptism and communion) that there’s a promise and a commitment (from the Spirit) to help us grow.

            Jesus said, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, the one whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and remind you of everything I’ve said.”

            You know, it’s interesting (in this entire section) that Jesus is speaking to the disciples (not as individuals), but as a whole. And the promises he makes (of the work of the Holy Spirit) are given to them together, (given to us) as a church.

            It’s through the church (Jesus says) that the Holy Spirit will work. It’s through the church (Jesus promises) that the Holy Spirit promises to influence our lives.

            Now, the promises themselves are applied individually. That’s how it happens. (It’s not a group blessing that is given, all of us together or nothing.) No. Every child is loved by God. And so we baptize individuals. (I baptize you…) And we share the sacrament. (The body and blood of Christ given for you.) There’s an individual promise that becomes real (in your life) as the Spirit does his work. But not apart from the church. Not outside of this body that belongs to Christ.

            One of the early church fathers, named Cyprian, (maybe you’ve heard that name before), back in the first centuries after the church was formed, shared some powerful words about the importance of being connected to the church. He said, “We cannot honor the head (meaning Christ) if we neglect being part of his body (meaning the church).” And then he said, “He who has not the church for mother, can no longer have God for Father.” Now, maybe that sounds harsh. (And it might be.) But it’s true.

            “Why We Need the Holy Spirit.” (We’ve talked about the identity and the influence.) Let’s close today with a few words about the impact the Spirit can have in your life.

            Two things stand out (in our story) about the way in which God’s Spirit can impact your life. The first is by giving you the gift of peace. Jesus said, “My peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives (he said) do I give to you. And so let not your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.”

            My friends, (and you know this as well as I do), that this world is filled with the kind of peace that doesn’t last. It’s filled with the kind of peace that isn’t really peace. Jesus gives us his peace. (He promises you peace.) And he gives you peace, by giving you himself.

            He said, “I’m going away. In a little while and I’ll no longer be here. But I’m coming back and I will be here, (working in your life) through my Spirit, and in so doing, you will find peace.

            That’s the first impact the Spirit has in our lives. He gives us a peace this world will never know. And the second impact (related to the first) is the gift of faith. Jesus said, “These things I have told you before they happen, so that when they do, you will believe.”

            You see, that’s what the Spirit’s work (more than anything else) is all about. That’s what God wants to see happening in your life. In some ways, it’s a “behind-the-scenes” approach. The Spirit doesn’t want to be front and center in your life, (the focus of your walk with God). The Spirit’s job is to point you to Jesus. He’s called the Spirit of truth (for a reason). He points you to the truth (who is Christ) and then he steps aside, (gets out of the way). But not until you come to believe. Not until your faith in Jesus becomes real.

            The other night, in our Church Council meeting, we heard an update from our Endowment Team. We have an endowment (here at the church) that we hope, over the years will grow into something significant. It’s designed to continually give back. (That’s what an endowment does.) People contribute gifts (from a will or an estate) and the legacy of their life continues on forever.

            Now, Jesus didn’t have a will or an estate. If you remember, even his clothing was divided up (among the soldiers) when he died. But he did leave a legacy. (In his “farewell discourse”), he did give a gift that he promised would give back forever. And it was the gift of peace. And it leads to faith. And it belongs to you and to me, (through the Holy Spirit), in Christ. Amen.