The parting promise (3 things)

• 1^st – The promise of the Spirit… vs. 15-20
  • If you love Me – keep my commandments (3^rd class)… vs. 15
    • Jesus had given the disciples 3 commands already in His final teaching…
    • He had told them to serve one another / love one another / and what to know…
    • But the question remained how were they to keep these VERY difficult commands…
    • And with Jesus leaving – who would be there to help the disciples once He was gone!
  • Jesus promised to send the ‘Helper’ (Parakletos)… vs. 16-17 (5 things)
    • 1^st – The ‘Helper’ Jesus would send was the Spirit of Truth – the Holy Spirit!
      • There is some controversy over just what / or who – the Holy Spirit is…
        • Because the word ‘Spirit’ has no gender in the original language…
        • The lack of a gender would tend to point to a lack of character…
        • We do not refer to each other as ‘it’ (no gender) we call each other ‘he’ or ‘she’…
      • But the Holy Spirit is not a power / or a presence – He is a person…
        • Although ‘Spirit’ has no gender – 12 times Jesus refers to the Spirit as ‘He’!
        • He is the 3^rd part of the triune nature of God – Father / Son / Spirit…
        • In Fact the Spirit can be grieved – Ephesians 4:30 / insulted – Hebrews 10:29…
        • He can be Lied to – Acts 5:3 / the Spirit speaks to us – Acts 10:20…
        • The Holy Spirit prays for us – Romans 8:26 / and He sends us out – Acts 13:2…
    • 2^nd – The Spirit would never leave them…
      • Jesus was going back to heaven – but promised to return…
      • The guarantee of that promise was the Holy Spirit – who would stay behind…
      • If you want to get married – you give for future wife an engagement ring…
      • It is the guarantee – the promise to her that you will for sure marry her…
      • Much better / and more durable than a diamond – God gave us His eternal Spirit!
      • Ephesians 1:13-14 – “You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession…”
      • It is His guarantee He will be back for us to finish what He started – our salvation…
      • Until that time – until we are in heaven – He ‘seals’ us with His Spirit!
    • 3^rd – The Spirit would guide them in all truth…
      • Because the Spirit knows the deep things of God – I Corinthians 2:10-13
        • You have no idea what is in my heart – I do not know what is in yours…
        • The only one who knows for sure what is in your heart – is you!
        • In the same way – no one knows the heart of God – except for the Spirit of God…
        • Because the Holy Spirit is God – He knows the heart of God – the ‘deep things’
      • We have received the Spirit from God – so we might also know…
        • There is no way we could understand the mystery of cross on our own…
        • There is no way we could envision the incredible riches God has planned for us…
        • But the Holy Spirit can – and He then opens up our understanding – so we can too!
        • He guides us in truth – He is the one who reveals the ‘deep things’ of God to us!
    • 4^th – The Spirit can not be known or seen by the world…
      • If I was walking thought the market – and a famous movie star was there…
      • I would have no idea – because I do not know who the ‘famous’ movie stars are…
      • I would not see him / her – because I did not know what to look for…
      • The world does not know or see the Spirit – because they are not looking for Him…
      • In fact the idea of the Holy Spirit it seems like foolishness to them…
      • I Corinthians 2:14 – “People who are not Christians can not understand these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish because only those who have the Spirit can understand…”
    • 5^th – The Spirit was ‘with’ them – but would soon be ‘in’ them…
      • The ministry of the Holy Spirit can be broken up into three categories…
      • The Spirit is with us convicting us of our sin – before we believe in Jesus – John 16:7
      • The Holy Spirit come to live in us – after we believe in Jesus – I Corinthians 6:19
      • The Holy Spirit comes upon us – gives us the power to live boldly for Jesus…
      • II Corinthians 4:7 – “We have this treasure in jars of clay…”
      • If we are full of ourselves – we will not be able to effectively serve the Lord…
      • If we are living a life where we feel constant defeat to sin in our lives…
      • If we are lost and confused – do not know what God wants from our lives…
      • We need to be emptied – pray that God fills us up instead with His the Holy Spirit…
      • Then we will have the power of God to live our lives for Jesus!
  • The promise of the Spirit – Jesus would not leave the disciples helpless… vs. 18-20
    • The cross was coming – and the world would no longer see Jesus…
      • He would be taken up into heaven 40 days after the resurrection…
      • But even though the world would not see Him – the disciples would…
      • Because Jesus was risen – they would also have eternal life!
    • After they saw the resurrection – they would experience (ginosko) God…
      • The Holy Spirit would come upon them Acts 2 – empowered by the Holy Spirit!
      • The night Jesus was betrayed – Peter denied he knew Jesus 3 times…
      • 50 days later – the day the Holy Spirit was poured out – he preached – 3000 saved!
    • How do you get the power of the Spirit – just ask…
      • Luke 11:13 -“Your heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask…”
      • Not just once – but over and over and over again for – daily asking for the Holy Spirit
      • You need gas to run a car – but you need to keep filling that car up with gas…
      • We need also need to be daily filling up on the Holy Spirit to live for Jesus…
      • So that we have the power to obey Jesus commands – serve / love / know!
        
• 2^nd – The promise of the Father… vs. 21-26
  • The one who keeps My commandments (Present) – Loves Me… vs. 21-24 (4 things)
    • 1^st – If we Love Jesus – keep His commands – the Father will Love us…
      • The point is we prove we are Jesus’ disciples / kids be keeping His commands…
      • And the Father loves those that belong to Him – His disciples / kids…
      • Just because someone goes to church – does not make them a Christian…
      • We can say all the right things to sound like a Christian – come to church every Sunday…
      • But it is not about what we say – it is about the actions from our lives…
      • When we serve others / love others / and know our Father in heaven….
      • We can prove to the world we belong to Jesus – and that God loves us!
    • 2^nd – Jesus will reveal Himself to those who Love Him – keep His commands…
      • Moses obeyed the commands of God – leading Israel to the Promised Land…
      • In return he asked a favor – He wanted to see God – Exodus 33:18-23
      • God put Moses behind a rock – covered him with His hand – and passed by…
      • Because Moses obeyed the commands of God – he got to see the Lord!
      • As we obey the commands of Jesus – we get to see Jesus as work in our lives…
      • And one day we will get to see Jesus face to face in all the glory of heaven!
    • 3^rd – The Father and Jesus will make our heart Their home…
      • Our bodies are the building God lives inside of – He makes His home in our heart…
        • What is on the walls of our heart – what does God see when He comes in…
        • Do we have His Word written on our hearts – Psalms 119:11
        • Or are there images – thoughts – that we would be ashamed to admit were ours…
        • We need to tear out those things in our heart that would make us ashamed…
        • By faith making our heart a home where Jesus is comfortable and welcome!
      • Not that we need to clean up before Jesus comes into our heart…
        • It is by inviting Jesus into our heart – that we become clean!
        • By faith we invite Him into our heart so that He can clean out all the garbage!
    • 4^th – Judas (not Iscariot) asked why the world could not see Jesus…
      • Jesus answered – those who do not Love Him – will not keep His Words…
      • The person who refused to listen to the Word / come to church…
      • Not even noticing if they have read the Bible – care nothing for the Word…
      • Shows their true colors – they are not a child of God / do not know God…
      • As a result Jesus does not reveal Himself to them / make His home in them…
      • They miss out on the Promise of the Father – the hope of heaven!
  • How to remember all Jesus taught… vs. 25-26
    • Jesus taught the disciples while He was still there with them…
      • He knew He was giving them a lot of information – but they did not need to take notes…
      • It would be the Holy Spirit who would help them to remember all He said…
      • Have you even been talking about Jesus – and suddenly remember a serve / teaching…
      • The Holy Spirit helps us remember – but we need to read / listen first!
    • In fact it was the Holy Spirit who would teach them all things!
      • Often we get the mistaken idea we are not able to understand God’s Word…
      • We need to have someone interpret it for us – explain the Word to us…
      • There are plenty of people who are willing to tell us ‘what the Bible means’…
      • But the question is are they right – or is it just their opinion…
      • God has given each of us His Holy Spirit – He is the one to teach us…
      • We can be absolutely certain that what the Holy Spirit gives us – it the truth!
        
• 3^rd – The promise of the son… vs. 27-31
  • Jesus gave these closing words – ‘Peace I give to you’… vs. 27
    • Most of us tend to spend a lot of time worrying / fearful – the opposite of peace…
      • The problem is worrying about problems does not help – it makes things worse…
      • It can make us physically sick – upset stomach / high blood pressure…
      • So we look for an answer – we look for something / someone to give us peace…
    • The peace Jesus gave was in contrast to the ‘peace of this world’…
      • The world tries to convince us it has the answer – money brings peace…
      • If only you had more money – all of your worries and fear would melt away!
      • Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 – “How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what is the advantage of wealth–except perhaps to watch it run through your fingers!”
    • Jesus gives us perfect peace…
      • Worry is the opposite of trust – we are worried because we are not trusting in God!
      • So instead of killing ourselves by worrying – run to Jesus and find peace!
      • Peace that comes from the Holy Spirit – from knowing God is living within us…
      • Philippians 4:6 – “Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything…  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
  • The ‘conclusion’ of Jesus’ teaching… vs. 28-31
    • Jesus departure – meant the disciples should rejoice…
      • Jesus was going to His Father – who was greater than He is…
      • Because He was going away – cross – there would be forgiveness of sins…
      • Because He was going away – the ascension – the Holy Spirit would come…
      • Because Jesus was going away – God would use the disciples to establish the church!
    • Satan was on his way – Judas and the chief priests were on the move…
      • Satan had nothing on Jesus – God was still in absolute control…
      • But so that the world would know Jesus loved the Father – it was time for the cross!
      • Jesus told His disciples He would not talk much more – and they departed…
      • I love that after this Jesus goes on teaching for another 3 chapters!
      • Any good teacher knows – when a pastor says he is almost done – do not believe it!