BE FAITHFUL TO THE END

 

Psalm 104:24-35; Acts 2:1-24; John 14:8-17, 25-27

Introduction

The Holy Spirit is a Person with all the personal qualities as we know and even beyond. He is God; the third person in the Trinity as given by Jesus, "...the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). 

The Holy Spirit is our 'Parakletos' - counsellor, comforter. In Jesus' statement, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever." John 14:16 (HCSB) 'Another Counsellor' which means, the Holy Spirit is to assume the ministry of Jesus Christ. 

Counsellors help clients to explore their situations and guide them to explore other alternatives. As Christian counsellors, we always have one focus, to help the individual to know the mind of God in her/his circumstances and be guided by the Holy Spirit to make the right choices in life situations. The Holy Spirit makes a reflection, teaching, remembrance, strengthening, equipping, comforting, etc. so possible for us. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is our Counsellor.

The Spirit of God

"... Those who believed in Jesus were going to receive the Spirit, for the Spirit had not yet been received because Jesus had not yet been glorified." John 7:39 (HCSB) Based on this text, many preachers situate the beginning of the Holy Spirit after Christ was glorified. However, He was actively known from the Old Testament too. He is described as the 'Spirit of God' or simply the 'Spirit'.

It was the Holy Spirit that covered the formless and empty earth to move the darkness in Gen. 1:2. The Holy Spirit counsels us to bring Light unto our dark situations at all times.

Bezalel and Oholiab received the Spirit of the Lord to do all kinds of crafts to design artistic works and the ability to teach others also (Exo. 35:30-35). In every skill and occupation, we need the Counsellor to equip us to the fullest. The Christian is filled enough to meet every need in their career and job category by the Holy Spirit our Counsellor. Seek Him today to turn your dead job skills into a living and well embraced by people of all walks of life now.

King David feared God's anger when he was convicted of his sins. He cried to God not to take His Spirit from him knowing the consequences (Psalm 51:11). King Saul lost the Spirit and had a miserable end (1 Sam. 16:14). As Christians, we must always strive to build our relationship with the Holy Spirit than grieve Him. Let us pray the prayer of David saying, "Let your face be turned from my wrongdoing, and take away all my sins. Make a clean heart in me, O God; give me a right Spirit again. Do not put me away from before you, or take your Holy Spirit from me." (Psalms 51:9-11 BBE)

In the New Testament, Christ's birth (virgin birth) was made possible as the Holy Spirit filled Mary (Luke 1:35). Beloved in Christ, with the Holy Spirit the Counsellor, impossibilities are made possible with us. Your situation may be marriage, childbirth, sickness, unhappiness, despair etc... Invite the Counsellor into your particular situation today and see His Light.

Wonderfully, at Jesus' baptism by John we see the Trinity featuring completely. The Holy Spirit descended on the Son, Jesus Christ and the voice of the Father was heard testifying about Jesus. (John 3:21-22) The Holy Spirit our Counsellor is God.

The Holy Spirit is God.

The Holy Spirit is actually the exalted Christ with us. "I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7 ESV)

The Pentecost

The fulfilment of this promise is what we read from Acts. The day of Pentecost gives out a special manifestation of the Holy Spirit that had never been seen. "...Look, aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that each of us can hear in our own native language?" (Acts 2:8) Hearing them speak in their own language from one language.

Also, without the Holy Spirit, the disciple could not even meet to think of praying to raise Jesus from the dead but they locked themselves due to fear. Peter, who denied Jesus before a young girl now stands with boldness to speak to people from all over the world. This tells us that, with the presence of the Counsellor, we are empowered (Acts 1:8) to build our faith to pray (Acts 12:5). Are you afraid in life? Do you sometimes find yourself in despair to giving up on life? Is it difficult for you to witness Christ to others? I counsel that receiving and activating the Holy Spirit in your life is the beginning of the shining light of God on you. 

The Holy Spirit as Our Counsellor Today

1. The Holy Spirit our Counsellor helps us to remember who Christ is and what He’s done on our behalf, and He also helps us as we move forward, empowering us to live in light of that truth. (Isa. 30:21) The Holy Spirit brings to our minds specific and applicable memorized or read Bible text to assist us in the moments of life when we need it most.  For example, when you face temptation perhaps the Holy Spirit will remind you of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4).

2. The Counsellor helps us articulate and voice the things we are unable to do.  In Matthew 10:19-20 we read about Jesus sending the twelve out reminding them, “Do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.  For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”  Maybe you’ll suddenly find yourself in a gospel-sharing opportunity and you don’t feel equipped or you’re worried to say the wrong thing.  In our feelings of inadequacy and anxiety, we can trust the Holy Spirit to speak through us and to help us to be articulate.  Romans 8:26 also says that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Sometimes in a messy and confusing situation, we do not always know what to pray for.  Gracefully, the Holy Spirit does and He intercedes for us!

3. The Holy Spirit our Counsellor helps us to make sense of difficult things. "...the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26 ESV). The Bible at times can be tough to read, understand, and retain, but the Holy Spirit assists us with these three things.  Without Him, we are completely ignorant, possessing no wisdom or understanding of our own.  But as we dive into the Bible, either individually or congregationally, He teaches us, He grows our interpretation and understanding of God’s Word, and He opens up our eyes to see new things that we’ve missed before (Psalm 119:18).

Conclusion

The Spirit of God which is referred to as the Holy Spirit is the Christian's Counsellor in our determined quest to reach the Celestial City of God. PH 263 sums it all to us.

Shalom aleichem...