Many years ago, before a civil war threatened to divide America, before Columbus discovered a new world, before Christ hung on the cross to sacrifice for mankind’s sins, there was a man who spoke for God. His name meant “God is the Lord,” but we simply call him Joel. We call him a minor prophet, not because his words are not important, but because he was brief. His book only lasts three chapters. Yet, in his words is one of the great prophesies in the Bible. In the second chapter of his book, he prophesized about the day the Holy Spirit would be unleashed on the world. If you are going to wait for God to act, then you better be patient. His words came to fruition 600 years later during the Jewish festival of Pentecost, a time to celebrate the harvest.
According to the Revised Common Lectionary, the Sunday after Pentecost is called Trinity Sunday. It is a time to celebrate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three persons of God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There is God the Father, the creator. There is God the Son, the redeemer. There is God the Holy Spirit, the life giver. They are united, yet each one stands alone. Each one has integrity, is faithful and true.
In our reading, John 16:12-15, Jesus is trying to explain the Holy Spirit to the disciples. Chronologically speaking, our reading is between Joel’s prophecy and the day of Pentecost. Jesus knows it will be a difficult lesson for the disciples. He admits that in verse 12, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.” He summarizes the work of the Holy Spirit in verse 13. He calls the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth. When the Spirit of Truth comes, when the Holy Spirit comes, he will guide you into all truth. So, how does the Holy Spirit lead us into truth? There is a website called: Revive Your Heart. It says the Holy Spirit leads us to truth in five different ways. I think this list has some value. I will be brief with each item on that list.
- The Spirit of Truth sanctifies us! – In John 17:17, Jesus says, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” Jesus is praying for the disciples’ spiritual growth, and the same thing is true for us. The Holy Spirit helps us grow spiritually so we can become more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us!
- The Spirit of Truth teaches us! In John 14:26, Jesus says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” The Holy Spirit inspired both the Old and New Testaments, and the Holy Spirit will help you comprehend those words. Some are slow learners, but the Holy Spirit is a patient teacher. The Holy Spirit teaches us!
- The Spirit of Truth interprets scripture for us! Luke 24:27 says, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” In that verse, Jesus was speaking to two men on the road to Emmaus and instructs them that all scripture points to him. The same is true today. The Holy Spirit interprets scripture for us!
- The Spirit of Truth convicts us! Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” For Christians there is no condemnation, but that does not mean we are not convicted. The Holy Spirit glorifies God and reminds us of our sins. He encourages us not to sin. The Holy Spirit convicts us!
- The Spirit of Truth empowers us! Ephesians 6:17 says, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The Holy Spirit helps us trust and obey God. He exposes the true motivations of our hearts and makes the willing more willing. The Holy Spirit empowers us!
I would like to add one more item to that list – The Spirit of Truth connects us to God! Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) said, “Without Pentecost, (without the Holy Spirit), the Christ event – the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus – remains imprisoned in history as something to remember, think about and reflect on. The Spirit of Jesus comes to dwell within us, so we are Christs here and now.” In other words, the Holy Spirit connects us to God!
Years ago, members of my family participated in an event called Youth Jam. It was an evangelistic event sponsored by the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. It was a Christian conference held annually, rotating between Akron and Cleveland. Their target audience was teenagers. Their goal was to win souls and mature disciples for Jesus Christ. Their agenda included a series of Christian singers and speakers. For several years, my church sent youth to Youth Jam. I am glad we did.
One afternoon at Youth Jam, the Christian speaker was a former beauty pageant winner. No one in my family can remember her name, but everyone one agrees she was a powerful speaker. She told some stories about the pageant, and she gave her testimony. As she spoke the spirit in the auditorium began to change. By the time she was done speaking, the Holy Spirit was thick in the room, and everyone knew God was going to do something special. At that moment the former beauty pageant winner did it. She encouraged everyone to stand up and look toward the back wall of the auditorium. Then she asked everyone to get on their knees, placing their hands on their seats. From that position, she led them in prayer and the Holy Spirit rolled over the crowd. Words cannot capture that experience. She closed that prayer with an invitation. All those young people would have to do, was raise their hands if they wanted to accept Jesus Christ. I do not know how many hands were raised on that day, but I do know one hand was raised. That hand belonged to my daughter. It was not an emotional response to the moment. It was a commitment that changed her life. Today, her faith is genuine and sincere. I am thankful the Holy Spirit attended Youth Jam that day. Heaven would not be the same for me without her. The Holy Spirit connects us to God! The Holy Spirit leads us into the truth and changes everything!
Russ Adams 