Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17, 25-27
It can be really hard trying to live life the way God wants and what I need is someone to help me. There really is only one person who can do that and that is the Holy Spirit. So, how does the Holy Spirit help?
Most of the time we can’t see the Holy Spirit, we can’t touch the Holy Spirit, and we’re not sure we can hear the Holy Spirit, which makes it hard to interact with the Spirit. We often use physical things we can easily relate to to help us understand spiritual realities that are hard to grasp. I am going to suggest some images that illustrate how the Holy Spirit helps us. The Spirit is none of these things but is similar in some way to each one. I want you to think about what each item represents and its connection with the Holy Spirit and what the Spirit does. They all relate to words in our reading from John (14:16,17,25-27).
Walking boots – ‘helps you be strong’. Strong walking boots help you walk boldly especially over rough terrain. The Holy Spirit is given to help us be strong to do whatever God wants us to do. He helps us walk the walk and to keep going strongly whether the way is rough or smooth.
Wedding ring – ‘always be with you’. A wedding ring signifies a promise made to always be faithful to someone. When the Spirit came upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost their transformation was immediate – and it was lasting. Jesus had promised them that the Spirit was coming (John 14:16) and would always be with them. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit wouldn’t just come and visit occasionally to see how we are getting on. Instead he promised that the Holy Spirit would always be with us. Our transformation is just as thorough and just as long-lasting as those Pentecost disciples.
Map and compass – ‘shows you the way’. Like a map and compass guide us across the countryside, the Holy Spirit shows us the right way to go and he helps us to know the truth about God. As the compass lines us up with North, so the Spirit aligns us with God, gives us our bearings, keeps us God-oriented.
Heart – ‘lives in you’. Jesus lived on earth as a human so it wasn’t physically possible for him to be with everybody all the time. By the Spirit, Jesus is always inside us, prompting us to do things God’s way and to follow his example.
Textbook – ‘teaches you everything’. The Spirit teaches us everything we need to know to follow God. He helps us understand what we read in the Bible. He helps us to be obedient. Without the Spirit we would struggle to do things God’s way, but he teaches us everything. The Spirit’s arrival had obvious outward effects as the disciples began to speak in other languages or were able to preach, with no preparation or sermon notes, an ability Peter suddenly acquired.
Diary – ‘reminds you of what Jesus said’. The Spirit reminded the disciples of what Jesus taught them and he reminds us of things we’ve learnt. This is a daily experience for me. Have you also had the Spirit remind you of something at a significant time? He also reminds us of God’s love at times when life is tough and he encourages us to do the right thing when we’re tempted to go wrong.
This is what the Spirit does for us. This is why God gives us his Spirit. But what effect should the Spirit have upon us? On the first day of Pentecost, the disciples couldn’t help but talk about God. They told others of the wonderful things God had done. In fact, they couldn’t keep all this amazing news inside them. It was a case of it just bursting out of them… The Spirit helps us respond excitedly to the wonderful things God has done. He will help us tell others the news, just like the first disciples.
This outpouring was not just for the select few disciples – the 120 in the upper room that day. It was for all people of every language and race. Genesis 11:1-9 tells how the people of the world were potentially able to do anything through working together. They were working against God, not with God, so God spoiled the party by making them speak different languages so that they were unable to all communicate with one another any more. They were scattered and confused but didn’t seek God.
At Pentecost we see people coming back together again in God’s way and in God’s time. They are united by being able to speak many languages – at least 15 are mentioned. Communication between all the people is again possible. The Spirit, who was involved in creation, now returns to renew the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30). In doing so he gives the ability and courage to Jesus’ followers to ‘declare the wonders of God’ (Acts 2:11) for everyone to hear.
Jesus’ work on earth was complete but the Spirit came, not as a replacement for Jesus, but to perform a parallel role as guide, comforter and counsellor so that all of us down the centuries could have the benefit of God’s presence in our lives. The Spirit is given equally to everyone – all of them were filled. There are no half measures for ‘lesser Christians’. The Holy Spirit is a gift of love to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. No matter our physical differences, our needs, our challenges, each of us is filled with the Holy spirit; a Spirit that heals us, helps us and gives us hope. That means that every one of us who loves the Lord Jesus has God’s Spirit.
What’s your need today? Strength? Companionship? Direction? Power inside you? A teacher? Reminders? Enthusiasm for the things of God? Something else? The Spirit of God is ready, able and willing to meet your need. Just ask.