In today’s Weekday Podcast, Pastor Chuck Allen explores the profound wisdom found in John 14:26, where Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as our Advocate, sent by the Father to teach and guide us. As part of Jesus' farewell message to His disciples, this passage assures us that although Jesus would no longer be physically present, we would never be left alone. The Holy Spirit, described as a comforter, teacher, and helper, comes alongside believers, preserving Jesus' teachings and empowering us to live out our faith. Pastor Chuck encourages us to reflect on the Holy Spirit’s active role in our lives, always present to guide and grow us in our journey with Christ.
Hi everybody, Pastor Chuck Allen here with another weekday podcast, and today we want to explore a few things that I might consider biblical wisdom. And as we try to jump into this journey, I want you to join me with John 14, 26. Out of the new living, here's what the scripture says, but when the father sends the advocate as my representative, that is the Holy Spirit, he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I've told you. Now those are the words of Jesus, and to put it into context, to fully grasp the significance of John 14, 26, we can see that this verse is part of Jesus's farewell discourse to his disciples, which spans from John chapters 14 through 17. And Jesus is preparing his disciples and he's preparing his followers for his impending departure, his death, his burial, his resurrection, and his ascension. And in this discourse, Jesus is comforting his disciples. He's assuring them that although he'll no longer physically be present with them, they won't ever be left alone. And that's his promise to us as well. Well, when you see this text, that the advocate, the Holy Spirit, that the father is going to send in Jesus's name, is going to teach you and I all things, and he's going to remind you and I of everything that he said to do, well, if we break it down, we'll find how beautiful the picture is. The advocate, Jesus referring to the Holy Spirit as the advocate, which in Greek is parakletos. This word can also be translated as comforter, helper, or counselor. It paints a picture of the Holy Spirit as one who comes alongside us to help us and support us. Sent by God the Father in the name of Jesus, God the Son, this highlights the unity of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working in perfect harmony in our souls. It also says in the text that this Holy Spirit, Jesus is leaving us, is going to teach us all things. Now, the Holy Spirit isn't just a passive presence. He's an active teacher guiding followers of Jesus into all truth. The Holy Spirit will remind you of everything that Jesus has said. The Holy Spirit ensures that Jesus' teachings aren't forgotten, but remain alive in the hearts and the minds of those who follow him. Now, the implications behind it is that for believers, we have continued guidance. Even though Jesus was leaving, his followers wouldn't be left without direction. The Holy Spirit would guide and continue to guide and teach us. It also gives us divine empowerment. The presence of the Holy Spirit empowers followers of Jesus to live out Jesus' teaching and continue his mission. You see, he also leaves preservation of Jesus' teaching. The verse promises that the Holy Spirit will help us remember and understand Jesus' words accurately. Here's one, my favorite, that it assures a personal relationship. The Holy Spirit isn't just a force, but a personal being who interacts with us and within us, teaches us and helps us. And he does all that to grow us in our faith. And then finally, the Holy Spirit is fulfillment of prophecy, fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy about God writing his law on people's hearts all the way back to the 31st chapter of Jeremiah. So as we wrap up today's chat about John 14, 26, friends, let's remember that this promise of the Holy Spirit is not just for the original disciples, but for me and you, followers of Jesus right now. That same Holy Spirit who guided the early church is available to us today, teaching us and reminding us of Jesus' words and helping us live out our faith. So I encourage you to reflect on this verse today. How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's teaching and guidance in your life? How might your faith journey change if you were to be more aware of the Spirit's present who is always present in your life? So thanks so much for joining me on this little deep dive into John 14, 26. We'll be back again tomorrow with another weekday podcast. And I thank you so much for joining me today. God bless you.
