The Helper
“God Speaks”
John 16:5-15

Some might say, “I am already a follower of Jesus, so why is the Holy Spirit so important?”

Our relationship with the Holy Spirit is essential for becoming the followers of Jesus that God the Father desires.

You can’t follow Jesus and please our Heavenly Father without the influence, power, and transformation of the Holy Spirit.

“I will send Him to you – the Helper” –Jesus, John 16:7 (adapted)

The gift of the Holy Spirit
The Helper means God is not far.
The Helper means God speaks.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to guide us, so we are never spiritually lost.

John 16:5-15

God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit
“the Spirit of Truth” –Jesus, John 16:13

The Holy Spirit speaks 
1. To the world – “for people” (John 16:8-11)
• Pointing out the emptiness inside our hearts (John 16:8-11)
• Helping to identify Truth (John 15:26-27)

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” – John 15:26-27

• Holding back evil so it never takes over (2 Thessalonians 2:7)

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.” –2 Thessalonians 2:7

The Holy Spirit speaks 
2. To the Believer – “in the person” (John 16:12-15)
• By our circumstances (2 Corinthians 2:12; Genesis 37-50; Ruth 2; Acts 16; Jonah 1)
• Promptings He gives us (Galatians 5:16)
• Through Godly mentors (Proverbs 12:15)
• God’s word (Psalm 119:105)

“Sanctify them [set them apart] in the truth; your word is truth” –Jesus’ prayer, John 17:17

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” –Psalm 119:105

One of the most important ways to hear from the Holy Spirit is to be familiar with God’s Word.

God’s Word 
1. Isn’t man reaching up for God; but God reaching down to speak to man 
“When the Spirit of Truth comes …” –John 16:13a

• Is inspired – written by men who were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Is trustworthy – it carries the voice of God – Not to be read for spiritual information, but for life transformation
• Is empowering – when lived out it gives us all that we need 

“God’s Word is living and active because the Spirit who inspired it still speaks through it today.” –Beth Moore

God’s Word 
2. Is to be written on our hearts (John 16:13b; 2 Corinthians 3:2-3; Hebrews 8:10)
“… He will guide you into all the truth …” –John 16:13b

• By personal revelation – the Spirit provides the inclination and desire to follow God’s word, leading to a deeper understanding and personal commitment to God (Psalm 119:18)
• As an inner compass – God’s word, by the presence of the Holy Spirit guides our actions and fosters a desire to do what is right
• To enable transformation – The Holy Spirit is the agent through whom God’s word is written on our heart to transform us

Without the Holy Spirit, we can’t even live up to our own standards, much less God’s.

God’s Word 
3. Always points back to Jesus. The Holy Spirit never goes off-script.
“… for He will not speak on his own authority …” –John 16:13c

• Revealing and reminding us of the truth about all things (John 14:6; James 1:5)
• As our weapon in spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:17)
• To be the ultimate source of wisdom (James 1:5)

Nothing can stop God from speaking to us. Are you listening?

What we need is The Helper.

“Holy Spirit, guide me into Truth today.”