The Helper
“Sent with Power for a Purpose”
John 20:19-23

“… I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” –Jesus, John 14:16-17

The Helper 
Bringing God near
Hearing the voice of God 
Empowering us when we’re spiritually empty
Giving us purpose (spiritual gifts) 
Fighting our battles 
Infusing joy
Sending us with power for a purpose

John 20:19-23

The Spirit sends us to bring God’s love and hope into the world right where we live, work, and serve.

Being Sent
1. Starts with peace 
	
Peace is not the absence of conflict, but of fear.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” –Jesus, John 14:27

“Peace, I leave with you …”
It is peace with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus, as we surrender.

“… my peace I give to you.”
The peace of God, which is not the absence of conflict, but of fear.

Being Sent
2. Requires being empowered by the Holy Spirit

Jesus never intended for His followers to be sent in their own strength. 

“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them…” –Jesus, John 20:23

The ultimate sin for which one needs forgiveness is the rejection of Jesus. 

Jesus is …
Not saying that Christians or Churches have the authority to forgive sins
Pointing to the ultimate sin of rejecting Jesus, which needs forgiveness 
Giving us a “commission” to tell people of this sin to be forgiven by God

Being Sent
3. Includes every follower of Jesus 

“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” –Prayer of Jesus, John 17:18-19

The same Helper who took fearful disciples and sent them boldly into the world for the gospel lives in us today.

Great Commission is…
About making disciples – Matthew 28:19
Going right where you live, work, and serve – Mark 16:5, Mark 16:16
The message of hope – Luke 24:45-49
Believing in Jesus Christ to have life – John 20:31

This commission isn’t just for a few who are willing to sacrifice. It’s a call for every follower to sacrifice for a few.

We are sent!
Identify people you want to reach
Find a place to serve locally or globally 

Thank God for giving us The Helper.