June 4, 2006

Pr. Per Kivle, guest from Kragero, Norway

John 14:15-21

I’m happy to be here. Thank you for inviting me to be with you to share the word of God.

First of all I want to wish you all a happy Pentecost. In Japan we always congratulated each other at the big Christian festivals. "Gojunsetsu omedetoo."

Yes, we surely have reason for congratulating each other. All of our three big festivals remind us of God’s love and care for us. They are all Christ festivals.

At Christmas time we are reminded of the fact that God in Christ Jesus bowed down to us –

He became a human being just like you and me, to share our trials and temptations.

Passover tell us what Christ did to redeem us from our sins and make us children of God.

But Pentecost – how can Pentecost be a celebration of Christ? Isn’t Pentecost a celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit? Pentecost is a celebration of Christ coming to his church through the Holy Spirit. Just like Christmas and Passover, Pentecost is a one time event. It is not to be repeated. John 14:16 "- that he may abide with you forever." After Jesus through the Holy Spirit came to his disciples (church) at Pentecost, he has never left again. He came to stay with His church for as long as the church remains in this world.

Pentecost reminds us of Christ’s presence with us. He is here to comfort us, to strengthen us, to help us live as Christians in this world. He will be here for as long as we need Him!

Let’s read v. 16 once more. In this verse Jesus calls the Holy Spirit "another helper".

Do we already have a helper? The word here translated "helper" is "parakletos" in the original Greek language. This word may be translated "helper", "advocate", "comforter".

We find the same word used in 1. John 2:1 Christ is our "advocate" with the Father - and do we really need such an advocate! Every time we fail - every time we fall in sin, Jesus speaks for us with the Father. And not only does He speak for us, He also points to His suffering and death for our sins. He is a propitiation for our sins. 1.John 2:2 How wonderful it is to have such an advocate with the Father.

Now Jesus tells his disciples that He will send another helper - the Holy Spirit. In what way is the HS our helper? In much the same way as Jesus is our advocate in heaven. Every time we fall in sin and fail as Christians we are apt to despair. How can I be a Christian who fail so often and so badly. At that point the HS comes to our help by pointing to Jesus. Look to Jesus! He is your righteousness! He is your only salvation.

The basic work of the HS. is to point to Jesus - to make Jesus shine - to make Jesus great and wonderful to us. John 16:14

A person who has the Holy Spirit (filled with the HS) is not boasting of himself and all his accomplishments. He speaks about Jesus and what He has done.

The work of the HS is to make us depend on Jesus Christ - the work of the HS is to show us our total disability to save ourselves, and at the same time point to Jesus as our one and only way of salvation.

How does the HS do his work? He does it through the word of God. The work of the HS is closely related to the word of God. When we read and listen to the word of God the HS makes Jesus come alive to us.

Sometimes we meet people who tell us that they have difficulties believing in Jesus. The main reason for this is probably that they very seldom or may be never take time with the word of God.

Do you want to be filled with the HS? Take time with your Bible!

In conclusion let us read John 14:23

Let the word of God be your dearest treasure!

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716