What a Great Help He Is – The Holy Spirit!
by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on May 13, 2023 in John 16:5-15
Sermon for the 4th Sunday after Easter – Cantate May 7, 2023
Text: John 16:5-15 Historic Series 23:2386
Theme: What a Great Help He Is – The Holy Spirit!
“Now I am going to Him who sent me.” It’s a simple announcement that Jesus made. Unruffled, tranquilly, He tells the disciples that the greatest event in world history since the time of creation is about to take place. He will die for the sin of the world. No fear grips His heart, no trembling of the hands, no quivering of the lips. Calmly, quietly, collectedly He speaks. It will not be easy, but in the end, He knows that He will be the victor. With His eyes on the crown that awaits Him above, He faces the cruelty of the cross below and does not flinch in going forward to it.
Oh, but what a different reaction from His disciples! To them it’s like a fatal blow from which they can’t recover. They will lose their Friend, their Mentor, their Master. Sorrow, confusion, and fear gripped their hearts.
Think of their situation like that of a child whose parents are taken from him unexpectedly…so young, so tender, so vulnerable – an orphan who has lost his parents. There is no one to care for him, no one to guide him, no one he can trust – alone in a hostile world. Consider his plight to be that of how the disciples must have felt.
Until now they had not been without the Lord Jesus. He had been just an arm’s length away to counsel, provide, and deliver them from harm. But now His announcement of leaving threw them into a tizzy. Who would guide them, cheer them, give them the words of life? How could they carry on? Their thoughts were on themselves and what they would lose. They didn’t even have the sense to ask Jesus where He was going – how it would be for Him. They failed to consider the gain that would be theirs when Jesus was gone. The gain? How could they be better off without Him?
I. With Jesus gone, the Counselor is sent to help us.
Now there is an odd thought to anyone who loves the Lord Jesus. How could we be better off without the Lord Jesus around? He’s our Creator, Provider, Protector, and most of all, our Redeemer. He alone opens the door of Paradise to us. Would a Christian dare to say that he or she is better off without Him?
Yet, there is a way that we are better off with Jesus gone. Jesus said it was true. He said, “I tell you the truth. It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”
No question about it – Jesus’ presence brought the disciples untold blessings. How greatly they would miss Him! But His departure would bring them even greater blessings. That was hard for them to see. How would that be possible?
It would be possible through the Holy Spirit who would take over in their lives and the life of the Church on earth. He would do even greater things through it. How can that be? Think of the importance of Jesus going away and the Holy Spirit coming this way.
Let’s call Jesus’ work of redemption an “outer work.” What I mean is this. He came to die on the cross to pay the price for sin and reconcile us to God. Without Him physically standing in our place, we would have been lost forever. Think of His work of redemption as an “outer work.” But that “outer work” would do us no good if we could not receive its benefits “inwardly” in our lives.
The imparting of the blessings of salvation to our hearts and lives is not accomplished by Jesus. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. He brings us to faith and the enjoyment of the gifts that Jesus won for us. The Spirit is necessary to bring to fulfillment the blessings of Christ’s redemptive work in people’s lives.
It is the way salvation works. God the Father loved the world when it was unlovable in sin. He made the provisions to save us by sending His Son to pay the price of sin that we couldn’t pay. Through that Son’s work, God justified us to Himself. When the Lord Jesus was done with His work, He sent the Holy Spirit to work the life of faith within us and empower us to bring it to others. If you don’t trust in what the Father in love has given and what the Son in love has done, what good would it be to you? That working of faith is in the realm of the Holy Spirit. It’s the “inner work” that is necessary. With Jesus gone, the Holy Spirit’s work could go forward. He came to help us. And What a Great Help He Is!
It was the beginning of a new phase in God’s plan of salvation. On the one hand it would be difficult for the disciples because they loved the Lord Jesus very much and did not want to see Him go. On the other hand, it would be a life-changing event, a necessary phase that, instead of harming them as they initially thought, would actually take them forward.
Maybe you could compare it to a time in your life that called for a change. You may have approached it with some fear, some trepidation. Initially, you may not have wanted to do it at the time. But it was needed because it would be to your advantage, and it took you forward in life.
That’s what Jesus’ departure meant for His disciples. Sadly, they could not see it at first, for their thoughts were only on themselves. How could they cope without Him around? But Jesus’ promised that His departure was actually a step that would take them forward for with Jesus gone, the Counselor, that is the Holy Spirit, would be sent to help them. And what a Great Help He Was as a new age dawned for the Church here on earth. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were enabled to spread the great news of the Gospel throughout the world.
II. With Jesus gone, the Counselor is sent to help the world.
You see, the blessings of Christ’s redemption are not just for you. They are for others too. With Jesus gone, the Holy Spirit is sent to help the world and to help you in the world. How would He do that? Jesus continued: “When He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
Convicting and convincing the world of sin and its need for God’s righteousness before His judgment falls – that’s hard to do. Have you ever tried to convince an unchurched person that he needs God, needs to be in church, needs to be about the Father’s business and not his own. Sometimes it’s even hard to convince members of it. We need help. The question is how to convince people of something about which they don’t seem to care? Furthermore, if the world raised such resistance to the Son of God so that it crucified Him, how could we ever hope to have any influence upon the world to reach them with the Gospel? Enter the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, “He will convict the world.” Like a prosecuting attorney, He hammers at the heart whenever God’s Word is spoken, to accuse people of guilt for sin and its eternal consequences. It’s what He did for you when He brought you to faith. He convinced you of your need by convicting you. People don’t like being convicted of wrong. But it’s necessary for improvement in their lives. Such conviction has two parts to it One is that the Holy Spirit cuts to the heart with the truth of God’s Word. Like a sharp sword that penetrates deep within, He uses the word (which the Bible calls “the sword of the Spirit”) to judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hb.4:12) that oppose God. Maybe it seems to you at times that you aren’t doing well convincing a person of their need before God because the person doesn’t seem to respond to what you say. To the eye it doesn’t appear that any good is coming out of your witness. But what you can’t see is the Holy Spirit working at the heart within. He continues to work to make a person realize and lament their sin. That’s the reason you should just keep witnessing to the Law and the Gospel even when it seems unfruitful to your eye. You don’t convince the person; the Holy Spirit does. And He needs the truth of the Word to work on it.
And His convincing is more than just convicting, cutting a person to the heart. What good would that do if there wasn’t a cure for the problem? That’s part of the Holy Spirit’s work, too as He shows a person the need for the righteousness that Jesus fulfilled for us. He is like a surgeon at work.
The first thing a surgeon seems to do is “hurt” a person by cutting into his body to expose the bad. Then He goes to work cutting it out. Next, he closes up the wound so that healing can take place.
In matters of salvation, that’s not Jesus’ work, nor the Father’s. It’s the Holy Spirit’s work. He is a skilled surgeon whose work helps the world and helps us in our witness to it.
What a Great Help He Is! Promised even before Jesus completed the work of salvation. I’m sure glad that He is here for with Jesus gone the Spirit is sent to help us and the world in a way that would be to our advantage. Who would think that we would be better off with the Savior’s presence? But in this way Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come to our side to comfort, counsel, guide, and be our help in this special way. Isn’t it something how the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all work together for our good. God grant us confidence of faith in it all, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
The Fourth Sunday after Easter – “Cantate” May 7, 2023
Welcome in our Savior’s name. We are happy to have you worshipping with us today as our thoughts begin to turn from the joys of Christ’s resurrection to the comforts which the Holy Spirit gives us in God’s plan of salvation now completed.
The plan of salvation which God promised His people ever since the tragic fall into sin is finished. But now the “work” of believing and proclaiming it begins. It was to begin with Jesus’ Twelve disciples. But they were so confused, alarmed, and upset. So, before His death and resurrection, the Savior assured them that He would send invaluable help to them from the Father in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would stand by them and believers of all times to comfort, assure, and guide them in all things.
With this Sunday, known as “Cantate” (sing for joy), we begin to enter the Pentecost cycle of the Church Year. The joy of Easter is still fresh in our hearts, prompting Christians to sing for joy. But with Jesus’ return to the Father, that event would change the Church on earth. It needed help to continue its song of joy. That help would come through the Holy Spirit.
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Blessed with the Promise of the Holy Spirit
The Preparation
Opening Thoughts on the Service
The Entrance Hymn: “The Strife Is O’er” #452
Order of Worship: Service: Setting One with Holy Communion: pages 154-160
Prayer of the Day
The Ministry of the Word
(The Lessons for the Day are taken from the Historic Pericope Series of the Christian Church.)
The Responses following each lesson are on page 160
Isaiah 29:9-14 In their obstinacy and sin against Him, God called Israel blind to His truths. Thinking they were wise, they were ignorant as they failed to worship Him in truth. Their vain human wisdom would perish and destroy them. Hence, the desperate need of the Holy Spirit’s work within us is implied.
James 1:17-21 Faithful and unchanging, our heavenly Father provides only good gifts to His people. (The greatest gift is that of the Holy Spirit who gives us eternal life in Christ and guides us in a life of faith in the present.) In response the believer is quick to hear and obey the Word of righteousness given to us.
The Gospel Acclamation for the Easter Season page 161
John 16:5-15 On Maundy Thursday evening, the disciples were confused and upset as Jesus told of His imminent departure from them through His death, resurrection, and ascension. They could not grasp it all. Jesus promised to send them another Guide and Helper – the Holy Spirit. He would counsel them as they went out to “convict the world.”
The Sermon Hymn: “Alleluia! Let Praises Ring” #481
The Sermon: “What a Great Help He Is – the Promised Holy Spirit!” John 16:5-15
Our Response to the Word
The Confession of Faith: The Nicene Creed page 162
Prayer of the Church page 164
The Offering
The Lord Blesses Us
The Order of Holy Communion pages 165-169
(We invite our communicant members to the Lord’s Table, believing that in the bread and the wine, they receive the Savior’s true body and blood for forgiveness of sins. Since Holy Communion implies a oneness of faith, our practice is that of close communion. We therefore ask visitors to speak with the Pastor before communing.)
The Distribution
The Distribution Hymn: “I Come, O Savior, to Your Table” #670
Thanksgiving & Blessing Beginning the middle of page 170
Closing Hymn: “Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace” #950
Silent Prayer
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The Organist: Jane Rips
The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann
Point to Ponder: “If you will but read the Word, meditate on it, and attend faithfully the worship in God’s House, you will find that the Holy Ghost will instill in you, as He did in the disciples, a faith that will make you more than conquerors over sin, sorrow, and despair. He will guide you to a better understanding of the truths of God’s Word and will work in you a more confident trust in its blessed promises. And while the world is lamenting, you will be rejoicing. While it is complaining, you will be contented. And while it is despairing, you will be singing a song of praise and triumph.”
— Pastor Henry Eggold on “The Work of the Holy Spirit”
Fourth Sunday after Easter “Cantate” – Historic Series
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 29:9-14 – Woe to the City of David
9 Be stunned! Be amazed! Blind yourselves and be blind! They are drunk, but not with wine. They stagger, but not from beer. 10 For the Lord has poured out a spirit of deep sleep over you. He has closed your eyes—the prophets. He has covered your heads—the seers.
11 For you this whole vision has become like the words of a sealed scroll. If you give it to someone who can read, and you say, “Read this, please,” he will say, “I can’t. It is sealed.” 12 And if you give it to someone who cannot read, and you say, “Read this, please,” he will say, “I can’t read.”
13 The Lord says: These people approach me with their words, and they honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is nothing but commandments taught by men. 14 So watch how I will continue to amaze these people with amazing, extraordinary things. The wisdom of the wise will perish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.
Epistle Lesson: James 1:17-21 – The Heavenly Father Gives Good Gifts
17 Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, who does not change or shift like a shadow. 18 Just as he planned, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of first-fruits of his creations.
19 Remember this, my dear brothers: Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. 20 Certainly, a man’s anger does not bring about what is right before God. 21 So after getting rid of all moral filthiness and overflowing wickedness, receive with humility the word planted in you. It is able to save your souls.
Gospel Lesson: John 16:5-15 – “I Will Send the Counselor to You.”
5 “But now I am going away to him who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Yet because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth: It is good for you that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; 11 about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own, but whatever he hears he will speak. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I said that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2019
Calendar & Announcements for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue), Springfield, MO 65810
www.zionluthchurch.com Church phone: 417.887.0886
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| Today
May 7 |
Monday
May 8 |
Tuesday
May 9 |
Wednesday
May 10 |
Thursday
May 11 |
Friday
May 12 |
Sat.
May 13 |
Next Sun.
May 14 |
| 9:00 am
Divine Worship with Holy Communion online -Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
Easter 4 – Cantate |
4 pm
Confirmation
6 pm Elders/Trustees & Church Council |
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11 am
Midweek Bible Class
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Pastor and Elizabeth will be out of town Friday and Saturday | 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service online – Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
Easter 5 – Rogate |
A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
With Jesus’ promise to His disciples in the Gospel Lesson today, the Christian Church begins to turn its attention from its celebration of the Resurrection to the Pentecostal Season of the Church Year. Jesus promised to provide guidance for His people even though He would be leaving them in His return to heaven. Such divine guidance is necessary if we are to continue living in the joy of Christ’s resurrection. Our lives depend entirely upon the working of almighty God. Jesus promised that would continue even though He would make His physical departure from earth following His resurrection.
The Gospel Lesson: John 16:5-15 (the answer is found on the back side)
- What promise did Jesus make His disciples?
- What would the Holy Spirit do when He came?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Pauline Jaeger; Kirsten Jaster (Laurie Moon’s sister); Greg Pierson (the Long’s son-in-law); Libya, Jodi Milam’s granddaughter; Lucille Huston; Barbara Long; Lois Wiese; Barbara Breidel; Elisha & Issac Covey, getting stronger following Isaac’s birth
Forward in Christ’s issue for May has arrived and is in the narthex. There are plenty of copies for family and friends. Also, the new series of Meditations devotions, which start at the end of the month, will be found there.
Upcoming Services and Events
– Tuesday, May 9 – Elders, Trustees, and Church Council Monthly Meeting
– In the Calendar Year of the Christian Church, Ascension Day is Thursday, May 19th; Pentecost is May 30th
– Pastor James Witt will be the guest preacher on May 30th
The Week in Review
Last Sunday Worship: 30; Bible Class 24; Midweek Bible Class: 4; Offerings: $1,858.
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Easter 5 – Rogate: Isaiah 55:6-11; James 1:22-27; John 16:23-30 (Historic Pericope Series)
Answer to Today’s Gospel Lesson Brief Study:
- Jesus promised that after He ascended into heaven, He would send His disciples the Holy Spirit as their counselor.
- He would convict the world of sin through the law of God and bring comfort to burdened souls through the gospel of salvation.
This week I am praying for……
