Pastor Cho's Sermon Outline - Yoido Full
Gospel Church - Seoul, KoreaAnother Counselor John 14:16 ~ 14:17 2002-05-19
About 2,000 years ago, 50 days after Jesus died on the Cross and was resurrected, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples at Pentecost. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues, which led to the salvation of thousands! We live in a chaotic society with lawyers and counselors trying to help people. However, the best counselor is the Holy Spirit. Counselor translates the Greek parakl?os, meaning literally one called alongside to help. The disciples' future looked bleak when Jesus said He would leave them. But He didn't abandon them; He sent another Counselor.
Jesus called the Holy Spirit another Counselor. The Greek word for "another" is allos, meaning "another of the same kind," rather than heteros, meaning "another of a different kind." In other words, the Holy Spirit continued what Christ himself did while on earth. The Holy Spirit was alongside the disciples to help, strengthen, counsel, teach, and intercede for them. The Holy Spirit gives life to the Body of Christ through Jesus Christ to sanctify, heal, drive out demons, and give hope. Jesus is our helper and intercessor in heaven; the Holy Spirit is our indwelling helper and intercessor on earth.
What are the things the Holy Spirit does? He teaches us and reminds us of what He has taught us (John 14:25,26; 1 Corinthians 12:3). He sets us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1,2). He gives us power to witness (Acts 1:8). On the airplane from Europe to Korea, a young man said to me, "Why do I feel so guilty when I hear you preach?" I told him it was the Holy Spirit speaking to him. He said, "How does the Holy Spirit speak to me?" I explained that I pray for three to five hours before I preach, and then the Holy Spirit speaks to him. Isaiah 11:2 reveals seven characteristics of the Holy Spirit.
In our relationship with the Holy Spirit, He convicts us of sin and saves us (John 16:8,9; Titus 3:5). We are no longer slaves but sons of God (Galatians 4:6,7). God's Spirit lives in us (1 Corinthians 3:16,17). We can be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4; 2:1-4). During my 45 years of ministry, the Holy Spirit is the greatest gift I've received from God. When I can't fully pray, I speak in tongues and spiritually communicate with the Holy Spirit and receive great peace and comfort. The Holy Spirit gives us various gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:6-9), and also gives us the fruit of the Spirit to share with others (Galatians 5:22,23). The Holy Spirit residing within us is our Counselor, Comforter, Healer, Intercessor, Advisor, and Friend.
Heavenly Father, Christ is on Your right side, and the Holy Spirit is here with us as our Counselor. Help us to continually understand, acknowledge, and trust in the Holy Spirit.