John 14:12-21
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. KJV
John 16:6-7
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. KJV
- Jesus has spent 3 years with these men, there were times of correction, rebuke, and victories, and now He is going to leave?
Sorrow: grief, pain, mourning
Heart: thoughts and feelings
- I would probably get into my thoughts and feelings too, considering the previous verses!
John 16:1-2
16 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. KJV
- Wait a minute; It was all good while the miracles were happening, and the food was multiplying!
- Jesus has been their comforter
Comforter: to comfort, encourage or exhort, referring to an aid of any kind, one who comes forward in behalf of and as the representative of another.
Peter cut the centurion's ear off. Jesus came forward!
Calming the Storm: He spoke peace directly to a raging sea when His disciples panicked in a sinking boat (Mark 4:35-41).
Walking on Water: He shouted "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid" to comfort them during a terrifying midnight storm (Matthew 14:22-27).
The Transfiguration: He touched the disciples when they fell to the ground in terror from hearing God's voice, saying, "Get up. Don’t be afraid" (Matthew 17:6-7).
Defending Their Failures: He comforted them when critics attacked their behavior, publicly defending them for picking grain on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-8).
Feeding the Five Thousand: He eased their anxiety about a starving crowd by involving them in a miracle, proving they would always have enough (Matthew 14:13-21)
Validating Thomas's Doubts: He offered His wounded hands and side to Thomas to replace his deep skepticism and grief with faith and peace (John 20:24-29).
Now Jesus is talking about “another”!
- They are not sure they signed up for this!
John14:16-18
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Another: different but of the same kind
John 14: 17, 18
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
- This new “another” would be with them and in them! (this is different)
In: to exist
- He exists in us. Jesus did not exist in the disciples; He was with them!
With: in the midst of, amid, denoting association, union, accompaniment
- In the midst of your circumstances
Today, many of us have some great friends (comforters), but they can’t always be there, or give the right counsel, but the “other comforter” will be there!
- Notice, Jesus said, "I will come to you"-how?
John 16:13-15
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. KJV
- He would be a different comforter, but of the same kind!
Comforter: to comfort, encourage, or exhort, referring to an aid of any kind, one who comes forward on behalf of and as the representative of another.
- In other words, He would do the same things as Jesus did, but He would be in you to work with you!
The opinions of the “other comforter” have brought confusion and a lack of understanding to the Body of Christ!
1. One side has reduced the Holy Spirit down to tongues
- Tongues are a gift, but the person of the Holy Spirit is someone to be known!
- There are many who speak in tongues but do not know the work of the Holy Spirit!
2. The other side has reduced the Holy Spirit down to a feeling, an influence, a force, or the energy of God
- Energy doesn’t speak, guide, or glorify
- Each of these has misunderstood the Person of the Holy Spirit!
There is no confusion in the Bible,
"When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth..." (John 16:13)
Action: He acts as a divine counselor and navigator in life’s circumstance.
Impact: He directs your daily decisions, clarifies scripture, and ensures you stay on the path of righteousness.
for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak..." (John 16:13)
Action: He is the messenger and echo of heaven.
Impact: He does not create a new message but directly communicates the current heart, will, and voice of God the Father to you.
"...and He will tell [shew] you things to come." (John 16:13)
Action: He provides divine foresight and prophetic revelation.
Impact: He prepares the Church for the future, warns believers of traps, and unveils God's upcoming plans.
"He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Yours and declare it to you." (John 16:14)
Action: He shines the spotlight entirely on Jesus Christ's action and finished work.
Impact: He never seeks attention for Himself. Instead, He magnifies the cross, the resurrection, and the complete redemption won by Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is in the midst of our circumstances. He’s the only one who can bring true understanding of the finished work of Christ!
Get to know Him!
