Sermon Notes
Who Is He?
Holy Spirit · Week One · Pastor John Blue · July 19, 2026
In John 14:16–17, Jesus promises that the Father will give His disciples another Helper—the Spirit of truth—who will be with them forever and dwell in them.
The Helper Who Comes Alongside
Jesus describes the Spirit as the Helper. The Greek word parakletos carries the idea of one who comes alongside. The Holy Spirit is also described as our Comforter, Counselor, Intercessor, and Advocate.
- He lives with believers and in believers (John 14:16–17).
- He teaches and reminds us of Jesus’ words (John 14:25–26).
- He bears witness about Jesus (John 15:26).
- He guides us into truth and speaks what He hears (John 16:12–13).
A Person, Not an “It”
If we do not recognize the Holy Spirit as a Person, we will not develop a personal relationship with Him. He speaks, teaches, guides, comforts, and comes alongside God’s people.
The Holy Spirit is not for looks. He wants a relationship with us.
Two Pillars: His Deity and His Person
- His deity: The Holy Spirit is God.
- His person: The Holy Spirit is our Helper and Friend.
At Jesus’ baptism, the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends, and the Father speaks (Luke 3:21–22). In Acts 5:3–4, lying to the Holy Spirit is described as lying to God.
The Spirit Empowers Ordinary Believers
- Power to witness. Acts 1:8 connects the Spirit’s power with bearing witness to Jesus.
- Power to produce character. Galatians 5:22–23 names the fruit the Spirit forms in us.
- Power in weakness. Romans 8:26 says the Spirit helps and intercedes when we do not know how to pray.
- Resurrection power. Romans 8:11 says the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in believers and gives life.
You can be a normal person and walk in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
Why We Struggle to Hear Him
- Unconfessed sin
- Resisting or quenching the Spirit
- Spiritual immaturity and a lack of discipleship
- Continuing to walk according to the flesh
- Refusing to ask, seek, become still, and listen
- Never being properly introduced to who the Holy Spirit is
The invitation is to stop resisting, open our ears, and grow in relationship with the Helper Jesus promised.
Conviction Leads Us to Jesus
John 16:8–11 says the Spirit convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. He reveals our need for a Savior, points us to the righteousness found in Christ, and declares that the ruler of this world has been judged.
Why This Series Matters
This opening message provides the foundation for the weeks ahead: the Spirit’s power, gifts, love, and fruit. The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. Through the Holy Spirit, believers have direct access to the Father, power for life, and hope for each day.
Communion
First Corinthians 10:16 describes the cup and the bread as participation in the blood and body of Christ. Communion is a shared fellowship made possible by the Spirit as the church remembers Jesus.
Reflection Questions
- Do I relate to the Holy Spirit as a Person, or only as an idea?
- Where have I been trying to live the Christian life alone?
- Which barrier may be making it difficult for me to hear and respond to the Spirit?
- Where do I need His power to witness, grow in character, pray, or endure?
- What would it look like to stop, listen, and welcome the Helper this week?