Calvary Vero Home Groups

Week of 03/08/26

Pastor Nate Gallagher

John 14:12-18; 26-27

Introduction - The Work of the Holy Spirit

Before His betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection, Jesus spends an evening with His

disciples and teaches them about the Holy Spirit.

1. The Holy Spirit: Who He Is

John 14:15-18

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and has personality and purpose.

Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a ‘He,” meaning He’s not just a force or some mystical energy . Jesus calls Him the “Spirit of truth” (John 14:17).

In a brief look at the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, we see the Holy Spirit doing the following:

(A) Creating life and order out of chaos -

(Genesis 1:2-3 Creation; Genesis 8:1 After the flood; Exodus 14:21 Parting of the Red

Sea)

(B) At work empowering His people to participate in His Work -

(Numbers 11:17 God gives His Spirit to 70 elders to assist Moses; Psalm 51:11, 12

David recognizes God’s Spirit upon him to do what God called him to do)

(C) Speaking to Old Testament prophets to foreshadow a day when He will dwell WITH

and IN His people - (Isaiah 59:21)

“Jesus in us, is better than Jesus beside us.” The new covenant means that the Spirit dwells in us.

2. He is the Helper

John 14:16

“Helper” in John 14:16 could also be translated as advocate, counselor, or comforter.

Not one English word can describe the full meaning of “Helper” Romans 8:16 states that the Holy Spirit bears witness that we are “children of God”.

The Holy Spirit also intercedes on our behalf - “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our

weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit

Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

  • Do you feel feeble and weak in your prayers at times of distress, not knowing

what to say? How are you comforted by this verse?

  • How has the Holy Spirit comforted you during a time of prayer?

Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would “bring to our remembrance” all that He

(Jesus) has taught us. (John 14:26)

  • The Holy Spirit “teaches” us (John 14:26, John 16:13). What truth has the

Holy Spirit revealed to you recently?

  • How has the Holy Spirit reminded you of a truth that He once taught you, but

you forgot somewhere along the way?

  • How has the Holy Spirit given you a verse for someone else that was just

what they needed to hear to point them to Jesus?

  • In what other ways has the Holy Spirit empowered you to participate in what

God is doing to continue the work of Jesus?

3. The Holy Spirit is our Healer

John 14:26-27

The Holy Spirit does a work in us and a work through us. Jesus promises us peace,

(John 14:26) but He doesn’t promise us a life without suffering ‘We must through

much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” Acts 14:22).

Jesus was baptized, filled with the Spirit and then led into the wilderness to be

tempted by the devil. He endured the cross. In His life, He suffered. He offers us

peace, but not without suffering. When we follow hard after Jesus, He gives us

peace in the midst of our suffering.

  • Will you let the Holy Spirit transform you when you go through the “valley of

the shadow of death” or will you reject His work in your life? Are you letting

the Holy Spirit empower you to walk through the darkness? (Remember He

leads you THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, He doesn’t leave you

there!) (Psalm 23)

Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and

mighty things you do not know.”

  • In Christ are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Are you asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the things of Christ that you don’t yet know?

Peace is a byproduct of His presence. Paul writes to believers and tells them

to “let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15)

  • How does God’s peace differ from the peace the world promises us?

Conclusion

“Jesus in us is better than Jesus beside us.” John 16:7-8 says “Nevertheless, I tell you

the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will

not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He

will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”