The Paraklete

Setting:  Last few hours of Jesus' life. - Jesus is going away.  The Disciples are expected to carry on!!!

the PROBLEM = How???  Jesus is the teacher, knower, miracle worker, Messiah.  Jesus has the plan, the power.....
Disciples feeling totally inadequate to the task.

The Solution:  PARAKLETE

from the Greek word meaning alongside  (parallel)
and  the Greek word meaning to call 

So Paraklete = One Called Alongside to Help (assist) - parallel with
Examples:  paralegal - paramedic - paraministry

In Greek, there is a distinction between two meanings of the English word "another".  One meaning "of the same sort"-allos or allon  vs. one meaning "of different kind - heteros

This Paraklete uses the word meaning "of the same sort" - similar to what you have

So, who is this Paraklete?  Answer:  the Holy Spirit

Point:  As I helped (assisted) when present with you (physically), so the Holy Spirit will help in my physical absence from you.

John 14:15-20, 25-27, 15:26-16:16, 16:33

The Promise of the Spirit - goes beyond the Apostles to all Christians -- Acts 2:38-39

The Work of the Spirit (to help, assist)
"help" has many forms:
Titles: The Comforter
         The Counselor
         The Helper

        The Interceder
        The Advocate
        The Stand by
(terms used of a family attorney who represents you in court)

       The One who Encourages
       The One who Consoles
       The One who Strengthens

Many Synonyms:
   to aid, assist, support, HELP!!
   to console, comfort, ease grief and pain
   to strengthen, enable, encourage
   to guide, direct, illuminate
   to remind, teach, convince

ALL under umbrella of PARAKLETE
THE ONE CALLED ALONGSIDE ---- TO HELP!!!

Summary:  Holy Spirit has come to do Christ's WORK in Christ's absence:
               1)  in you = transformation into what called, gifted, saved to be
               2)  through you = ministry (to do His work)

Obtaining the Spirit (acquire, procure, gain possession)
Got God?  Got Christ?  then you Got the Spirit!!!  Rom. 8:9
(must be born again, saved, ask Jesus into heart, etc.)  - Gospel

Sensing the Spirit - (experiencing, feeling, perception, intuition)
On one hand, are occasions of the sense of His presence - example:  Pentecost
However, can be, and probably will be long periods of sense of Absence!!
Examples:  Job, Jeremiah
"Dark night of the Soul" written by St. John of the Cross from prison.  The dark lasted 45 years.  Mother Teresa made statement that her "dark night of the soul" lasted 47 years.
However:  lack of the sense of the Spirit DOES NOT mean lack of the Presence of the Spirit.






Utilizing the Spirit - (as helper, in practical way)
You don't USE the Spirit (don't manipulate, control)
You ALLOW the Spirit to USE You!!
Therefore the issue is:  surrender, submission, obedience
Knowing whether He's using you or not, is not your business - is His business.  We don't have to know, don't have to see!!

John 14:12 - "greater things"
How???
 1)  Need a helper
 2)  Need t submit to that helper