34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
a) Love for one another was important
b) Conflict with each other would hinder the ministry immensely
2. The Challenge to love the Lord Jesus
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
a) The Lord’s word
i) Life-giving
ii) Faith-building
b) The Lord’s challenge
i) To love Him
ii) To keep His commandments
THE PROMISE OF HELP FOR MINISTRY
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:16-18
1. Prayer to God the Father
a) The Lord Jesus would be praying for His Disciples
b) His prayers would be of great worth
2. A special Request to the Father
a) That He would give “another Helper”
b) This Helper would abide forever with the Disciples in ministry
3. An important Description of the Helper whom God would send
a) He is the Spirit of truth
b) He is not given to the world
i) The world does not see Him
ii) It does not know Him
c) But the Disciples already know Him
i) His power in the Lord Jesus
ii) His work with the Lord Jesus
d) The Spirit’s Presence
i) He dwells among the Disciples
ii) He will indwell them
CONCLUSION
1. Two things were highlighted by the Lord Jesus
a) Love for the Lord
b) Help from the Spirit of God
2. The Challenge
a) To understand the Ministry entrusted to us
b) To be unafraid of Ministry challenges
c) To desire the Indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit