Can I Ask That? – Part Sixteen – Who is the Holy Spirit, and Why Was He Sent?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204%3A29-32&version=NLT
This morning, we are talking about who the Holy Spirit is and why that matters.
The Holy Spirit is the best gift God can give. The Holy Spirit is the personal expression of the Love shared by the Father and the Son. And, his presence in life is like having another Jesus with us. And, if you place your trust in Jesus, Jesus will ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart. So, I want to convince you to trust in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit And, if I succeed in convincing you to do that, I then want to urge you to receive the gift of baptism and to identify with a local church. And, we would love for this church to be the one you choose to be a part of.
So the question is, who is the Holy Spirit? The simple answer is that he is “another Jesus.” And, why was he sent? The simple answer is that so you could know and live in God’s presence.
🧠 Head/Mind: God’s Greatest Gift
Jesus gives us a powerful picture in Luke 11:
“If you, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Think about that: if flawed human beings can show love and generosity, how much more generous is God? And what is the ultimate gift He gives? The Holy Spirit.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13, reminds us that love is the greatest gift of all—and the Holy Spirit is the One who pours that love into our hearts (Romans 5:5). In other words, to receive the Spirit is to receive the love, presence, and power of God.
Let’s set the scene in John 14. Jesus is spending his final night with his disciples before his crucifixion. He knows betrayal and arrest are imminent. These are his parting words—urgent, intimate, full of meaning.
In verse 16, Jesus says:
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate…”
The word Advocate comes from the Greek word paraclete—meaning counselor, helper, encourager, or comforter. And when Jesus says “another,” he uses the Greek word allos, meaning “another of the same kind and quality.” He’s not sending a replacement of lesser or different quality. He’s saying, The Spirit will be to you what I have been to you. You’re not just getting someone else—you’re getting someone just like me.
Imagine a child comforted by a parent’s voice after waking from a nightmare. That’s the tone here. Jesus is assuring them: You’re not being left alone. Someone will be with you—just like I’ve been with you. Always.
❤️ Heart: The Spirit is a Person, Not a Force
It’s easy to get confused when we talk about the Holy Spirit. Some people imagine an energy field or a mystical force—like something from Star Wars. But the Holy Spirit is not an “it.” The Spirit is a person. God’s own presence, personal and relational.
Let me give you a few examples straight from Scripture:
- The Spirit has knowledge.
“The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” —1 Corinthians 2:10 - The Spirit makes decisions.
“He gives [gifts] to person, just as he determines.” —1 Corinthians 12:11 - The Spirit loves.
Paul calls on us to live“By the love of the Spirit…” —Romans 15:30 - The Spirit speaks and calls.
The Holy Spirit said,“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul…” —Acts 13:2 - The Spirit grieves.
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…” —Ephesians 4:30
Imagine sitting across the table from a close friend. You speak, and they really listen. They respond with insight. They care deeply about what you’re going through. That’s more like the Holy Spirit than any vague spiritual energy. He listens. He speaks. He guides. He comforts.
✋ Hands: Getting in Step with the Spirit
So what does it look like to walk with the Holy Spirit?
In John 16, Jesus says something truly shocking:
“It is to your advantage that I go away…”
Think about that. What could be better than having Jesus physically beside you?
But Jesus’ point is profound. If he had stayed in human form, only a few people could interact with him at a time—like getting a ticket to see a famous world leader. But by sending the Spirit, God is now available to everyone, all the time, everywhere.
“I will not leave you as orphans…” —John 14:18
“He will be in you…” —John 14:17
The Spirit is not a substitute or downgrade. The Spirit is the living continuation of Jesus’ ministry—now within us. As one pastor put it, “Jesus beside us was great. But Jesus inside us is even greater.”
Let me give you an everyday example.
A friend of mine recently had to make a major career decision. Nothing in Scripture told him directly which job to take. But after prayer, reflection, and conversation with trusted mentors, he felt a strong inward peace and clarity that he couldn’t explain. What do we make of that? That was the Spirit, gently guiding and reminding him of God’s faithfulness.
⚖️ A Balanced Faith: Stability and Being Open to Surprise
The Spirit helps us hold two essential truths together:
- God is consistent.
He will never contradict His own Word or character. - God is also surprising.
The Spirit may lead us into new situations or opportunities—but always in line with who God has revealed Himself to be.
Some churches lean too far one way—clinging only to tradition and becoming rigid. Others chase novelty and emotion, drifting from truth. But when we follow the Holy Spirit, we don’t have to choose between stability and vitality. We get both.
“He will guide you into all truth.” —John 16:13
We follow the Spirit not just to know more, but to become more like Jesus—and more deeply connected to the heart of the Father.
🎯 Conclusion: Walking with God Daily
Let me leave you with this image:
Picture a dance. One partner leads, the other follows—not with stiff resistance or chaotic spinning, but with trust, attentiveness, and joy. That’s what life in the Spirit is like. Jesus leads. We follow. The Holy Spirit helps us stay in step with His rhythm.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments… And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate…” —John 14:15–16
Today, you are not alone. You are not abandoned. The Holy Spirit is here, beside you and within you. He is your Advocate. Your Comforter. Your Guide.
So ask for the Holy Spirit.
Walk with the Spirit.
Trust the Spirit.
And know: Jesus has not left you. He’s closer than ever.
Amen.