Introduction: There are many verses in the Bible which describe the Triune God. In the Old Testament we have Isaiah 11:1-2 and Isaiah 42:1-7, to name only two places. In the New Testament we have Matthew 3:16-17 and many other verses. There is only one God, but there are three Persons in the Godhead. It is interesting to note that there is a "division of labor" in the Godhead. One passage describing this is I Peter 1:1-2. In a nutshell, election is the work of the Father. Redemption is the work of the Son. Salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit.
I. The Holy Spirit is at work in the Christian's life in many different ways....
II. We lack time today to go into all these works of the Holy Spirit as He applies the atonement of Christ to our hearts and lives, and works out all the ramifications of salvation in us. But let's zero in on the aspects of His work that are mentioned by Jesus in these verses in John 14, 15 and 16.
First, note that Jesus gives a name to the Holy Spirit: "Counselor" in the NIV. "Comforter" in the KJV. In the Amplified Bible, John 14:16 reads thusly: "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever -- the Spirit of Truth."
Second, we see that the Holy Spirit helps us in two particular ways:
1. He is the Great Teacher about Jesus.
John 14:25-26 John 15:26 and John 16:12-14
He would remind the disciples of all they had heard Jesus say for three years.
He would testify about Jesus.
He would guide the disciples into all truth, and glorify Jesus in His teaching.
2. He convicts the world (John 16:7-11).
The word "convict" in NIV may be rendered "reprove, rebuke, expose, convince."
The Holy Spirit has always had a ministry in the world of restraining the sinful impulses of fallen mankind. In Genesis 6:3 we read of God's Spirit striving with mankind. In 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 we read how the Holy Spirit restrains sin, and then when He steps aside at the end of the age, the anti-Christ can appear, but not until then. This passage in John reminds us that the Holy Spirit not only works in the hearts of believers, but He also restrains evil in the world:
a. He convicts people about sin, and makes them feel guilty.
b. He convicts people about righteousness. People continue to know what is right and what is wrong, because the Holy Spirit keeps on reminding them.
c. He convicts people about judgment. Satan has been judged already. Judgment Day is coming for all mankind. The Holy Spirit makes people remember that Judgment Day is coming, and this has a restraining influence on their sinful works.
NOTE: Thank God for the work of the Holy Spirit in restraining the evil of fallen mankind. This world will turn into a horrible place to live when the Holy Spirit stops His work, and the anti-Christ takes over.
Conclusion: As we said earlier, the Holy Spirit is busily at work in many ways in the Christian's life. He baptized us into Christ's Body. He sealed us unto the day of redemption. He indwells every Christian. He fills and controls us as we walk with Him. He gives us spiritual gifts. He illumines us and guides us as we study the Bible. He sanctifies and produces spiritual fruit in our lives. He comforts us and enables us to work for Christ. He prays with us and He prays for us. He also watches over us and protects us from much of the evil that is in the world. Thank God for His Holy Spirit! Amen.