Fallen Condition Focus: Pride prevents us from asking for help that we need

Sermon Proposition: Since the Father and the Son have sent the church another Paraclete, our Helper, we ought to cry out to God for help through his Holy Spirit

Introduction

I. The Paraclete, our Helper

"Before Jesus' passion, he promised that the Father and he would send his disciples 'another Counselor' (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). The Counselor or Paraclete, from the Greek word parakletos (meaning one who gives support), is a helper, adviser, strengthener, encourager, ally, and advocate. Another points to the fact that Jesus was the first Paraclete and is promising a replacement who, after he is gone, will carry on the teaching and testimony that he started (John 16:6-7)." J. I. Packer, Concise Theology, 143.

Paraclete = "Helper" (ESV); "Advocate" (NIV; NRSV; NLT); "Comforter" (KJV)

II. Our need for help and God's promise to send us the Helper

• We individually need help; our church needs help; our nation needs help
• Jesus promised his disciples to send them a Helper
• The Holy Spirit is the answer to our need
• Pride prevents us from asking for help

III. God responds to our cries for help and sends us the Helper

• God's Spirit leads us to God's truth in his Word and the wisdom of Jesus' cross
• David cries for help in Psalm 34
• Louis Zamperini (1917-2014) cried for help

Conclusion and Call to Respond