Sermon outlines · John 14:15-18
Sermon outline on the Holy Spirit
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In John 14:17, “Spirit” translates a Greek word: πνεῦμα. In Antioquia’s study mode, one tap shows what it means and where else it appears in the Bible — the kind of detail that gives a sermon depth. Try it in the preview.
17Even the of ; the , it , : ; he , shall .
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John 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
✦ Understand this verseπνεῦμα
pneûma · Greek · G4151
- In this verse
- Spirit
- What it means
- spirit, breath, wind
- How the King James translates it
- Spirit231Ghost91spirits32
Appears in 350 verses · See them all in the app
Sermon outline
Sermon title
I will not leave you comfortless
Main idea
Jesus did not leave his disciples on their own: the Holy Spirit is the Comforter who is present, who teaches the truth of Jesus and equips the church to bear witness.
Text
If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:15-18 · Read the chapter →
Introduction
It was the last night before the cross. Jesus had told his disciples that he was going where they could not come, and their hearts were troubled. In this part of the conversation he promises not to leave them comfortless — the word means orphans — because the Father would give them another Comforter, to abide with them for ever.
1. A Comforter who stays
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:16-17 · Read the chapter →
Jesus prays to the Father, and the Father gives another Comforter, to abide with the disciples for ever. He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world does not know, but who dwells with them and will be in them. Jesus was about to leave, but the care he had shown his own would go on.
Application: On lonely days, remember that whoever believes in Jesus is not alone.
2. A Teacher who guides into truth
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
John 16:13 · Read the chapter →
The Spirit of truth guides into all truth and does not speak of himself. Earlier, Jesus had said he would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance everything Jesus had said. The Spirit’s work is bound to the words of Jesus: he does not bring a different gospel, he sheds light on what Christ taught.
Application: Open your Bible asking the Spirit to shed light on what you read — and obey what you understand.
3. Power to bear witness
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8 · Read the chapter →
Before he ascended, Jesus promised the disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. That power has a direction: to make them witnesses of Jesus, from Jerusalem to the uttermost part of the earth. The same men who fled on the night of his arrest would speak of Jesus in public.
Application: Think of someone in your own “Jerusalem” — home, work, neighbourhood — with whom you can share what Jesus has done.
Conclusion
Jesus tied the promise of the Spirit to love and obedience: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” The Holy Spirit is not a resource to call on when convenient, but God’s own presence, who comforts, teaches and sends. Invite the church to depend on him every day — in reading the Word, in obedience and in witness wherever God has placed it.