Functions of the Holy Spirit

In this message, Chuck Swindoll addresses the confusion and mystery that often surrounds the third person of the Trinity—a confusion jokingly illustrated by a child calling Him the "Holy Smoke". Focusing on the intimate setting of the Upper Room, Swindoll compares Jesus’ final instructions to the disciples to the "final words" of a dying father, emphasizing the immense weight and necessity of these truths for their survival. The sermon tackles the "orphan syndrome" that paralyzed the disciples with grief at the news of Jesus' departure. Swindoll explains Jesus' surprising declaration that it was actually to their advantage for Him to leave, as His physical departure allowed for the arrival of the Holy Spirit, who could be omnipresent and empower believers globally rather than locally. Swindoll offers a distinct interpretation of the Spirit's role in convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8–11). He argues that because the world cannot receive the Spirit directly, the Spirit performs this work through the believer. As the world observes the transformed life of a Christian, they are convicted of their own unbelief and lack of righteousness. Finally, the message explores the Spirit's ministry to the believer as a "transformer" of truth. Just as a train set requires a transformer to step down high voltage to a usable level, the Holy Spirit takes the majestic, infinite truth of God and dispenses it in meaningful, personal ways to guide each believer.

Message Key Facts:

• The "Orphan Syndrome": Swindoll notes that the disciples were paralyzed by grief and fear, unable to process Jesus' departure because they felt abandoned, revealing a deep human need to be "kept" and secure.
• The Strategic Advantage of Departure: Jesus taught that it was profitable for Him to go away because, while He could only be in one place at a time physically, the Holy Spirit can empower a believer in Israel and a believer in Australia simultaneously.
• Conviction Through the Believer: Swindoll revisits the orthodox view that the Spirit works directly on the world, suggesting instead that the Spirit convicts the world through the presence of the believer. He uses 1 Corinthians 7 (the sanctification of an unbelieving spouse) to illustrate how a believer’s presence acts as a "living letter" that exposes sin.
• The Three Areas of Conviction:
  • Sin: The world realizes its specific sin of unbelief by seeing the believer's source of power.
  • Righteousness: With Jesus gone to the Father, the world sees righteousness modeled in the Spirit-filled believer.
  • Judgment: The world sees that the "ruler of this world" (Satan) is judged because believers live free from his power and standards.
• The "Transformer" Analogy: Swindoll likens the Spirit’s ministry of illumination to an electrical transformer. He takes the "high voltage" of God’s absolute truth and breaks it down into "meaningful units" that individual believers can handle and apply.
• Channels and Changes: The sermon concludes with two principles: In convicting the world, the Spirit looks for channels (us); in communicating the Word to us, the Spirit looks for changes (transformation of character, not necessarily circumstances).

Message References:

• John 16:4–15: The primary text, detailing Jesus’ promise of the Helper (Advocate) and the Spirit’s twofold ministry to the world and the believer.
• John 14:16–17: The affirmation that the world cannot receive the Spirit of truth, supporting the view that He works through believers.
• 1 Corinthians 7:12–14: A supporting passage showing how an unbelieving spouse is "sanctified" (brought under conviction) through the believing partner.

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll