Being A Friend Of The Holy Spirit Nick Bowlin | River Church Frankfurt

The Holy Spirit – Our Divine Friend
Text: John 14:16–18, 21, 23, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7–15 (AMPC)
Focus: Knowing the Holy Spirit as a Person, making room for Him, and walking in friendship with Him.
Structure: Word-anchored, revelatory, and Spirit-dependent


INTRODUCTION
Today, we’re not talking about a dove, a breeze, or a chill. We’re talking about the Person of the Holy Spirit. Jesus called Him a Comforter—Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby.
He’s not distant. He’s not passive. He’s not optional.
He’s God. And He wants to be your closest Friend.


I. JESUS PROMISES THE COMFORTER
John 14:16–18 (AMPC)
“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, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.
I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.”
Jesus knew we would need more than power — we would need presence.
Not just a visitation, but fellowship. He’s not leaving us abandoned. The Spirit moves in to stay.


John 14:21 (AMPC)
“The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]”
John 14:23 (AMPC)
“Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.”
He doesn’t want weekend visits. He wants residency.
This is the indwelling presence of God that becomes real — daily, active, close.


John 14:26 (AMPC)
“But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.”
He teaches. He reminds. He whispers in the storm. He comforts in the night.
He is everything Jesus would be if He walked into your room.


II. HE TESTIFIES, GUIDES, AND GLORIFIES
John 15:26 (AMPC)
“But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me.”
The Spirit always points to Jesus. He reveals the Son.
If you’re getting closer to the Spirit, you’re getting closer to Christ.


John 16:7–15 (AMPC)
“However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter… will not come…
And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world…
I have still many things to say to you…
But when He, the Spirit of Truth… comes, He will guide you into all the Truth…
He will honor and glorify Me… He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.”
The Holy Ghost is not just your power — He is your Teacher, Convicter, Revealer, and Guide.


III. SIX SINS AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST
Not just offenses — these are relational wounds to a Person:
1. Blasphemy Against the Holy Ghost
Matthew 12:31–32 (KJV)
“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:
but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him:
but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
Willfully attributing the Holy Spirit’s work to Satan. A hardened rejection of truth.


2. Grieving the Holy Ghost
Ephesians 4:30 (KJV)
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
Through sin, rebellion, bitterness, and unclean speech. He is tender and relational.


3. Quenching the Spirit
1 Thessalonians 5:19 (KJV)
“Quench not the Spirit.”
Putting out the fire. Ignoring His lead. Denying His gifts. Blocking His move.


4. Resisting the Spirit
Acts 7:51 (KJV)
“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.”
Willful rejection of conviction. Knowing better, but hardening the heart.


5. Insulting the Spirit of Grace
Hebrews 10:29 (KJV)
“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant… an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
Despising mercy. Rejecting the Gospel after knowing the truth.


6. Lying to the Holy Ghost
Acts 5:3 (KJV)
“But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”
Pretending to be surrendered while holding back in secret.
IV. MAKING ROOM FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 14:23 (AMPC) – “We will come to him and make Our home…”
He doesn’t want a guest room. He wants the whole house.
How do you make room?
* Through obedience

* Through worship

* Through yielding

* Through removing what competes with Him



V. BECOMING A FRIEND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
He is your Helper… but He wants to be your Friend.
John 14:17 – “You know Him… He lives with you.”
John 14:26 – “He will remind you…”
John 16:13 – “He will guide you into all truth…”
John 16:14 – “He will glorify Me…”
Friendship requires:
* Time in the Word

* Time in prayer

* Sensitivity to His voice

* Obedience to His whispers

You walk with the Spirit by choosing Him daily.