Orphan Sunday

You can watch today’s service in its entirety on YouTube by clicking here.

Here is a link to the video we used to introduce Pastor Mark’s message for Orphan Sunday on YouTube.

John 14:15-21 (NKJV) | ¹⁵ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. ²⁰ At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. ²¹ He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

Jesus’ command to love

• John 13:35 (ESV) | By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Living the Command

• Galatians 6:2 (GNT) | Help carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ.

No Orphans

• Isaiah 1:17 (NIV) | Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

The Holy Spirit

• Paraklētos – Helper
• Not translatable to English
• Definition of parakletos is “one who is called in for a purpose” — like a real estate agent who comes in and advises what to clean up, clear out, and correct before turning over a house to new ownership.

Holy Spirit – Our CAPTAIN

• COMFORTS us in the storms
• Gives COURAGE when afraid
• Helps us COPE with troubles
• CORRECTS us when we’re wrong
• CONNECTS us with others

Reflection Questions

1. What is Jesus’ commandment? How is this made evident in a person’s life? For what purpose?
2. Why is it our work of burden bearing is shown in obedience to love? When have you seen this work? When have you seen it not work?
3. Why do you think Jesus made mention of orphans in this text? How does it connect with the over-arching biblical narrative?
4. What is the best way to understand the work of the Holy Spirit? For what purpose?
5. Pastor Mark offered five words beginning with the letter ‘C’ that help us comprehend the work of the Holy Spirit. Which one surprises you the most? Gives you the most hope? Challenges you to be different?