The Time Has Come Week 5
The Time Has Come Week 5
Easter 2026: Adopted not Abandoned
John 14:12-31
March 29th, 2026
The Time Has Come: “The Last Supper, the Beginning of Everything.”
Freedom in Christ is always a bit awkward at first but awkwardly free sure beats consistently captive.
The disciples were literally caught between two worlds – this world fell woefully short of their hopes and dreams and God’s future Kingdom was still too fuzzy to grasp.
John 14:12-20, 25-27 (NIV) 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
The heart of the Father (Christianity) is not to leave anyone abandoned!
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth.
“Another” = Person: Someone just like myself; not less than, identical, not a representative, the real deal.
“Advocate” = Role: One called alongside to help. Comforter, counselor, legal defense, support and encouragement.
“Forever” = No setting will separate you, no time will lapse between you, no expiration date on presence.
God’s 3 biggest promises are
1. Salvation
2. Heaven
3. His forever right now presence in the person of Holy Spirit.
Ezekiel 34:26-27 (NIV) 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
“In you” is the key distinction from the activity of the Holy Spirit before Christ and after Christ. Before Christ the Holy Spirit could come on someone, after Christ the Holy Spirit would live in everyone.
“Greater works than these will you do.”
One of the Holy Spirit’s roles is that of multiplier.
Greater works was one of those multipliers.
Don’t miss that the Holy Spirit was someone like Jesus.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
The Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit is God, like Jesus is God.
• The Holy Spirit will do greater works through you.
• The Holy Spirit will remain with you forever.
• The Holy Spirit will continue teaching you and shaping you.
• The Holy Spirit will bring you peace and will be your peace.
Romans 8:14:17 (NIV) 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Adoption is security and identity.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV) 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
The Holy Spirit is our guarantee.
Every promise of God has to be received as a gift.
Jesus is a Gift from God: John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Salvation is a Gift from God: Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
The Holy Spirit is a Gift from God:
• Luke 11:13 (NIV) 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
• Acts 2:38-39 (NIV) 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Freedom in Christ is always a bit awkward at first but awkwardly free sure beats consistently captive. The Holy Spirit is your freedom guide. Ask God for the Gift of the Spirit. You have not been abandoned – you have been adopted.