Most any Bible student is aware that Jesus’ favorite Word for the Holy Spirit was “COMFORTER.” At least four times our Lord employs this Title for the Third Person of the Godhead.

Those being John 14:16 and John 14:26. Followed by John 15:26 then John 16:27.

The Noun is “parakletos” in Greek. It means One Who is called (“kaleo”) alongside (“para”) to help and encourage and strengthen and even caution a fellow traveler!

Except the Holy Spirit is not only “beside” us, but “indwelling” us! Paul taught us that in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 … “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is IN you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Then as I grow in the Grace of God I learn that Jesus too is my “Parakletos!” In English we often use the word Paraclete. Our King James Bible translates the word differently when referring to Jesus though.

Let me show you. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an ADVOCATE with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1, where “advocate” is our Greek noun “parakletos!”

The Holy Spirit is our Comforter!

Jesus is our Comforter!

And now I learn that God the Father is my Comforter as well! “Blessed be GOD, EVEN THE FATHER of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the GOD OF ALL COMFORT; Who COMFORTETH US in all our tribulation.” 2 Corinthians 1:3

Now you can better understand the Lesson Title today!

THE TRINUE COMFORTER!

FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT!

We Christians are then “thrice comforted!”

How very blessed!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Ultimately, the wages of sin is death. Based on God’s Word, particularly Romans 6:23. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

But there are some additional “benefits” (“curses” would have been a much better word) sins pays along the way to the grave.

And I will use Samson (the famous Old Testament Judge) today for a sad example.

The end of that physically strong man’s life of compromise, as recorded in Scripture …

“But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.” Judges 16:21

Look what disobeying God brought to Samson … what sin does:

Sin blinds!

Sin binds!

Sin grinds!

Look back up to Judges 16:21 again. All three facts are there firmly established!

Sin blinds whereas … “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Quoting Jesus in Matthew 5:8.

Sin binds … “Ye were the servants (bound salves) of sin.” Romans 6:20, Paul the Apostle.

And sin grinds, by that I mean it is (after the pleasures of a season wear away) listless, tepid, unfulfilling! Sin becomes a bore! “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Iniquity numbs. Matthew 24:12.

But … there is a solution for sin!

“And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Quoted from 1 John 1:7.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

So true!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Our verse today is found in 1 Corinthians 3:6 … “I have planted, Apollos watered; BUT GOD GAVE THE INCREASE.

The verb used here for “gave increase” is “auxano” in Greek. It means “to cause to grow.” One lexicon says “to augment.”

Work must be done, but GOD HIMSELF places the final and permanent blessing upon it.

God imparting such increase may be parallel to Jabez’s second request in his magnificent prayer. “God of Israel, that Thou wouldest ENLARGE my coast.” 1 Chronicles 4:10

It is also similar to Psalm 75:6-7 … “For PROMOTION cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”

Wow!

And what an “increase” God can give!

“And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.” Mark 4:20, now THAT’S fruit bearing!

Thus this morning … I’ve discovered a new “aspect” of my future prayer life! Or at least a new way of phrasing (wording) my prayers.

“Oh Lord, give the increase to this Preacher’s labor I pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

We work, then we back out of the picture … “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but GOD that giveth the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:7, that our dear Saviour may receive all the Glory!

The last few words of Mark’s Gospel have often spoken to me along this line of thought … concerning God giving the increase. “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the LORD (JESUS) working with them, and confirming the word.” Mark 16:19-20

“Lord; work with us, pray for us, be with us … and confirm Thy Word in all we do!” Another wise prayer!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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One of my favorite authors often said (he being in Heaven now) that “Readers are leaders!”

I think that’s true in almost every area of life.

For this reason (among others) I record an occasional “Book Hint” and post it on social media. (YouTube primarily, but also on Facebook)

I uploaded one last night, recommending a classic commentary on the Old Testament Book of Leviticus and then a precious volume on suffering in the Christian life.

Also … later today (around 4:15 or so this afternoon) I will preach and share our Evening Meditation from Hebrews 13. Specifically verses 10-14 this class session.

I think this little Paragraph (I told Debbie yesterday) has presented me more problems and interpretive “knots” to untie than any other in the whole Book, the Epistle of Hebrews.

Be sure and watch!

So … while it’s raining profusely here at home this Saturday morning, enjoy your day in the Lord!

Praises to the true and living God … “Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields.” Job 5:10

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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While that term, “man of God” is used around 75 times in the Old Testament, I surprisingly find it ONLY TWICE in the entire New Testament! Let me show you where …

In 1 Timothy 6:11 … “But thou, O MAN OF GOD, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

Then again in 2 Timothy 3:17 … “That the MAN OF GOD may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Both these foregoing occurrences are found in Paul’s Pastoral Epistles, but no surprise there.

I looked for “linkage” between these two References. And here it is, the “common bond” that ties these two appellations together.

Both are in verses admonishing these the “man of God” to “live right” to the Glory of God!

That’s understandable!

I occasionally use the term (“man of God”) … but always cautiously. As an evangelist I am around dozens and dozens of Pastors every year. This honor places me in a position to be able to interact with these strong Believers in Christ.

And yet I have learned something this morning. No one becomes a “man of God” by means of a diploma from some prestigious institution. Or by claiming such a name for himself. Or, Biblically speaking, by any other means than …

… LIVING A GODLY LIFE!

Wow!

Read these two verses again. Then notice the context into which each is set. Amid good advice, both negatively and positively, from the Holy Spirit of God.

This fact sure shows God’s priorities, doesn’t it?

If you have been blessed enough to be around a real “man of God,” thank the dear Lord for such a privilege.

Then pray for him.

Especially as this world rapidly becomes darker and darker, more and more ungodly.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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