Thursday, October 12, 2023

Greater Works Than These, John 14:7-14

 


Greater works than Jesus?

How is that possible?

What are the greater works?

 

7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

Relationship.

Peter and Thomas had just asked Jesus where He was going (John 13:36, 14:5).

They focused on physical location—Jesus focused on the location of their heart.

Once again, Jesus makes it abundantly clear, He is indeed, God. If you know Him, you know God. He is the only Way, to God. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.

 

8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

Go. Know. Show.

Three disciples have made three comments in rapid succession. In them we see reflected three schools of thought still active today.

Go.

Peter rolls up his sleeves, where we going Jesus? Let’s roll. Peter has a real hard time when Jesus says, “Stay.”

Go folks want to be part of the action, they want a task, a position—if not, they may pack up and go fishing.

Know.

Know before you go, is the motto of this school of thought. Just give me the rules, the map, the facts,  Thomas needs to see the nail prints and scars—then, he’ll believe.

Show.

A people seeker. Philip knows Jesus is awesome, but not quite enough, show us the Father, then, we’ll be good to go.

These folks are never satisfied. A small town, foot washing, fish cleaning, Preacher, isn’t enough.

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

Grow up.

Jesus expects us to mature. To get to know Him. Personally. So we can recognize Him, discern His voice from a stranger.

Even sheep do that.

Once again, He reiterates, that He and His Father, are one.

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

Believe.

Notice Jesus links knowing to believing. He says, “believe” four times in verses 10-12.

Then, He adds, “words” and “works” into the mix.

He is the Word, became flesh. By His Words, the world was created. Faith comes by hearing His Word (rhema). Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

And faith results in works.

Faith without works is not faith, but dead. James 2:26.

John 1:14; Psalm 33:6, Romans 10:17, Luke 6:45.

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

Greater works.

All of that builds up to this amazing statement.

Greater works than Jesus?

How is that possible?

What are the greater works?

Notice Jesus says this is possible, because He goes to His Father.

What happened when Jesus went to His Father?

Acts 2 tells us that on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit filled the disciples and they spoke in other languages that could be understood by all the different nations gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost.

The fisherman, Peter, preached and 3,000 souls were saved that day, and the Church was born.

From that moment to this, the Church followed God’s first command to man, to “Be fruitful and multiply.”

We’ve covered the globe.

The greater works are not better or bigger miracles; but greater, numerically and geographically, than the relatively small reach of Jesus during His short earthly ministry.

 

13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Prayer.

Notice Jesus transitions immediately to prayer.

Prayer is what causes His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Prayer is powerful and effective. James 5:16-18.

Prayer is selfless (not selfish). That’s what “in My name” implies. We pray as a representative of Jesus.

Prayer is getting close enough to God to hear His heart beat, and then repeating what you’re hearing.

Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:4-5.

 

Let’s pray.

Father, we come to You, in the name of Jesus.

And that is enough.

Here, with You, we stay, and pray, have Your Way, in us, and through us, so Your will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

There’s much to do before Your Love and Light purges this blood-soaked earth. So, we ask for Your Holy Spirit to fill us, and work through us, to reach the ones You’ve given to us, so not one is lost or left behind.

Lord, thank You for Your Comforter, soothing the sorrow of those hurting all around us. And also, especially now, those in Israel mourning from the evils of hamas.

We love You, forever.

Amen.  

 

Prayer Requests/ Praise Reports:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Watch online:

Facebook: Greater Works Than These, John 14:7-14

You Tube: Greater Works Than These, John 14:7-14

Will you help spread His Good News?

If only 45 more people go to our You Tube channel, and click "Subscribe" and "Like" (thumbs up icon), then, we will be able to offer, You Tube Live. (That way we won’t be tied to facebook only).

Thanks for helping sow His Good Seed.



No comments: