In the main scripture of which you will discover as we move through this message, I changed the word He to we without at all changing the meaning or intent of the scripture.
Let’s foundationalize this message:
John 14:12-14 - 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. 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.
Now this is a big instruction from Jesus. He is telling us that we in essence will be Him on earth doing the same things, that is healing, casting out demons, giving words of knowledge, using wisdom, you know all of the Holy Spirit gifts as well as many more, that we would continue His program of salvation as well, and get this because it is the heart of this message, and that we would do greater works than these. Now I am not a Greek or Hebrew scholar, well in fact I am not a scholar in most everything so I guess that shouldn’t by now be a big surprise, but greater does not mean continuing on with the same program that Jesus did. Look at what He says just before He introduces the Greater statement, “the works that I do he will do also.” You see He already said we would be doing, should be doing, each and every one of us should be doing, ha, no but many Christians will have been found to have accepted the job of salvation having never showed up for work. And yes if that bothers you that I said that then respond to the Holy Spirit and clock in. The few Christians running for God need your help. Ok so anyway, we see that He swept the normal tasks out in front of us and then added, greater works than these we will do.” Notice the words, “than these” meaning healing, preaching, teaching, miracles, signs, and wonders, casting out demons, yes and all of the other things that Jesus did. And but now why would I go to such great lengths to be sure you understand the difference between what the bibles tells us that Jesus did, and the additional “greater works than these” statement? Because I have read and heard that the real meaning of this is that because there are more of us than of Jesus, the greater simply means volume of work. Of course right? I mean if 1000 Christians are doing the normal work of Jesus, that is going to produce more than He and even the 120 who were in the upper room would have produced. Now don’t ask me if we in todays church are actually doing that, but that is what some people believe and I would not disagree with them. But. I know right? There has to be a but in this because what they are stating is what we call the obvious. Considering all things equal, two people would or should out perform one. So but Jesus went beyond elementary math and added, ” greater works than these we will do.” Not more as it would be obvious to any elementary baby Christian and maybe in this one time Jesus trusted us to actually get that basic concept. Again for the mathematically challenged, of which I am, two people should outperform one.
So this message is going to tale a look at some unique things that happened back in the day. Why? Because I think we have yet to see the great works in or days. Listen to this:
Matt 24:24 - For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
