Greater works
Greater works
Theme verse: John 14:12
Called to greater works
Key verse:
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do
Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Key thought: Jesus called us to a life of the supernatural, he left us a challenge, that we can greater works than He did
Context
Jesus performed a number of miracles
He healed the sick, raised the dead, and even controlled nature- this also included transformation
Jesus came to earth to redeem mankind, He came to seek and save the lost, in this regard greater do mean we can save anyone, this was uniquely fulfilled through Christ.
These works are not greater in terms of significance for we cannot be equal to Jesus or even do anything of note outside Him
Greater works in the sense of magnitude and reach
Our responsibility now is share the gospel but there is also a promise that the miraculous will when the gospel is being preached
Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
When we trust and depend on his power, the results will be greater works.
For example, the apostles as they were ministering, they performed many miracles and manu people came to the Lord.
On the day of Pentecost alone, 3,000 people came to faith.
Today the church continues to grow and God is working mightily through his servants.
Thorough Him, we can make a difference and replicate the supernatural that he did
There is more to what God can do in our lives than what we are doing now, there must be a good tension between contentment and good ambition
1 Corinthians 2:9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
Greater churches and ministers are coming in the future, our responsibility is
- Dare believe God for more, we haven't arrived yet, we keep pushing
- God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or imagine
- Grow our fellowship with him more - there is need for consecration.
- Run away from sin, we must be people of His presence
- Yearn and expect more from the Lord.
- Always stay humble, greatful and prepared
- When God asks who shall we send? May you be available
- Greater works anchored by faith in Jesus Christ
- Therefore it is to all who believe
- Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
- Greater works are done in the name of Jesus, anything outside our union in Christ does not qualify.
- Every believer is a candidate of greater works, faith is qualifier and trigger for greater works
- We operate on his authority - all authority in heaven and on earth have been given to me me, therefore go!
- One key currency is to keep believing, the conviction that we are called to greater works should be a constant anchor
- There is more that God can do and is willing to work through us
- Our faith must grow!
- We must move from little faith to greater faith, we must deal with every doubt and any form of unbelief
- Mark 9:24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
- Greater works are fueled by the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit
- The enabler is the Holy Spirit and the limit is ourselves
- Jesus promised us that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us
- It is the Holy Spirit that annoints us for greater works
- Greater works are are only possible when God is with us
- Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
- We have been given the authority to heal the sick, cast out demons
- The baptism of the Holy Spirit opens us to the realm of the supernatural, we become more sensitive.
- Above everything, life in the Spirit is flows out of Spirit-filled life.
- The power is for service! The Holy Spirit continues to empower believers such that the impact of the gospel is on a global scale.
- Fo us to do greater works, we must be spiritually prepared- it is therefore important to invein our spiritual growth
- Pray, study, fellowship, consecration and witnessing
- Greater works enable enable effective ministry
- Jesus ministered to both the spiritual and physical needs of people
- V11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves
- Our works can open spaces for kingdom expansion and sharing of the Gospel
- Miracles, signs and wonders help to attract and spread the gospel - the open doors for the preaching of the gospel
- They comfirm our message, they are not the message itself but confirm the word
- We must always remember that it is God that works miracles in us
- Greater works bring people to marvel at the works of God, it is for the glory of God
- One major way we perform greater works is through our spiritual giftedness
- We are all gifted, we are endowed with abilities and capacities
- 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
- You are packaged to do great things for God
- Stir up the gift and use your God given gifts
Conclusion
Dare believe God for greater things, He keeps his word
Altar call
May God grow our faith
May we desire spiritual gifts
May we serve God allowing Him to do great things in us