And we've been looking at smaller parts in John 14. There's a lot in this chapter. Our focus today is just going to be on verse 12. But I'll read from verse 1 through verse 17. So hear God's holy word. Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in Me. In My Father's house a place for you. And if I don't prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself. And where I am, you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going. Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on, you do know Him, and you have seen Him. Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know Me, Philip? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father. Who can say, Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do works, then these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father And He will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. Thus far the reading of God's Holy Word. The grass withers, the flower fails, but the Word of our God endures forever. Let's pray for God's blessing. Our Father, how we do thank You for Your Word. We thank you, Lord, that you promise to be with your church, to work in and through your church, to work in those who believe. So, Father, we rejoice in your faithful promises. Lord, help us on this day to hear your word. Bless he who brings it, and bless us all with listening ears. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. of the Lord Jesus Christ this morning we're focusing on just one verse in scripture and it contains a great, a rich and awesome promise from God. There's a lot in that one little verse. It contains a promise from Jesus himself. And we know that this promise and all promises from Him are true because He is the truth. But do you ever feel like certain promises are just too good to be true? You know the saying, if it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true. If I promised to give one of you a million dollars, you know that's too good to be true. I don't have that capacity to do that. But I need to remind you that this particular promise that we're working on and looking at today is a promise of God. I have so many limits. Your God, your father, your savior has no limits. And so what Jesus says here is that he will do the work. A believer will do the works that Jesus did, and even greater works than these, he will do. That promise is true, because it's not the promise of a pastor. It's not the promise of a man. This is what Christ says, and what he promises. And even though we look at it and wonder, how can such a thing be true? And we might scratch our head, we must know that this is true. Now, remember, Jesus has been seeking to comfort his disciples. Their hearts were troubled as he told them that he was going away. But he told them he was going to prepare a place for them. He told them that he would come back to take them to be with him. And then after dealing with a question from Philip, he gives them this promise that those who believe in him That's His promise. Now think of it. Jesus had done pretty amazing things, right? He healed the blind man. He walked on the water. He raised the dead. But we know we can't do those things. What things are we going to do that Jesus did? What things are we going to do that are greater? How can this be true? What is this about? It's got to be true. We know it's true. It's Christ's word, but what is it saying to us? Three things that we're going to look at. First of all, what works? What works will we do? Secondly, who will? Who's the we? And finally, what is the source? How are these things done? Well, the promise of Jesus just sounds amazing. It sounds incredible. And we know that it can't be too good to be true because we know that Jesus is telling us. So the question for us, right first of all, is what works? What works is Jesus referring to that we will do? What are these greater works of believers? Now, thinking of all the miracles that Jesus performed, healing the blind, raising the dead, Is Jesus talking about miracles here? Will we be able to do these things and greater? Clearly, this can't be the case, right? I say that because we know that we can't raise the dead. And the issue in that is not merely that we don't have enough faith. Otherwise, those of you who have lost or other loved ones would have gotten your spouses back, right? And actually, though, if you think about it, if you or I could bring back a lost loved one, a spouse, a parent, I think we'd probably disappoint them, wouldn't we? Imagine if we could bring a spouse back and they go from the presence of Christ, seeing Christ, to you. Right? What are you in comparison to that? What would be the thing to do? Would it? Christ takes them to himself and we say no and we bring them back. That's not what Jesus is talking about. He's not telling us that we're going to do miraculous things in that sense. Raise the dead, heal the blind. Now while it's true that the apostles were able to do certain miraculous things, They didn't do, in that sense, greater miracles than Jesus. And we certainly don't perform miracles today. My brothers and sisters, Jesus was not referring to miracles or to us doing miracles. But what was Jesus referring to? Well, let me begin by saying that Jesus does not view greatness in the same way that you and I would first view greatness. We think when we think of greatness, right? Miracles, something like that, something amazing, something that's impossible. Luke 10 gives us some guidance here, though. In that chapter of Luke 10, Jesus sends out the 72 disciples on their first preaching mission. The disciples return from that preaching mission rejoicing at what? rejoicing that demons, even demons, were subject to them. They were able to cast out demons. But what did Jesus reply to them? Remember what Jesus said? Luke 10, 19 and 20, Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. What's Jesus saying? In Jesus' view, what's more important aren't the miracles, but the spiritual reality of their names written in heaven, written in the lands That's what ought to be important to us. Now I want you to recall and think about the ministry of Jesus. Think of how often he was rejected. How often those who saw his miracles even refused to believe, in fact, what happened after he healed the blind man. They were ready to do what? Believe? No, they were ready to kill him. Think about what's going to happen shortly. Think of the context of where we are. Jesus is about to be taken from them. He's about to die on the cross. And the spirit is going to be poured out at Pentecost. And Peter then preaches his first Christian sermon. Children, what happened? Three thousand people believed. Acts 2, 39-41, for the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off. Everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them saying, save yourselves from this crooked generation. So those who received his word were baptized. And there were added that day about 3,000 souls. Let me say this for a second. Think about this. You never saw that in the ministry of Jesus, did you? That he preached and 3,000 people believed. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying the apostles are greater than Jesus. That's not the point that I'm saying, why did those people believe? boasts in himself. And so we'll get to the third point, which talks about the source in a little bit. I'm not saying that the apostles or that the church is better, but this is the promise that Jesus is making. will believe and come to faith. You will do the works that I have done and even greater works than these. And the Gospel has, right? Which back in Jesus' day was basically where? It was basically contained in Israel. Right? With very few believers. And now, where is the gospel? It's going forth throughout the whole world, every tribe, tongue, and nation. We have believers even in persecuted countries like China and Qatar, Japan, and different places in Africa. Greater works have been done through the gospel going forth. Lives have been changed. A great work has been done and is being done by believers. Not that they're the ones who are ultimately doing it. But they're doing greater works. Even today. Jesus is talking about changed lives through the gospel going forth. Is it therefore any wonder that the church's great commission is, go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the earth. Great commission, what? Go. Go to the nations. Go to the world. Make disciples. And let me stress with this, the task of the church, therefore, the focus of the church, therefore, is spiritual. We are sent on a spiritual mission, and we are promised with success. Are we concerned with all of life? Of course. As the church, our focus is spiritual. Our ministry is spiritual. It's not politics. to be sure the Bible applies to all of life. But Alan Strange, in his book Empowered Witness, rightly says this. This book presses, this book Empowered Witness, presses for a mere spirituality that encourages the church as the church to mind its spiritual business and not to seek to proclaim anything but thus says the Lord and what may rightly be implied from Scripture. The church as church lacks the competency. and authority to address political situations in detail, because it lacks the scriptural word to opine about specific proposed remedies, such as higher minimum wages, better tax schemes, term limits for public office, and many other matters that should be decided in the political forum and not in the ecclesiastical one. His concern in that book is that the Church doesn't miss its focus of preaching Christ in the world. Who will do these great works, then, that Christ is talking about here? Well, it's we who are believers who will do these works. Now, that doesn't mean that every single believer is a gifted evangelist. Some are more gifted in evangelism than others. I don't deny that. The Bible doesn't deny that. But I want you to pay attention to how Jesus began verse 12. Because I think when we think about evangelism, we often think, well, that's somebody else's job. That's the job of the evangelist. That's the job of the pastor. That's the job of the apostles. That's the job of somebody, but not me, because that's not my gift. But Jesus said in verse 12, truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me, will also do works that I do and greater works than these will he do? Because I'm going to the father who will do these things. He who believes in Jesus. Do you believe in Jesus? Then that's you. It's not somebody else. Do you believe who Jesus claimed to be? Do you believe that He is the one sent from God to do the work of God? Do you believe that He is the Savior? Do you believe that He is your Savior? Are you resting on Him as He's offered in the Gospel? Then you are the one this is to. And you may be saying, but I know I'm special. I could say that to that in two different ways. Of course you're not. And neither am I. Or I could say it this way. Of course you are. Because God has brought you to Himself and you're His child. Christ sends His Spirit and His Spirit works in those who believe. You don't have to be somebody special or you really are someone special God works through those who believe. Not because of who we are, but because that's who He's chosen to work through. He works through His believers. That's what He says here. God will use you. But we often think, it's not me. It's got to be somebody else. You have a task. I'm pointing at you, but even as I'm pointing at you, right, I also know that I'm pointing at myself with three other fingers on each hand. You have a task to go into this community with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And God will do great things. I will not tell you what he will do. I don't know what he will do. He will do great things. It's not the job or merely the job. It's one of the jobs, but it's not merely the job of the pastor to evangelize. And as you as a congregation are looking for a new pastor, yes, look for one who is concerned about evangelism. But also say, this is my task as well. And God will work. There's no doubt about that. God will work. Hebrews 11 verse six, as you know, says without faith is impossible to please him. Forever draw would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. So in faith, go forth. Second, let me stress that it's important for us who believe to pray. will not those whose faith is in Jesus pray. If in faith we are dependent upon Him, that will express itself in dependent prayer. Right? When you start saying, well, I'm nobody special, OK, in one sense that's true, of course. But knowing that, what ought you to do? Go to Him who is special. Go to Him who does hear your prayer. We pray before we share the Gospel. We pray as we share the Gospel. We pray after we share the Gospel. And notice the next verse. You see, even though we're only looking at one verse, we can't take that one verse out of its context, right? In this context, we have this verse that gives us this great promise. And then verses 13 and 14, which Lord willing, we'll get to next week. Jesus says, whatever you ask in my name, this I will do that the father may be glorified in the son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will So pray. Those verses themselves are a great promise that we'll look at, as I say, Lord willing, next time. And a challenge I need for myself, and perhaps you need as well, pray with some specificity. We often pray, I think, God bring in the lost, and you ought to pray that way. But you ought not to pray merely that way. Maybe we pray that way because we think we have somebody in particular in mind and we think they're just so stubborn, so hard, that that person is never going to come to the faith. Pray with specificity. God, my loved one, my daughter, my father, my child, whatever it might be, work in their heart Bring them to faith. Grant them that faith. Yes, give a general prayer, but get into the specifics. Pray for specific people looking for God to actually work. I think sometimes we do pray, maybe sometimes with specifics, but then pray as if we're doing it because it's our duty and we don't really think anything's going to happen. Pray with the specifics. These great works are done by those whose lives are marked by a love of Christ that is expressed in obedience to his commands. Having told us that those who believe will do greater works and having told us to pray, Jesus also calls us to loving obedience when he says in verse 15, which Lord willing, we'll get to in a couple weeks. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Again, see this verse in its context. As we obey Christ out of love for Him, He will accomplish great works for the salvation of others through us. How does this work? Well, one of the very things that we're to obey is to command and tell others about Jesus. Now, this doesn't mean that everyone you talk to is going to believe. Sometimes it seems as if no one will listen. Was that way often for Jesus? And you're no better than Jesus. But brothers and sisters, God is pleased through the ministry of his word to bring others to himself. So love the word, leave the word, obey the word and go tell others. And there's something else to obedience. Obedience is a display to the world that God saves us not merely from sin's punishment, but He saves us from sin's dominion and mastery. And so obedience shows something of the power of God to the world. Believers will be used by God for great things. Know it. Believe it. Pray. lovingly follow Christ. But what's the source of these great things that believers will do? Let me make it clear. The source is not you. In that sense, you're not special. And it's not me. And it's not because you believed or because you prayed. It's not because you love Jesus and you follow Jesus. Don't ever think that. It's not you. You and I are nothing. It's already said, apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Jesus said, John 15, 5, I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing. There's no strength. There's no power. There's no greatness. Not in you and certainly not in me. The key to all of this is found in the last phrase of verse 12. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do and greater works than these he will do because I am going to the Father. As believers, we will do greater things because Jesus is going to the Father. Now we've seen and we know that he is gone to the Father to prepare a place for us, but there's more to it than that. We'll get to these verses, Lord willing, verses 16 and 17, where Jesus says this, and I will ask the Father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever. Even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. Why will you do greater things than these? Not because of your faith in Christ, not because of your love, not because of your obedience, Going to the Father, He sends His Spirit to be in you forever. The Spirit will work in and through you through His power, which is unlimited. Right? You go to any person, their resources are quite limited. There's no limit to the resources of the Spirit. But because it's the resources of the Spirit, right? There's nothing for you and me to boast in ourselves. That's all it brings. that relative or loved one that you've been sharing the gospel with who's been so hard and rebellious. Can you have any hope that your feeble, frail, and weak efforts can save that loved one? No. Not if it is your works. You can't change the heart. You may wish you could, right? Have you ever had that luck one? You wish if you just grabbed them by the shoulders and shook them that maybe then they'd believe? That doesn't work. But what if Christ will send His Spirit to change the heart? You see, where's the source? Where's the hope? There it is. not in my efforts, but in the power of the Spirit. What if you're wrestling with some sin in which you've been entangled and to which you've been failing pray to repeatedly? Can you rest your faith, or can you rest rather in your faith and in your love for Jesus to change? I will change because I love Jesus enough. I will change because I have faith enough. Can you, by mere sheer determination, determine to change simply because you love Jesus? No. You and I are weak. Your love and my love for Christ isn't sufficient to change me or you. There's no real power in me and my love to overcome temptations. Do you see the source? It's not by my migrant power. It's not by my determination that I'm going to turn from sin. It's by the presence and power of the Spirit of Christ. He is promised. He goes to the Father and will send Him. And so will you trust in Christ's promise and in His Spirit to do great things? Wow, we're small. We feel so weak. We feel so limited. How can we accomplish anything here? What's going to happen in the future here? Brothers and sisters, share the gospel with others. Pray. Rest in Him. He does amazing things through weak people who believe in Him. Christ has gone to the Father. That's your hope. He sent the Spirit. So Christ, through His Spirit, will do great and amazing things through us. And perhaps, in the back of your mind, you mean me? Yes! If you believe in Christ, absolutely. But I'm not! Stop. Of course you're not. Christ is talking to you. He will work in and through you. Don't forget that. And so go from here and share the good news of Jesus Christ with others, and to God be the glory. Let's pray. Our Heavenly Father, how we thank you for this promise that those who believe in you will do even greater works. Lord, we pray, even as we think of your church, your congregation here, your sheep here, with all the unknowns that are ahead, Lord, work mightily here. We ask that you would do great things here through your spirit. And so, Father, help us to be faithful and to rest in you.