When Jesus spoke of believers doing "greater works" than He did, He was emphasizing the expansive scope and profound impact of the Christian mission after His departure. This promise highlights the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit and underscores the significant role of believers in God's redemptive plan for the world. It is both a promise and a commission, encouraging believers to engage actively in their faith and the mission of spreading the gospel.
[00:00:00] Let us pray, pray together on our knees
[00:00:07] Let us pray, pray together on our knees
[00:00:14] When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun
[00:00:21] Oh Lord, never see all the knees
[00:00:27] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock
[00:00:30] The Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of Harvest International
[00:00:33] Our prayer is that the Bible Speaks will encourage you in your study of God's word
[00:00:38] You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast
[00:00:44] And now, here's Elgin
[00:00:57] 2 verse 15
[00:00:59] Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of our risen Savior Jesus the Christ
[00:01:05] To another episode of Words of Inspiration
[00:01:10] And today we are going to discuss greater things
[00:01:17] Our Scriptural inspiration comes from John chapter 14 verse 12
[00:01:24] Which reads,
[00:01:26] Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on me the works that I do shall he also do
[00:01:34] And greater works than these shall he do because I go unto my Father
[00:01:42] Jesus made this statement during the last supper offering final teachings and encouragements to his disciples
[00:01:50] He explained that his physical departure would not be the end but would facilitate the coming of the Holy Spirit
[00:01:58] And the continuation of his work through his followers
[00:02:03] The greater works does not necessarily imply miracles of a more spectacular nature than those Jesus performs
[00:02:11] Like raising the dead and healing the blind
[00:02:15] Although we know Peter, John, Paul and even Philip all perform miracles after Jesus' ascension
[00:02:23] But rather, Jesus is referring to the greater extent and impact of the ministry that the disciples would carry out
[00:02:33] A few examples include the disciples and subsequent believers would take the gospel beyond the relatively small region of Israel
[00:02:43] To a global audience fulfilling the great commandment in Matthew 28 verses 19 through 20
[00:02:51] Numerical growth, the number of people who would come to believe in Jesus through the ministry of the apostles
[00:02:58] And other believers would far exceed those who came to faith during Jesus' own ministry
[00:03:06] Establishment of the Church
[00:03:08] The founding of the Christian Church which became the body of Christ on earth continuing his mission across different cultures and epochs
[00:03:18] Spiritual Impact
[00:03:20] Through the work of the Holy Spirit, believers would be able to reach hearts in a transformative way that continues to change lives today
[00:03:30] Thinking about us today with the internet and smartphones, we have the ability to reach people globally which certainly is greater than the reach during Jesus' time
[00:03:42] Jesus linked the promise of performing greater works to his going to the Father indicating that his ascension was necessary for the sending of the Holy Spirit
[00:03:55] The Holy Spirit empowers believers to carry out these greater works providing spiritual gifts, guidance and power that were not as widely available before Pentecost
[00:04:09] In John 4 verse 4 we read that,
[00:04:14] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world
[00:04:26] Jesus is saying we will do greater things not because of the Holy Spirit, it being capable of more than he but that we have the power on board 24-7
[00:04:39] It may not be to perform miracles as in the Scriptures although we can
[00:04:46] But to have greater influence among those we come in contact with
[00:04:53] Brothers and sisters when Jesus spoke of believers doing greater works than he did, he was emphasizing the expansive scope and profound impact of the Christian mission after his departure
[00:05:07] This promise highlights the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit and underscores the significant role of believers in God's redemptive plan for the world
[00:05:17] It is both a promise and a commission encouraging believers to engage actively in their faith and the mission of spreading the gospel
[00:05:29] I thank you for joining me once again and look forward to our conversation on tomorrow
[00:05:36] Until then, God bless
[00:05:51] And winners who care, your prayers and financial investment in this ministry helps to keep the good news on the air
[00:05:58] We look forward to hearing from you and invite you to write us at Harvest International Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478
[00:06:09] Again that's Harvest International Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478
[00:06:18] Come in home, come in home, never