[00:00:00] Let us pray, Grant together on our knees. Let us pray, Grant together on our knees.
[00:00:14] When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, oh Lord, ever see all the need.
[00:00:30] The Bible speaks as a weekly ministry of harvest international. Our prayer is that the Bible speaks will encourage you in your study of God's Word.
[00:00:39] You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast, and now here's Elgin.
[00:00:46] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father.
[00:00:58] And I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it.
[00:01:11] John 14 verses 12 through 14 reading from the new international version. Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus to Christ to another installment of Words of Inspiration.
[00:01:28] What did Jesus mean when he said that the works I have been doing, that they will do even greater things than these? How can that be possible? He, after all, is the Son of God.
[00:01:44] This assertion made in the context of Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples during the last supper has intrigued theologians, scholars and believers for centuries.
[00:01:58] To grasp the full significance of Jesus' statement is crucial to understand the context in which it was made.
[00:02:06] Jesus is preparing His disciples for His imminent departure, His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. He assures them that His physical absence will not be the end of His work but will facilitate a new phase of their ministry empowered by the Holy Spirit.
[00:02:27] The greater things promise are thus linked to the coming of the advocate or paraclete who will enable the disciples to extend Jesus' mission beyond geographical and temporal limits of His earthly ministry.
[00:02:47] The phrase greater things has been subject to various interpretations, and so I wanted to share a few with you today.
[00:02:56] Number one, greater in scope.
[00:02:59] When common interpretation suggests that the greater things referred to a broader reach and impact of disciples ministry as empowered by the Holy Spirit.
[00:03:12] Jesus' earthly ministry was confined to a relatively small geographical area and a short period of time.
[00:03:21] In contrast, the church's mission initiated by the apostles and continued by believers throughout history has spread the message of the gospel across the globe and through the centuries.
[00:03:35] So if you think about it in AD1, there were probably 170 million people on the entirety of earth, whereas now we have just over 8 billion.
[00:03:51] So it's definitely greater in scope because there are so many more people than they were at the time of Jesus' ascension.
[00:04:01] Number two, greater in nature.
[00:04:05] Another interpretation focuses on the nature of the works themselves suggesting that the greater things could include the profound transformation within individuals and communities, the establishment of the church and the ongoing impact of Christian teachings and sacraments in the world.
[00:04:28] Number three, greater in number.
[00:04:31] This perspective highlights the collective works of millions of believers over time, doing works in a name of Jesus which in cumulative effect surpasses the miracles and teachings of Jesus during his short ministry.
[00:04:47] Not that they are greater in terms of impact, but greater in the sense of more people being blessed, more people being saved and more hearts being converted to Christianity.
[00:05:03] Central to the understanding of Jesus' promise is the role of faith and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
[00:05:11] Jesus does not suggest that his followers will surpass him in power or divinity, but indicates that their works through faith and him and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will extend his mission in ways that were not possible during his earthly ministry.
[00:05:30] The greater things are thus seen as fruits of the community of believers living out their faith in Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue his work of redemption, reconciliation and transformation.
[00:05:47] Jesus' promise has significant implications for the Christian mission. It empowers believers with a sense of purpose and participation in God's redemptive plan for the world.
[00:05:59] It underscores the responsibility of Christians to witness to the gospel through words and deeds, lying on the Holy Spirit's power to affect change in the world.
[00:06:11] This mission encompasses evangelism, social justice, healing and acts of mercy and compassion, reflecting the holistic nature of Jesus' own ministry.
[00:06:26] So brothers and sisters, the greater things include all of the modern tools.
[00:06:32] You know, Jesus knew that the Internet was coming. Jesus knew that we would have the ability to share the word of God on this device called a smartphone.
[00:06:43] So the greater things that he predicted have come to light and will continue to give us the ability to spread God's word throughout the rest of the world.
[00:06:56] Thank you for joining me today. I look forward to speaking with you again and until then, God bless.
[00:07:05] I've wandered far away from the heart.
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[00:07:23] We look forward to hearing from you and invite you to write us at Harvest International Post Office Box 6690, Ocala, Florida 34478.
[00:07:34] Again, that's Harvest International Post Office Box 6690, Ocala, Florida 34478.
[00:07:53] Never want you wrong. Open wide and I know your love. Lord, I'm coming home.