“Greater Works”
John 14:7-18
Sermon Series: “Greater”
Introduction: Jesus made an incredible promise in John 14:12 when He said, “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.” Our desire at True Life is to see this promise fulfilled in our midst. We want Jesus to do these greater works through us. The Greater Campaign is one aspect of seeing this desire fulfilled. Let’s examine the meaning of this passage so we can understand what Jesus meant by “greater works,” learn how this promise can be fulfilled through us, and see specifically where we are headed as a church.
1. What did Jesus mean when He used the phrase, “greater works?”
A. The foundation of these greater works is a relationship. Jesus said in verse 10, “The Father who dwells in Me does the works.” He then based the promise of verse 12 on the fact He was going to His Father. The implication of that statement is that the Holy Spirit was coming to indwell believers when He went back to heaven, and the Spirit will do these works through believers just as the Father did them through the Son. Because we are indwelled by God the Holy Spirit, we are capable of doing anything God wants us to do. So, we see the Trinity working here, and anyone who is trusting Jesus is in relationship with God the Father, Son, and Spirit, who will do these works through that believer.
B. The nature of the works is the same works that Jesus did. Jesus said, “The works that I do he will do also.” The Holy Spirit working through us will empower us to do what Jesus did.
C. The extent of the works is greater than what Jesus did. This is not my claim but the claim of Jesus. He said, “And greater works than these he will do.” We see this promise fulfilled in the Book of Acts as the early church turned the world upside down through the power of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. How are these “greater works” produced in our lives? In other words, what do we need to do if we want Jesus to work through us in this way?
A. Trust (v. 12).
B. Actually Work (v. 12). Jesus works through us, but it will probably not happen while we are sitting on the couch eating chips and channel surfing. He works through us as we are working through service, evangelism, etc.
C. Pray (v. 13-14).
D. Obey (v. 15).
E. Live under the control of the Holy Spirit (v. 16-17).
The Holy Spirit works through us to produce these greater works. Without Him, all of our efforts are empty, religious, self-effort.
3. What will these greater works look like for us at True Life? I think this primarily refers to people being saved, and ultimately, it is up to the Lord as far as what He does, but here are some specific goals we believe He has given us for the year.
Goal #1: Every believer at True Life to be a growing, Spirit- filled disciple of Jesus Christ.
Goal #2: True Life to baptize at least 52 people this year (not counting Honduras).
Goal #3: True Life to continue to take steps to plant a church in every community of 2,000 people without an evangelical church in the area of the country where we are serving in Honduras. Goal #4: True Life to make major financial strides in two keys areas:
A. That our regular giving would grow to the place where we are ahead of budget enough to add a Pastor of Assimilation/Small Groups, increase our ministries, and be able to make building repairs/upgrades through the General Fund.
B. Through the Greater Campaign that we would give enough to the Building Fund that we would be able to pay off the 2nd mortgage with Faith this year while at the same time refinancing the mortgage we have with FSG.
