Greater Works than These

Intro

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit empowered the Church to do a mighty work. What is the work of the Church and what does it have to do with us?

Purpose

Let’s examine John 14:8-17 and the greater work that has been bequeathed to us.

Plan

John 14:8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 “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. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

1. A Greater Work than The Cross?

How can there be a work greater than the cross? Does Romans 5:10 give us a clue? The cross was not a complete work without Christ’s resurrection and his ascension back to heaven. We were reconciled to God through the cross, but we are saved by his life. Jesus’ death was only a first step in the process of salvation. He lives in us, and through us will complete the task of the salvation of the whole world. The greater work of the resurrection is still ongoing. How is such a remarkable work accomplished? Only if Christ lives in us and the life which we live in the flesh, we live by faith in him (Galatians 2:20).

2. A Work that Continues

The work of Jesus’ resurrection is a greater work. He multiplies his ministry through us. Resurrection is offered to all the world. Far too many have not yet heard the message. When Jesus said that we, the Church, would continue doing the works that he did, he is saying that his work on earth continues through us. That implies a cooperative relationship between us and Christ in heaven. It also implies that we know the works that he did, meaning we study his life. It also implies that we teach what he taught, meaning we study his teachings. It also means that we learn from the lives and letters of those early disciples who first continued Christ’s work on earth.

3. What is the Work?

The first greater work of the Church occurred on that Pentecost, where more were converted in one day than during the pre-cross ministry of Jesus (Acts 2:41). Taking the message of salvation to the whole world still remains. The works that the Church does are greater because Christ is no longer limited to his human body, but exists in eternity, in his heavenly glory. The work that he can accomplish through us is also not limited by our mortality. He will continue it through the next generation of Christians and the next and the next. It is a task that is to go to greater numbers of people than Jesus personally reached. Our work is indeed a greater work.

4. Who does the Work?

The greater works that Jesus spoke of were to be accomplished by the whole church, not just a few evangelists. Everyone can spread good news of an incorruptible inheritance in heaven through the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 1:3-4). When our focus is on church gossip, the offenses and annoyances that occur in every church, then our attention is not on the resurrection. Whenever we tell others of the hope that is in all of the faulty people within our church and the common joy we share of the resurrection, then our focus is in the right place. A gossip brings bad news. An evangelist brings good news. It’s really that simple. What good news will we share today?

Outro

The Holy Spirit has given our generation the power to do a greater work. It is the work of bringing good news of a fabulous future, prepared by the resurrected Jesus Christ, for all who live in him.

Greater Works than These

Intro

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit empowered the Church to do a mighty work. What is the work of the Church and what does it have to do with us?

Purpose

Let’s examine John 14:8-17 and the greater work that has been bequeathed to us.

Plan

John 14:8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 “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. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

1. A Greater Work than The Cross?

How can there be a work greater than the cross? Does Romans 5:10 give us a clue? The cross was not a complete work without Christ’s resurrection and his ascension back to heaven. We were reconciled to God through the cross, but we are saved by his life. Jesus’ death was only a first step in the process of salvation. He lives in us, and through us will complete the task of the salvation of the whole world. The greater work of the resurrection is still ongoing. How is such a remarkable work accomplished? Only if Christ lives in us and the life which we live in the flesh, we live by faith in him (Galatians 2:20).

2. A Work that Continues

The work of Jesus’ resurrection is a greater work. He multiplies his ministry through us. Resurrection is offered to all the world. Far too many have not yet heard the message. When Jesus said that we, the Church, would continue doing the works that he did, he is saying that his work on earth continues through us. That implies a cooperative relationship between us and Christ in heaven. It also implies that we know the works that he did, meaning we study his life. It also implies that we teach what he taught, meaning we study his teachings. It also means that we learn from the lives and letters of those early disciples who first continued Christ’s work on earth.

3. What is the Work?

The first greater work of the Church occurred on that Pentecost, where more were converted in one day than during the pre-cross ministry of Jesus (Acts 2:41). Taking the message of salvation to the whole world still remains. The works that the Church does are greater because Christ is no longer limited to his human body, but exists in eternity, in his heavenly glory. The work that he can accomplish through us is also not limited by our mortality. He will continue it through the next generation of Christians and the next and the next. It is a task that is to go to greater numbers of people than Jesus personally reached. Our work is indeed a greater work.

4. Who does the Work?

The greater works that Jesus spoke of were to be accomplished by the whole church, not just a few evangelists. Everyone can spread good news of an incorruptible inheritance in heaven through the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 1:3-4). When our focus is on church gossip, the offenses and annoyances that occur in every church, then our attention is not on the resurrection. Whenever we tell others of the hope that is in all of the faulty people within our church and the common joy we share of the resurrection, then our focus is in the right place. A gossip brings bad news. An evangelist brings good news. It’s really that simple. What good news will we share today?

Outro

The Holy Spirit has given our generation the power to do a greater work. It is the work of bringing good news of a fabulous future, prepared by the resurrected Jesus Christ, for all who live in him.

Big Pool Discipleship 101 Week 15

2 Samuel 16-24; 1 Kings 1-9 From Shimei to Solomon’s Navy

In 2 Samuel 16 how was David's treatment of Shimei a lesson in faith? What was Ahithophel’s advice to Absalom? In 2 Samuel 17 what was Hushai’s advice? What did Ahithophel do? Note: Here is a different Jonathan, a priest's son. In 2 Samuel 18 what happened to Absalom in the forest of Ephraim? What was David's reaction to the news?
In 2 Samuel 19 what was Joab’s reaction? Why did David replace Joab with Amasa? How did the politics play out as each tried to gain an advantage in the new situation? In 2 Samuel 20 how did Joab regain his military station? In 2 Samuel 21 what did David do about the famine? Do we pray about everything? What was David's and the Gibeonites’ solution to God's answer?
In 2 Samuel 22 what did David's song mean, “the Lord is my rock.” Compare this with Psalm 18. Note: According to Ellicott’s Commentary a rock is a cliff from which to escape an enemy, and a horn was a description of a mountain peak for safety. In 2 Samuel 23 despite all of David’s gross personal faults, he was a man of God. What hope does that give us? What can we learn from the loyalty of David’s mighty men? In 2 Samuel 24 why was a census of Israel a sin? Do we also replace faith with numbers? How did God’s choice of three punishments sound just like many parents? How is God moved by our prayers?
In 1 Kings 1 who was Abishag? What did Adonijah, David’s son do? What did Bathsheba and Nathan the prophet do? What did Solomon do to Adonijah? In 1 Kings 2 what instructions did David give Solomon? What did Solomon do to firmly establish his throne? In 1 Kings 3 what good thing did Solomon ask of God? How did the story of the two prostitutes reveal the wisdom God had given him?
In 1 Kings 4 what kind of reputation did Solomon have? In 1 Kings 5 what did Solomon begin preparation to build? In 1 Kings 6 how long is a cubit (look it up)? What was God’s word to Solomon? If a cherub’s wing was 5 cubits, how long was that? Was making carved cherubs, trees and flowers idolatry as some claim that making any likeness is? Why or why not? Would bowing down to an art figures make it idolatry? What about bowing down to a cross as some do?
In 1 Kings 7 how ornate were the temple fixtures? In 1 Kings 8 what are the Ten Commandments called? Which covenant were they? What relevance do they have to the new covenant? What did the apostle Paul call the law? In 1 Kings 9 what did God say to Solomon? What else had Solomon built? The Millo may have been a set of stone stairs. He also built a large merchant navy.

Big Pool Discipleship 101 Week 14

1 Samuel 21-2 Samuel 15 From the Showbread to Absalom

In 1 Samuel 21 why was David eating the holy bread not a sin? What did Jesus say about it in Mark 2:24-26 (Matthew 12:2-4, Luke 6:2-4)? Why did David pretend to be insane in Gath? In 1 Samuel 22 what events in our lives have been like the cave at Adullam or the forest of Hereth? What was Saul’s mental state? Have we experienced similar opposition that seemed crazy or unreasonable? Have we experienced people destroying a promotion or our business? Are there examples of verbal murder or slander used in politics today?
In 1 Samuel 23 what did David do rather than act presumptuously? What did he do when he heard that Saul was going to trap him? What happened in the forests of Ziph? In 1 Samuel 24 what happened in the cave of En Gedi that shows how David behaved towards a bad leader? Is character assassination similar to real assassination? What pact did David make with Saul? In 1 Samuel 25 Samuel died. How was Nabal’s wife Abigail wiser than he (Nabal means fool)?
In 1 Samuel 26 what was David’s response to the temptation to kill Saul? Is this a lesson for us? In 1 Samuel 27 how did David acquire Ziklag as a gift from the Philistines? How did David get the reputation of being a bloody man? In 1 Samuel 28 why did Saul consult a medium rather than God? What happened? In 1 Samuel 29 why did the Philistines reject David’s help? In 1 Samuel 30 what happened in Ziklag? How did David decide to fight? What did David do for the weary soldiers? How was he generous with the spoils?
In 1 Samuel 31 how did Jonathan and Saul die? In 2 Samuel 1 how important was loyalty to Saul for David? What does this say about those who assassinate the character of leaders? What does it say about David’s character that he wrote a song praising Saul? In 2 Samuel 2 how were Israel and Judah divided? In 2 Samuel 3 how did the situation with Abner reveal David’s loyalty? In 2 Samuel 4 why did David execute the men who murdered Saul’s son Ishbosheth?
In 2 Samuel 5 where did all the tribes of Israel covenant with David to be their king? How did Jerusalem become capital of Israel? What did David do before fighting the Philistines? In 2 Samuel 6 why was David angry with God? What happened to Mikal for criticizing David’s dancing? Is dancing a sin? In 2 Samuel 7 what was God’s response to David’s desire to build a Temple? In 2 Samuel 8 how did David solidify his reign over Israel?
In 2 Samuel 9 how was David kind to Jonathan’s handicapped son Mephibosheth? In 2 Samuel 10 what did Ammon do to humiliate David’s diplomats? In 2 Samuel 11 what did David do with Bathsheba and her husband Uriah? In 2 Samuel 12 how did Nathan the prophet convict David of his sin? In 2 Samuel 13 what did Amnon do with his half sister Tamar? What did Absalom do to Amnon? What did he then do?

In 2 Samuel 14 did Absalom eventually return to Jerusalem? Did he completely reconcile with David his father? In 2 Samuel 15 how did Absalom conspire against David?

Jesus' Prayer for You

Intro

If Jesus were to pray for you and me, what would he say?

Purpose

We actually have record of such a prayer. He did pray for us and among other things he prayed for our unity.

Plan

Let’s look at part of the long Lord’s prayer in John 17:20-26 and see its great lesson for us.
John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Note: Though other translations have their strengths and weaknesses, the NKJV (along with other more literal translations like the NASB) is helpful to our later discussion of “Why Unity” because it more literally translates all the “so that” (hina) clauses.

An Invisible Unity (vs 20-21)

Did Jesus’ prayer for Christian unity fail? Jesus prayed that we be one, but how? —in our practices? No. —in our manners and customs? No. —that a magisterium or doctrinal committee dictate to us every belief? No. —that our churches be united under one human institution? No. Jesus’ prayer for unity was very specific about one thing. He prayed that we may be one. How? —just as the Father is in him and he is in the Father. He prayed that we would be in them. The reality is that, despite petty differences, all Christians who are in Christ and in the Father are already unified. Jesus’ prayer has been answered. Like a garden we are unified in beautiful diversity.

A Visible Unity (vs 21-22)

A purpose of Christian unity is “that the world may believe.” Our unity with God must be visible to the world. There have always been divisions within the Church. Early truly ecumenical councils settled some differences. Dissenters were sometimes persecuted and sometimes permitted to create religious orders in the western church. Eastern Orthodox divisions are mostly territorial. The past sins of the western church caused Protestantism. The western church calls its exclusive councils “ecumenical” and itself “Catholic,” but wherever people are united in Christ is the catholic church. Where is our unity visible? When we exclude anyone who is united in God, we create visible disunity. When we promote our agreement over 95% of important doctrines, then unity is visible.

Growing in Unity (vs 22-23)

How do we grow in unity? —by exclusive authoritarianism or being burned at a stake? Jesus is bringing us into unity through the glory that he has given to us. One” means here “to be united most closely (in will, spirit).” When we disagree with each other, even strongly, can we do so in unity? Inclusive diversity offers salvation to a broader range of humanity than narrow exclusivism. Denominational arrogance causes division not unity and is a heresy. The Greek here can be literally “that they might be perfected in unity.” Christians are wonderfully unified on the essentials. There is room to grow, but unity comes through a bond of peace not through robotic uniformity of opinion (Ephesians 4:3).

Why Unity

The so-called hina clauses (“so that…”) explain why unity is important to Jesus’ prayer. He works for unity among us so that all of us may be one; so that we might be in God; so that the world might believe that God sent Jesus (verse 21); so that we might be one as God and Christ are one (verse 22); so that we might be perfected in unity; so that the world will know that God sent Jesus and has loved us even as he has loved Jesus (verse 23); so that where Jesus is we may also be; so that we may see Christ’s glory (verse 24) and so that God’s love may be in us (verse 26).

Outro

Unity is not uniformity of opinion, of culture, of musical taste, of liturgy, or of gifts. Unity is created by being in a relationship with God and Christ. It is kept through the bond of peace. Like a beautiful garden, the Christian church is meant to have different colors and seasons, and it is meant to be a peaceful garden, diverse but unified in God and Christ.

What the Holy Spirit Teaches

Intro

What does the Holy Spirit do?

Goal

Let’s discover one of his important roles in our lives.

Plan

Let’s look at John 14:23-29 and see what loving Jesus means and what the Holy Spirit does.
John 14:23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

1. God Lives with the Obedient (vs 23-24)

The question was why Jesus showed himself to his disciples, but not the world. Jesus never feels constrained by our expectations to answer a question directly. Instead he promises that if we love him we will obey him, and he and the Father will dwell with us. Rather than wait until eternity to live with God, this is a promise that God will live with us now. The reverse is also true, somewhat answering the question. Those who do not obey Jesus are in the world. Anyone can claim piety, but if they do not obey Jesus, they do not love him and Jesus’ teachings come from the Father. Jesus’ loyalty to the Father underscores everything he says and does.

2. What does the Holy Spirit Do? (vs 25-26)

A Teacher

Like Jesus, the Holy Spirit is sent from the Father. He will also teach us all things. Now that seems rather limitless. The Roman Church claims that their dogmas not found in the Bible were taught by the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals, among others, claim the same thing. How can we tell what is genuinely from the Holy Spirit and what is not? It may not always be clear, but there is a clue in these words: he “will remind you of everything I have said to you.” If a teaching obviously contradicts or varies greatly from what Jesus taught, it is suspect. The Holy Spirit gets the blame for a lot of heresy. He teaches us emphasizing what Jesus taught.

A Personal Teacher

The word Advocate means that the Holy Spirit is on our side. He teaches and reminds us. He also makes choices (1 Corinthians 12:11), guides into truth (John 16:13), reveals Jesus (John 16:14), convicts of sin (John 16:8), can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), blasphemed (Matthew 12:31), possesses a rational mind (Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:11-13) and can be lied to (Acts 5:3-4). All that is suggestive of a personality not a mere divine force. He is also distinguished from yet related to the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14) suggesting a third personality also with divinity. This is a divine mystery that we call the Trinity.

3. Peace beyond Circumstances (vs 27)

When we become fearful of events outside of ourselves, we have no peace. We fear growing worldliness inside the church. We fear crime. We fear international and national politics. We fear whether or not there will be a meaningful job and we can pay back our college bills. We fear whether or not we can make ends meet in our old age. We fear whether or not our health insurance company will cancel coverage and leave us with bills we cannot pay. We fear that Christianity is becoming a minority religion and we may someday face persecution. And in the midst of this, Jesus promises a peace beyond what this world can give. God’s peace surpasses all our worldly distress.

Outro


Jesus was going and promised to come again. He is coming at his second coming, but he and the Father are also coming to us in the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who is on our side, teaching us all things and reminding us of what Jesus taught.