Jesus Encourages His Disciples — Part 2 of 2

Today's edition of the Baptist Bible with Sarah Bradley, Junior, I'm Thomas Mann inviting you to stay tuned for another message from God's word and and I'm glad you could join us for today's edition of the Baptist Bible. Our Sarah Bradley Junior today continues a message from John chapter 14, entitled Jesus encourages his disciples, he does so with words like this. Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believe it phoned me, the works that I do shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do because I go into my father.

That's a mysterious passage and will Sarah is looking at it in some depth today to show how the spirit of God working among the people of God has indeed brought about great works of God in the earth, and of course we are living testaments to this fact and all believers are now let's go ahead and get started with the second part of the message Jesus encourages his disciples and read eighth verse. These are the words of Jesus, but he shall receive power. The Holy Ghost is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem and in all and Samaria and on to the uttermost part of these things while the hell he was taken up in a cloud received him out of their mountain.

Jesus delivers these parting words is the ground send the clouds in there looking at. Man appears as is standing here gazing up into heaven. This one that you seem way is going to come back. But what is the promise Jesus gives them you're going to receive power power from the Holy Ghost and you will be witnesses. The gospel has been proclaimed in Jerusalem most of the believers are sinners there at the time the price went away probably only a few. Over 500 number 500 is referred to in chapter 15 call probably only a few beyond and Jesus has given them permission of circulating his gospel Christianity is to be expanded is not to stay within the borders of Jerusalem.

It is to go around the world. I say how can these humble followers look at the number of the apostles themselves and understand the background of most of the they were not highly educated. They didn't have political clout they didn't have a lot of techniques and methods that are employed today in the name of Christ. How would they be able to circulate. How could the church grow.

How could Christianity be explained but here is the promise of Jesus you're going to be a witness to me not only in Jerusalem, not only in all Judea and Samaria, but unto the uttermost part of their going to happen. Having to get the next chapter 2 verse four, the day of Pentecost has come. They were all with one accord in one place. Let's get started. Verse two and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a mighty rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them the people of Jerusalem.

At this time from many different nations. Verse five said there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout man out of every nation under heaven was not the divine providence people from every nation, assembling the question to be asked, how are we going to be able to speak these people for many different times and they can understand the Holy Spirit descended upon them and they spoke with other so that Everyman could hear and understand his own tone and need a translator.

This was by the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit of God. Verse 15, Peter is responding to the accusation that these people must be drunk or he says these are not broken.

Is he supposed things, but the third hour of the day, but this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel and it shall come to pass in the last day say, if not I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy in your young men shall see visions in your old men shall dream dreams and the prophecy of Joel, it was declared that there would come this time of the special outpouring of the Spirit on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit and they shall Peter come solid and preaches a message calling on men to repent Janie my wicked hands have crucified and slain the Lord of glory, speaking of the divine purposes and providence of God. He was delivered according to God's purpose to go to the cross to redeem his people. Verse 41 then they that gladly received his word were baptized in the same day there were added on to them about 3000 now get the picture in your mind I can. John 14. These disciples are greedy. Understandably so. They have looked to Jesus as the one who provided their need the one who had the answers to people's question, the one who had power to be able to walk away from those that would prematurely want to take his life.

So many wonderful things about their interaction with Jesus is that I'm leaving.

This is my time of departure. They feel devastated.

How can we carry on this work. Look at how few we are number is this mean that everything comes crashing down to some still have the idea that Jesus had come to set up a materialistic kingdom and they were disappointed. Remember the seven occasions when we discussed to be the greatest sit where thinking very much from a carnal standpoint instead of thinking about the spirituality of the kingdom and so all of those dreams are crashing down. That's not going to happen. Jesus is going away.

So how is the work will be carried on who could have imagined, and as they converse with one another about their perplexity, their deep concerns about the future that in a few short days. The outpouring of the Spirit of God, and 3000 people will be converted in one day.

I think this is what Jesus had in view when he said you're going to do even greater works than I have not ever going to be miracles that were more spectacular than walking on water and feeding 5000, with low fishes raising a man who had been in the grave for four days but as far as the extent expanse of the work that was going to be gone where Jesus spoke to a limited number during his ministry on this earth. Now the church is going to grow the gospel message is going to be heralded and there's going to be a great so there were 3001 acts chapter 4 and the fourth verse, howbeit many of them which heard the word believe and the number of the man was about 5000 on one day there were 3000 and on this occasion there were five S. would not be exciting, how we cope with it differently had a great outpouring of the Spirit 3000 people were gathered in leading baptized all on the same day. These were remarkable, exciting time.

Then you find the apostle Paul, after his spectacular conversion and he's told to go and preach the gospel and he travelers facing great hardships being severely persecuted, often imprisoned, but all how God bless this man in spite of his weakness, even though God gave him a thorn in the flesh to keep them all in his weakness is physical weakness yet and is dependent upon the Lord. He was mightily you when you came to the pagan city of Thessalonica. It says in chapter 1 of first Thessalonians verse five for our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.

As you know what manner of men we were among you for this man coming into the city where people worship false gods. These pagan temples where there's all kinds of ungodliness going on as well as idolatry is currently brought up in this pagan religion from childhood that presented to be easy for him to turn away from, but because they're preaching the gospel in the gospel came in. It was just electric the power of the Holy Spirit, accompanied in much assurance. What was the result. Verse 10 and verse nine and they themselves show us what manner of entering in we have done to you and how we are not items to serve the living and the amazing thing was at work, no gimmicks, there were no man-made schemes.

He was trying to appeal to the carnal interest of his audience. He didn't say that we are to go down there see what goes on one of these templates and bring in a little of their music so people will be attracted some of their customs, Inc., preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He said he wrote to the church at Corinth I determine the know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts of individuals so that they turn from items to Sir, the true and living God. So while the disciples were perplexed Jesus is going away this whole thing may come crashing down. The Jesus says to go to the father and not be without my presence, because I'm going to give you spirit. Verse 12 again in John 14 very very Ashley and you, he that believe upon me, the works that I do shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do because I know here's your encouragement is your assurance not to be left alone to go to the father and he promises the giving of the spirit.

Verse 16 and I will pray the father and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you for even the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither no lithium he know him, for he dwells with you, and shall be see you're not going to be desolate and utterly left alone. I'm going to the father but I'm sending you the Holy Spirit and we just read in acts chapter 2 where he came in power on the day of pecans. Now every believer has the Holy Spirit abiding. This is something unique, something beyond the position that was occupied by the Old Testament saints. The Holy Spirit is in you, and therefore he says the one that believes the one who is a believer is going to be able to do great works, greater works than these that have been done which certainly indicates that Jesus is putting an emphasis on something that spiritual being superior to that which was the mayor performed in healing the sick were obviously beneficial.

They were miracles that astounded those that observed it they were good right but he's indicating there something beyond that the healing of the soul. That which is not of the spiritual way which draws man away from their islands that which is retaining to their relationship with Jesus Christ and with the hope of heaven, I'm now giving you the spirit of God, that he may be able to do these greater works.

John chapter 15 verse 26 but when the comforter is come home. I will send unto you from the father, even the spirit of truth which proceeded from the father, he shall testify of me.

Holy Spirit referred to as the comfort when the comforter is come evenly testify of me. And so when Paul preached Thessalonica gospel came in power and the power the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of God was testifying of Christ, and they receive the good news so promise is made to specific people to those who believe in verse 12 and verse 13 is the notion pray and whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do that the father may be glorified in the son talking about will speak to that little more detail in a moment, but is talking about them praying and God providing whatever was needed in this work of circulating the gospel this amazing miraculous works was going to take place for the gospel to be preached unto the uttermost parts of the earth for their people who believe, pray and obey.

Verse 15 if ye love me, keep my commandments stories told about the well-known preacher indicate Ironside, who was visiting in the church wants where he was to be the speaker and the pastor observed the lady come in and sit in the back several layers. One of our members. I have not seen her in months.

Glad that she is in the service and Ironside preached on this text. If ye shall ask anything in my name I will do the service ended this lady came rushing down the front and said Sir I challenge you as to why he would preach such a text is that because there is no truth to set I had been a long-standing member of this church faithful in my attendance which she was revealing that she felt she was entitled something because of her commitment. She said my father was sick, the doctor came to the home went upstairs to minister to my father. I got down on my knees and I claim this promise if you ask anything in my name and said a little while. The doctor came down and said your father is.

She said that text does not. God does not keep his promises. And I'm angry.

Demand will get and perpetrate such funds said let me ask you if there was a check made out to assert, and you picked it up and said I want taxes check and you signed your name on the back of to try to cash that check that the forgery well, I suppose it will send your problem is you may not have observed the whole context. The next verse said if you love me, keep my commandments. Let me ask you, are you keeping his commandments. She turned red in the face. He said your problem was. You were forging your name on the check that wasn't yours says I will do what you ask but he says if you love me, keep my commandments individual vendor from the promises made one of believes one appraisal, one who obeys the promise that God will bless those who are doing his work as was in the beginning. This is not limited to the apostles were to preachers today, but to God's people also believe Matthew chapter 5 verse 16 Jesus said, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. If you are one who is letting your light shine, others can see Christ in you by your example of the life that you're living your light is shining and it's having an influence in the lives of other people, and it glorifies the father you are a part of this great ongoing for the spread of circulation of the gospel. If you are taking opportunity to speak to others about Jesus Christ about what he means to you about what he reveals in the scripture about who he is, what is not the work that he has performed you are a part of this great work. Look at the book of Philippians chapter 2 verse 15 that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain.

Neither seems a little far-fetched to you as to how that position. That wall surface of the saints of God, holding forth the word of life could possibly be connected to what Jesus was talking about.

Let's go back to John reading in his prayer in chapter 17 verse 20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their says that you're going to be others that will believe on me through the word of these were not with me and for whom I this is a work that is ongoing. Think of it today. In a world that is so much opposed to Christianity are people in prisons in different parts of the world today because of their testimony for Jesus Christ are places where those who are believers must associate some kind of a secret way to avoid the four and even here in our own nation with a growing hatred against Christianity and the ridicule is often against is it not amazing that the gospel continues to be circulated that there are still multitudes you are believing and embracing that God is pouring out his spirit as he promised that he would do. Matthew chapter 28 verse 18 Jesus came and spake on them, saying, all power is given on the me in heaven and earth go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.

And hello, I'm with you on weight even under the in Jesus as a father.

I'm going to send my spirit upon you. You're going to do greater works of the. The work is going to be expanded. It's going to go on to the end of the earth. It's going to go to the uttermost parts of the world.

I'm going to empower you and bless you as the message even as we heard the account this morning of work in Cambodian number. There may be relatively small, but the fact that in a pagan nation that can still be work moving forward, and people responding to the message of the gospel with the springs and think about the places that we know all over the world today where there is an active effort to preach Jesus Christ and people being converted to know about many many places we know nothing about Jesus is fulfilling his promise.

So he gives encouragement believe encouragement to work in encouragement, to pray time is gone shall take up there next time and talk about the specific things that Jesus says in this matter of prayer for one of the things that we will ultimately note is that prayer is forever connected with these great works fact, I just read one reference and that conjunction in the book of acts we read about spirit of God coming upon them Jesus before his departure saying that you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost in the spirit of God descending on them on the day of Pentecost. What preceded that acts chapter 1 verse 18. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his breath so before the outpouring of the Spirit before this great blessing of 3000 souls being converted. They met in prayer.

Prayer is essential part of the advancement of the kingdom of God. The success in the proclamation of preaching is gospel. Jesus is encouraging his disciple, and this should be of tremendous encouragement to us to know that it's not let our ingenuity is not left to some special unique technique to be able to bring people to the knowledge of Christ preaching the gospel and depending upon the power of the Holy Spirit who must do that effectual work in one's heart bringing life to the David pairing their hearts to receive the good Jesus encourages his disciples that's been the title of this today study here on the Baptist Bible hour by lessee or Bradley Junior what you would like to hear this message again. It is available on CD.

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