Jesus Encourages His Disciples — Part 1 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 says the one that believes shall do the works that I as if that is not enough greater works than these shall he do I know and it seems almost outrageous claim that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, he would then turn to believers and say but greater works than mine. You will perform it seems absurd that individuals who are robed in humanity and limited by their humanness and their fallenness could possibly do works even approximating the greatness of the works of Jesus and yet we know that Jesus is speaking about the scope of work.

The fact that his truth will spread literally worldwide without God being physically among them.

That is an amazing thing that such great works would occur. Thousands and thousands converted even in those early days and millions across the centuries converted to Jesus Christ without God being bodily on the earth.

These are amazing works. And Jesus alludes to them as he encourages his disciples before going away.

What an encouragement to the church today will Sarah Bradley Junior takes this passage and expounds it, and I hope it will be a blessing to you very quickly. Let me invite you to write and let us know that you're there.

The Baptist Bible. Our PO Box 17 oh 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217, PO Box 17 oh 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217 Jesus spent three years with his disciples a walk with him over many miles they heard is teaching. I saw miracles. They had a very close and intimate fellowship with him.

Now the time is drawing near, that Jesus will be leaving.

He has made reference to that number of times the disciples were slowly grasping what all this involved so as he is made more explicit. They are distressed they are green there confuse John chapter 14, he is giving them words of comfort in the first message with this chapter he says let not your heart be troubled you believe in God believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions if it were not so I would've told you. I go to prepare a place to go and prepare a place for you and I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there. He may be what the message of comfort. What encouragement and comfort we received from that declaration today. Let not your heart be troubled. I'm going to repair place for you and I'm going to come again and receive you that we shall be to get then in the last message we found comfort specifically in what he said in verse six I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh unto the father but by and then in the conversation that follows.

He puts emphasis once more upon the fact that he is one with the father is God man God in the flesh, and I would come to some additional words of encouragement, amazing words of encouragement as Jesus encourages his disciples further verse 13 believers now. Not that I am in the father and the father in me words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself but the father the inmate he do the works. Believe me that I am in the father and the father in me or else believe me for the very works.

Verily, verily I say unto you, believe is on me, the works that I do shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do because I know unto the 500 and whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do that the father may be glorified in the son if he shall ask anything in my name, I will do. First, there is encouragement to believe.

Believe me that I am in the father and the father in me. Philip asked show us the father and Jesus is said in that you see me seeing the file and although the disciples had been with him over this period of his ministry. They just had not been able to fully grasp all of the issues involved. Jesus, I was very patient with him and I don't give us some encouragement.

Many things that we don't understand sometimes probably make something that we understand more than we do.

But there are many areas where we are lacking full understanding of all the Scripture teaches that Jesus was patient with these decide we can be thankful that is patient with us and learn to be patient with other people may disagree with us and maybe struggling themselves over some final. So now he says the father dwells within me and he do the works.

Believe me that I am in the father and the father in me believe because of the words that I have spoken believe because of what you have heard because what I have Claire unto you some of the references where Jesus is talking about the significance of the words that he is spoken. John chapter 3 verse 34 and he, God, have sent speak the word of God, for God giveth, not the spirit nonmajor on the other words there is no limitation upon the amount of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus enjoyed while he was here on this earth.

He was anointed and full of the spirit. The father loves the son given all things into his hand. So that one whom God has sent speaks the words of God. I look at chapter 7 John chapter 7 verse 16 Jesus answered them and said, my doctrine is not mine, but his neck sent me the words of things and I'm teaching are not just rambling thoughts and ideas philosophy is that I have initiated I hear sent the father and I'm speaking the very words that he has given me speak. Chapter 12 verse 49 for I have not spoken of myself, but the father which sent me.

He gave me a commandment. What I should say and what I should speak now in this 14th chapter say, believe me because of the words that I have spoken.

In other words, they are authoritative. I'm not speaking of myself.

I'm speaking of words the commandments given to me by the father John chapter 7 verse 46 is one of those occurrences where officers approached Jesus being sent by the authorities with the idea of arresting him, they were ready to kill them long before the time of the crucifixion, but when they came I couldn't take and when they return, the officers answered never man spake like this may, it was impossible for us to take something unique about him. Something about the words that he spoke never man speak like this manage and then. Similar observations are made. At the conclusion of the sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 7 verses 28 to 29 when Jesus concluded that discourse it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his forking taught them as one having authority, not as described.

So, as Jesus himself declares the message that he brings that which he teaches the doctrine set forth is not his own, because of the father is a message come down from heaven. It is authoritative on the basis of these words you want to believe. And then those that were in the presence of Jesus when he spoke themselves through the conclusion nor the manager spoken like this plan are those that occur discourse. The sermon on the Mount said this man doesn't speak like scribes the religious teachers of our time. He speaks with authority, but then he also says believe only verse 12 rarely chapter 14 Dr. John 14 verse 12 verily, verily I say unto you either believe with only the works that I do, he shall do. Also you saying believe the cause of my words and if you and I don't believe because my words believe because of my works because of what I have done because of what you have observed John chapter 5 verse 36 but I have greater witness than that of John for the works which the father had given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the father had sent me. Jesus says the works that I do, just like the words that I speak with given them of the father, the works that I do on the works at the father would have me to do and I am finishing them on completing those works and they bear witness of me. They bear witness that the father hath sent me, and the father himself, which has sent me, hath borne witness of me, ye have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape. These works bear witness of me and what mighty works. They were what mirror I had seen him feed the 5000. They'd seen them walk on the water they'd seen him raise Lazarus from the dead, a man who had been dead for four days. These works testify of me says so believe because of works. John chapter 10 verse 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believe not the works that I do in my father's name. They bear witness of me. Here is a witness. Here is a testimony that I who I say I that I am the God man, the one sent down from heaven. Verse 37. If I do not the works of my father. Believe me, not but if I do, though, we believe, not me. Believe works that he may know and believe that the father is in me and I encouraged the belief.

Believe me I have faith, trust me, you believe me because of the authoritative words I have spoken. Believe me because of the works that testify of my unity with the father. Now he continues by saying he that believe on me, the works that I shall do shall he do also to rather startling statement believes only some draw the conclusion that this has reference only to what would be done by the apostles following Jesus ascension back, but there's no indication that the text patient is one that believes only one who is a believe phrase that expression is used numerous times in the Scriptures, referring to all who are apartment is either believe on the son hath everlasting life. So says the one that believes shall do the works that I as if that is not enough excess and greater works than these shall he do because I know about five now when we think about the works that Jesus did we think about the healing of the sick, the cleansing of lepers the casting out devils walking on the water feeding the multitudes raising Lazarus and others.

How is it that those who are believers in him, not just apostles but those who believe in him will be doing greater works. I found that text is not just a challenge for me, but every commentator that I read said this is a challenging passage now. The fact is, the disciples did perform Americans. Of course he had given them certain power while he was here on the earth and after his departure. There were great miracles with a performance within a couple of references just as confirmation of that next chapter 5 acts chapter 5 verse 12 and by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch and of the racks.

First, no man join himself to them, but the people magnified them in the believers were the more the added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, insomuch that they brought forth the sick in the streets and laid them on beds and couches that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of the there came also a multitude out of the cities roundabout under Jerusalem, bringing sick folks and them that were vexed with unclean spirits and they were healed. So here is a remarkable miracle. There were numerous ones that were healed and unclean spirits cashed out in some cases there were those who were healed just by being in Peter's shadow so they were doing mighty works great works accomplish, even after Jesus had one more Hebrews chapter 2 the fourth verse God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost.

According to his own now. There were some that were able to do these great works in the early era of the church, but if I'm reference in the printed letter. For example, that this wasn't something that every believer was able to do, but there were those that had special gifts, refers to the gift of tongues and the gift of these other gifts they were given to specific individuals, God giving them that the so where does that leave us when he saying that those who believe on me are going to do the works that I have done and even greater. Let's go back to the first chapter of the book of acts, and reading. The eighth verse.

These are the words of Jesus, but he shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of and when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up in a cloud received him out of their sight going up the mountain. Jesus delivers these find the parting words his feet lift off the ground. He ascends up to the clouds and their standing there looking up man appears as if by standing here gazing up into heaven. This one that you seem away is going to come back. But what is the promise that 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 Christ went away probably only a few. Over 500 number 500 is referred to in verse with the chapter 15 you recall probably only a few beyond the act and Jesus has given them the mission of circulating his gospel and Christianity is to be expanded is not to stay within the borders of Jerusalem.

It is to go around the world. A look at that same 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 the techniques and methods that are employed today in the name of Christ. How would they be able to circulate the gospel. How could the church grow. How can Christianity be expanded, but here is the promise of Jesus you're going to be a witness to me not only Jerusalem, not only in all Judea and Samaria, but unto the uttermost part of their going to happen. Are they going 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 a 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 utterance. The people in 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 tones that they can understand the Holy Spirit descended upon them and they spoke with other tongues so that Everyman could hear and understand his own tone. I didn't 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 produce a message calling on them to repent Janie my wicked hands have crucified and slain the Lord of glory, yet 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 on the same day there were added on to them about 3000 now get the picture in your mind back in John 14. These disciples are greedy. Understandably so. They have look to Jesus as the one who provided their knee, 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 as is my time of departure.

They feel devastated. How can we carry on this work. Look at how few we are number position to mean that everything comes crashing down to some of you still have the idea that Jesus had come to set up a materialistic kingdom and they were disappointed. Remember they had seven occasions when the discussed news will 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 imagine as they converse with one another about their perplexity, their deep concerns about the future that in a few short days that would be an 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 not that there were going to be miracles that were more spectacular than walking on water and feeding 5000, with low fishes and 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 and we need Paul's right there today in this message entitled, Jesus encourages his disciples and invite you back again tomorrow for the continuation but he quickly invite you to write and let us know that you're there at the Baptist Bible. Our PO Box 17 oh 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217. That's PO Box 17 oh 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217. You can call today toll-free one 800-4734 BPH at 800-473-4224 minus online anytime at Baptist Bible. Our daughter and that's it for today.

I'm Thomas Mann invite you back again tomorrow when Sarah Bradley Junior brings another Bible-based message on the Baptist Bible and all