Sermon Central
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Greater Things
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 2, 2011 (message contributor)
GREATER THINGS
You know, for me, one of the most intriguing promises Jesus ever made was this: "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12
Jesus said I will be able to do even "greater things" than He had done in His earthly ministry.
Really?
Jesus healed people, fed thousands with just a little bit of food, walked on water, calmed the storms and raised the dead.
Now I can do many things... but I can't do any of that stuff. And here Jesus is saying I can do even greater things that these. How could I possibly do "greater things" than what Jesus did?
Well, the book of Acts teaches us that neither Jesus nor angels ever led anyone to salvation. The Blood of Jesus saved people, but Jesus never led anyone to salvation.
It's true.
There's the story of Paul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9.
There's this bright light, the voice of Jesus, and Paul asking Him "what must I do." Right then Jesus could have saved him, but instead he sends him on to Damascus with instructions to wait there until a man came to tell him "...what you must do." Acts 9:6
Three days later, a man named Ananias came and told Paul his sins had not yet been washed away and commanded: "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." Acts 22:16
Jesus COULD have led Paul to salvation, but He didn't.
He left that grand task to an obscure man named Ananias.
Why? Because "greater things" we're allowed to do than He did.
Then there's the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8.
An angel comes to a deacon named Philip and tells him to go and teach this Ethiopian about Jesus. When this man from Ethiopia becomes convinced of his need for Jesus, he asks "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" Acts 8:36
The Angel could have led the Ethiopian to Christ, but he didn't. He left that for a mere deacon. Why? Because "greater things" are we allowed to do than even Jesus did.
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