Go! And Do Greater Things - John 14:12 Series

Go! And Do Greater Things - John 14:12

John 14:12 (NLT): "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father."

Introduction: A Promise That Stretches the Soul

Today we continue our "Go! And..." series with a breathtaking declaration from the lips of our Lord Jesus: "Anyone who believes in me... will do even greater works." These are not the empty words of a dreamer. These are the words of the risen Christ. This is a promise wrapped in divine authority, spoken to His disciples on the night before He went to the cross.

So today, I want to speak on this theme: "Go! And Do Greater Things." This is not a message of pride or human ambition. It is a call to faith, to action, to obedience, and ultimately, to exalt Christ in all we do.

1. The Context: A Troubled Room and a Comforting Word

John 14 finds Jesus in the Upper Room with His disciples. Judas has gone out to betray Him. The Cross is looming. Fear is beginning to cloud the hearts of the disciples.

In this moment of tension, Jesus makes an incredible statement: "Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." (John 14:1, NLT). Then, in verse 12, He says something even more astounding: "Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works."

The Greek word for "believes" is pisteuo, meaning to entrust, to put confidence in. Jesus is not referring to casual belief, but wholehearted trust that results in action.

Tim Keller said, "The gospel is not just the ABCs but the A to Z of the Christian life."

We do not just believe once and move on; faith in Christ empowers our every action, every day. The call to do greater works is a call to live the Gospel daily.

2. The Works of Jesus: What Are We Being Called To?

Jesus says, "the same works I have done." What did Jesus do? He healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry, preached good news to the poor, forgave sinners, and revealed the Father.

But note: Jesus does not say we will be greater than Him. The Greek phrase meizo erga (greater works) implies scope, not superiority. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, was limited geographically and temporally. After His ascension, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church, empowering the global mission.

Acts 1:8 (NLT): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

What a powerful promise from our risen Lord! Jesus is speaking just before His ascension, commissioning His followers not to retreat in fear, but to advance in faith — empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for "power" here is d??aµ?? (dynamis) — the same root from which we get the word dynamite. This is not a weak, wavering energy — it's divine enablement to live boldly and proclaim Christ fearlessly.

Jesus didn't say, "Go and try to be my witnesses" — He said, you will be. That’s not optional. It’s the overflow of a life filled with the Spirit of God. From the familiar streets of Jerusalem to the outer reaches of the earth, the Gospel is meant to go forth. And that same Spirit who empowered the apostles empowers us today. We are not called to serve in our own strength, but in His.

As Charles Stanley once said, “The Spirit-filled life is not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity. It is part and parcel of the total plan of God for His people.” Brothers and sisters, let us not be spectators—we are called to be Spirit-empowered witnesses!

Matthew 27:19–20 (NLT): “Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.’ Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death.”

Here we see a tragic contrast between revelation and rebellion. Pilate's wife — through a God-sent dream — discerns the innocence of Jesus. Her words echo divine warning: "Leave that innocent man alone." The Greek word for "innocent" is d??a??? (dikaios), meaning righteous, just. Jesus, the Righteous One, stood on trial — not for His own guilt, but for ours.

Yet even as truth whispered from the lips of Pilate’s wife, deception roared from the religious leaders. They stirred the crowd, manipulated hearts, and chose Barabbas — a guilty man — over Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God. It’s a chilling portrait of humanity’s fallen condition: preferring rebellion over righteousness, darkness over light.