Greater Works (John 14:12-14) Series

This morning is going to feel a little different. There's been a few things in the back of my mind I've wanted to try to teach for a while-- and wrestle with myself-- and I just haven't taken the time. Today, I'm going to try to work through these things.

The other thing I'll say, up front, is that this will maybe be a dense, nerdy sermon. Which will shock you, no doubt. You won't remember everything. But I'm happy to give a copy to whoever wants it.

Let's start by rereading from John 13:31-14:14.

(31) Then, when he had gone out, he says-- Jesus--

"Now the Son of Man was glorified,

and God was glorified in him.

If God was glorified in him, also, God will glorify him in himself,

and immediately/at once He will glorify him.

(33) Little children, yet a little time with you, I am.

You will seek me,

and just as I said to the Judeans,

that where I am going, you aren't able to come,

also to you I say now.

(34) A new command I give you: that you love one another.

Just as I loved you, that also you shall love one another.

(35) By this all will know that my disciples you are: if love you have for one another.

(36) He says to him-- Simon Peter--

"Lord, where are you going?"

He answered-- Jesus--

"Where I am going, you aren't able, me now, to follow.

Now, you will follow later."

(37) He says to him-- Peter--

"Lord, why am I not able, you, to follow now?

My life for you I will lay down."

(38) He replied-- Jesus--

"Your life for me you will lay down?

Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will absolutely not crow until you have denied me three times."

(14:1) They must not be troubled-- your hearts.

[You] Give allegiance to God.

Also, toward me, give allegiance.

(2) In my Father's house, many rooms, there are.

Now, if not, I would've told you,

because I am going to make a place for you,

and if I go and I make a place for you, again I am coming,

and I will receive you toward myself,

in order that, where I am, also you shall be,

(4) and where I am going, you know the way."

(5) He says to him-- Thomas--

"Lord, we don't know where you are going.

How are we able, the way, to know?"

(6) He says to him-- Jesus--

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes toward the Father,

except only through me.

(7) If you had known me, also my Father, you would've known.

From now on, you know him,

and you have seen him."

(8) He says to him-- Philip--

"Lord, show us the Father,

and it is sufficient for us."

(9) He says to him-- Jesus--

"For such a long time, with you, I am,

and you haven't know me, Philip?

The one having seen me, has seen the Father.

How can you say,

'Show us the Father'?

(10) Don't you believe that I [am] in the Father,

and The Father, in me, He is"?

The words that I speak to you, from myself I don't speak.

Now, the Father in me abiding, He does his works.

(11) Believe me, that I [am] in the Father,

and the Father [is] in me.

Now, if not, because of the works themselves, believe.

(12) Truly, truly, I say to you, the one "believing"/giving allegiance to me, the works that I do, also that one, he will do,

and greater than these things, he will do,

because I toward my Father am going,

and whatever you ask in my name, this I will do,

in order that the Father would be glorified in/through the son.

(14) If, anything, you ask me in my name, I will do it.

Let me just add four thoughts to what I said last week on these verses. Three of these, I've been meaning to say for a while, and just haven't. The fourth was something I just learned. And then next week we will jump back in to John, for real.

(1) The greater things that you will do, if you have faith, and you ask, aren't necessarily healings.

Jesus, throughout the gospel of John, has done different types of "works." Some of these have been healings. But we've also noticed something else about Jesus.

Jesus, throughout the gospel of John, has looked right through people. He knows their hearts; he knows what they are really like. He knows who is trustworthy and who isn't (John 2:23-24). And he knows what people will be (like Peter), and what they will do (like Judas).

How is it, that Jesus can know all of these things?