Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Truth for a Troubled Soul” Part Two – John 14:12-15
REVIEW
I. The Public Ministry of Jesus 2-12
II. The Private teaching and ministry of Jesus 13-17
A. Forgive one another with a servant’s humility.
B. Love one another with God’s supernatural love.
C. Truths that encourage the troubled soul 14:1-31
Jesus informed the disciples of his soon departure. He also made it clear that he would be betrayed by one of them and denied by another. There were plenty of reasons for a troubled soul. Abandonment -- Shattered dreams -- Impending failure -- Betrayal --Insecurity Confusion -- Facing an impossible task with an impossible group of uneducated men without Jesus. While Jesus was with them they began to see that life was different. Now He announces that He is leaving for somewhere that they are not permitted to follow. They gave up everything to follow him for three years and now he is leaving. What will they do? How can they carry on without Him? In chapter 14 Jesus offers a number of guarding stars by which to navigate in the dark when many of the normal landmarks are unavailable.
1. Stop fretting and continue trusting the plan of the Father and the Son
2. A future reality exists beyond this life based on a present relationship in this life
a) Jesus had to leave to prepare a place for us
b) Jesus will physically return to gather those who trust Him
3. Faith in Jesus alone assures ultimate access to heaven and intimate relationship with the Father and the Son.
Jesus called those men to trust him with their very lives and with the welfare of their eternal soul. He called them to trust in the extraordinary claims He made concerning His person and purpose. He repeatedly affirmed His heavenly eternal existence.
He asserted that His excursion to earth was by the Father’s directive. The Father and I are one. I have come to do the work the Father sent me to do. The eternal Word became flesh.
No man has seen God at any time. The only begotten of the Father, He has explained Him. He urged them to put their trust in God and put their trust in Him.
Entrust your life to Me! Entrust your future to me!
Introduction
Jesus continued his encouragement with a most engaging promise. Or perhaps it is more of a statement of fact. We have stumbled upon some most challenging characteristics of a true believer in John. John 8 indicated that true disciples are those who orchestrate their lives according to the word of Jesus. John 13 clearly pointed out that genuine love for one another characterized true disciples. Here Jesus introduces another characteristic of genuine disciples.
Genuine disciples will achieve
the great works of Jesus and greater
because Jesus ascended to the Father.
Jesus begins this most powerful statement with a clue to its extreme importance. Alexander McClaren comments on the use or truly, truly here.
He prefaces his words with ‘verily, verily!’ bidding us to listen to them with sharpened attention as the disclosure of something wonderful, and receive them with unfaltering confidence, on His authority, however marvelous and otherwise undiscoverable they may be.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father. John 14:12
To a soul troubled by personal inadequacy and possible failure and feelings of abandonment by Jesus and this must have been a most uplifting promise. Many of us have read this passage countless times before. Don’t let the familiarity with the words cause you to miss reality of this ringing truth Don’t attempt to water it down or explain away its compelling implications. Jesus told that grim group of troubled souls that they would not only do the works that He did but also accomplish even grater works than He did.
Let’s ask several probing questions of this most familiar yet powerful verse.
• First, to whom does this grand statement apply?
• Second, what will those continually trusting in Christ do?
• Third, what great works does Jesus indicate genuine believers will do?
• Fourth, what are the greater works possible for every genuine believer?
To whom does this grand statement apply?
Jesus clearly points out a partnership between Himself and those who put their trust in Him. “To the one believing in Me” “That one (who continually trusts in Me) also”
The verb tense here indicates a continual active participation. The one continually trusting in Jesus… The one who joins himself to Jesus in eternal relationship? It is very difficult to justify limiting this statement only to the original disciples. If you do that here, than many of the promises of salvation would also become inapplicable to us today. It appears from the plain language used here that this statement applies to all believers.
As we indicated last week, the level of trust involved in such a promise extends beyond mere intellectual assent or even an emotional warm fuzzy feeling. Jesus calls for complete uncompromising trust that embraces Christ as the only way, the only truth the only source of real life. This faith involves whole trust by the whole person in the whole person of Christ; a union that involves relational oneness. What about the one who lives their life trusting in Christ?
That brings us to our second question.
What will those continually trusting in Christ do?
Two levels of activity
1. Jesus indicates that the one trusting in him will do the same works he did.
2. Jesus indicates that the one living a life of trust in Him will do even greater works than He.
The word for greater bends more toward “greater in significance” than “greater in number” or volume. Many try to make this verse more palatable by saying Jesus’ use of ‘greater’ indicates the sheer number of followers doing his work till the end of time. The text uses a singular verb “shall he do” indicating that a particular individual believer shall do both the great and greater works of Jesus. I am compelled than to ask question three.
What great works does Jesus indicate genuine believers will do?
Jesus made it clear He acme to do the works of the Father.
Jesus therefore said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. John 8:28
Jesus therefore answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. John 5:19
Isaiah prophesied and Jesus confirmed the kinds of things Jesus came to do.
And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book, and found the place where it was written,
"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE DOWNTRODDEN, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
And He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon Him. And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, "Is this not Joseph's son?" Luke 4:17-22
When John the Baptist sent a delegation to verify the identity of Jesus, Jesus told them to report the works they had seen him do. Luke 7:21-23
Jesus activity could be divided into two categories.
1. Ministry of spiritual words
2. Ministry of supernatural works
Jesus spoke and taught like no other.
He spoke with words of authority and truth.
He spoke words of conviction.
He spoke words of repentance.
He spoke words of encouragement and hope
He spoke words of deliverance.
He spoke words of truth and wisdom.
He spoke words of forgiveness.
A huge portion of Jesus time was spent teaching. Far more time was given to preaching that signs and wonders.
Jesus also carried a ministry of miracles and wonders. Jesus did on a scale accomplished by no other. Jesus healed life long disease and illness and deformity. Jesus restored sight to blind people. Jesus cast out tormenting and dehabilitating evil spirits. Jesus feed the hungry and watered the thirsty.
Jesus raised the dead.
You mean we can do these things? The disciples who first heard these words accomplished most all of them through faith in Jesus. Lame were healed, dead raised, demons cast out.
It was the power of the Holy Spirit working in them.
Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:5
The disciples also focused on a speaking ministry. Jesus commissioned them to make disciples by baptizing them and teaching them what he taught. Full circle! Jesus taught them what he heard from his Father and they were to teach others what they heard from Jesus.
Paul instructed Timothy You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 2 Tim. 2:1-2
Never lose sight of the primary focus. He didn’t say make disciples by baptizing and healing. These things for sure are great works and are certainly available today. Jesus is the same through all generations. However there are also “greater” works that will be accomplished by all those trusting in Jesus. That brings us to our fourth question.
What are the greater works possible for every genuine believer?
Most of the above things were temporary. All those healed by Jesus eventually died. The things that are seen are temporal. The things that are unseen are eternal. Jesus told the disciples they would do greater works “because I go to the Father”. You see, they had already tasted the great works while Jesus was here. They cast out demons (even though they had trouble with some). They healed others. They preached the gospel. Jesus lets them know that his departure is a good thing because of the work he was about to in his death, resurrection and ascension to the Father, not only they but all the generations to come would partner with Him in accomplished the real greater work of the unseen transformation of people’s eternal souls.
The healing of bodies would become secondary to the transformation of souls. This verse does not exclude the great works of Jesus but extends to the greater works. God is more glorified by a healthy soul than a healthy body. Keep focuses on what is most important. Heal a broken bone or restore a broken heart. Restore physical sight or restore spiritual sight.
All genuine disciples will achieve
the great works of Jesus and greater
because Jesus ascended to the Father.
• Jesus referred to all those continually trusting in Him.
• Jesus said all those who continually trust in Him would become partners in his work.
• Jesus said all those trusting in Him would accomplish great works just as he did.
• Jesus said all those trusting in Him would accomplish even greater works than he did.
Are you seeing the great and greater works of Jesus accomplished through you.
Why not? Not a genuine believer! Not trusting in Christ! Just as the words and works of Jesus authenticated the Father’s presence with Jesus, so Jesus’ works through us authenticates our relationship with Him. We represent Jesus today by our words and woks as Jesus represented the Father by His words and works.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Col. 3:17
We are his representatives. We partner with the Father and the Son in the great works of relieving suffering of the body but the greater works related to transformation of the spirit and soul. Jesus said don’t be troubled that I am going away. Because I go to the Father, You will continue my work and even greater. Paul said, I do my part in
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions (His work). Col. 1:24
How is this possible? In the next two verses Jesus indicates further just how this can happen in our lives.
"And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13-14
It is not really us that accomplished anything at all. It is Christ working though us by the Holy Spirit in response to intercessory prayer. Paul said,
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philip. 4:13
Jesus came to glorify the Father and the Father in turn gloried the Son. Jesus will answer our requests that the Father be given the credit and Jesus will receive the glory and will one day share that glory with us. It is the substance of His prayer in John 17.
"And the glory which You have given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; John 17:22
Whatever we ask as representatives of Jesus on earth for the glory of the Father, Jesus will do it. This is so important he repeats it again here and will reemphasize it also later. We can powerfully speak the words of Jesus… We can passionately work the works of Jesus… When we continually put our trust in Him and dedicate our bodies as instruments of God’s ways and ask Him to do what we cannot.
"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." 2 Chron. 16:9
Every believer is called to continually trust in Him
Every believer is to grow in faith by the word of God so that they can accomplish the work of the ministry.
It is the pastor’s job (Eph 4) – to preach the truth and instruct in the ways of God so that each believer will be equipped to DO the work of the ministry which is to powerfully speak the words of Christ passionately work the works of Christ.
Every believer is to pray at all times for all the saints.
"And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13-14
It is by continuing to trust. Speaking the words of Christ Working the works of Christ that we demonstrate our genuine love for God.
"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15
One more element competes the process. Jesus does not expect us to do this work on our own. Even the ministry of prayer falls flat without this one additional element.
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; John 14:16
Application
The cure for the troubled soul?
Stop allowing circumstances and the world to crowd out the truth.
Continue trusting the Father and the Son
Remember that there is an eternal reality beyond this life.
Jesus is not here because He is working out that reality
Jesus promised to return to get us to enjoy unhindered relationship with Him forever!
Trust in Jesus alone secures our part in that reality now and later.
We are partners with Him now in the great and greater works of the Father and the Son.
Continue to grow in your faith and trust in Him.
Make yourself available and willing.
Ask Him
What are we doing? What is happening in you life today that can be explained in no other way but that it is a great or greater work of Jesus in response to our request made in His name? What works of Christ are happening in our circle of influence simply because we asked Jesus to do it? What is happening at Chico because we believe God for greater works?
Lost our first love?
Forgot the first work?
Name that we are alive but in reality we have died?
Fallen to the detestable disease of mediocrity?
If you really love Jesus you will keep his commandments.
Speak powerfully
Serve passionately.
In light of the glorious return of Christ to gather us to Himself…
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58
