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.
As Tim Keller insightfully observed, “Jesus didn’t come to tell us the answers to the questions of life; He came to be the answer.” In that courtroom scene, the Answer stood silently. And He did not resist, because He was willingly walking toward the cross — for you, for me, for us all.
Acts 1:8 reminds us that the story didn’t end with the cross or even the empty tomb — it continues with us, the Spirit-filled Church. Matthew 27:19–20 reminds us of the cost — that the Innocent One bore the punishment we deserved.
Let us live as bold witnesses, empowered by the Holy Spirit, proclaiming Jesus Christ — crucified, risen, and soon returning.
Charles Stanley said, "Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him."
Greater works are not about personal greatness but divine obedience. When we follow God’s will, empowered by His Spirit, we fulfil His purpose.
3. The Power Behind Greater Works: The Holy Spirit
Jesus adds, "because I am going to be with the Father." His return to the Father would result in the sending of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:7 (NLT): "But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you."
The Holy Spirit is not a force but a Person. He empowers us, convicts us, teaches us, and enables us to live out the Gospel.
Parakletos Means "one who comes alongside to help." He is our divine Helper.
John Piper said, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
The Spirit-filled life is one of joy, purpose, and glorifying God. Greater works are not a burden but a joy when we walk in step with the Spirit.
4. The Mission of the Church: Proclaiming the Gospel
The greatest work is the proclamation of the Gospel. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Our mission is to continue that.
Romans 10:14 (NLT): "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?..."
Think of the man who shared the Gospel with Billy Graham. He was an unknown Sunday School teacher. But through his obedience, millions heard the Gospel.
Max Lucado said, "God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called."
You may feel ordinary, but in God’s hands, you are mighty. Your obedience can lead to eternal transformation.
5. The Greater Work in You: A Changed Life
The Gospel is not just what we preach; it’s what we live. The greatest evidence of the power of Jesus is a transformed life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT): "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"
A broken man, addicted and lost, finds Christ and is radically changed. That is a greater work.
R.T. Kendall’s words cut straight to the heart of genuine discipleship: “The greatest proof that you are a Christian is not that you believe the Bible but that you do what it says.”
What a powerful reminder! You see, it is one thing to affirm Scripture with our lips, but quite another to live it out with our lives. Jesus Himself said in Luke 6:46 (NLT), “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?” True Christianity is not merely confessional—it is transformational. It doesn’t stop at mental assent to truth; it compels us to act in obedience to the One who is the Truth.
The apostle James echoes this in James 1:22 (NLT): “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” Faith without obedience is not faith that saves. A heart that trusts Jesus will follow Him.
My friends, let us not be content to believe in theory—let us believe in practice. A Bible believed but not obeyed is like a map never followed. It may be accurate, but it will not get you to your destination.
Let us prove we are His disciples not just by the Scriptures we quote, but by the Saviour we obey. That is the life that glorifies Christ and shines the Gospel to a watching world.
The world is watching. When your life reflects Christ, that is a testimony more powerful than words.
Gospel Presentation:
Jesus came, lived a sinless life, died a sinner’s death, and rose again to give you eternal life. The cross was not an accident; it was the plan. Jesus took your sin upon Himself. On the third day, He rose in victory.
Romans 5:8 (NLT) says: "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
Here is the astonishing heart of the Gospel. God didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up. He didn’t demand perfection before extending His mercy. “While we were still sinners” — rebellious, lost, blind in our own sin — Christ died for us.
The Greek verb “synistemi” (s???st?s??), translated “showed,” means “to demonstrate, to make vividly clear.” The cross is God’s public demonstration of His great, unrelenting, undeserved love. This verse reminds us: salvation isn’t about our worthiness — it’s about Christ’s willingness.
Charles Stanley once said, “The cross is the ultimate evidence that God loves you.” And friends, it truly is. When you doubt His love, look to the cross. It was there, in the horror of Calvary, that the beauty of God’s grace shone brightest.
This isn’t sentimental love. This is sacrificial love. Love that bleeds. Love that redeems.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NLT): “I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”
Paul here declares the essential truth — the foundation of our faith. This isn’t speculation or personal opinion; it’s divine revelation. Christ died for our sins — not as a martyr, but as a substitute. He was buried — confirming His death. And He was raised — confirming His victory.
The Greek word for “passed on” is “paradidomi” (pa?ad?d?µ?), meaning to hand over with intent and sacred trust. Paul is saying, “This Gospel isn’t mine. It’s God’s truth. And it’s what matters most.”
Tim Keller wrote, “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that He said; if He didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what He said?”
The resurrection is not just a historical fact; it is the linchpin of our hope. Jesus’ death forgives us. His resurrection empowers us. His Word assures us. This is the Gospel we proclaim — crucified, buried, and risen — all in accordance with the Scriptures.
These two verses are not just doctrinal truths — they are divine invitations. God loved you when you were unlovable. Christ died to redeem your soul. He rose so you can rise too — out of guilt, out of shame, out of death, into glorious life!
So today, embrace the love that was shown on the cross and the victory declared from the empty tomb. Jesus is alive — and He calls you to come and live in Him.
Repent and believe. Turn from sin and trust in Jesus. He is Lord. He is Saviour. He is coming again.
Call to Action: Go and Do Greater Things!
Today, Jesus calls you to believe, to act, to go! Go with confidence. Go with love. Go with purpose.
Will you preach the Gospel?
Will you pray for the sick?
Will you serve with humility?
Will you love the lost?
Invitation to Salvation:
Friend, if you don’t yet know Jesus as Lord and Saviour, this is your moment. He is ready to forgive. Ready to restore. Ready to save.
Pray: "Lord Jesus, I believe You died for me. I turn from my sin and trust You as my Saviour. Be my Lord. Make me new. Amen."
Benediction:
Go, beloved, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Go and do greater things through Christ who strengthens you. May your life be a testimony of His grace, your words echo His truth, and your steps follow His will. In Jesus' name. Amen.
