Power Up
Today’s Verse:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. ~John 14:12
When we power up a device or equipment, we are referring to plugging it into an energy source that will give it the needed power to perform. When the power source is weak, the output is weak. However, when it is strong and uninhibited, the output is very powerful. This morning, we are looking at a statement that our Lord Jesus Christ gave to the disciples that has equal applicability to us.
We see the abysmal REFUSAL.
Of all the people that followed Jesus during His ministry, the disciples should have arrived at the place of complete acceptance and trust in the deity of our Lord. All of them had trouble comprehending the coequality of Jesus with God the Father. All of them had trouble understanding the eternality of Jesus from eternity past to eternity future. All of them had trouble accepting His coming to fulfill the prophecy of being the Lamb of God Who would take away the sins of the world. As the countdown to His crucifixion drew closer, these men did not comprehend how the veracity of God’s power would be demonstrated by both Christ’s death and His resurrection. They saw His miracles and heard Him preach, but they were stuck. These men were at the place in their lives where they would believe if first they could see some proof. The consequence of this was these men were shortsighted, anxious, powerless, and doubtful as to their lives. How many of us are like these men when it comes to seeing God do things in us and through us that could be life-changing to the people around us? Are we willing to believe, then see?
We see the absolute REQUIREMENT.
So, Jesus gave these disciples a powerful and indispensable promise: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” He bluntly and in no uncertain terms told them that the requirement for being a disciple of Christ who is not inhibited in service and product is one word: Believe! We must believe with all our heart that Jesus is God: that He and God the Father are co-equal, co-eternal, and coessential. In short, we must have absolute faith in the Lord’s person and power. The Lord has given us the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. He has given us His Word. Our part is simply to believe that He is able to do for us and through us what is needed to accomplish His work on earth.
We see the abounding RESULTS.
Jesus said, “The works that I do shall he do also. And greater works than these shall he do.” As we consider the context of the passage and the ministry of our Lord, I believe He is referring to the following works. First, there is prayer work. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Our greatest works are always preceded by powerful praying. Second, there is preaching work. It is at this same time Jesus introduces the ministry of the Holy Spirit to them as their Teacher and Comforter. In order for these unlearned and ignorant men to see lives transformed through preaching, they needed the power of the Holy Spirit. Third, there is people work. These men lacked in people skills. They couldn’t even get along with each other. Just a few verses earlier, Jesus gave them a new commandment to love one another so that men would know they were His disciples. Fourth, there is productive work. Serving God must result in greater works. In John 15, Jesus followed this promise with the essentials for having much fruit in our lives that will glorify God.
Jesus gives the essential in order to power up. Will you believe? Will you let go of the incorrect thinking and theology that might be holding you back? Plug in by faith and just believe!
Have an empowered God Morning!