Faith Promises

John 14:12-14 “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”  
 
WITH sure teaching, Jesus points the disciples – and the church – with a future view of Kingdom work as he says, “I tell you the truth.” The God of the universe has spoken to mankind to reveal two life-giving, soul-transforming faith promises: First, “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing…even greater things than these.” And second, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Do you believe these promises?
   I think most of us react with, “Do you mean that, Lord? I can and will do greater things than you did on earth? Then what about the, ‘No.’ and, ‘Not now.’ I’ve heard many times when I prayed? You didn’t do what I asked, Jesus. Are you telling me the truth?”
   Does this sound familiar? We’ve all had those thoughts, haven’t we? How do we move through these challenges to our faith to believe the Lord Jesus’ has spoken the truth?
   First, his promise, “Everyone will do greater things than these (things I have done).” is about a true faith life as Jesus’ disciple in three ways. They are: 1) evangelizing, which is to tell the gospel truth as a life habit 2) leading people to confess Jesus as Lord and 3) performing miracles as Jesus did. I know, these all, especially the third one may seem impossible to many of us. But let’s remember, true discipleship is Jesus’ call to submit our lives to his will. Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. We must not look at our own limitations when God calls. We are to look at his limitless power to use us to his will. The 11 disciples and then Matthias, who replaced Judas, demonstrated the Spirit’s transformation of hearts and minds as they evangelized the gospel in: Acts 8:25 When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. The apostles led people to confess Jesus: Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They did miracles: Acts 5:12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people.
   The men who had so many questions for Jesus in the Upper Room became his absolute truth tellers to a lost world. Throughout the ages since, a far greater number of people have come to Christ because Jesus’ disciples in each generation have told the good news of God’s grace.
   Countless people have been born again into a living faith. Untold numbers of sick have been healed in the Spirit’s power. This is much more than in Jesus’ three years of ministry. Indeed, Jesus’ faithful disciples have done greater things on earth over time because the Lord has empowered us – yes, you, me and all who say, “I believe Jesus is Lord.” When you are faithfully walking in Jesus’ commands, the Holy Spirit will gift you to the work of Christ.
          We’ll continue with Jesus’ second promise in our next lesson.