12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:12-14
HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME
1. The Believer
a) He is a disciple
b) He has confirmed his faith in the Lord Jesus
c) He follows the Lord
d) He wants to serve Him
2. The promise of the Lord Jesus about doing His works
a) The Miraculous works that He did
i) The apostles would be able to do these works too
ii) Miracles were more confined areas of work
b) The Non-Miraculous works
i) Preaching
ii) Teaching
iii) Evangelizing
iv) Counseling
GREATER WORKS
1. The special works of the Lord Jesus
a) Healing a man born blind (John 9)
b) Raising of Lazarus (John 11)
c) These are not in mind
2. What are these “greater works?”
a) Evangelism on a larger scale
b) Reaching the world with the Gospel
c) Planting churches
d) More servants of the Lord
HOW WOULD THIS BE POSSIBLE?
1. Because I go to My Father
a) The Lord’s Role would not be diminished
b) He would play an even greater role
2. The Ministry of the Lord Jesus
a) As our great High Priest
b) His role as our Mediator/ Intercessor
c) His role as the Head of the Church
3. Because of Prayer
a) The language of the Lord Jesus must be carefully understood
b) He is not offering “a blank cheque”
c) A Conditional statement
i) The first part (protasis)
ii) The second part (apodosis)
4. IF
a) If we pray
i) Humbly
ii) Diligently
iii) Faithfully
b) If our prayers
i) Are within God’s will
ii) They fit into His plans
iii) We fulfil all that we are supposed to
c) Our Prayers
i) They will be heard
ii) They will be answered
iii) The Lord will help us as we seek Him
AN EXAMPLE OF HOW PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the LORD and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:23-31
1. Prayer offered:
a) The Church was threatened
b) The people prayed:
i) For boldness
ii) For courage to speak His word
iii) For signs and wonders if they are within God’s will