Jesus said that we would be able to do the same work that he did and even greater works, and you’ll see that in a specific way depending on which Christian circles you fit into. In the circles that I’m in the majority of people will look at the “same works that Jesus did” as all the miracles and the healings and the supernatural power of God. I agree 100% with that but we can’t say that the same works that Jesus did are only referring to the power of God in manifestation through healing, signs, wonders and miracles. It includes loving people, having compassion for people and demonstrating the fruit of the spirit. We have focused on that the last couple of days and today we’re going to start looking at the power of God.
John 14:12 New King James Version (NKJV)
“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.
Jesus is saying that you’re going to be able to do the same works that He did and even greater works! Isn’t that amazing! Jesus doesn’t lie, so you can believe Him! This is the normal Christian life! Sad to say that the majority of the church is trying to love people and trying to do good works and trying to see miracles and healings – they’re trying to live like Jesus in demonstrations of power and of the fruit of the Spirit when it should all be effortless. You have His nature and power inside of you – He has set you up to live like Him without too much effort. It doesn’t take effort, it only takes surrender! Acts 1:8 shows us that if you’re baptized in the Holy Spirit then you’ve received power to be an effective witness; a supernatural witness in all the world! God doesn’t expect you to live up to a certain standard of performance, He wants to live through you!
John 14:12 New King James Version (NKJV)
“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.
What works did Jesus do? Yes, He loved people and mixed with those that religious people didn’t want to (Luke 15:1). On the cross, Jesus said, “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they do.” We can do that same works of Jesus by loving people who are really just being mean to us. We can love them the same way Jesus loved others. But the same works of Jesus are not limited to flowing in the fruit of the Spirit, they also include the supernatural manifestation of signs, wonders and miracles! Jesus calmed the storm – He basically had control over nature, He fed 5000 people (well, actually it was 5000 men and so it was probably about 20,000 people) from a little boys lunch box. Jesus walked on water and when confronted with having to pay taxes He told His disciples to go fishing and said that the first fish that they caught would have a coin in its mouth, and it happened exactly like that! I am still trusting to be able to pay taxes like that! Jesus cursed the fig tree in at died. Jesus turned water into wine and did all sorts of miracles defying the laws of nature! He also healed people of various sicknesses, cast demons out of people (some of which were causing sickness in people) and even raised the dead to life! Jesus did all of these things and then He says in John 14:12 that you can do the same things! You can also heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out demons; you can also see the miraculous miracle-working power of God! This should be the normal Christian life! Scripture shows us that this is the normal Christian life even though large parts of the church, today, paint a very different picture.
People shouldn’t only be seeing Christians as the kindest and most generous people on the face of the earth, but we should also be known for the supernatural power of God in our lives in that we live in divine health, protection and favour!
Matthew 10:7-8 New King James Version (NKJV)
7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
We should be overflowing in the demonstrating of the same works that Jesus did and even greater works! People always ask what are the “greater works” and my answer to that is, who cares! Until you’re doing the same works don’t be bothered with what are the greater works – you can debate that for hours! Start by loving people and then let love and compassion stir up in you to lay hands on the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead! Let love motivate you to step out and see the supernatural power of God!