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John 14:12  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.
 

In this teaching I would like to look at three different areas that are involved  in doing the works of Jesus.

The Works          The Power          The Person
 


The Works

A. The work of Salvation

First and foremost is the work of Salvation.

The Lord Jesus Christ left this commission to the church.

Matthew 28:19  Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
Vs.20  teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

The first point of this commission was to make disciples. This is done by preaching the Gospel. (the good news)

Notice what Paul said:

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

An example:

Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Acts 8:36 And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

One becomes a Christian by a personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Notice:

John 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

John 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.


Apostle Paul's direct commission

Acts 26:17  Delivering thee from the people, and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

The Commission from the Gospel of Mark

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Signs and wonders confirms the word of God and the servants of God.

OUT OF THE CHURCH   ------------   IN THE CHURCH

Miracles, healings, deliverance etc often accompany the preaching of the Gospel, to the lost.

Some examples:

Acts 5:15 insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them.

Acts 5:16 And there also came together the multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem, bring sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

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Acts 8:5 And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ.

Acts 8:6 And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did.

Acts 8:7 For from many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed.

Acts 8:8 And there was much joy in that city.

Miracles, healings, deliverance etc. take place in the church by way of the gifts As the Holy Spirit wills.

1Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1Corinthians 12:5 And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord.

1Corinthians 12:6 And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all.

1Corinthians 12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal.

1Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit:

1Corinthians 12:9 to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit;

1Corinthians 12:10 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:

1Corinthians 12:11 but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.


The Work Side Tracked

Satan desires to hinder the work of God by getting the church side tracked. One of his favorite ploys is to get Christians wrapped up in the natural things. Such as:

A primary focus on building buildings etc. Wasting the Lord's money on frivolous things. etc.

The main focus of any church must be the two points of the great commission.

Preach the Gospel to the lost.

Disciple the believers by teaching them.

These two points must have first consideration when it comes to using the churches resources.

By the above teaching - I'm not saying that we should not be involved in outreach love ministries. Many times the Christian love show to people, opens their heart to the gospel message.


In Christ's Service 
E.L. Davis