GOING AFTER GREATER

GOING AFTER GREATER

John 14:12–14

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

Intro:

Nelson Mandela There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

Raymar Tirado

7 Reasons Why You Will Never Do Anything Amazing With Your Life

1. They Have Not Failed Enough.

You are comfortable in your mediocrity; because you choose not to try. they think everything is too hard or too complicated so you will just “sit this one out”, or maybe you’ll, “do-it-tomorrow”!

2. They Care Too Much About What Other Think.

You are afraid to embrace your true self for fear of how the world will see you. you care more about the stuff you have as opposed to the things you’ve done.

3. They Think They Are Smarter Than They Are.

Because you learned what you had to learn in order to pass their tests and you think that makes you smart.

4 . They Don’t Read.

Because you read the things you are required to read or nothing at all.

5. They Lack Curiosity.

Because you are unwilling to ask the simple question…

6. They Don’t Ask Enough Questions

7. They Are Unwilling To Do What it Takes To Do what it Takes To Get More.

To "go after greater" means to pursue excellence, growth, and the fulfillment of our potential in our relationship with God and in our lives. It involves striving for deeper faith, stronger character, and more significant impact in the world around us, it means believing in Jesus's promise that we can accomplish even greater things than he did and actively seeking to live out that reality in our daily walk with Him.

‘Two things that I know about Greater’’

Greater Is Available For Us.

Greater Is Attainable For Us.

He gives us a threefold promise related to the matter.

V. 12 He will Honor Us

V. 13 He Will Hear Us

V. 14 He Will Help Us

Jesus extends to us in these verses, Jesus imparts a powerful promise to his disciples and to all who believe. He challenges us not to settle for the status quo but to dare to pursue something greater in our walk with Him. Let's delve into the significance of "Going After Greater" as we unpack the transformative truths contained in these verses.

I. Get To A Point Of Persuasion

v12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me,

"Believe" To have total confidence in To be fully persuaded.

Fully Persuaded is the continuation of trust without contemplation or consideration of another option.

This verse is a diamond with several facets of truth. “He that believeth on me,” like all the other verses using the same phraseology, refers to a man whose heart is filled with dynamic faith.

Jesus use the word believe six times between v1-12.

v1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

v10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself:

v11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

v12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me,

The text says, “He that believeth (present tense) on me” indicates an ongoing relationship characterized by the qualities of commitment and trust. Faith in and of itself is not being emphasized here; rather, faith in Jesus is the focus. Furthermore, the believing must be in accord with the manifestation of the Father as revealed by Jesus Christ the Son. All Jesus did had its source in the initiative of the Father; Jesus did not act out of His own ambition (verse 10). The promise of verse 12 will be fulfilled in accord with the Father’s initiative, not the believer’s.

We have seen this exact phrase before: “Whoever believes in me.”

• John 6:35 “Whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

• John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me … ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’

• John 11:25 “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”

• John 12:46 “Whoever believes in me will not remain in darkness.”

Romans 4:18–21 “In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

I. Get To A Point Of Persuasion.

II. Get Over The Progress of The Past.

v 12b the works that I do shall he do also; and greater Works than these shall he do; because I go unto,my Father.

Jesus declares that we will be able to do greater works than those which He did. What He means is that they will be greater in quantity, but not in quality! When Jesus was here, He was limited to one geographical locality. However, when He ascended back to Heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to indwell His people, He has the ability to be in many places working at the same time.

Steven Morgan - "The Dangers of Success"

"Success comes with its share of inherent dangers, and chief among those dangers is the spirit of complacency".

Steve Morgan

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:18 (KJV)

Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

Isaiah 43:16 (KJV)

"Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

Isaiah 43:17 (KJV)

I. Get To A Point Of Persuasion

II. Get Over The Progress of The Past

III. Get It Through The Power Of Prayer

v13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Jesus Extended The Privilege To Pray.

“Whatsoever,” There is nothing excluded in “whatsoever.” It tells us that we can and we ought to pray about everything, Prayer is so practical. It is applicable to anything. Nothing is forbidden in prayer. We limit God when we limit the practicality of prayer. So many things are limited when and where and how they can help us. But prayer is not limited

“Whatsoever.” This word also speaks of the prominence of prayer. Prayer should be on our lips at all times. Prayer should be prominent in our life. The hymn writer had it right when he said, ‘O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.’ (Joseph Scriven, in ‘What a Friend we Have in Jesus.’)

“In my name.” That does not mean just saying ‘in Jesus name’ at the end of your prayer “In my name” means everything the name represents and stands for. “In my name” means to pray according to the character, Word and will of Christ. Anything outside the character and will of Christ cancels the promise of the prayer. This is where many fail.

Jesus Extended The Privilege To Pray.

Jesus Expounded On The Parameters Of Prayer.

v14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

“That will I do.” What a great promise. It shows the great power of God in being able to answer our prayers. As great as the promise is, the prayer must be within the perimeter of prayer to qualify. Many folk are blaming God for not fulfilling His promises when that is not the problem at all. The problem is the person praying incorrectly. If you pray and God does not answer your prayer as you prayed it, you need to examine how you are praying. God’s promises are plain, so are the prerequisites. Don’t ignore the prerequisites.

There is no other name that carries as much authority and power as the mighty name of Jesus…

Therefore it is of great importance that we call upon that name when we are in need.

when we encounter difficulty…

when we face hardship…

when we meet with opposition…

when we feel the presence of evil… when we suffer with pain…

or when we are under a heavy burden because in that precious name, and in that name alone.

there is sufficient authority and power to stop the winds from blowing… to halt the waves that roll… to arrest the raging of the storm…

to remove the stain of sin… to cause demons to tremble… In the name of Jesus…

to resurrect the dead....to give hope to the hopeless… to answer fervent prayers. In the name of Jesus…

In that name…

there is peace that passes all human understanding…

there is joy that is unspeakable and full of glory…

there is comfort far beyond any other source…

there is unconditional love to who-so-ever…

In that name.

there is assurance for those in the storms of life…

there is confidence for those fighting ‘the good fight’

In the name of Jesus…

we are justified and enjoy a relationship with God…

we bravely lift up the blood-stained banner…

we can take a stand for truth and righteousness.

we can run and not be weary and walk and not faint…

we become more than mere conquerors in life....and in the name of Jesus. we have complete victory over all our enemies…!

It is amazing what transformation can take place in your life when you begin to praise the wonderful Name of Jesus…! And no matter what the situation may be… it’s a good time to praise His Name…!

When you feel so all alone. praise His Name…!

When you feel like nobody cares… praise His Name..-:

When you don’t know what to do… praise His Name…

When your heart is breaking…praise His Name…

When your burden gets heavy…

When your plans fall to pieces… praise His Name…!

Praising the Lord...

will open doors of opportunity...

will prepare you for the unexpected…

will fill your heart with God’s peace..

will give you your desired victory…

will also offer you hope beyond tomorrow …!

“ I will praise You. O Lord, with my whole heart.” (Psalm 9:1)

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him.” (Psalm 42:11)

I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me out of all trouble.” Psalm 54:67)