Greater
The Holy Spirit • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Let’s read our theme verse as we continue to explore the Holy Spirit
7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate (Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I (Jesus) will send him (the Holy Spirit) to you.
FOR YOUR GOOD...
Since we finished the book of Acts, we have been looking at the 3rd member of the Trinity—our amazing God—Father, Son, and Spirit.
and so far we have learned that the Holy Spirit:
Convicts (John 16:8-11) (us of our sin—particularly in relation to Jesus)—that’s a painful but beautiful thing
Converts (John 3:1-15) - so that we are born again—made new. we are not just forgiven—but actually transformed to live for God (not perfection)
Advocates for us and in us (John 16:7) (because we are united to Jesus—the Holy Spirit’s job is to point to Jesus—the 1st Advocate—reminding us that we belong to Jesus and He belongs to us. We are his beloved children. the 2nd Advocate is constantly reminding us in our hearts of Jesus’ Advocacy for us.
what is the next one we see...it’s going to be in John 14:12...
I want to start at John 14:1 and following...John 14:4… Jesus is speaking to His disciples: (please stand) (b/c a text without a context becomes a pretext for a proof text)
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father (amazing statement—Jesus is the self-revelation of God in the flesh). How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
Key Verse:
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they 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 Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
15 “If you love me, keep my commands.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
so what is the 4th thing the Spirit does:
4. Empowers us— (or another way to say it—he helps us bear fruit). Empowered for Fruitfulness...
so Greater!! Really? really? greater works than Jesus?
What on earth does that mean?
2 errors about “Greater”
Over-interpret this - what I do mean by that? they look at all the works of Jesus—and they say—and interpret it only in terms of physical miracles. Jesus walked on water, I can walk on water. Jesus calmed the storm, I can calm the storm. Jesus healed the lame man, I can or the blind. Jesus raised the dead, I can. and certainly I don’t want to discount these types of miracles. I do believe they can and still happen throughout the world today. God still does answer prayers and miracles. but I don’t think this is the primary reference here—-
I don’t think we should over-interpret it—because let’s face it...99.9% of us will not walk on water. I have water skied before (not very well) and that doesn’t count.
most of us will not multiply 5 loaves and 2 fish—-I won’t multiply a mcdonald’s cheeseburger and fries to even feed my family.
Most of us will not raise the dead simply by speaking—Jesus did at least 3 times.
we will not turn water into wine...
2. Under-interpret this - and this might be the biggest mistake in our context here in our church. We forget that Jesus made this incredible promise to his disciples in the upper room, and thereby to us...most of us don’t wake up with this promise in mind—this incredible promise that we will do even greater things than these.
One of the books that is available is called “Jesus Continued...Why the Spirit inside you is better than the Jesus beside you.” Pastor JD Greear refers to NT scholar Leon Morris. (on screen)
2 points of clarification: “Greater...”
Fulfiled in Acts 2 - Day of Pentecost. We see “Greater” fulfilled in Acts 2. on the day of Pentecost. Leon Morris says on the Day of Pentecost more believers were added to that little band of believers than throughout Christ’s entire earthly life. There we see a literal fulfillment of “greater works than these shall he do.” after all, Peter, who had just denied Jesus for crying out loud, preaches, and 3000 come to faith in Jesus.
Fulfilled In us TODAY in 2 ways....
Way 1: a way of privilege
Dr. DA Carson, in his article says we should compare this greater passage with another.
Look at Matthew 11:11
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
John the Baptist was the greatest prophet ever BEFORE Jesus came, because He had the privilege of pointing directly to Jesus.
but whoever is least in the kingdom of God today, the least Christian is greater than he....why? You and I are greater than John the Baptist? why?
because John the Baptist did not live to see the kingdom come in power through Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension, and pouring out of the Holy Spirit. so in that sense—we are greater, because we look back at all this—he looked forward to it. We see the completion and we participate in this new covenant era, the era of the holy Spirit.
so go back to John 14:12. something similar may be in view here, too.
Jesus by going to the Father and pouring out the Spirit, began a new age, the new covenant. and the disciples and us now participate directly in this new age now on earth. Jesus in his earthly ministry actually never participated in that new age. yes he started it once he ascended to heaven and poured out the Spirit—but He actually never participated in it while on earth.
it doesn’t mean we are greater than Jesus—No He is greater!
it does mean that we are now privileged to be in this new era, the era of the Holy Spirit—and in that respect, our works are greater.
way 2 fulfilled in us today....
Way 2: by reaching more people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ - “During Jesus’ lifetime on earth, he was confined in his influence to a comparatively small sector of Palestine. After his departure his followers were able to work in widely scattered places and influence much larger numbers of men. But they did it all on the basis of Christs’ return to the Father. They were in no sense acting independently of him. On the contrary, in doing their “greater works’ they were but his agents.
did you catch that?
look at John 14:12
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
because Jesus went to the Father—after his death, resurrection—he then poured out the Holy Spirit.
who then enabled that early group of followers of Jesus (it was small) in one day—the Day of Pentecost—to grow from 120 to over 3,000 people!
and continue that growth today—that as we are spread out—as followers of Jesus—He is working in and through by His Spirit to empower us to be fruitful—to show and tell the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so people are convicted and converted. We are empowered and fruitful for Jesus.
I love how JD Greear says it in his book...
“Leading someone to forgiveness of sins, you see, is a greater work than making a lame man walk, because the latter is temporary and the former is eternal.”
In fact, if you read the story in Mark 2 — Jesus is preaching in a packed house. and there is a lame, crippled man can’t get to Jesus, so his 4 friends take him on the roof, open it up, and lower him through the roof.
and as they are lowering him through the roof, Jesus says this:
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
and the teachers of the law are astonished—who can forgive sins but God?
and to prove his point...Jesus physically heals him so he can walk.
“Forgiving sins was the point; healing lameness was just a sign. All of Jesus’ miracles of healing were only signs of his greater and more significant work.”
look again at John 14:13-14
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Jesus emphasizes that this greater is not just us doing it. It’s him doing it. We ask, we pray in His name—not a magical formula by the way—but if we pray in according with the Spirit who wants to glorify Jesus—He works in us and through us—so the Father may be glorified!
and so Jesus he was confined to one spot on earth, but after his death, resurrection, and ascension—Jesus is everywhere by His Spirit in us—His followers. His power is anywhere we are. It almost sounds blasphemous to say it—but because we are spread out—2 billion Christians around the globe—the extent of Jesus’ works by his Spirit is greater now than anything he accomplished during his ministry on earth. (SHY OF HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION)
Look at Acts 1:1....when I preached at the beginning of Acts (which seems like a long time ago b/c it was)
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach
began!
the author of Acts is Luke—the doctor.
Volume 1 - Luke is what Jesus BEGAN TO DO.
Volume 2 - Acts is therefore what Jesus CONTINUES to do...through His church—through ordinary people like us. by His Spirit—the church—ordinary people like you and I do greater works in volume 2 than in volume 1—why? because the same Jesus is at work.
In volume 1—it was Jesus at work in the flesh —doing miracles by the Spirit.
Luke 4:1
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Jesus full of and led by the Spirit
17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.
that power of the Lord is....the Holy Spirit....
JD Greear says:
I used to read that and think, Well, duh. Of course, it was present to heal. Jesus was there, and he is the power to heal. But Luke writes it in this way to show us that even Jesus’ power to heal came from the Holy Spirit. Why make that distinction? If Jesus had healed exclusively out of his own power, then he’d have a significant advantage over his disciples. But if the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus, then the disciples could do what he did, continuing the ministry he started. Believers, who now possess that same Holy Spirit, have access to that same power. Wow. that really blows my mind!”
(Greear, J.D.. Jesus, Continued...: Why the Spirit Inside You Is Better than Jesus Beside You (p. 65). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.)
you may think—of course THEY DID. that was Jesus and the early apostles. they were a special group living during a special time—and that’s partly true. the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. yes—the Bible makes that clear...they had a unique role in doing miracles and writing the NT down.
but Greear argues by the end of Acts we see some of their spectacular miracles fading...
20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
he left him sick even though Paul healed in Jesus’ name frequently in Acts!
but still despite that—they continued to do greater works than Jesus by spreading His good Gospel and name far and wide and also by just living in this new era of privilege, the era of the HS.
in fact, by the end of Acts—it kind of leaves on a cliffhanger.
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.
31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
what’s next? Ever watched your favorite series or show on Netflix...I remember a long time ago now when the TV series LOST came out. We actually did not watch it in real time—we borrowed the DVD’s from a friend, and every single episode...ends on a cliffhanger—it’s a bizarre show. Just like the characters are lost in the fictional world—we are lost as watchers—but every show ends on a cliffhanger—beckoning us to watch more.
Acts 28—ends on a similar cliffhanger...
and then it’s done...suggesting that—the Gospel keeps going—through people like you and me. This is why there is an organization called Acts 29—because you and I are the 29th chapter of Acts for the last 2000 years to now go in Jesus’ name and the power of the Spirit to do these greater works.
how we do this....how do we accomplish "Greater”....
3 Ways:
We Show the Gospel...We let the Holy Spirit “sanctify us...” (i.e. make us more like Jesus) (Romans 8:12-13)
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
sanctification is a great word—
it mean set apart
this happens the moment we believe in Jesus—the Holy Spirit sets us apart positionally...but wait there’s more...he converts us (makes us new, new heart) and then starts to sanctify us so that we become more and more like Jesus Christ.
a similar passage is Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
part of the fruit is the Spirit producing new character...so if you wonder if you are really changing—you look at this list...
if you are not—you ask the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus to make you like this (but be warned...these are scary ones to pray...)
as we do this though—the world watches—this is part of our “showing the Gospel.”
the world watches...as you react to stress at work—do you react the same way as those who are not Christians?
the world watches...your marriage or family life. how does your marriage work or family or singleness work? does it glorify Christ
the world watches...as you respond to conflict...
the world watches...as you mess up—will you own your mistakes, and apologize, and say “I was wrong.” Say that with me “I was wrong.” “I am sorry.”
this gives you credibility to actually do way #2...
how we do greater works
2. We tell the Gospel.… (show and tell!)
every time the Spirit is recorded filling someone in Acts—they speak the Gospel.
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
and then He talks about Jesus
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
every time!
telling about Jesus...
this may be the hardest one...
think of some of the excuses we use (Jamil Sadiq last week—originally from Pakistan) called them lame excuses.
JD Greear talks about them:
I’m not sure I have what it takes.” remember—you have the Spirit of the Living God living inside you!
“Evangelism is not my spiritual gift.” which may be true. some people have this incredible ability to talk with complete strangers and share the Gospel and see them come to Christ. that’s not everyone. but it’s not an excuse. just as someone could say “I don’t have the gift of being encouraging so I want.” all must be encouraging too. all must share and speak the Gospel. so ask God for help to do this. Ask the Spirit for help.
“I witness with my life.” that’s true!! we talked about character—the fruit of the Spirit. Our lives better back it up. but you need words—you can’t explain about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus without talking about Him—you can’t just act it out—you have to explani. You can’t talk about Jesus’ kingdom without using words!
“I don’t have time...” you may be busy—but I would encourage you to think about where has God already placed you. what are you already doing. who do you already know. who are your family and relatives that God has uniquely given who need Jesus? who are your friends that need Jesus? who are your co-workers? or who are your bleacher buddies as you watch your kids in their various activities?
“It makes me feel weird.” Yes—and amen! me, too! of course it does! In talking about Jesus and His kingdom, we have to talk about what keeps us out of His kingdom—our sin. and what sin deserves—death and judgment. that’s weird and unpopular. but we also get to talk about how God’s kingdom has no sin, no death, no devil, a place where people from every tribe and tongue are welcome—don’t we want to be a part of that—and it all starts with our response to Jesus.
be encouraged....
3. Use your unique spiritual gifts. (1 Peter 4:10-11)
I love 1 Peter 4:10-11 because it breaks down all the lists of spiritual gifts into 2 categories. It helps us not overthink them:
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
2 types of gifts:
serving (doing)
speaking
that’s it.
as we do it—we show God’s grace—we testify to God who may be praised through Jesus Christ. we do so in His glory to advance the mission.
I want to invite Mike up....
conclusion: we don’t do this by more effort—be like Christ, show Him, tell Him, and use our gifts...we need to behold Him...
18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
we change by looking at Jesus—because the Spirit wants to glorify Jesus—look at Him—He is amazing, He is beautiful!
I know that the sight of beauty is transformative...when I first laid eyes on my wife Jamie before we were even officially dating...my mom says we were “frating then...” a step between friends and dating… “frating...” i was transformed. I wanted to be the man she saw in me, needed me to be because I was captivated by her beauty inside and out.
As a basketball lover, I remember watching the end of the men’s olympic basketball championship game on TV in Paris. and I was spellbound as a guard named Steph Curry, shot and made 4 three pointers in a row, the degree of difficulty absolutely incredible. Watching Steph shoot 10 feet behind the three point line makes me want to go and do that (though I really can’t) but it inspired me...
now, it’s dangerous because I am not comparing my love for my wife to be the same as my love and awe for Steph Curry...
similarly with Jesus—as we behold Him we change...not perfection...but change to be more like him...we behold him by reading Scripture, hearing people’s stories...praying, focusing on His beauty.
