Why Your Doing Jesus Powerful Works Is Right

Concerning the works of Jesus, the Spirit of God made an astounding statement to the disciples in John fourteen. Listen to what He said. ‘The works that I do shall you do also and greater works than these shall you do.’ What kind of works did Jesus do? Well, Miracles for one. Miracles in the New Testament are essentially expressions of God’s salvation and glory. Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus answered this question Himself. When in prison, John the Baptist sent some of his disciples to Jesus to see if He was the “one to come” (Matthew 11:3). Jesus told them to inform John of what He had done: “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor” (Matthew 11:5). With these words, Jesus declared that His miracles were the fulfillment of the promises of the Messiah’s kingdom.¹ You know what? They still are. Jesus said, His church are to do his works. So, that means we better get busy and understand and know something about this area. Why Your Doing Jesus Powerful Works Is Right, that’s our focus on this week’s Light On Life.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe to PlayerFM

Three Things Jesus Did that You Can Do

If you believe John 3:16 God so loved the world, you can also believe John 14:12, 'the works that I do shall you do also.' Click To Tweet

Read the Notes

You can view a basic transcript of this podcast at the bottom of this section.

Accept the Challenge

Each week’s podcast contains a call to action. The Word of God will not produce in your life unless you put it into operation.
This week’s call is:

If you believe John 3:16 God so loved the world, you can also believe John 14:12, ‘the works that I do shall you do also. Stretch out on God’s promise to you.

Join the Conversation

Testimony is vital to a believer’s life. We overcome by it (Rev. 12:11). Each week’s podcast also contains a question designed to encourage testimony.
This week’s question is:

Question: Share a story where the Lord used you to do one of the works of Jesus. Share your testimony in the comments section below.

Episode Resources:

If you would like to know more about growing in faith, see the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

We are currently teaching in the Gospel of John. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 47 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. He and his wife Sharon of 42 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

Subscribe to the Podcast

If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe.

Note: Pocket Casts is available on the App Store or Google Play.

Pocket Casts

iTunes PlayerFM

Share the Love

If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate it on Stitcher Radio and leave a review. If you have a suggestion for a Bible topic, you would like to see taught, or if you have a question, please e-mail me at emery@emeryhorvath.com

Prayer

Podcast Notes

Well again, welcome.
Let’s pray.

Father God, thank you for allowing us to be labors with you and bringing men to a knowledge and a relationship with heaven. Grant to us today a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of your Word let the eyes of our heart be opened that we may see and know and understand the works of Jesus and our role in this area. We thank you for doing this, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Works of Jesus: Our Responsibility

John 14:12–14 (ESV) — “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. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

What are we going to do with this statement that came from the lips of the immaculate son of God?
He said straight out and plain that the works that He did we are to do as well.
This as as much Bible as John 3:16.
Do you believe John 3:16 that God will love the world that he gave his only begotten son and, whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life?
Well, if you believe John 3:16, you can also believe John 14:12.
You know, you can’t pick and choose which Bible verses you want to believe and act on.
Just because there are some challenges to your faith in this area of miracles doesn’t negate God’s promise.
He said it — we have an obligation to it.
So, let’s jump into this and see what our responsibility is concerning doing the works of Jesus.

The Works of Jesus Foretold

Isaiah 35:4–6 (ESV) — 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

Isaiah prophesied 2700 years ago, that God would come to us two ways: with vengeance and salvation.
God did come to us in the person of Jesus.
Jesus as God laid aside as mighty power and glory and took on human form.
We know that’s true from Philippians chapter 2.
Jesus’ coming was to fulfil the salvation part of Isaiah 35:4.

Matthew 1:21–23 (ESV) — 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

But, what about the vengeance part of Isaiah’s prophecy?
God has yet to come to us in this form.
You see, when Isaiah prophesied this dual working of the Father — vengeance and salvation, there’s nothing in the prophecy that states that they would both occur at the same time.
The vengeance and recompense portion of this word from God is a future event but, mark it down, it’s coming to a theater near you.
Not one word from God will ever fail.
Here is the same truth in yet another prophetic word that came from the lips of the prophet.

Isaiah 61:1–3 (ESV) — 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

Again, you can see there are two parts to this.
There is salvation to the poor — the good news is preached to them.
The broken hearted are saved — liberty goes to those captives and, freedom to those who are bound.
But, there is also the Day of Vengeance.
Now, the first part of Isaiah’s prophecy Jesus quoted and applied it to himself when he preached to his hometown in Nazareth.

Luke 4:18–19 (ESV) — 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

But, notice when Jesus quoted this he left out the vengeance part.
Now, you understand why — vengeance is set for a future time.
What does that leave us with?
Salvation is come in the person of Jesus.
Our job is to do the works of Jesus.
That’s what John 14:12 says.
What are the works of Jesus?

What Are the Works of Jesus?

Let’s define terms first — Jesus said the ‘works that I do shall you do also.’
The Greek word ‘works’ is the one we want to look at and with that thought, here is the Definition of the Day.
The word ‘work’ is the word ‘ergon’ and is translated work or to function.
It is also translated as ‘miraculous deed’ [NET], ‘action, or accomplishment’ [BADG].
These works refer to Jesus’ miracles and also his signs.²
The other word definition we want to nail down is the word ‘greater.’
The Greek word ‘greater’ is the word ‘megas’ which means greater in size, degree or importance.
Jesus followers are to do ‘the works’ and do ‘the greater works in size, degree, or importance.
Before we go further, we should define what the ‘works of Jesus’ are.

Matthew 11:20 (ESV) — 20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.

Note the two words ‘mighty works.’

Mark 6:5–7 (ESV) — 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

So, this verse helps us dial in the focus a bit.
Healing the sick is part of the ‘mighty works of Jesus.’
Notice also that teaching is the cure to unbelief.
That’s why the Word needs to be taught in a continual fashion.

John 7:21 (ESV) — 21 Jesus answered them, “ I did one work, and you all marvel at it.

The word ‘work’ here is the Greek word ‘ergon’ — same as in John 14:12.
The singular work Jesus references here is the healing of the man at the Pool of Bethesda.
These ‘works’ that we are to do refer to the miraculous element manifest in Jesus ministry.
It refers to the strict definition of miracles, and with that thought, here is the Quote of the Day.

“In brief, a miracle is a divine intervention into, or an interruption of, the regular course of the world, that produces a purposeful but unusual event that would not (or could not) have occurred otherwise. The natural world is the world of regular, observable and predictable events … a miracle is an unusual, irregular, specific way in which God acts within the world.… if a miracle occurs, it would not be a violation or contradiction of the ordinary laws of cause and effect, but a new effect produced by the introduction of a supernatural cause.”³

I like to say it this way.
A miracle is the divine suspension of the ordinary course of nature, of which would include walking on the water, multiplying loaves and fish, turning water into wine, stilling storms, finding fish where there were none, cursing unfruitful trees and on and on.
The works of Jesus would also include the healing element as well as deliverance from demons.
Jesus said, the works that I do shall you do also and greater works than these shall you do because I go to my Father.
So, there’s Jesus earthly works and there’s even greater.
How do we get to the even greater works?
Should we really be concerned about the greater when we haven’t even walked in the ‘works of Jesus’ on earth?
Do things in order and the greater works will take care of itself.

Embracing All the Works of Jesus

In the gospel of Matthew, we have this verse that helps us to know the ‘works of Jesus.’

Matthew 4:23 (ESV) — 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

Are you ready for it?
The works of Jesus include teaching: he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues.
The works of Jesus include proclaiming or as we say it preaching: he went throughout all Galilee… proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.
The works of Jesus include healing: he went throughout all Galilee… healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Preaching, teaching, and healing are the works of Jesus.
‘The works that I do,’ Jesus said, ‘shall you do also.’
Believers in Jesus should be teaching, preaching and getting people healed.
Some have tried to cut-off the last part of Jesus works.
But, they have no scripture for that.
I mean, ‘where is that?’
We have scripture that says we should do the works of Jesus — we do not have scripture that says we are not to do it.
What people have done is taken their black marker based on the lack of manifestation and just decided that the last part was just for the 12 Apostles to get the Church started.
Okay, where is that?
You have to add to the Word of God to reach this conclusion.
Here’s an alternative approach.
Instead of trying to come up with a reason why a Bible promise is not working, how about trying to find out what’s going on?
Take the position that God’s Word is so and it’s supposed to work and instead begin to ask questions about why things are not lining up.
There are many reasons why people fail to receive a Bible promise.
It seems that some feel like they must defend God by having an explanation for everything that’s not working the way the scripture says it.
God’s Word stands without need of human defense.
He’s been around eternally long before us.

The Works of Jesus and God’s Conditional Promises

You know God’s promises are conditional.
You see this all the time in scripture.
God said, ‘If you do A, then I will do B.’
Or saying it a different way .
If you do A, it will allow me to do B.
Look out for these ‘If you, then I will’ kinds of promises.

Exodus 15:24–26 (ESV) – 24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, 26 saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”

If you, then.
If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes THEN I will and healing is the result.
Sometimes we want the benefit, without meeting the obligation.
We want B without doing A.
It doesn’t work.
You can test this out if you don’t think it’s so.
But, I can save you some time if you’ll hear.

Deuteronomy 11:22–23 (ESV) — 22 For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him, 23 then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.

Here it is again.
You’ll get pretty good at picking out what your part is versus God.
If you will be careful to do all this commandment, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him THEN the Lord will drive out nations bigger than you are.
Our military should especially get ahold of this promise from the Lord.

1 Kings 3:14 (ESV) — 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

If you, then is the answer to long life.
It’s clear from this verse that there are some things you can do to lengthen your life as well as some things you shouldn’t do that will shorten it.

Matthew 4:9–11 (ESV) — 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me. 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘ You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Can you see that even the devil tried to get in on this ‘if you, then I will.’
But, the devil is a liar and the Father of it — that’s why it didn’t work for him!
Preaching, teaching, and healing are the works of Jesus.
That’s what we are talking about doing here.
Jesus said the works that I do shall you do also.
We’re not making excuses for not taking this seriously.
We are taking the Word and acting on like it’s so.

The Works of Jesus: Evidencing the Kingdom

Jesus’ miracles were a sign that the Kingdom of God had arrived.
Jesus followers often talk about the Kingdom of God and we should.
It’s right to do.
We are just copying Jesus in this — emulating all that He is.

Matthew 12:28 (ESV) — 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Casting out demons — taking authority over demonic forces — not allowing the devil to push you around — resisting him so he flees is all part of the Kingdom.
It’s part of the works of Jesus.
This successful rejection of devils, demons, and evil spirits is evidence of the Kingdom.
Kingdom life is not just being part of an organization.
Being in the Kingdom is not just attending a local church.
It’s acting like the universal Church.
It’s doing the works of Jesus.

Matthew 11:2–3 (ESV) — 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

Did you hear that? — the deeds of Jesus.
The Greek word ‘deeds’ here is the same word for ‘works’ in John 14:12.
Works of Jesus — deeds of Jesus — same thing.

Matthew 11:4–5 (ESV) — 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

So, John, the free spirit, was now feeling the confines of imprisonment.
In his emotional state, he questions the reason for his situation and wants to verify that he was not just ‘taking a licking for nothing.’
He asks Jesus this question concerning His mission. ‘Are you the One?”
Jesus answers it this way, “The blind see and so I am the one”.
“The lame walk and so I am the one”.
“The lepers are cleansed and so I am the one”.
“The deaf hear and so I am the one”.
“The dead are raised up and so I am the one”.
“The poor have the gospel preached to them and so I am the one”.
The works of Jesus are distinctly listed here.
You have to have help not to recognize this.
What conclusion can we draw from Jesus response to John the Baptist?
The works of Jesus in manifestation are the evidence of the King and His Kingdom.
These works we are to do as well — that’s the directive of our Lord and Savior.
If we love Him, we are to head out in this direction.

The Works of Jesus: The Messiah’s Expectation

Miracles matter.
They mattered to Jesus enough that His expectation for His disciples was for them to move in the miraculous.
Doing miracles is doing the work of God.

Matthew 17:14–20 (ESV) — 14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Can you see Jesus expectation?
This child had seizures — this child had a suicidal devil.
The disciples couldn’t heal him — but Jesus expected them to.
He expects no less of us.
I’ve had a few miracles but my heart desires so much more.
There must be more — there has to be greater.
God is way too big.
Big God, small results just do not go together.
I refuse to quit, back down, lay down or rollover.
The call for the miraculous goes forward.
I will not silence its voice.
Instead, I will add my voice and, dare I say it?
We should all add our voices, choices, and commitment to do the works of Jesus.
Now, we are out of time right now but there’s more that we want to talk about along this line.
So, we will save that for another podcast — like next week’s podcast.

Now Father God thank you for allowing us to be part of your great plan to bring your creation back to you. Thank you for using us to do the works of Jesus. We give you all the praise, the glory and honor for it in Jesus Mighty Name.

Why Your Doing Jesus Powerful Works Is Right.
You guys have a great God week and we will see you next time for another edition of Light on Life.

What Is Your Part Versus God’s Part in Getting Miracles from Heaven

__________
References:

Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995). ↩
An Exegetical Summary of John 10–21 ↩
Source: Norman B. Geisler, Miracles and Modern Thought (Zondervan, 1982), 13. ↩

emeryhorvath.com

Equipping people to pursue God's glory

Why Your Doing Jesus Powerful Works Is Right

Podcast: Light on Life Season Eleven Episode Twenty-One

by Emery Horvath

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe to PlayerFM

Read the Notes

Accept the Challenge

Join the Conversation

Episode Resources:

If you would like to know more about growing in faith, see the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

We are currently teaching in the Gospel of John. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

Subscribe to the Podcast

Share the Love

Prayer

Podcast Notes

The Works of Jesus: Our Responsibility

The Works of Jesus Foretold

What Are the Works of Jesus?

Embracing All the Works of Jesus

The Works of Jesus and God’s Conditional Promises

The Works of Jesus: Evidencing the Kingdom

The Works of Jesus: The Messiah’s Expectation

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe to PlayerFM

Read the Notes

Accept the Challenge

Join the Conversation

Episode Resources:

If you would like to know more about growing in faith, see the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

We are currently teaching in the Gospel of John. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

Subscribe to the Podcast

Share the Love

Prayer

Podcast Notes

The Works of Jesus: Our Responsibility

The Works of Jesus Foretold

What Are the Works of Jesus?

Embracing All the Works of Jesus

The Works of Jesus and God’s Conditional Promises

The Works of Jesus: Evidencing the Kingdom

The Works of Jesus: The Messiah’s Expectation

Related posts: