THE SAME WORKS, BUT GREATER....!
“…I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me (depends
upon me) will do the same works I have
done, and even
greater works, because I am going to be with the Father…”
(JOHN 14:12 NLT).
*
“…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with
the Holy Ghost
and WITH POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the
devil; for
GOD WAS WITH HIM…”
(Acts 10:38-39 KJV).
“…The Spirit of the Lord [was]...
upon [Jesus], because he hath anointed [him]…
to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent [him]… to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable
year of the Lord…” (John 4:16-21 KJV).
“…God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles…” (Acts 19:11 NLT). “…Stephen, a man full
of God’s
grace and POWER
(the indwelling Holy Spirit), performed great
wonders and signs among the people…”
(Acts 6:8 NIV). “…God
did extraordinary MIRACLES (by
the indwelling Holy Spirit) through Paul…”
(Acts 19:11 NIV). “…I
persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and
MIRACLES (by the WORK of the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (2
Corinthians 12:12 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
“…Now God GIVES US many
kinds of special abilities, but it is the same HOLY SPIRIT who is the SOURCE of them all.
…it is the same
God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … It is the same and only Holy Spirit who gives
all these gifts and POWERS… (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
God works signs,
wonders, and miracles “IN” and “THROUGH” his people by his HOLY SPIRIT and it
is often displayed when they preach or teach the Gospel with authority and
power.
They also do miraculous
works that confirm the WORD, through the
indwelling work of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking with authority and anointing,
speaking with tongues, healings (physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, and
financial), casting out devils, strengthening the relationship between God and
the believer, and winning souls to Christ.
When God manifest
himself through his uniquely POWERFUL, miraculously performances they have a
PURPOSE.
God’s powerful miraculously
performances are signs, and wonders to us but they are NORMAL to God. “… “I AM” WHO I AM…”
(Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).
Mankind has rules and
regulations that limit them to the common and natural way of things, but God is
NOT limited to them. “…The things which
are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah
32:27 KJV).
God is NOT limited by
ANYTHING and he does WHATEVER he pleases with his world and the people IN his
world. “…Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him”
(Psalms 115:3 NIV). “… [God]… does as he pleases (not
mankind) with the powers of heaven and the
peoples of the earth. No
one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT).
Many people, including
CHRISTIANS, don’t believe or struggle with believing that ANYTHING can happen
BEYOND the common and naturally normal ways of life. "…Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this
mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and DOES NOT DOUBT in their heart but believes
(depends upon God’s Word) that what they say will happen, it will be
done for them….” (MARKS 11:23 NIV). “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke
18:27 KJV). “…I
am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”
(Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).
In other words, MOST people,
including God’s people, don’t believe in MIRACLES at ALL! “…It shall be done to you according to your faith (according
who or what you depend upon)…" (Matthew 9:29 NASB).
The bible gives credence to the common and
naturally normal ways of life. However, the bible also gives the best credence
for the existence of MIRACLES.
The Hebrew words in the Old Testament that
represent miracles are ’ōth, mō-phēth, and pālā’ .
Further, ’ōth, mō-phēth, and pālā’, more specifically, represent the signs and
wonders, which are the actual miracles.
For instance, “…Then God
SAID, “Let there be
light”; AND THERE WAS LIGHT…”
(Genesis 1:3 NASB). The light is a SIGN that can be seen and it demonstrates
God’s WORD as miracle working POWER. “…THERE WAS LIGHT…”
(Genesis 1:3 NASB).
“…I will … multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt…” (Exodus 7:3 KJV). God sent ten plagues upon Egypt which were
SIGNS of his great power (Exodus 7-9).
God DISPLAYS his POWER
to produce visual conviction that he is REAL, he EXISTS, he INTERVENES, and he
is the ALL powerful, Sovereign ONE!
The visual manifestations of his POWERFUL signs
was often reported in the bible. “… And
ye said, Behold, the Lord our God hath SHEWED us his GLORY
(powerful signs) and
his greatness, and … we have SEEN
this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth…”
(Dueteronomy 5:24 KJV). “…The heavens declare the GLORY
(powerful signs and wonders) of God…”
(Psalms 19:1 KJV). “…The heavens are telling of the glory (powerful signs and wonders) of God…” (Psalms 19:1 NASB). “…God’s glory (powerful signs and wonders) is on tour in the skies…”
(Psalms 19:1 MSG).
“… The
heavens declare His righteousness, And
all the peoples have seen His glory (powerful signs and wonders)…”
(Psalms 97:6 NASB).
“It
came even to pass, as … [they] praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for
his mercy endureth for ever: that then the
house was filled with a cloud (a sign) … So that the priests could not
stand to minister by reason of the
cloud (a sign): for the GLORY
of the Lord
had filled the house of God…” (2
Chronicles 5:13-14 KJV).
“…..Said
I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest SEE the GLORY (powerful sign or wonder)
of God?” (John 11:40 KJV).
“….The
God of GLORY (powerful sign and wonder) APPEARED unto our father Abraham…” (Acts
7:2 KJV).
“… the glory (powerful sign or wonder) of the Lord appeared to all the congregation...”
(Numbers 16:19 NASB).
“… He has appeared
in
His glory (powerful signs and
wonders)…” (Psalms 102:16 NASB).
“…Stephen,
full of the Holy Spirit, looked
up to heaven and
SAW
the GLORY (a powerful sign or wonder) of God…”
(Acts 7:55 NIV).
“And
the temple was filled with smoke (a sign) from the GLORY of
God and
from his power … ”(Revelation
15:8 KJV).
“… to the eyes of
the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory (sign or wonder) of the Lord was
like a consuming fire on the mountain top…” (Exodus 24:17 NASB).
“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the GLORY (sign or wonder) of God did lighten it…” (Revelation 21:23 KJV).
“And
[For 40 years] [God’s glory] went
before them by day in a pillar of a cloud (sign), to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire
(sign),
to give them
light (SIGN); to go by day and night…Moses could not enter the tent
of meeting because the cloud (sign) had
settled on it, and the GLORY (sign or wonder of
the Lord filled the tabernacle. So the
cloud (SIGN) of the Lord was over the tabernacle by
day, and fire (SIGN) was in the cloud by night, in the SIGHT of all the Israelites during all their
travels…”
(Exodus 13:21 KJV; Exodus 40: 35-38 NIV).
The pillar of cloud,
pillar of fire, and the smoke represented
God’s MIRACLES (signs and wonders) and were visual manifestations of his PRESENCE. “… The heavens
declare his righteousness, and all the
people “SEE” HIS GLORY (signs and wonders)…” (Psalm 97:6 KJV).
These SIGNS and WONDERS
were visible to the Israelites. “…Behold, the Lord our God hath SHEWED us his GLORY (signs and wonders) and his GREATNESS
…” (Deuteronomy 5:24-25 KJV). “…
Moses called unto all Israel, and said
unto them, Ye have
seen all that the Lord did
before your eyes in
the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his
land; The great temptations which thine
eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles…”
(Deuteronomy 29:2-3 KJV).
“…The invisible [Holy Spirit]…from the creation of the world …clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made …”
(Romans 1:20 KJV). “…What we now SEE did not come from
anything that can be SEEN…” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “…he
doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
God does NOT demonstrate signs and wonders
to PROVE anything to mankind or his OWN people. Whether you know or not; God
KNOWS who he is. “… “I AM WHO I AM ’ This is My name forever,
and this is My memorial-name to all generations…”
(Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I am the
Lord, the God of all flesh…”
(Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). "… I
am the Alpha and the Omega,"
says the Lord God…" (Revelation 1:8 NASB). “… I, the LORD … the first, and with the last. I am He...'" (Isaiah 41:4 NASB). “...The lord is GOOD…there
is none good but one, that is,
God” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV).
“…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… I, the Lord, am
your healer…”
(Exodus 15:26). “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). And, “There is none holy as
the Lord…”
(1 Samuel 2:2 KJV). “…God is the one
who provides
…” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “… God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians
4:19 NASB). “… [God] … will keep in perfect
peace all who trust in … [him] … all whose thoughts are
fixed on … [him!]” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).
“….The
Lord is “my”
shepherd ….”
(PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).
Thus, God uses signs and wonders to
demonstrate and express his LOVE, his involvement, and his commitment to the
covenant relationship. “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your
shield and
the horn of Your salvation, YOUR
stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“…God with [you]…”
(Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…[HE IS] WITH… [YOU] and … [HE] WILL NOT LEAVE [YOU] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).
The DISPLAYS of God’s
miracles through signs and wonders serve a purpose. “… the
disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many
miraculous signs…” (Matthew 16:20 NLT). “… God confirmed the message by
giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit
whenever he chose…” (Hebrews 2:4 NLT).
The signs and wonders
“always” GIVE credibility or confirmation to God, his POWER, his PRESENCE, and
his WORD!
MIRACLES support the
WORD of God and are performed to confirm it. MIRACLES continue to accomplish
that same purpose today, but are “NOT” necessary duplicated to be exactly like
those of the OLD TESTAMENT.
God doesn’t CHANGE, but
he likes VARIETY!
Individuals, just like
Jesus, are EMPOWERED, by the indwelling
HOLY SPIRIT, to perform miracles. “…
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus
of Nazareth, a man approved of God among
you by miracles and wonders
and signs, which God did by him in the midst
of you, as ye yourselves also know…” (Acts 2:22 KJV). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … …
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
God DISPLAYED his
MIRACLES through Jesus. “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy [Spirit] and WITH POWER…”
(Acts 10:38-39 KJV).
God CONFIRMED Jesus’ WORDS by signs and
wonders. “…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and WITH POWER: who
went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for GOD WAS WITH HIM.
And we are witnesses of all things which
he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem…” (Acts 10:38-39
KJV). “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in [Jesus], he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
What signs
and wonders DID God do “IN” and “THROUGH” Jesus? “…The Spirit of the Lord … [was] … upon … [him[, because he hath anointed … [him] … to preach the gospel to the poor; he … sent
… [him] … to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To
preach the acceptable year of the Lord…” (John 4:16-21 KJV).
“…he who [depends upon] Me, the works that
I do, he
will do also...” (John 14:12 NASB). Jesus
was ONLY able to do these “GOOD” anointed works and cast out demons by the HOLY
SPIRIT of God. “… I cast
out devils by the Spirit of God…”
(Matthew 12:28 KJV).
God does NOT change. “…I am
the Lord, I change NOT…”
(Malachi 3:6 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is the
same
yesterday and today and forever”
(Hebrews 13 :8 NIV).
The signs and wonders
of God are NOW experienced through the
indwelling HOLY SPIRIT which miraculously empowers the confirmation of HIS
WORD “in” and “through” his people.
In the Old Testament
the authority to work actual miracles were limited to God, himself.
NOW in the New
Testament, the actual work of miracles is STILL limited to God, but power or authority,
to perform them, have been given to God’s people. “…Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and POWER (the
indwelling Spirit), performed great wonders and signs among the people…”
(Acts 6:8 NIV). “…God
did extraordinary MIRACLES (by the
indwelling Holy Spirit) through Paul…” (Acts 19:11 NIV). “…I persevered in demonstrating
among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and MIRACLES (the WORK of the Holy Spirit)…”
(2 Corinthians 12:12 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in [you], he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
“…God who
does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us ……
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…I am the Lord, I change
NOT…”
(Malachi 3:6 KJV).
God STILL confirms his
WORD, the gospel message, “in” and “through” his people. “…God who
does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us ……
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in [you], he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…the invisible things of him from the creation
of the world are CLEARLY SEEN…”
(Romans 1:20 KJV).
God’s people experience
MIRACLES all the time and YET “think” they are experiencing “NO” miracles at
all. “… [The] Good News about Christ (the gospel
message, the WORD alone)… It is
the power (sign and wonder) of God at work (miraculously), saving
everyone who believes…”
(Romans 1:16 NLT).
God’s WORD has
MIRACLE-working POWER. Did the WORD save you? “… It is the power of God at work (miraculously), saving
everyone who believes (who depends upon the Word)…”
(Romans 1:16 NLT).
“…Simon himself believed … and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done…” (Acts 8:13
KJV).
“… God
give[s] you the Holy Spirit and work
miracles among you because … you believe (depend upon) the message you
heard about Christ…” (Galatians 3:5 NLT).
“…
[The] Good News about Christ (the gospel
message, the WORD alone)… It is
the power (sign and wonder) of God at work (miraculously)…”
(Romans 1:16 NLT).
The WORK of redemption
or salvation “IS” a MIRACLE!! “…
[The] Good News about Christ (the gospel
message, the WORD alone)… It is the
power of God … (miraculously), saving everyone who believes…”
(Romans 1:16 NLT).
For
example, “…The Spirit of the Lord [was].. upon
[Jesus], because he hath anointed [him]…
to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent [him]… to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable
year of the Lord…” (John 4:16-21 KJV).
“…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with
the Holy Ghost
and WITH POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the
devil … GOD
WAS WITH HIM…”
(Acts 10:38-39 KJV).
“… [God’s people shall] serve as signs … from the Lord…”
(Isaiah 8:18 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power (signs,
wonders, and miracles) THROUGH each of [them] … (1 Corinthians
12:4-11 NLT). For instance, “…God gave Paul the power to perform
unusual miracles…”
(Acts 19:11 NLT).
“…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
“Jesus Christ is the
same
yesterday and today and forever”
(Hebrews 13 :8 NIV). “…That great Shepherd of the
sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his
will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…That great
Shepherd of the sheep …work “IN US” what is pleasing to him, through Jesus
Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
“…It is God
which worketh IN YOU both to will and to do of his good pleasure…” (Philippians
2:13 KJV). “…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…” (John 14:1
KJV).
The “GREATER WORKS” are not referring to BETTER
or DIFFERENT. God raised the dead and made blind men see and those were GREAT
miracles. Greater works are the miraculously expanding and global redemptive
WORKS of eternal SALVATION which are being accomplished to this very day ALL
over the WORLD!!
God’s redemptive WORK continues “IN” and “THROUGH” his people. “…God SO LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever
believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16
KJV).
Christianity is STILL miraculously serving
its purpose in ALL parts of the WORLD. “Herein
is LOVE, not that we loved God, but
that HE LOVED US
and sent His Son...”
(1 John 4:10 KJV).
The MIRACULOUS redemptive WORKS can be
witness in countries such as African, Latin America, and Asia. “…God SO LOVED the world…” (John 3:16
KJV).
China KNOWN for its atheism is
miraculously GROWING a Christian community that can no longer be ignored.
Experts predict that by 2025-2030 China will become the largest Christian
country.
God has been removed from American
schools, from monuments, people don’t attend bible study like they used to,
Sunday night services are unheard of, parents no longer “MAKE” their children
attend church, people complain about long sermons or long church services,
people grumble about an Easter or Christmas service which center around Christ
over staying home to enjoy the holiday instead,
communion, which used to be a special and separate service is now
incorporated into morning service to make it convenient for the people.
God’s people are compromising their OWN
opportunities to perform signs, wonders, and miracles by throwing away biblical
orthodox practices.
Thus, many Christian churches have had NO
miraculously redemptive works in weeks, months, or even years.
They have LOST their AWE in the redemptive
works of God and become complacent, consumers of the gospel instead.
Many of God’s people want to get ALL
“they” can for themselves (consumers) instead of SAVING (redemptive work)
others too!
The WORLD or CARNALITY has convinced God’s
people that LESS Jesus is more acceptable to society or culture, but the bible
says it will take MORE JESUS. “… I am the
light of
the world..." (John 9:5, 8:12 KJV). “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…our great
power is from God…”
(2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT).
God’s people have a CHOICE to become a
church which still does the miraculous work of redemption through the POWER of the indwelling Holy Spirit or become a
church which languishes from the impact of complacent consumption.
Some of God’s people are ALIVE, RELEVANT,
and still doing the miraculously work of redemption.
You too can AGAIN become a part of the
WORLDWIDE community of believers that are doing the miraculously redemptive
work of God.
No matter how DEAD you think you have
become; God is “NOT” dead and he is still working in other parts of the
worldwide Christian community.
Some of God’s people are choosing to allow
the indwelling Holy Spirit to use
them in the miraculous work of changing lives, changing families, changing
congregants, changing communities, changing societies, and changing countries.
JESUS is “STILL” the MIRACULOUS answer and continues to work in and through
willing vessel!!
Healings (physical, emotional, financial,
etc.) are miraculous signs and wonders, but nothing is as miraculously as the
redemptive work of God, through the HOLY SPIRIT, that HEALS the terminal
disease of SIN, which can result in eternal death.
God is obviously and clearly active in the
work of redemption. No one can SAVE, but God, through Jesus Christ. “… [He sent the ] …one
… who can
reconcile
God and humanity—the
man Christ Jesus…” (1
Timothy 2:5 NLT). “….Apart from [Jesus],
you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). ). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
God MIRACULOUSLY calls people to SALVATION
as witnessed through the growth and expansions of the Christian churches ALL
over the WORLD.
God MIRACULOUSLY blesses and loves his
people, through his indwelling Holy
Spirit, faithfully EVERY DAY.
God MIRACULOUSLY gives you the
CHOICE to receive his blessings and love. God’s people are privileged to choose
to experience the signs and wonders through his miraculously indwelling
presence or they can choose to become complacent consumers with no IMPACT
whatsoever!
The signs and wonders (miracles)
have NOT stopped, accept with YOU. He gave YOU power and authority to display
his miracles “in” and “through” your life; if you so choose.
“…Now
when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long
time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to
see some miracle done by Him…”
(Luke 23:8). “… For, indeed, that a
notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem,
and we cannot deny it…” (Acts 4:16).
Redemption and SALVATION is a miracle, because
it is an unusual work of God that transcends the ability of human nature. The
POWER is in the GOSPEL message “NOT” the language. “….the gospel of
Christ …. is the
power of God unto SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH…”
(Romans 1:16 KJV).
The GREATER WORKS include signs, wonders,
and miracles that will ALWAYS point to God as the SOURCE as well as IDENTIFY
him as the POWER behind it. “…Now God
GIVES US many kinds of special abilities (signs and wonders), but it
is the same HOLY
SPIRIT who is the source of them all. …” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
There are multiple
signs, wonders, and miracles recorded throughout biblical history, but none of
them is as GREAT as SALVATION!
God’s is both the
SOURCE of salvation and the POWER behind salvation. “…the …
HOLY SPIRIT … is the source of them all. …” (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…
It is
the power of God at work (miraculously), saving…”
(Romans 1:16 NLT).
God SAVES through
miraculous means. “…
[THE WORD]
It is the power (SIGN, WONDER) of God at work…”
(Romans 1:16 NLT). God emphasizes HIS “POWER” to SAVE is “IN” his WORD.
The WORD is the sign or
wonder, which can miraculously demonstrate God’s POWER to SAVE! “…
[THE WORD]
It is the power (SIGN, WONDER) of God at work (miraculously), saving
everyone who believes …”
(Romans 1:16 NLT).
“…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). SALVATION IS STILL A MIRACLE!!
“…I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the
same works I have done, and even greater works (EXPANSIVE, GLOBAL, ETC.)…”
(JOHN 14:12 NLT).
Godspeed,
Dr. Pensacola
No comments:
Post a Comment