Greater Sermon



Introduction:  Note from Francis Chan at back of Big Red Tractor Book

Quotes from Greater by Steven Furtick
 “That’s the beauty of the greater way. It’s all about what Jesus has already done and what He desires to do through us. Period.  Nobody does greater things for God because they’ve got it all together. And nobody is disqualified because they don’t.  Including you and me. God doesn’t do greater things exclusively through great people. He does them through anyone who is willing to trust Him in greater ways.”

Greater than John the Baptist-Luke 7:27-28
·         Jesus speaking about John the Baptist says
o   Quote Malachi 3:1-OT prophecy about John the Baptist
·         No one greater than John yet least in the kingdom of God is greater than he
o   No One-speaking of OT prophets
§  because he saw what they prophesied, he proclaimed the coming of the Messiah
o   One who is least-Believers
§  after the cross get to experience actual atoning work of Christ, enjoy the blessings and promises of Jesus

·         John the Baptist knew his purpose.  His greater purpose was to get people ready for Jesus.  Once Jesus was central, John began to step back. He says in John 3:30 “He must become greater; I must become less.”
o   We too should make much of Jesus and avoid taking the glory for ourselves

By leaving and then sending His Spirit to dwell inside His followers-ordinary people like you and me-Jesus released a greater power for us to do extraordinary things on an extraordinary scale. The kind of things the early church saw and did. The kinds of things He still wants to do today through us.

Greater Things than Jesus-John 14:11-12
·         Vs. 11-Jesus says “I am in the Father and Father is in me”-They are one. Equal. Part of Trinity. But if you cannot believe this, believe “on the evidence of the miracles themselves
o   More than 30 miracles listed in the Gospels. (See Chart) However, John writes in John 21:25, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
o   What was point of miracles? To prove Jesus was God & bring wholeness/healing to people
·         Vs. 12-Anyone who has faith will do what I have been doing
o   What has Jesus been doing?  Preaching, teaching, caring, or more specifically miracles because of context
o   Did Christ heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead? So should they. Did he convince and convert sinners, and draw multitudes to him? So should they. Though he should depart, the work should not cease. . . “ Matthew Henry Commentary 397
·         Vs. 12-He will do even greater things than these . . .
o   You might be thinking: How can I do greater things than Jesus?
o   It’s like telling a basketball player he will be greater than Michael Jordan, musician greater than Beethoven
§  Sending of the Holy Spirit-our power, available to all believers, to multiply
o    “The works are quantitatively greater because Christ’s work is multiplied through all his followers.” IVP Bible Background 299
o   It was through the Spirit’s power that the apostles performed these greater miracles we see in Acts.” Believers Bible Commentary

Greater than Satan-1 John 4:4
·         In context, this passage is dealing with testing the spirits. We test the spirits by acknowledging Jesus. Our passage informs us that we have Someone to  guide our minds to truth and avoid false teaching

·         One who is in you-Holy Spirit-Romans 8:11-“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
o   Same power-Eph. 3: 19-20 “and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead. . .”
o   Greater things can be done in Jesus’ name because of the Holy Spirit’s power in us.  Are we seeing this?  Are we trying to push the tractor when we need the power to flow out of us?

·         one who is in the world-Satan-John 12:31 or 16:11-“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.” Or “and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”
o   We are involved in a spiritual battle.  However, we know the outcome.  Satan was defeated at the cross.  He will continue to mess with us, but we have victory through Christ. 
§  15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
o   Are we living out this truth?  I think many people live defeated because of fear of Satan.  He is real.  He is out to get us.  But the Holy Spirit (and God) are greater.
Closing

Are you ready to open your imagination to the possibility that God has a vision for your life that is greater?

Small Group Prayer

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