I. Continued Works Of God Vs. 12-14
A. While Jesus Was With Them
1. The disciples had seen Jesus do many miracles.
a. Turning water into wine.
b. Healings of sicknesses, diseases, epilepsy, paralysis, leprosy, fevers.
c. The healing of the centurion’s servant from a far distance, by just saying a word.
d. The casting out of demons.
e. Calming the stormy sea of the Sea of Galilee. Rebuking the wind and waves.
f. The healing of a woman who had a flow of blood for 12 years.
g. Raising people from the dead: a young girl; Lazarus.
h. Healing the deaf, the dumb, and the blind.
i. Twice multiplying a few fish and a few loaves of bread to feed thousands.
j. Walking on the water of the stormy Sea of Galilee, and enabling Peter to do the same.
2. Jesus had equipped the disciples to do the same kinds of works.
a. Matthew 10:1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
b. It is very easy to understand that the disciples would be concerned about their inability to continue to do such good works. Like sheep without a Shepherd.
B. After His Departure- For Them And For Us
1. V. 12- Jesus promised that His followers would do greater works than He did, but there were some stipulations.
a. He who believes in Me– Those who were committed followers of Jesus.
b. the works that I do he will do also; and greater works– Greater in scope and reach.
i. The very shadow of Peter healed the diseased, Acts 5:15.
ii. Diseases were cured, and demons cast out, by applying to the persons handkerchiefs and aprons that had before touched the body of Paul, Acts 19:12.
iii. By the word of Peter, Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead, Acts 5:5, 9, 10.
iv. Elymas the sorcerer was struck blind by the word of Paul, Acts 13:11.
v. Christ only preached in Judea, and in the language only of that country; but the apostles preached through the most of the then known world, and in all the languages of all countries.
vi. Modern day greater works– Over 58 years, Billy Graham reached more than 210 million people (face to face and by satellite feeds) in over 185 countries and territories on six continents. Luis Palau and his ministry have shared the Gospel with more than 1 billion people through evangelistic events and media. He has spoken in person to 25 million people in 72 countries with more than 1 million registered decisions for Jesus Christ.
c. because I go to My Father- Jesus would act as Mediator for them. His death for their sins would grant them access to the Father. Apart from Jesus, sinful man has no access
2. Vs. 13, 14– Jesus promised to answer prayers in His name.
a. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do- To pray according to the heart and intentions of Jesus. Not magic words that grant success, but directional words. To pray in alignment with the Word of God and its intention. Prayer that brings glory to people is either misunderstood or not rightly intentioned.
b. that the Father may be glorified in the Son- The goal of Jesus: glorify the Father.
We are not to pray contrary to the nature of God. God will not answer prayers that dishonor Him.
c. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. Jesus repeated this for emphasis.
II. Continued Presence Of God Vs. 15-18
A. While Jesus Was With Them
1. The disciples had had constant fellowship with Jesus for 3 ½ years.
2. He was only a question 24/7, but now He was leaving, and they were troubled.
B. After His Departure, For Them And For Us
1. V. 15- Jesus is instructing them about the nature of future fellowship with Him.
a. Previously, their companionship with Him was physical. That was changing.
b. Now their companionship with Him would be spiritual, and not physical.
2. V. 15- Companionship with Jesus and an awareness of His presence would flow forth from their obedience to Him. They had loved him “in person”; now they would love Him by obeying what he had told them. The same is true for us.
a. Those who truly love Jesus have lives that are increasingly marked by obedience.
b. 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
c. 1 John 2:3-5 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
3. V. 16- This is the wonderful promises that Jesus made to them and to us.
a. If they continued in faith, they would soon receive the Holy Spirit.
i. Jesus death on the cross would grant them forgiveness; they would be born again
ii. Jesus promised to send “another Helper”, one that was separate, but like Him.
iii. Holy Spirit is the 3rd person of the triune Godhead; He abides w/them forever.
iv. Helper- parakletos– one who comes alongside to help, comfort, guide, empower
b. The physical Jesus was limited to one space; the Holy Spirit helps believers worldwide
c. Us- When we commit our lives to Jesus, we are immediately indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He is the 3rd person of the Trinity & indwells us to comfort, lead, & empower.
i. Ephesians 1:13 In Him (Jesus) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise…
d. The disciples of old and of today are comforted by the abiding Holy Spirit.
4. V. 17- Spirit of Truth– God wants to lead you in truth and to truth. How critical that is.
a. As the Spirit leads us into truth, we can lead others in truth. How needed that is.
b. whom the world cannot receive- See John 16:7-11. “World”: those who refuse Truth
i. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
c. but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you-
i. With you- The Holy Spirit had been “alongside” the disciples
ii. In You- The Holy Spirit would soon be in them, indwelling them.
5. V. 18- Jesus would be “with them” via the abiding Holy Spirit.