Welcome to NECF sermons. Each message here is
designed to uplift and strengthen you in your
walk with God. Don't miss out. Stay with us until
the end for a rewarding experience. Let's dive
right in. That way too, O tree, I gathered the
Lord in the name of the Lord, and our gathering
today is in the name of the Lord, and our God
is with us. Hallelujah! So let's be sensitive
to what God is doing, because God is speaking
to us, and God is uplifting us. John chapter
14, from verse 12 to 14, And most assuredly,
I say to you, he who believes in me, the works
that I do, he will do also. And greater works
than this, he will do because I go to my father.
And whatever you ask in my name, that I will
do. That a father may be glorified in the son.
If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.
Hallelujah. And yesterday we started building
a context to this conversation. And we said that
when we read through the synoptic gospel, especially
in the book of Luke, the book of Luke, Brother,
we will see that Jesus Christ is the promised
Messiah from the Scriptures. Hallelujah! So,
I really want us to understand that the Greater
Works has a context, okay? Because we are trying
to look at the works that Jesus did. And we say
that Jesus is described from the Scriptures.
According to the writings of the apostles, Luke
chapter 1 verse 1, let's begin, let's have some
evidence. Luke chapter 1 verse 1 to 4. If you,
Luke chapter 1 verse 1 to 4. Please media, I
would love us to move swiftly our past, right?
Luke chapter 1 verse 1 to 4. I read, Inasmuch
as many have taken in to sit in order, a narrative
of those things which have been fulfilled amongst
us, just as those who from the beginning were
eyewitnesses and ministers of the world delivered
them to us. It seems good to me also having had
perfect understanding of all things from the
very first to write to you. an orderly account,
most excellent Theophilus, that you may know
a certainty of those things which you were instructed.
And let's jump to verse 26. Now, in the sixth
month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to the
city of Galilee, named Nazareth. to a virgin
betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph of the
house of David. Now David is a character from
the scriptures. David is a character from the
Old Testament. The virgin's name was Mary. And
having come in, the angel said to her, rejoice,
highly favored one, the Lord is with you. The
Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.
Verse 29. but when she saw him she was troubled
at his saying and Considered what manner of great
greeting this was then the angel said to her
do not be afraid Mary for you have found favor
with God and behold you will conceive in your
womb and bring forth a son and Shall call his
name Jesus He will be great and will be called
the son of the highest. And the Lord God will
give him the throne of his father David. Hallelujah.
So David is from the scriptures. I mean the scriptures
are from the Old Testament part of the scriptures.
So we see here that the prophecy or rather the
message of the angel is actually the fulfillment
of a prophecy that was made concerning the throne
of David in the Old Testament scriptures. And
he will reign over, verse 33, he will reign over
the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom,
there will be no end. Then Mary said to the angel,
how can these things be? Since I do not know
a man. And the angel answered and said to her,
the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power
of the highest will overshadow you. Therefore
also the Holy Spirit, the Holy One who is to
be born will be called the Son of God. Verse
36, now indeed Elizabeth your relative has also
conceived a son in her old age. And this is now
the sixth month. For her who was called barren
For with God Nothing will be possible Was that
it then Mary said behold the maid servant of
the Lord let it be to me according to the word
and The angel departed from her hallelujah So
this came in as a prophecy as a fulfillment of
the prophecy that was in the scriptures. And
the prophecy can be found in Isaiah chapter 7
verse 14. Let's go through some of them. Isaiah
chapter 7 verse 14. To see where this prophecy
about Jesus was made. Isaiah chapter 7 verse
14. Isaiah 7 verse 14. Therefore the Lord Himself
will give you a sign. The virgin shall conceive
and bear a son. and shall call his name Emmanuel.
Okay? Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6 to 7. Isaiah chapter
9 verse 6 to 7. For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given, and the government will
be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace. Hallelujah. So we see
this prophecy fulfilled in the synoptic gospel
in the book of Luke. And then there are other
texts you can write. This down, 2nd Samuel chapter
7, verse 12 to 17, where this prophecy was made
in the scriptures. Psalms 107 verse 11. Another
text where this prophecy about the Messiah, Jeremiah
23 verse 5. And also Daniel chapter 2. was 44.
So, also in the synoptic gospel, especially the
account of Luke, we will see also that his purpose,
the purpose for his coming was revealed. Not
only that, you know, the fulfillment of the prophecy
was established, but we will also see that the
purpose for the coming of the Messiah was revealed
in his coming. Luke chapter 2 verse 21. Let's
read and see Luke chapter 2 from verse 21 We'll
read down to 38 and when eight days were completed
for the circumcision of the child His name was
called Jesus the name given by the angel before
he was conceived in the womb Now when the days
of her purification according to the law of Moses
were completed they brought him to Jerusalem
to present him To the Lord as it is written in
the law of the Lord Every male who opens the
womb shall be called holy to the Lord And to
offer a sacrifice according to what is said in
the law of the Lord a pair of turtle doves or
two young pigeons and Behold there was a name
in Jerusalem There was a man rather in Jerusalem
whose name was Simeon and this man was just and
devout waiting for the consolation of Israel
and the Holy Spirit was upon him he was waiting
for something and the Holy Spirit was upon him
and it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he will not see death before he had seen
the Lord's Christ so the man here was waiting
for a fulfillment of a prophecy. And the prophecy
was about the Christ, the Christ who is to come,
the Lord's Christ, that is the Messiah. So he
came by the Spirit into the temple. And when
the parents brought in the child, Jesus, to do
for him according to the custom, according to
the customs of the law, He took him up in his
arms and blessed God. And let's look at how he
blessed God. which you have prepared before the
face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation
to the Gentiles and the glory of your people
Israel." So we see in his affirmation about the
Messiah, in his affirmation about the baby that
was brought into the temple, that he is not only
a light unto Israel alone, but even unto the
Gentiles. And Joseph and his mother marveled
at those things which were spoken of him, verse
34. Then Samuel blessed them and said to Mary
his mother, Behold, this child is destined. Now
he is revealing the purpose for this child. This
child is destined for the fall and the rising
of many in Israel, and for a sign which will
be spoken against against, yes, a sword will
pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts
of many hearts may be revealed. Of course, this
is a figurative expression. Now, there was one
Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Fenwell,
of a tribe of Asher. She was of a great age and
had lived with a husband seven years from her
virginity. And this woman was a widow. of about
84 years who did not depart from the temple but
serve God with fasting and prayer night and day
was that in the last verse here and coming in
that instant she gave thanks to the Lord and
spoke of him to all those who look for redemption
in Jerusalem hallelujah so in the expression
of worship that we see in it is actually express
the purpose for the coming of the Messiah, that
He will come and then deal with the issue of
salvation, the salvation that is for the whole
world. So Jesus is also recorded in the Synoptic
Gospel. In Luke chapter 4 verse 42, we see that
He proclaimed and demonstrated the kingdom of
God. Luke chapter 4, was 42, Jesus proclaimed
and demonstrated the kingdom of God. Now when
it was a day, that's when he has become an adult
here, he departed and went into a desert place
and the crowd sought him and came to him and
tried to keep him from leaving. But he said to
them, I must preach the kingdom of God. I must
preach what? The kingdom of God. I must preach
the kingdom of God to the other cities also because
for this purpose I have been sent. For this purpose
I have been sent, verse 44, and he was preaching
in the synagogues of Galilee, hallelujah. So
here we see Jesus was preaching about the kingdom,
preaching and also demonstrating the kingdom.
Jesus Christ revealed the Father through powerful
works that confirms His identity. Okay, in scriptures
we'll see in the same Epistles record, we'll
see that He preached and did many powerful works,
miracles, signs and wonders that reveals His
divine identity. He healed the sick, He cast
out demons, He raised the dead. and exercise
authority over nature. All right? In John chapter
1 verse 18, let's look at another example in
the epistles. In the, in the gospels, John chapter
1 verse 18. No one has seen God at any time.
The only begotten Son who is in the bosom of
the Father, He, has declared him. Now let's move
to chapter 6 verse 46. Chapter 6 of the same
John verse 46. John chapter 6 verse 46. So, okay,
not that anyone has seen the father except he
who is from God. He has seen the father. Verse
47, let's read down. Most actually I say to you,
he who believes in me has everlasting life, okay?
I am the bread of life and that is one of the
messages he preached. He accomplished redemptive
works by offering himself through his death and
resurrection for salvation of humanity. And then
he laid the foundation of the Church. So we'll
see in the epics in the in the gospels in the
records in the synoptic gospels That Jesus Christ
preached the gospel. He made disciples He commissioned
believers to continue in this mission So these
are Records that we have in scripture concerning
the works the summary in the summary form the
summary of the works that Jesus did Now let's
go back to our key scripture In John chapter
14 verse 12, it says, And we've established several
times in this text that to do greater works or
those who do greater works are those who believe
in Jesus Christ. It says, He who believes indicates
that Jesus speaks here of more than just the
Apostles because contextually Jesus was speaking
to the Apostles. But we see him use a phrase
that indicates that he speaks of not just only
them but it would refer to any believer here,
any person that believes in Jesus Christ. Anybody
that believes in Jesus Christ will do these greater
works. Beliefs in will mean that He is born again,
and the works that Jesus did, He will also do.
It says the works that I do, He will also do.
In that particular verse, we see the word works,
and that word works is translated from a Greek
word, ergon, E -R - We're trying to look at what
are the works of Jesus and we've established
that the works Jesus did are those works that
have been recorded for us in the synoptic gospel
in the book of Matthew. We see that Jesus came
as a man. He lived as a man. He preached the
gospel. He demonstrated signs and wonders, expressing
his identity, his divine identity. He raised
disciples. and ultimately he died for the salvation
of humanity. So in this verse, verse 12 of John
chapter 14, the word works, I said, is translated
from the Greek word ergon, E -R -G -O -N. It
means deed, a work, a deed, or action, or a tax
that is performed and produces a tangible or
observable result. So works is a deed. It is
an action or a tax that is performed. And that
tax that is performed produces a tangible, observable
result. It refers not merely to activity, not
only activity, but work that accomplishes a purpose.
A work that has a purpose, a work that has direction
and a purpose, and a sense of purpose. It is
a purposeful action that accomplishes God's intended
result. In the context of his usage, here in
scripture, it is a purposeful action that accomplishes
God's intended result. So God has a purpose,
he has a will that he wants accomplished. And
this work is directed towards, you know, the
accomplishment of God's intended result. It is
a work that visibly demonstrates God's will,
His desire, and His power. It demonstrates God's
will, His desire, and His power. So the New Testament
uses ergon in several ways. The word ergon in
several ways works. We see deleted across scripts,
but let's concentrate on the ones in the New
Testament. That word. Is used for good works.
OK, first of all, the word Ergon is used for
good works. The actions that reflects God's character.
The actions that glorify God through the believer.
All right, Ergon. is used for good works the
actions that reflects God's character and glorify
God Matthew chapter 5 verse 16 one of the places
that will see the usage as good works Matthew
chapter 5 verse 16 Matthew 5 verse 16 let your
light so shine before men that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
So the word good works here is actually the word
works here is Ergon and we can see from this
text that it is what is done through the believer
that brings glory to God. Ephesians 2 verse 10
Ephesians 2 verse 10 Ephesians chapter 2 verse
10 for we are his workmanship we are his workmanship
speaking about the believer created or recreated
in christ jesus for good work so the work works
here is the word argon which god prepared beforehand
that we shall work in them what the believer
does Titus chapter 2 verse 7. Titus chapter 2
verse 7. In all things, showing yourself to be
a pattern of good work. So Paul was writing here
to Titus and he's admonishing him that in all
things, showing yourself. You've moved ahead
of me. Verse 7. In all things, showing yourself
to be a pattern of good works. How? In doctrine,
that is in teaching, showing integrity, irreverence,
incorruptibility. So this is how, you know, he
will show a pattern of good works. Another text
is Titus of the tree, verse 8. That verse, chapter
2, look at verse 14. Let's look at verse 14,
that same text. That is chapter 2, verse 14.
Yes, it says, who gave himself for us that he
might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify
for himself his own special people, zealous for
what? For good works. Hallelujah. Titus chapter
3 verse 8. Titus chapter 3 verse 8. This is a
faithful saying. And these things I want you
to affirm constantly, that those who have believed
in God should be careful to maintain what? To
maintain good works, works that is ergon. These
things are good and profitable to men. And then
we have Hebrews chapter 10 verse 24 another text
you can write this one Hebrews chapter 10 verse
24 1st Timothy chapter 2 verse 9 and 10 1st Timothy
chapter 2 verse 9 and 10 1st Timothy chapter
5 verse 10 1st Timothy chapter 5 verse 10 1st
Timothy chapter 6 verse 18 and also 1 Peter chapter
2 verse 12. Hallelujah. So firstly, we see the
uses of this word referring to the conduct of
a believer as good works, what the believer will
do and will bring glory to God. Secondly, in
the scriptures, this word works is used to refer
to what God did, works of God, the works that
God himself did. God's mighty acts In his redemptive
activity through Christ The mighty acts God did
in Christ. Let's check some scriptures for this
John chapter 5 verse 17 John chapter 5 verse
17 But Jesus answered them my father has been
what has been walking so they walk in here is
the same word, Aragon. My father has been working
until now and I have been working. So God in
Christ have been working. Hallelujah. God through
Christ on the earth worked. John chapter 6 verse
28 and 29. John chapter 6. verse 28 and 29. We
will see the work of God in Christ. John chapter
6 verse 28. John chapter 6 verse 28. Then they
said to him, what shall we do that we may work
the works of God? So this will understand that
there is a work that is of God. Verse 29. Jesus
answered and said to them, this is a work of
God. That you believe in Him who sent. In Him
who He sent. That has to do in context of salvation.
Alright? Chapter 9 verse 3 and 4. John chapter
9 verse 3 and 4. In context of salvation, Jesus
answered, neither this man nor his parents sinned,
but that the works of God should be revealed
in him. The context is a man that was sick. Okay,
verse 4, I must walk the walks of him who sent
me while it is day. The night is coming when
no one can walk. Alright, so we see Jesus Christ
declaring that he will do the walk of him who
has sent him. John chapter 10 verse 37, I read
scripture, John chapter 10 verse 37. So most
of these are actually in the book of John. If
I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe
me. 38 plus 38. But if I do, though you do not
believe me, believe the works that you may know
and believe that the Father is in me and I in
him. So we see from this text that Jesus Christ
was doing works and with God that is working
with him. in doing those works. John chapter
14, verse 10 to 11, contextually to our scripture,
the text for our focus. It says, do you not believe
that I am the Father and the Father in me? The
works that I speak, the words that I speak to
you, I do not speak on my own authority, but
the Father who dwells in me does what he does,
the work. So we see God working in Christ. Verse
11, believe me that I am in the Father and the
Father in me or else believe the works, believe
for the sake of the works themselves. So we see
that God, the Father and Jesus Christ are in
union. And that union brings about the works
that Christ did on the earth. Acts chapter 10
verse 38, Acts chapter 10 verse 38, Acts chapter
10 verse 38 How God anointed Jesus Christ of
Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power
Who went about doing good and healing all who
were oppressed by the devil for God was with
him So contextually doing good here is actually
talking about the works that Jesus did the works
that Jesus did while he was in the flesh All
right So we've seen, first of all, the good works
that God works through the believer. Secondly,
we've seen in Scripture the uses of that word,
arrogant, as what God did through Christ. And
then there's another application of this word
in the Scriptures, referring to the works of
the law. The works of the law. Negatively, it
is referring to human's attempt to gain righteousness.
through keeping the Mosaic Law. There's another
contextual usage in Scripture referring to the
law of Moses. Galatians 2 verse 16. So what we
see works in Scripture, we must understand the
context of its usage. Alright, we must understand
the context of its usage. Galatians 2 verse 16.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works
of the law. So it qualifies and it specifically
explains that this law is talking about what?
It's talking about the law of Moses but by faith
in Jesus Christ. Even we have believed in Christ
Jesus that we might be justified by the faith
in Christ and not by the works of the law. For
by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified
by the argon that is that works. that is qualified
who identify with works the laws of Moses by
doing those laws who are not justified all right
but who are justified by faith Galatians over
three verse two another way in scriptures where
the word works is used to refer to the law of
Moses Galatians over three verse two this only
I want to learn from you did you receive the
spirit by the works of the law or by hearing
of faith. So the context here is talking about
the works of the law verse 10, Galatians 3 verse
10. For as many as are of the works of the law
are under the curse. For it is written, curse
is everyone who does not continue in all things
which are in the books of the law to do them.
to do them. Another place, Romans 3 verse 20.
Romans 3 verse 20. Romans 3 verse 20. Therefore,
by the deeds of the law, no flesh will be justified
in his sight. By doing the least of laws, especially
the laws of Moses, no flesh shall be justified.
In his sight for by the law is what is a knowledge
of sin So what the law brings about is a knowledge
of sin verse 28 Verse 28 Therefore we conclude
that a man is justified by faith Apart from deeds
of the Lord. This is another word deeds also
do with the works of the law. Hallelujah So,
another way or another variation of the uses
of the word works, ergon, is also used in a negative
way, referring to the evil works, evil works
of Satan, sinful actions that opposes God's will
and character. So when we are talking about works,
we will be specific about what we are saying.
Hallelujah! That we will have a better understanding
of what God is calling us to do. He's not calling
us into some numerous list of things to do. But
as we go on, we'll understand what God is calling
us to do. So, it applies also to evil works,
the sinful actions that oppose the will of God.
And we can see this in a text in scriptures,
many scriptures, but we'll see a few. John chapter
3 verse 19. The book of John chapter 3 verse
19. 19 to 21. John chapter 3 verse 19 to 21.
And this is a condemnation that the light has
come into the world. And men loved darkness rather
than light because their deeds, that word deeds
there, is what they're wrong. Their deeds were
evil. Their works were evil. Their works were
evil. Verse 19. Yeah, verse 20. For everyone
practicing evil hates the light, and does not
come to the light, lest his deeds, that word
deeds there talks about works, talks about that
big word, ergon. Deeds should be exposed. Verse
21. But he who does the truth comes to the light.
that his deeds may be clearly seen that they
have been done in God. Hallelujah. So we see
in the same scripture, the word works is used
but contextually is not meaning the same. One
is in the negative, referring to what is done
in the flesh, what is done in the flesh, whereas
the other is what is done in Christ. Hallelujah.
Colossians 1 verse 21. Evil works, sinful actions
that are causes the will of God. Colossians 1
verse 21. Colossians 1 verse 21. And you, who
once were alienated and enemies in your mind,
by wicked works. So he qualifies his good works
and there is what we call wicked works. Yet now
he has reconciled. Yet now he has reconciled.
Romans 3 verse 12. Romans 3 verse 12. And you,
and they all turn aside, they have together become
unprofitable. There's no one who does good. No,
not one. That would there, of course, contextually
to the works. So we can write the scriptures,
some other scriptures, Ephesians chapter 5 verse
11, Titus chapter 1 verse 16, and 2 Timothy chapter
4 verse 18. By this time around, I know that
we are beginning to have an insight into what
God is calling us to do. That believers of all
the Jews, will do works, and what are these works?
These are works that are similar to what Jesus
did. Works that are in context to what God in
Christ has done. This is a promise from Jesus
that those who believe in Him will do. And in
that same text, John chapter 14 verse 12, it
goes ahead and qualifies the kind of work that
the believer will do. Hallelujah. It goes on
to qualify the kind of work that the believer
would do. It uses a word, greater. Amen. So as
much as surely I say to you, he who believes
in me, the works that I do, which we have context
to the works that Jesus did, by the readings
we didn't understand the works that Jesus did,
okay? The works that I do, He will do also what
Jesus did. Not only that, greater works than
this, He will do, because I go to my Father.
So is the scripture suggesting that the believer
will do more than what Jesus did? Is the scripture
meaning that what the believer will do? Is Jesus
saying here literally? that the believer will
do greater than what he himself has done. Let's
examine this. In the verse works, in this verse,
if you have your hard copy Bible, if you have
your hard copy Bible, John chapter 14 verse 12,
you will notice that the word works are gone
in that chapter 12 verse 12 rather is in italics
Okay, and what does that mean? It means that
it is not in the original text itself. All right
It is not in the original text itself Which means
that it might have been added by translators
Okay, so we can My virtue of this understanding
omit the word works in that verse, right? And
let's read it with the understanding that the
works was not in the original So Jesus will say
most assuredly I say to you he will believe in
me The works that I do he will do also and greater
than this he will do Okay, greater than what
greater than this he will do because I go to
the father So, I try to look at that word greater.
What does that word greater means? Of course,
we know the context of what Jesus is saying.
Greater than what He did. Alright? So, the second
omitting that works there does not change the
meaning of that text. But what is that greater?
What is that greater that Jesus is qualifying
the works that the believer will do? What is
that greater? In the Greek greater is translated
from the word Megas. Megas. N -E -G -A -S. The
word Megas. Alright? The word Megas. And this
Megas is from the word, which in English, of
course, we have the word Mega. Okay? Referring
to something that is in a large quantity. So
Jesus here is saying that the apostles and the
believers who will come after him will do greater
than what he did. And this greater, this greater
contextually here will lay emphasis on the volume,
alright? on the volume, not nature, exactly what
Christ did to say, believers are not going to
die on the cross for another believer, all right?
That's not what we're saying here. But, make
us in the sense of the quantity of what they
will do. They will do more rocks than Jesus did
while he was on earth. Okay? So the promise is
that The believer in Christ, who will live in
Christ, who is born again in Christ, will do
more in greater terms, more in volume terms,
than what Jesus did while he was a man. So the
greater day is not referring to a quality that
is more qualitative than what Jesus did, no.
What we are referring to is referring to the
quantity. The apostles, for example, who see
the scripture, will do more things over a longer
period of time because Jesus, in His ministry
on earth, while He was on earth, He did the work
of ministry for only three and a half years.
The entirety of what He did, the works He worked
to the point of dying on the cross. and then
risen again, and even to his ascension is about
three and a half years. So the apostles will
do more in a longer period of time. And we can
see the success of their ministry in the Book
of Acts. We'll read through the Book of Acts.
We'll see how much they did a lot of exploit.
We can see their successes. They influenced more
over a larger geographical area than Jesus did.
You know, if you see his last words to them,
what we call the Great Commission, He gave them
a context. He gave them a context to where? Beginning
from Jerusalem, then Judea, and then to the utmost
part of the world. Jesus did not go to the utmost
part of the world. Hallelujah! But what the disciples
would do, And what in turn we the believers today
will do is a global ministry. Hallelujah. So
what we are called to do today is a global work.
We are called to do a global work. So example
practically is Acts 2 verse 40 and 43. Let's
read. Acts 2 verse 40 and 43. We see an example
of an instance where they preach and with many
other words Peter testified and exhorted them
saying be safe from this perverse narration.
Then those who gladly received his word were
baptized and that day about three thousand souls
were added to them verse 42 and they continue
steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and in fellowship
and in breaking of bread and in prayers was 43.
Then fear came upon every soul and many wonders
and signs were done through the apostles. So,
Jesus promised that believers who do greater
works, the first to continue and expand in his
God -given mission through the power of the Holy
Spirit. Through the power of the Holy Spirit
the works that is a gun that we've seen we've
explained and not Limited to miracles But include
proclaiming the gospel making disciples teaching
the truth Demonstrated God's love through our
actions there are instances where Jesus you know,
practically wash the feet of his disciples and
he's showing them an example and what he was
doing to their, you know, knowledge is that they
should love one another, serve one another. So
in service, in love, in service for one another,
we demonstrate the works of God in Christ Jesus
and in advancing his kingdom. So these works
are greater, not because they surpass Jesus in
power or authority. The greater that we are called
to do is not to do something greater or mightier
or more powerful than what Jesus has done himself.
But because after his ascension, the disciples
will extend to all nations through the church's
global ministry, bringing countless people to
faith in Christ Jesus. So the context of our
own ministry is a global ministry. So the works
that God is calling us to do is not limited to
our countries. It's not limited to our nationalities.
It's not limited to, you know, the folks from
where we are familiar with. No. God is calling
us into something that is global. And he emphasized
John chapter 14 verse 12. He says, because I
go to my father. So the disciples Christ will
do greater works primarily because Jesus will
have to die and rise from the dead. He will have
already completed the work of redemption. That
message will be pointed and clear afterward after
he has been glorified. His disciples will also
have the ministry of the Holy Spirit uniquely,
because His ascension, as we've taught in church
here, that the ascension of Jesus Christ is very
much associated to the giving of the Spirit,
the appalling of the Spirit in our hearts. So,
going to the Father has to do with His ascension,
has to do with, you know, all that He achieves
in His death is better than His resurrection.
So that... is what will empower the ministry.
That is what will fuel the ministry of the apostles.
That is what will fuel the ministry of the believers.
And that is also what is fueling our own ministry
today. Hallelujah. So without this, we don't
have a ministry. It's a ministry that is founded
and is established in the works of the Spirit.
We see in Jesus's, you know, conversation with
them later on in that same book of John, he promised
the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. John chapter
14, let's look at the later verses, verse 16
and 17. In the same context of a conversation,
we see that he promised the Holy Spirit, and
I will pray the Father and He will give you another
helper. That He may abide with you forever. So
the abiding ability of the Spirit in the believers
is what will enable them to accurately do the
work that He has called them to do. So the disciples
could not do the greater works independently
of the Holy Spirit. Look at verse 26. Verse 26,
emphasizing the role of God walking together
with the believers through the help of the Spirit
to do the works. But the helper, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name, he will
teach you all things and bring to your remembrance
all the things that I've said to you. So the
things that we'll be teaching are things that
the Holy Spirit will enable them to teach. Okay?
John chapter 15 verse 26. John chapter 11 verse
26 but the helper all right however lives John
6 and 15 verse 26 15 but when the helper comes
whom I shall send to you from the father the
spirit of truth who proceeds from the father
who will testify of me 27 And you also bear witness
because you have been with me from the beginning.
So it is by the power of the Holy Spirit. We
can write this one down, chapter 6 verse 7 to
11, John chapter 16 verse 7 to 11, John chapter
16 verse 12 to 15. We establish that the disciples
will do these greater works by the help of the
Holy Spirit. So we that are called in Christ,
we that have believed, will also do the work
by the help of the Spirit. So the greater works
Jesus promised are the very works He Himself
performed. All right? Not evil works, not the
works of the law, but specifically the things
that He established by precepts He taught to
them. By action he lived them out. Hallelujah.
So Jesus' promise are the very works he himself
performed within the context of his earthly mission.
They refer to advancing God's kingdom through
proclaiming the gospel, re -emphasizing it, through
the preaching of the gospel, through serving
others. by the demonstration of the Spirit of
God. All right? And let's emphasize this to ourselves
that greater works is not referring to successes
in politics. Okay? Because it's very easy for
us to think that greater works is when you're
excelling in your career. All right? Greater
works is when your business is getting global.
When your business is getting bigger and then
you are in different, you have different branches
of your business. You know, you're an apostle
in the business place. And as your business is
expanding, you are doing greater works. You are
capturing industries for the kingdom. All greater
works is when you become famous, when you are
there. You have the highest followership on TikTok,
on Instagram. All your ministry, for example,
in this hall, we needed to have 5 ,000 people
fooling this out, then we would know that, oh,
we are famous and we are doing greater works.
Numbass is good, all right, because he just has
followers too. But it's not about fame, all right,
it's not about fame. Or the pursuit of ugly riches.
But continuing specifically, continuing the redemptive
mission by the power of the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah.
So if we are called to do greater works, we must
not miss the mark by pursuing things that Jesus
never pursued. Because there is context to what
he says, the works he did is the works that he's
calling us to do. And anything that Jesus does
not pursue, anything that we do not see in the
life of Jesus as recorded in the scriptures,
are not what He is calling us. It's not the context
of what He is calling us to do. Now we are not
saying that business is bad. We are not saying
that our careers are bad. We are not saying that
doing businesses or any other, you know, things
we do in the flesh are bad. No. What we are saying
is that what God is calling us to do that has
eternal purpose, that has eternal consequence
is actually the work of redemption. The work
that brings about salvation of men and the mouth
of God upon the face of the earth. So let's dig
deeper into the works that Jesus did as recorded
in the in the gospels, the synoptic gospels.
And what we're going to ask, this work that Jesus
did and is calling us to do, what is the background?
Because every work has a background, okay? What
are the context or what is the context of the
works Jesus himself did? As was recorded in the
gospels as we see in the scriptures as we read
them I know that we already have the clue. Okay,
the background and the context of the four gospels
is What we call the scriptures? All right, the
background and the context of the four gospels
the four gospels are the records of what Jesus
did. The fair gospels are the records of His
human, of Jesus' existence in the flesh. And
they show to us the works that Jesus did. And
when we go through them, for example, in Matthew
chapter 1, verse 1 to 5, let's look at the context.
Then it will help us to establish ourselves much
more in this understanding. Matthew chapter 1,
from verse 1 to 5. The book of the genealogy,
genealogy has to do with the word, is the word
Genesis. The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham. Why would
the writer of Matthew begin with David? The son
of David, the son of Abraham, verse 2, Abraham
begot Isaac. Isaac begot Jacob. Jacob begot Judah
and his brothers. Judah begot Peres and Zerah
by Tamar. Perah begot Hezron. Hezron begot Ram.
Ram begot Abinadab. Abinadab begot Nazshun. And
Nazshun begot Salmon. Simon, we got Boaz by Rehab.
Boaz, we got Obed by Ruth. Obed, we got Jesse
who was six. We see David, David the king. David
the king, we got Solomon by her who had been
the wife of Uriah. Solomon, we got Rehoboam.
Rehoboam, we got Abijah. And Abijah, we got Asa.
Asa, we got Joshua. Joshua, we got Joram. and
Jordan we got Uzziah Uzziah we got Jotham Jotham
we got Ahaz Ahaz we got Hezekiah Hezekiah we
got Manasseh Manasseh we got Ammon and Ammon
we got Josiah Josiah we got Jeconiah and his
brothers about the time they were carried away
to Babylon and after they were brought to Babylon
Jeconiah they got Shaltal and Shaltal we got
Zerubbabel Zerubbabel we got Abayut Abayut we
got Eleakim Eliakim, we got Azor. Azor, we got
Zadok. Zadok, we got Achim. And Achim, we got
Eliud. Eliud, we got Elaiza. Elaiza, we got Martha.
And Martha, we got Jacob. And Jacob, we got Joseph,
the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus,
who is called the Christ. Hallelujah. So the
writer of Matthew, gives us the context, okay?
He gives us the background, that the background
of the person of Christ is where? It's in the
Scriptures, isn't it? So why would he start from
David? Matthew, why would he start from who?
From Abraham, right? Hmm? From Abraham down to
David and others. It's because Matthew was written
by a Jew. And the context is that he is writing
to Jews about Jesus, the promised Messiah. So
they had background knowledge of the Old Testament
scripture. Okay, they had the background of the
Old Testament. So the goal is to prove that the
Christ is actually the promise that was given
to the people of Israel. So Matthew presents
Jesus to the Jewish people as the Christ and
the King. of the Jews. He demonstrates Jesus'
Messiahship through the fulfillment of the Old
Testament prophecies. So, his genealogy, baptism,
teachings and miracles, death and resurrection,
all of this affirms one central truth to the
Jew. Jesus is a promised King and a living Messiah.
Hallelujah. So in Mark, let's look at how Mark
gives a record. Let's look at how Mark records
it in Mark chapter 1, verse 1 to 4. Lord, will
you read verse 1 to 4? The beginning of the gospel
of Jesus Christ, he started from God, the Son
of God, as it is written in the prophets. Where
do we find the prophets? The prophets is in the
scriptures. And when we say the scriptures, we
are referring to the ultimate part of the Bible
that we have today. He prophesied, Behold, I
send my messenger before your face, who will
prepare your way before you. The voice of the
one crying the wilderness, prepare the way of
the Lord, make his path straight. Verse four,
John came baptizing the wilderness and preaching
the baptism of repentance for the remissions
of sin. So Mark is a gospel written by John Mark
primarily for a gentle especially the Roman readers
presenting Jesus as the son of God and the sovereign
servant. So the gospel opens by declaring the
beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the son
of God as we saw in Mark chapter 1 verse 1 introduces
John the Baptist as the messenger who prepares
the way for the Lord, thereby also fulfilling
the prophecies we see in Isaiah. We read it earlier
on Isaiah and Malachi, you know. So Mark emphasizes,
emphasizes Jesus' authority through his teaching,
emphasizing that Jesus is Lord, emphasizing the
authority of Jesus Christ by the teachings, by
the miracles, by the works of compassion, The
power that He demonstrated towards over sin,
sickness, demons, and the dead, we see instances
where He forgives sin in the book of Mark. So,
His life, the sacrificial death and the resurrection
reveal one central truth to the Gentile, that
Jesus is a promised Messiah, the Son of God,
who came not to be served. but to serve and give
his life as a ransom for many." Mark chapter
10 verse 45. Summarizes, you know, the message
that is in Book of Mark, Mark 10, 45. It says,
for even the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve and to give his life a ransom. not
only to the Jews, but to many. That many has
to do with the entire world. Hallelujah! And
when we come to the book of John, the book of
John is a gospel written by apostle John to reveal
that Jesus is the eternal Son of God and to lead
others to believe in him for eternal life. We'll
read chapter one. Let's read the first five verses
also. John chapter one, verse one to five, we'll
see how he started by declaring that Jesus Christ
is in the beginning. In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. He was in the beginning with God. All
things were made through Him, and without Him
nothing was made that was made. In Him was a
life, and that life was the light of men. Verse
5, the last five says, and the light shines in
darkness, and the darkness is not comprehended.
So, The gospel begins by declaring Jesus' divine
nature, here in verse 1. And then Jesus, the
eternal world, is a creator. It presents Jesus
as a creator, a source of life and the light
of the world that shines in darkness. So John
emphasizes Jesus' identity through his signs,
the teachings he did, and also the emphatic statement
Jesus made. in the book of John, I am, you know,
the I am. The statements that were all the same
garbage, especially in the book of Exodus chapter
three, verse 14, when, you know, God revealed
himself to Moses and says, I am is my name. I
am is who I am. All right? So John uses this
garbage so much to reveal Jesus is the divine,
Jesus. is God who became man, revealing his deity
and his union, his relationship with the Father.
So, we see that Jesus' life, his death, and his
resurrection proclaim one central truth in the
book of John, that Jesus is a Christ, the Son
of God, and all who believe in him receive eternal
life. John chapter 20 verse 31. Hallelujah! So
in summary, the context and the background, when
we read all the synoptic gospel, we discover
that the background and the context of this is
what we call the scriptures. All right? It's
very important because we're going to examine
what the scripture is. So the context and the
background of the gospels, as we've read, are
the auto -Semian scriptures. They present to
us Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises that
was made in the scriptures. Okay? Jesus himself
made statements that he is a fulfillment, that
he came to fulfill the law and the prophets and
not to abolish them. All right? That is, he came
to fulfill the promises. Matthew chapter 5 verse
17. We'll see where he made this statement himself.
Matthew 25 verse 17. Do not think that I have
come to destroy the law or the prophets. I did
not come to destroy, but to what? But to fulfill.
But to fulfill. To accomplish. Because the Old
Testament scriptures testifies of Jesus Christ.
Jesus also said in John chapter 3 verse 39 that
you search the scriptures you know you search
the scriptures thinking that in them what will
happen that you will find life right and these
are they which testify of me so Jesus here in
the book of John also testifying about the scriptures,
that they are about Him. His ministry, His preaching,
His healing the sick, giving sight to the blind,
and proclaiming liberty. All of this fulfills
the Messianic prophecies in the scriptures. When
we go through the Old Testament scriptures, from
Genesis to Malachi, we see specific prophecies
about Jesus Christ. And we see The fulfillment
recorded for us in the book of Luke chapter 4
verse 18 to 21, Matthew 11 verse 45, we see that
He fulfills these prophecies. And even after
resurrection, Jesus also explained that everything
written was about Him in the law, the prophets
and the psalms, and that is what He fulfilled.
Luke chapter 24, Luke 24 verse 27 and 44. Let's
read this. Luke 24 verse 27 and 44. It says,
I'm beginning at Moses and all the prophets.
He expounded to them in all the scriptures the
things concerning himself. That is, he interpreted,
he interpreted in the scriptures the things concerning
himself. Verse 44. Then he said to them these
are the words which I spoke to you while I was
still with you and all things must be fulfilled
Which were written in the law of Moses and in
the prophets and the Psalms concerning me. Hallelujah
so Also his suffering his death and his resurrection
Are that the scriptures might be fulfilled Okay?
What are we trying to prove? We're trying to
prove that the background of all that Jesus did,
there's nothing He did and taught that was not
from the Scriptures. Okay? There's nothing that
Jesus said or did or taught that was not from
the Scriptures. And what is the importance of
this emphasis to us? Because He has called us
to do what to do the same as he has done. So
what it will mean is that all that we will do
will come from where? Will come from the scriptures.
All right? All that we also will do will find
its origin, its context, its method of delivery,
and all that it will be from the scriptures.
And what are the scriptures we're talking about?
we're talking about Genesis to Malachi. Hallelujah!
Genesis to Malachi. Very specifically, we'll
see why I emphasize Genesis to Malachi. Because
that is where we found, you know, the work of
God, the will of God, the purpose of God. So,
to understand the works of Christ, the work of
Christ, or the works of Christ, We must study
Him through the Altar Semen. Hallelujah! We must
study Jesus Christ through the Altar Semen. For
He is the fulfillment of God's promises. And
the one to whom all the scripture points to.
2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 20. He is the fulfillment
of all scriptures. For He is the fulfillment
of God's promises. and the one to whom all the
scripture points to. It's not enough for us to
just look, focus on the fulfillment. Amen? It's
not enough for us to focus only on the fulfillment.
You know, some people raise arguments and say,
oh, you know, I'm a Jesus -only Christian. I'd
only follow what Jesus said, especially in the
Bible that is written in red letters. Whenever
it is what Jesus said, it is very important,
but what Jesus said has a context and a background.
He only fulfilled what was said from the Old
Testament scriptures. So you cannot be a New
Testament alone Christian. It's impossible. Because
it is not sufficient. The New Testament is not
the gospel alone and not the complete picture
of the plan and the purpose of God. If we remain
there, we will not have a deep understanding,
we will not have a better understanding of what
God is calling us to do. Hallelujah! Because
Jesus himself fulfilled those things that were
recorded in the gospels, contextually, you know,
seeing them as promised in the Old Testament
scriptures. Hallelujah! So by this evidence,
we can say, that the works Jesus did are from
the Holy Scriptures, okay? So if we are to do
greater works, we are to do the works that Jesus
did, is the study of the Scriptures important
for us? All right? And when I say Scriptures,
for the sake of this study, for the sake of this
session and all that I will take, remain within
the context of Genesis to Malachi. Are we together?
It becomes necessary for us as believers to understand
the scriptures. And when I say scriptures, I
mean Genesis to Malachi. Because within Genesis
to Malachi lies the foundation, lies the expression
of God's desire for the believer. Are we together?
And then in the epistles we see Jesus Christ
coming as a fulfillment of the promises that
will usher the believer into what God has promised
from the scriptures. And we see in the epistles
the explanations of what Jesus has done that
a believer is expected to walk in. But how can
you have an explanation of something you don't
know and you expect to walk in it? It's not important,
right? That you go into what was promised. understand
what was promised, see how it was fulfilled,
and then be able to walk in it as expected. So
the story of the Old Testament scriptures, what
we call the scriptures for the believer, is very
fundamental. And that is what God will help us
to see. Some important things that will help
shape our understanding of God's will and God's
purpose. Now let's take an example of the apostles
and see. We've seen the essence or what the What
do you call it? The gospel is armed. Now let's
look at examples of the apostles. After the understanding
of the foundation or the context of Jesus' ministry,
let's examine the ministry of the apostles. Paul
exhorts Timothy especially to hold fast. to the
pattern of sound words which he has received.
Okay, in 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 specifically,
but let's look at the background. Paul exhorted
Timothy to never alter the sound word that he
has received. that he must pass the same to the
next generation. Let's look at the context of
his second Timothy chapter 1 verse 3. Second
Timothy chapter 1 verse 3. Let me just read through.
Chapter 1 verse 3. As with last season, I remember
you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring
to see you being mindful of your tears that I
may be filled with joy. When I call to remembrance
the genuine faith that is in you, which dwells
first in your grandmother, Lois, and your grandmother,
Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore,
I remind you to stay up the gift of God. Which
is in you through the laying off of him of my
hands Remember as Paul was writing to Timothy,
right? He was not writing to him with the context
of the first of the book of his second Corinthians
chapter 12 That was not the context of his writing
to him Okay He was not writing to him with the
understanding that all this something like the
gift of his spirit But he is writing to you and
say for God has not given us a spirit of fear
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
That's it. Therefore do not be ashamed of the
testimony of our Lord. Where will the testimony
of our Lord be found? Where will the testimony
of our Lord be found? At this moment, at this
moment of course writing, right, there's nothing
like the book of Mark. There's nothing like the
book of Matthew. There's nothing like the book
of John. All the gospels were written after the
epistles of the epistles particularly all of
them so look at what Timothy was asked to do
therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony
of our Lord nor of he of me his prisoner but
share with me in the sufferings for the gospel
according to the power of God who has saved us
and call us with a holy calling Not according
to our works, which is grace, but according to
his own purpose. There's a purpose that God has
according to God's purpose and God's grace, which
was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
This is a Genesis 1 conversation before time
began. But has now been revealed by the appearing
of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished
death and brought life and immortality to light.
through the gospel to which I was appointed a
preacher and an apostle and a teacher and of
the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these
things nevertheless I am not ashamed for I know
whom I have believed and I'm persuaded that He
is able to keep what I have committed to Him
until that day. Hold fast, very important, hold
fast the pattern of sound words which you have
heard from me in faith and love which are in
Christ Jesus. That good, that good thing which
was committed to you, what was committed to Timothy?
What was committed to Timothy? Keep by the Holy
Spirit who dwells in us. Verse 15, the last verse
here. This you know! What is Paul referring to
Timothy and saying, this you know! That all those
in all Asia have torn away from me, among whom
are the Jeleus and the Hermogenes and on and
on and on. Hallelujah! Let's move to chapter
2, verse 1 and 2, continuation of the context
of this conversation. Chapter 2, verse 1 and
2. Yes, you therefore my son be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus and the things
that you have had from me What did Paul? Thought
Timothy the things that you've had from me among
many witnesses Commit these two faithful men
Who will be able to teach others also? Then you
went on to talk about enduring chapter 2 verse
14 to 26 14 to verse 22. Yes Yes, so 2 verse
14 rather yes remind them of these things continuation
of this conversation charge them that is those
whom we have committed the same message to charge
them before the Lord not to strive about words
to no -profit to rule of the hearers Be diligent
to present yourself approved to God. Of course,
Passover of Tudus here is a proof of God. All
right, because it has been a proof of God. A
proof of God. A worker who does not need to be
ashamed. Rightly dividing the word of truth.
Which word of truth is here to divide? Rightly.
All right. But shun profane and idle babblings
for they will increase to more ungodliness. And
their message will spread like a cancer. Heminals
and philates are of this sort, mentioning some
of the people that, you know, they're into distorting
the message. Okay? Who have strength concerning
the truth? Where can the truth be found? These
are questions we should be asking. Saying that
the resurrection is already past and they overthrow
the fate of some. Nevertheless, the solid foundation
of God stands. Having this seal, the Lord knows
those who are His. Of course, we know this is
not talking about people. The Lord knows what?
What is He talking about here? The doctrine,
right? Because the context is speaking about,
the teaching is talking about the ministry, the
teaching of the Word. The Lord knows those who
are His. And let everyone who names the name
of the Lord here, let every believer depart from
iniquity. Iniquity here, contextually, is talking
about false doctrine. Okay, talking about false
teachings, all right. Verse 21. Okay, verse 20,
continuation about doctrine. But in a great house,
there are not only vessels of gold and silver,
but also of wood and clay, some of honor, for
honor and some for dishonor. Therefore, if any
man cleanses himself from the latter, he will
be a vessel for honor, sanctified and used for
the master, prepared for every good work. So,
good works, you see, good works is appearing
here again. Free from youthful lust, but pursuing
righteousness, felt love -peace with those who
call on the name of the Lord, who call on the
Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and
ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate
what strive. 24. And a servant of the Lord must
not quarrel, but be gentle to all able to teach.
25. Patient, in humility, correcting those who
are in opposition if God perhaps will grant them
repentance so that they may know the truth and
that they may come to their senses and escape
the snare of the devil having been taken captive
by him to do his will to do his deeds his works
chapter 3 verse 1 to 9 look at chapter 3 verse
1 to 9 same text i'm going somewhere but notice
that in the last days perilous times will come,
for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers
of money, busters, proud, blasphemous, disobedient,
parents to parents, untangful, unholy, unloving,
unforgiving, slanders, without self -control,
brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong,
haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers
of God, having a form of godliness but denying
his power, and from such turn away. For of this
sort are those who creep into households and
make captives of gullible women, loaded down
with sins, laid away by various lusts, always
hearing, learning rather, and never able to come
to the knowledge of the truth. Now, as James
and Jambres make in reference to what happened
in the scriptures, so do this also resist the
truth. Men of corrupt minds disapproved, concerning
the faith but they will progress no further for
their folly will be manifest to all as they are
as theirs also was but you hallelujah and that's
where we learn but you have carefully followed
my doctrine okay you have carefully followed
my teaching manner of life, purpose, faith, long
-suffering, perseverance. Where did he establish
his teaching? Where did Paul establish his manner
of life? Where did Paul establish his prosecutions,
afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch,
at Iconium, at Lystra? What persecution had I
endured? and out of them all the Lord delivered
me. Yes, through wars and wars, deceiving and
being deceived. But you, verse 14, very importantly,
but you must continue in the things which you
have learned. Be assured of knowing from whom
you have learned them. Timothy must continue,
all right? The word continue is from the Greek
word me know. It means that Timothy must remain.
Timothy must abide. He is to remain or to abide
and continue in what he has been taught and has
been assured. Okay, the phrase been assured of
means persuasion or conviction. The things that
he has been, you know, he has, he has, he has
persuasion and conviction about. Give me that
verse 14 in amplified and let's see something
verse 14 in amplified Yes says but as for you
continue in the things that you have learned
and of which you are convinced Okay, I would
convince holding tightly to the truth knowing
from whom you've learned So as I keep rubbing
What things must he continue in? What things
does he know and is convinced about? Let's see
verse 15. Verse 15 will give us an understanding
of those things which Timothy was convinced about.
Okay? And how from childhood you have known,
what have they known? The holy scriptures. Hallelujah.
So all the contexts All the things that we see
Paul's speaking about is what is the scriptures,
the holy scriptures, which are able to make you
work wise for salvation through faith which is
in Jesus Christ. So, for my child, we've established
this before, that that child today is the word
Bray Force. B -R -E -P -H -O -S, which refers
to an infant or an embryo. Okay? An embryo, a
child still in the womb. It refers to an infant
or an embryo, a child that is still in the womb.
There are other scriptures that try to express
this word, brave force. Let's check some of them
to have understanding of what Timothy. has learned
from when he was a child. Okay? Luke chapter
1 verse 41. Luke chapter 1 verse 41. Can it happen?
The way Elizabeth had the greeting of Mary, that
babe lit in her womb and Elizabeth was filled
with Holy Spirit. That word bed there is a word
brave force. So, you see, in this context here,
it is referring to a child that is in the womb.
It's not yet born, but it's referred to as a
child, okay? So, is Paul saying that Timothy
learned the scripture from the womb? Could this
be what Paul was meaning? Luke chapter 1 verse
44. Let's look at verse 44. that is still unborn,
all right? Luke chapter 2 verse 12, the word
Bray Force. Luke chapter 2 verse 12. And this
will be the sign to you, you will have a baby
wrapped in swan -dry -le -coats lying in the
manger. At this moment the child has been born,
hallelujah. The same word Bray Force is used
to a newborn baby wrapped in a manger, okay?
Luke chapter 2 verse 16. The use of the word
Bray Force. b -r -e -p -h -o -s breath force
look 216 he says and they came with the haste
and found mary and joseph and the babe lying
in a manger referring to a baby that has been
born look chapter 18 verse 15 look 18 verse 15
look chapter 18 verse 15 look 18 verse 15 yes
then they also brought infants to him that He
may touch them when they disciple so they rebuke
them. So this is talking about infants, children,
right? Like the ones we have in church. Some
of them are sleeping, some of them are not here.
So infants, okay? Some of them, infants. So Acts
7 verse 19, Acts 7 verse 19, another instance
where the word brave force is used, Acts 7 verse
19. fecklessly with our people and oppress our
forefathers, making them expose their babies
so that they might not live. Okay, talking about
the baby that is born here, 1 Peter chapter 2
verse 2. 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 2. We see a
unique application of the word brave force here.
1 Peter 2 verse 2. As newborn babies, okay? desire
the pure milk of the world that you may grow.
So he's using this as a figure of speech here,
referring to the believer, okay? To act as a
newborn baby that was born, all right? So from
these scriptures, the word birth force, the word
child can mean two things. Either a natural child,
or a spiritual child as expressed in 1 Peter
chapter 2 verse 2 here. Peter here was referring
to, you know, the believer figuratively, as a
newborn baby, desire the pure milk of the world
that you may grow. So for my child in 2 Timothy
3 .15, as we've established that cannot be that
Timothy knew this, you know, holy scriptures
when he was in his mother's womb, or when he
was an infant because obviously common sense
will help us to understand that infants or babies
in the womb no matter how even if you you play
the scriptures for them from the stomach they
will not come out full of the words hallelujah
even as babies you have to train them to know
the simplest that they can know as they grow
they come to know the truth and then they are
establishing it all right So infants do not have
the intellectual capacity to know the scriptures
and to have convictions. Okay? So Paul will therefore
be referring to a spiritual state. The reason
why we have to go this route to explain what
Paul is meaning from a child is to understand
the application of the scriptures. That from
a child, from when a person is born again, from
when a person come into this new life meaning
the time Timothy was born again okay so what
was needed was these scriptures these holy scriptures
all right these holy scriptures that are able
to bring into a place of maturity in first corinthians
chapter 3 verse 1 we will see another word for
babes in the pios first corinthians 3 verse 1,
which is another word used for a child, and in
this context is a metaphor for an undeveloped
state of a Christian, someone who is newly born
again. And I, by then, could not speak to you
as to spirituals, but as to carnal, as unto babes
in Christ, all right? So he's using this as a
figure of speech figuratively to mean someone
that is a new believer, all right? So other scriptures
we can write, 1 Corinthians 13 verse 11, Ephesians
of the 4 verse 14, Hebrews of the 5 verse 13.
1 Corinthians 13 verse 11, Ephesians of the 4
verse 14, and Hebrews of the 5 verse 13. So Paul
here will be referring to Timothy's spiritual
development. So what is necessary for the development
that Timothy will experience or have experienced
that from a child He has known the Holy Scriptures
from a child. He has come to conviction is The
Old Testament scriptures that have got into spiritual
maturity Okay Timothy has known the Holy Scriptures
to return that he was born again He was exposed
to the Holy Scriptures Now the word Scriptures
in that text is also translated from the Greek
word Gramma. Gramma. Gramma. G -R -A -M -M -A.
G -R -A -M -M -A. Which is different from what
we will see later in verse 16. So here is Gramma,
which is Holy Scripture. Here. refers to the
content of the writings, the message, the content
of the writing. Alright? And Peter will say that
the content of the writing, what is obtainable
in the writings of the scriptures, the message
of the scriptures can make you wise. Okay? Will
make you wise. Verse 15. Let's go, let's look
at that. Verse 15 again. For you have known the
Holy Scriptures. 2 Corinthians 3, 15. Yes 315
second Corinthians and second Timothy. Sorry
not Corinthians Timothy And I from a child would
you have known the Holy Scriptures which is able
to make you wise for salvation Through faith
which is in Christ Jesus that wise there Okay,
what does it mean in the Greek is a word so Fiso?
SOP The Holy Scriptures, Genesis to Malachi,
is able to make you wise, that is, skillful concerning
the subject of salvation, which is true faith
in Jesus Christ. It will therefore mean that
when the content of the Scriptures, that is,
the message of the Scriptures, The subject of
the scriptures, the theme, the central theme
of the scriptures is explained. It brings revelation,
produces spiritual birth and spiritual growth.
Hallelujah. So when the content of the scriptures,
the main subject of scriptures is explained,
is expounded, it produces spiritual birth because
that is what we preach. and people will become
born again. Not only that, when it's expanded
as we are doing now, it produces spiritual growth.
It produces spiritual growth. So, what will Timothy
bring? What will bring spiritual growth to Timothy
will be his ability toward to understand, to
comprehend the truth. The truth concerning salvation
Which is through faith in Christ Jesus from the
holy scriptures from the holy scriptures From
the holy scriptures verse 16 second Timothy 3
verse 16 says all scripture That same holy scripture
all scripture is given by inspiration of God
that is profitable for Doctrine and is profitable
for doctrine for the truth for correction, for
instruction, and righteousness. All scripture,
all scripture translated from two Greek words,
past, graphé. The scripture here is different
from the one we saw in verse 15. All scripture,
graphé, referring to the method or the art of
the writing. That is how the content came about.
How the content of the Scripture the art of writing
came about is by the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit is the inspiration of God Yes, God inspired
the documentation of the scriptures. All right
It is vital to note That as we always emphasize
that God is not responsible for every statement
we see in the Bible Okay But he inspired the
documentation of the Bible. Because within the
context of the scriptures, there are things that
people say that it's not God that says it. There
are recorded statements that are from liars.
There are recorded statements that are from Satan.
There are recorded things from angels. There
are recorded things from men. There is history
of men. There are many things that we can find
in the scriptures. The inspiration of the documentation
is God Okay, just like you are a journalist and
you are sent to write a news or to cover an event
all right, and then you write down what happened
in that place and You presented what was written
now the person that sent you to that place To
cover that news is responsible for what the inspiration
of that documentation Okay, but what? The speakers
of that event said all right, it's not necessary
that is inspired by the one that sent you to
document Okay Of course there are inspired words
of God in the scriptures also where we see prophets
speaks by the spirit Okay, Jesus himself spoke
in the scriptures. All right, so therefore there's
a need for us rightly interpret the scriptures.
When we read through Genesis down to Malachi,
it is a need for us to be skillful in interpretation
of these texts, in the teaching of these texts,
because therein lie our ministry. That is the
foundation of our ministry and that is why we
are gathered here today and in this week that
we will be trained in what? In interpreting the
scriptures so that we will be better furnished
to do what? to better do the works that God has
called us to do. Hallelujah. So Paul will now
continue in his conversation to Timothy that
these scriptures is forfeitable for doctrine
means it is advantageous or it is useful for
teaching. The usefulness of this is for teaching.
Okay. It's useful for teaching. Doctrine is teaching.
From a Greek word, didaskalia. What does it mean,
teaching also? Didaskalia, which means instruction.
You know, the function or the information itself.
The teaching. So the goal or the purpose of this
doctrine or this teaching is reproof. Reproof
here means to bring about conviction or persuasion
all right so the teaching is to bring about persuasion
providing compelling evidence because doctrine
itself must be supported by overwhelming evidence
from the scriptures And these overwhelming evidence
will result in the correction. Correction has
to do with the alignment of thoughts and will
and purpose. There will be correction. And this
correction will lead to instruction in righteousness.
So the goal of the teaching, therefore, is spiritual
growth. And what will spiritual growth result
to? Verse 17. Let's look at verse 17 together.
Verse 17. What will be the result of the scriptures?
And is built in the man that produces spiritual
growth. Let's see the end goal. That the man
of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
what? For every good work. What is that good
work? The good work is a work that you and I
have been called to do. Hallelujah. We've been
called unto good works. We've been called to
do the work of ministry so the foundation and
the framework for the apostles ministry is where
is a scriptures right the scriptures are the
foundation and the framework for christian ministry
equipping the believers every good work and when
we say scriptures please we've agreed that the
context is what is genesis to malachi all right
That is what gives the background for the Apostles
ministry because the Bible the Apostles use In
their ministry and Jesus Christ himself All right,
that inspired even their writings The inspirations
of their writings. We're gonna see it later.
The inspirations of the writings of the Apostles
is the scriptures Okay, the Apostles wrote from
the scriptures the Apostles did not invent the
messages they wrote. So it is important to note
continuously, as we always do, that the Holy
Scriptures here is Genesis to Malachi. So when
Paul referred to the Scriptures, emphasis here,
emphasizing again that the New Testament canon
had not yet been compiled into the 66 books we
have today. His primary preference was the Old
Testament, okay? What we call the Old Testament.
So when Paul was speaking to Timothy here, you
were not talking about CCC's books, okay? But
he was speaking specifically about the scriptures
that is Genesis to Malachi. So Paul established
the source of his authority in ministry by grounding
his teaching in the already revealed scriptures.
in the already revealed scriptures, rather than
in his personal opinions or new ideas. Okay?
So when you are going now to do the work that
Jesus did, you see that Jesus did not invent
his own ideas, down to the specifics that Jesus
spoke and taught away from the scriptures. Equally,
Paul, as an example of the apostles, never invented
their own teachings and doctrine. All right?
So it means that we therefore have no skill.
We have no ability. We have no right. We have
no, you know, we have no freedom to invent our
message. We have no freedom to invent the delivery
mechanism of our message. Because encapsulated
in the scriptures, in the Old Testament scriptures,
is the message and the method of delivery. Hallelujah.
So we are bound or we are bound or we are constrained
by the provisions of God in the scriptures. That
is why we need to learn about the scriptures
that we will rightly be able to minister the
scriptures. So Paul therefore grounds Christian
ministry and the faith in the authority of the
scriptures, providing the necessary context for
what believers practice today, for what you and
I must practice today. Our practice cannot be
an invention today. All right? So if we say we
are a Bible -believing church, it means that
our beliefs, our practices, and the ministry
must remain under the authority of Scripture.
Okay? Now we don't go elsewhere and then we begin
to practice things or teach things that are outside
the context of Scripture. Because the apostles
never did that. All they did was to explain by
the help of the Spirit of God, the already revealed
Scriptures. A true church, a true local church
is therefore as biblical Okay? One that is governed
by the revealed Word of God. Not just by, you
know, some inspirations. Just wake up one day
and then you are inspired to do some certain
things that are, you know, or you begin to teach
something. You say, this message is a fresh message
from the throne of heaven. You've never heard
this before. There's no message you're going
to preach. I've never even preached. All the
preachers you preach, even the one I'm preaching
now has been preached. It doesn't matter if you
just know how to skillfully prioritize it well,
maintaining the core of the message, not introducing
new things to it. This ministry is easy. The
teaching is easy because the material has been
provided. The work is in putting it together.
Hallelujah. that demands study, demands work.
Can't go there without even the message. The
chaos and the confusion we have today is the
attempt of men, all right, to sound unique and
special and different. Now in this work, okay,
we are constrained by the scriptures because
Jesus himself, we'll see later when we come back
next session, we'll see the authority of the
scriptures. We'll see the authority. When we
say scriptures, what do we mean? Jesus himself
was bound within the authority of the scriptures.
The apostles themselves, that is how you know
a false minister, false doctrine. How do we know
false doctrine? If we have the permission to
be creative in the message, creative in the sense
that we can invent things, You know, Pasakosa
sent me a message, was it yesterday or the day
before yesterday, of how someone explained his
scripture. I wrote to him, immediately I replied
to him, I said, this is fraudulent. How can you
carry a scripture and then that I saw another
one, that Ananias and Sapphira, right, that Ananias
meant the law, and another one meant grace. So
he tried to say that the grace and the law, when
grace and law is brought together, they will
be dead. And the feet of the young men that came
to carry the dead are actually the new generation
that God is raising to take away the mixture
of the law and the grace, the words of grace.
I said, okay, this sounds sensible, but how did
you come to this explanation of these things?
And people were just shouting and screaming revelation.
I was like, this is fault. How will you now come?
How did you come to this? How did you arrive
at this explanation? How? Hallelujah. Is that
the way it takes? Is that the way it is written?
Even context will tell you that this thing is
wrong. Hallelujah. So in this conference, we
want to raise a generation of men that will be
loyal to the scriptures. Hallelujah. Pastor will
come later on to teach us how to interpret. Interpretation
is key. We'll see how the text should be interpreted
so that we will not be part of the people that
will mislead. Listen, when the text is not properly
interpreted, the will and the purpose of God
will not be fulfilled. It is lost. Hallelujah.
Men will not be born again. There are many people
in church today that if you ask them they are
born again, they will tell you yes, they are
born again. But how did they become born again?
You will know for sure that this person has risen
to a level of authority and leadership in church.
But he doesn't even understand the basic thing
about what Christ has done. Hallelujah. So God
is depending on us in this generation. That we
will be faithful to the scriptures. That we will
be committed to the word of truth. That we will
be skillful ministers of the world. That as we
expand the scriptures, that we will be able to
reveal Christ to our generation. Hallelujah.
Let's rise to our feet as we just stretch ourselves.
Let's rise to our feet. We appreciate you being
here today. We hope you carried this word with
you throughout your week. Don't forget to check
the show notes for additional insights. Stay
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next time, stay blessed.