Because it is not you doing it alone.
Oversimplification? Probably. However, it is pretty true. What we are talking about today is this phrase, made famous by world famous gymnastic coach Béla Károlyi. "You can do it." He shouted out this phrase to Kerri Strug after breaking her foot or angle during the Olympics. She ran her second vault and landed it on one foot to win the Gold. He knew she could. So he shouted to her, "You can do it."
I will never win a gold at the Olympics. I would not even try. But if God calls me, you, or anyone else to do something? Guess what. He is standing on the sidelines calling out, "You can do it." Why? Because it is Him that is working through us.
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21God called Noah to build an ark to save him and his family, and various kinds of animals, God supplied the wood, plans, and ability to build it. God called Moses to bring His people out of Egypt. He equipt him with all he needed to do it. Even if Moses had no idea what was coming next. God called David to be king. He equipped him to slay a giant with a rock and the ability be become the greatest king in history. God calls us. He will equip us with whatever it is we need, so we can do it.
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
Jesus made this statement.
"He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also"
As a child of God, one who believes Jesus Christ, we should be doing as Jesus did. Preaching the Gospel, teaching people, praying for the sick, and yes even, signs, wonders, and miracles. Then you have this.
"and greater works than these shall he do."
Jesus is not saying that we will do things that are better than he did. You can't get better than Jesus. He is God in the flesh. We are not worthy to be even compared to Jesus. Without Jesus. Noone has done works that were better than Jesus Christ. This is not what he is saying by using the word "greater" here. He is saying "greater" not as "better than my works", but rather "my works in greater numbers". For example, Jesus Christ once preached to a crowd of 5,000 people. That was a big deal back then! Now some 2,000 plus years later, there are children of God who are holding crusades that can reach into the millions in a couple of days! That does not mean that the preacher is doing "greater" works than Jesus in the sense of them being "better", but he is doing "greater" works in the sense of them being in "greater" or "larger" numbers.
But Jesus did command us this.
Oh, now you can say no. You can try to run from God. You can try to stay silent. You could give up. But if you are obedient. God calls you. You say, "Here I am." and you step out. You can do it. I know some of you may still be thinking, what do I know? How can I teach someone about God?
Never doubt. Never say I'm not good enough. Here are just a few examples of the types of people God can and does use.
1- King David: Committed sins of adultery, deception, and murder in the story of David and Bathsheba 2 Samuel 11 & 12
2- Apostle Paul (formerly “Saul of Tarsus”): murdered, harassed, and persecuted Christians in the early Church. Saul had a dramatic encounter with God on the road to Damascus, repented, and God forgave him of his sins. The entire story of Saul’s Conversion is in Acts 9
3- Apostle Peter (Simon): Denied Jesus three times, and failed many times (just like us). He had faith and walked on water. He received the divine revelation that Jesus Christ was the son of God Matthew 16:16-17, Peter was used mightily by God to encourage, teach, heal, minister to, lead and grow the early church.
4- Rahab the Prostitute: Rahab was a Prostitute. Despite her sketchy background, she was used by God in mighty ways. She demonstrated great faith and helped the people of God. She is listed in the “Hall of Faith”, and she is listed in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:5
Paul said this in his letter to Timothy.
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10
If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father." John 14:12First, let's settle a little misunderstanding here. Jesus said,
"He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also"
As a child of God, one who believes Jesus Christ, we should be doing as Jesus did. Preaching the Gospel, teaching people, praying for the sick, and yes even, signs, wonders, and miracles. Then you have this.
"and greater works than these shall he do."
Jesus is not saying that we will do things that are better than he did. You can't get better than Jesus. He is God in the flesh. We are not worthy to be even compared to Jesus. Without Jesus. Noone has done works that were better than Jesus Christ. This is not what he is saying by using the word "greater" here. He is saying "greater" not as "better than my works", but rather "my works in greater numbers". For example, Jesus Christ once preached to a crowd of 5,000 people. That was a big deal back then! Now some 2,000 plus years later, there are children of God who are holding crusades that can reach into the millions in a couple of days! That does not mean that the preacher is doing "greater" works than Jesus in the sense of them being "better", but he is doing "greater" works in the sense of them being in "greater" or "larger" numbers.
But Jesus did command us this.
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20But wait, I'm not a theologian. Doesn't matter. I'm not a preacher. Doesn't matter. I have no idea where to start. Doesn't matter. If God, tells you to do something, he knows beyond any doubt, "you can do it." He equips you to do it. He makes a way forward. He is with you the whole time. There is no way you can fail.
Oh, now you can say no. You can try to run from God. You can try to stay silent. You could give up. But if you are obedient. God calls you. You say, "Here I am." and you step out. You can do it. I know some of you may still be thinking, what do I know? How can I teach someone about God?
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.You may be the only Jesus some people will ever see on earth. You are a child of God. You should have the desire to share the good news with any and everyone. if you are scared? Ask for boldness. If you are unsure of something? Ask for clarification. If you feel you do not know much, ask for wisdom. Ask, seek, knock. Every day. Pray that God will be with you and show you His plans and purpose for you. He has one.
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:7-12
Never doubt. Never say I'm not good enough. Here are just a few examples of the types of people God can and does use.
1- King David: Committed sins of adultery, deception, and murder in the story of David and Bathsheba 2 Samuel 11 & 12
2- Apostle Paul (formerly “Saul of Tarsus”): murdered, harassed, and persecuted Christians in the early Church. Saul had a dramatic encounter with God on the road to Damascus, repented, and God forgave him of his sins. The entire story of Saul’s Conversion is in Acts 9
3- Apostle Peter (Simon): Denied Jesus three times, and failed many times (just like us). He had faith and walked on water. He received the divine revelation that Jesus Christ was the son of God Matthew 16:16-17, Peter was used mightily by God to encourage, teach, heal, minister to, lead and grow the early church.
4- Rahab the Prostitute: Rahab was a Prostitute. Despite her sketchy background, she was used by God in mighty ways. She demonstrated great faith and helped the people of God. She is listed in the “Hall of Faith”, and she is listed in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:5
Paul said this in his letter to Timothy.
"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:15-16God can and does use those He chooses to use. If He chooses you, He chooses you. He does so and equips you because He knows, You can do it. Just be obedient and take that step. He is with you. He will help you. You CAN do it.
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10
If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13
Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!
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