Greater Things Than Jesus?

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message is a reminder that Jesus' departure from the world was not an end, but rather a new beginning. As He prepares a place for us in heaven, He also sends another Helper, the Holy Spirit, to indwell and empower believers. This means we can do even greater things than what we've been doing, as we're no longer limited by our own abilities, but are filled with the presence of Christ Himself.

Key Scripture References

• John 14:16-20 - Jesus promised to send another Helper, the Holy Spirit, who would be just like Him. This passage highlights the intimate relationship we can have with God through the Spirit's indwelling presence.
• John 14:26 - Jesus said that He would hear our prayers and answer them because He is in heaven, seated at the right hand of God the Father. This reminds us that we're not alone in our struggles, but have access to the throne of God through prayer.
• John 14:23 - Jesus emphasized the importance of abiding in Him and His words in order to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit's presence. This passage encourages us to prioritize a deep relationship with Christ, which leads to a deeper walk with the Spirit.
• John 15:4-5 - Jesus said that we can do even greater things than He did because we're no longer limited by our own abilities, but are empowered by the Holy Spirit. This passage challenges us to trust in God's power and provision for His people.
• John 17:23 - Jesus prayed that His followers would be one with Him and with each other, just as He is one with the Father. This passage highlights the importance of unity and fellowship among believers, which is made possible through the Spirit's work in our lives.
• 1 Corinthians 3:16 - Paul wrote that we are the temple of God, and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. This passage reminds us that we're not just recipients of God's presence, but also vessels for His power and glory.
• Galatians 5:22-23 - The fruit of the Spirit is listed in this passage, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and more. This reminds us that the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives produces a life of character and virtue.

Key Takeaways

• The departure of Jesus from the world was not an end, but rather a new beginning as He sends another Helper, the Holy Spirit, to indwell and empower believers. This means we can experience a deeper level of intimacy with God than ever before.
• We're no longer limited by our own abilities, but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do even greater things than what we've been doing. This requires us to trust in God's power and provision for His people.
• The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives produces a life of character and virtue, as seen in the fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. We're called to prioritize a deep relationship with Christ, which leads to a deeper walk with the Spirit.
• We have access to the throne of God through prayer, as Jesus is in heaven, seated at the right hand of God the Father. This reminds us that we're not alone in our struggles, but have a Heavenly Father who hears and answers our prayers.

This Week's Challenge

Take time this week to cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. Ask God to reveal areas where you're relying on your own abilities rather than trusting in His power. Make a conscious effort to prioritize unity and fellowship among believers, recognizing that we're all part of the same body.

Reflection Questions

• What are some areas in your life where you feel like you're struggling to do great things for God? How can you trust in His power and provision to overcome these challenges?
• How can you prioritize unity and fellowship among believers this week, recognizing that we're all part of the same body?
• Reflect on a time when you experienced a deep sense of connection with God through prayer or worship. What were some key factors that contributed to this experience? How can you cultivate more of these moments in your life?