DOING THE WORKS THAT I DO
01st Dec 2021
Recently I was asked a question about what was happening in the Church, and what I perceived the future local body of Christ would look like. Big questions!
When Nicodemus came to Jesus at night he had many questions and little understanding, but was convinced that no-one could do the things he had heard Jesus had done unless God was with him. (John 3:2)
The man born blind in John 9 gets into a heated argument with the religious leaders because Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. In John 9:32-3 he says, “Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God he could do nothing.” Later Jesus meets him, the man sees him, believes and worships. His understanding has gone from - a man, a prophet, a teacher - to one who is to be worshiped, the Son of God. Jesus met him at his point of need, and because of the miracle revealed Himself to him, and he became a believer.
Philip is trying to understand how Jesus operates and who he really is. John 14:11 says, “Believe me when I say I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” Verse 12 continues, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these…”
Fast forward to the book of Acts, believers filled with the Holy Spirit see God do remarkable things through them. They declare, “It is Jesus and the Name of Jesus that is doing these signs, wonders and miracles.” The authorities were totally opposed but unable to stop it.
It is time for believers - you and me to come back to the reality that if Jesus lives in us, He will do His mighty works through us. People around will be amazed and enlightened; we will gather together and tell of His mighty acts and worship.
We are seeing opposition to Christians, persecution and the erosion of biblical beliefs, inability to meet and worship freely and other restrictions. This is the time for us to demonstrate in everyday life that because God is with us and in us, He wants to show Himself by us doing His works in the market place and wherever He directs us. People who will not come into church will have their eyes opened and will be drawn to Jesus and worship and desire to know the One who has touched them.
Keep your eyes on what Jesus is doing, don’t look for people and circumstances to blame, but rather for opportunities to minister to those who are sick, fearful, worried and need the touch of God.
I’m looking for a groundswell of believers (unschooled men and women who have “been with Jesus”) who will cause the nation to turn again to the living God.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
