Rajinder Buxton, a member of the ministry team at Ryde Elim Church, Isle of Wight, tackles three Christian issues.
What did Jesus mean when he said that his followers would do greater works than he had?
Whilst on earth Jesus performed great signs, wonders and miracles – feeding the 5,000, raising the dead, healing people of all diseases, casting out demons, etc.
In the book of Acts the disciples performed many similar miracles as the Holy Spirit empowered them.
We also know that not every believer would have performed in a similar fashion.
The Holy Spirit endowed the disciples with different gifts as he saw fit (1 Corinthians 12:4).
Today, not every person has the same giftings, some are moving in miraculous power and others have gifts, equally important, though not in the limelight.
The ‘greater works’ Jesus referred to could mean the vast extent of the gospel work on earth after he ascended to heaven, that exploded quickly over the world by disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit, bringing great glory to the Father.
On earth Jesus’ ministry was largely limited to Galilee and Judea.
Today, through his disciples, the ministry of Jesus continues to increase, to reach millions worldwide, with thousands saved through crusades with signs, wonders and miracles.
Remember, the greatest work still remains the spiritual transformation of a sinful heart through faith in Christ Jesus (Acts 4:12).
What is Jesus’ blueprint for making disciples?
Jesus taught and trained the first disciples by spending quality time with them before they fulfilled the Great Commission.
He was able to reproduce his divine life, values, and resources into the lives of the disciples, so when he returned to the Father, these twelve men could carry on as the future leaders of his church, so that the work continued everywhere they went (Mark 3:14).
He took time to train and mentor them in real-life situations.
They saw how Jesus preached, healed the sick, cast out demons and performed many signs, wonders and miracles through the Holy Spirit.
The disciples followed Jesus’ footsteps by doing the same thing.
Even the religious leaders saw the difference in them after they had spent time with Jesus, even though they were uneducated (Acts 4:13).
As church leaders today, we should encourage others to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, even as we follow in his, showing them how to reach the lost with love and compassion, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
And showing them how to live a godly lifestyle in this current world in their homes, workplaces and marketplaces.
As Paul put it, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
What is your hope for the church?
I think the hope of every believer should be the fulfilment of the words Jesus instructed us to pray: “Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
As the church locally and globally pursues the Great Commission, to go into all the earth and make disciples of all nations, his kingdom will come in the hearts of those who receive him as Saviour and Lord.
And Jesus’ kingdom will come on earth as we ‘speed its coming’, as Peter puts it in 2 Peter 3:12.
