Day 1: Greater Works (Part 2)

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

John 14 · chapter mention

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

Luke 1:1

chapter 1 verse 1, let's begin, let's have some

evidence. Luke chapter 1 verse 1 to 4. If you,

Luke 1:1–4

Luke chapter 1 verse 1 to 4. Please media, I

Luke 1:1–4

would love us to move swiftly our past, right?

Luke chapter 1 verse 1 to 4. I read, Inasmuch

Luke 1:1–4

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

Isaiah 7:14

verse 14. Let's go through some of them. Isaiah

Isaiah 7:14

chapter 7 verse 14. To see where this prophecy

about Jesus was made. Isaiah chapter 7 verse

Isaiah 7:14

14. Isaiah 7 verse 14. Therefore the Lord Himself

Isaiah 7:14

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

Isaiah 9:6–7 Isaiah 9:6–7

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

Psalms 107:11

text where this prophecy about the Messiah, Jeremiah

Jeremiah 23:5

23 verse 5. And also Daniel chapter 2. was 44.

Daniel 2 · chapter mention

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

Luke 2:21

read and see Luke chapter 2 from verse 21 We'll

Luke 2 · chapter mention

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

Luke 4:42

He proclaimed and demonstrated the kingdom of

God. Luke chapter 4, was 42, Jesus proclaimed

Luke 4 · chapter mention

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

John 1:18

1 verse 18, let's look at another example in

the epistles. In the, in the gospels, John chapter

John 1:18

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,

John 6:46

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

John 14:12

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

John 14 · chapter mention

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

Matthew 5:16

that will see the usage as good works Matthew

Matthew 5:16

chapter 5 verse 16 Matthew 5 verse 16 let your

Matthew 5:16

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 2:10

Ephesians 2 verse 10 Ephesians chapter 2 verse

Ephesians 2:10 Ephesians 2:10

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

Titus 2:7 Titus 2:7

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.

Isaiah 2:14

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

Titus 3:8

3 verse 8. Titus chapter 3 verse 8. This is a

Titus 3:8

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

Hebrews 10:24

you can write this one Hebrews chapter 10 verse

Hebrews 10:24

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

1 Peter 2:12

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

John 5:17 John 5:17

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

John 6:28

28 and 29. John chapter 6. verse 28 and 29. We

John 6 · chapter mention

will see the work of God in Christ. John chapter

John 6:28

6 verse 28. John chapter 6 verse 28. Then they

John 6:28

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

John 9:3

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

John 10:37

scripture, John chapter 10 verse 37. So most

John 10:37

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

John 14:10–11

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

Acts 10:38

verse 38, Acts chapter 10 verse 38, Acts chapter

Acts 10:38 Acts 10:38

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

Galatians 2:16

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.

Galatians 2:16

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

Galatians 3:10

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 3:20

Romans 3 verse 20. Romans 3 verse 20. Therefore,

Romans 3:20 Romans 3:20

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

John 3:19

3 verse 19. The book of John chapter 3 verse

John 3:19

19. 19 to 21. John chapter 3 verse 19 to 21.

John 3:19–21

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

Colossians 1:21

that are causes the will of God. Colossians 1

Colossians 1:21

verse 21. Colossians 1 verse 21. And you, who

Colossians 1:21

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,

Romans 3:12 Romans 3:12

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

Ephesians 5:11

11, Titus chapter 1 verse 16, and 2 Timothy chapter

Titus 1:16 2 Timothy 4:18

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

John 14:12

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,

John 14:12

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

Acts 2:40

read. Acts 2 verse 40 and 43. We see an example

Acts 2:40

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

John 14:12

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

John 14 · chapter mention

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

John 15:26 John 11:26

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

John 16:7–11 John 16:12–15

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

Matthew 1:1–5

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,

Matthew 1 · chapter mention

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

Mark 1:1–4

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

Mark 1:1

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

Mark 10:45

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

John 20:31

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

Matthew 5:17

17. We'll see where he made this statement himself.

Matthew 25 verse 17. Do not think that I have

Matthew 25:17

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

Luke 4:18–21

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

Luke 24 · chapter mention Luke 24:27

read this. Luke 24 verse 27 and 44. It says,

Luke 24:27

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

2 Corinthians 1:20

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,

2 Timothy 3:16

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

2 Timothy 1:3 2 Timothy 1:3

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

2 Corinthians 12 · chapter mention

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

Luke 1:41

1 verse 41. Luke chapter 1 verse 41. Can it happen?

Luke 1:41

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

Luke 1:44

44. Let's look at verse 44. that is still unborn,

all right? Luke chapter 2 verse 12, the word

Luke 2:12

Bray Force. Luke chapter 2 verse 12. And this

Luke 2:12

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

Luke 2:16

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

Acts 7:19

7 verse 19, Acts 7 verse 19, another instance

Acts 7:19

where the word brave force is used, Acts 7 verse

Acts 7:19

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

1 Peter 2:2

verse 2. 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 2. We see a

1 Peter 2:2

unique application of the word brave force here.

1 Peter 2 verse 2. As newborn babies, okay? desire

1 Peter 2:2

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

1 Peter 2:2

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

1 Corinthians 3:1

chapter 3 verse 1 we will see another word for

babes in the pios first corinthians 3 verse 1,

1 Corinthians 3:1

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

1 Corinthians 13:11

of the 4 verse 14, Hebrews of the 5 verse 13.

1 Corinthians 13 verse 11, Ephesians of the 4

1 Corinthians 13:11

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

2 Timothy 3:16

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

connected with us through our website or follow

us on social media. If you were encouraged, share

this message with someone you care about. Until

next time, stay blessed.