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Matthew 11:4-6 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (KJV)
John the Baptist was questioning things, especially right before he was about to have his head cut off for the gospel’s sake. He wanted to know that he was following the right Lord, the real deal so to speak, and our Lord gave Him a simple response. In our Lord’s short time here on earth He was the first born again man who was demonstrating the greater things that were available with God and what could manifest for those that believe. Isaiah 29:17-19 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest? 18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. 19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. (KJV) Keep in mind that our Lord has not only opened the blind carnal eyes, as well as raising people back from the dead, now He is able to go above and beyond this carnal realm. Our Lord is able to show those that were blind spiritually, how to see and walk by faith which is only found in the realm of the Spirit. You know, the Lord considers you a fruitful field, because now you are able to bear the fruit of the Spirit. So the things we see prophesied in the Old Testament are now manifesting in a greater realm, but only if you know where to look. Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (KJV) I asked a group of Christians if they have ever seen someone raised from the dead, or the blind receive their sight, or the deaf ears opened; and I recently heard some large prominent people discussing this matter, asking why this isn’t taking place anymore. Well, as far as the group of Christians goes, no one raised their hand or acknowledged that they had seen any of those things manifest. However, when it was pointed out that they were looking in the wrong realm, then there was a change of heart. In fact for any born again Christian, every time you look in the mirror you see someone who was dead in sins, blind to the truth, and unable to walk in the Spirit, rise up and come alive Spiritually. Ephesians 1:17-19 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (KJV) The whole reason that our Lord died for us is so that we could be resurrected to a new life in Christ, and to be able to see what is taking place in a greater realm than the one we had settled for in the past. Do you see yourself today as that new creation in Christ, one who has risen from the dead? Dearly loved, remember you were crucified with Christ, nevertheless you live, yet not you, but Christ lives in you; and the life which you now live in the flesh you live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved you and gave himself for you. It’s the new you. Great is the mystery of godliness. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 14:11-12 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (KJV)
I have been hearing this verse being quoted lately and have heard many different interpretations of it. Some today have the gall and audacity to think that the greater works that are taking place today involve satellites and global communications of the gospel, taking it to far reaching ends of the earth. Leave it to mankind to try and pull a spiritual God back down to our level, thinking that God would actually need our help. When I hear the watered down carnal interpretations of the so called gospel that these people are sending out the only greater thing they can expect to experience is condemnation. John 6:63-65 It is the spirit that quickened; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. (KJV) Mankind thinks that God’s word is limited, and that the only way it can reach the world is through them. God and His plan of salvation has been working just fine, especially when man gets out of the way and lets the Spirit have its way. There is no place on earth that God nor His message has not reached, and if the Lord decides to get someone’s attention He is more than capable of doing it. Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: (KJV) Some claim that they are reaching all these people, something our Lord couldn’t do because in order for Him to travel he would have had to walk for days. Well folks if God is no respecter of people, in other words His Son died for the sin of the whole world, then it is safe to say that salvation is available to all. In fact, I would be willing to say that those that hear the message straight from the source Himself, Jesus Christ through the Spirit, are much better off than hearing it from a bunch of wannabe carnal Christians who think they are doing God a favor, and that without them the world could not be reached. Psalms 98:1-3 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. 2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. 3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (KJV) Now the Lord will send people to speak on His behalf and to show them His plan of salvation, but there is a big difference between those that God chooses and uses and those that think God could not get His message out there without their assistance. God’s word is alive and well and free flowing like a river; man is the one that keeps damming it up and putting obstacles in the way with their carnal thinking. Isaiah 52:9-10 Break forth into joy; sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. (KJV) The Lord is doing a great thing, why not let Him do it His way? God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 14:11-12 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (KJV)
Not only did our Lord talk the talk, but he also walked the walk. In fact, he challenged the people to not just believe what He said, but to be doers of the spoken word. Yet with all that we see throughout the gospels and the great miracles, we see our Lord saying that greater things would manifest. So what could be greater than the dead rising up from the graves, the blind receiving sight, or deaf ears opened; sounds like a tough act to follow. John 16:6-7 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (KJV) Today I often hear those who question just why don’t we see the same miracles take place that happened in our Lord’s time? Just exactly what are these greater works that could possibly take place beyond what our Lord did? Well it’s comforting to know that these greater works are happening right in front of our eyes Church, the question is which eyes are you looking with, the carnal or the spiritual? John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (KJV) So out of our belly living waters are going to flow? Well yes, because once our Lord left this realm and delivered a perfect sacrifice on mans’ behalf, He sent the Holy Spirit to us so that we could be born again and operate in a greater dimension. Now to the carnal man it would be mind boggling to think that we would walk around with waters gushing forth, but spiritually it should just be another day at the office. Keep in mind that when our Lord spoke these words the greatest miracle had not yet taken place, that being mankind having the ability to be born again. John 3:3-5 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus said unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV) Given the fact that flesh and blood cannot enter into the kingdom of God it would take a rebirth not only to enter this realm, but to be able to see what is taking place. So the first birth into this carnal realm is quite a feat to say the least, but the greatest birth that a person can experience is the second one which takes us to a greater realm. Have a great day in Christ church. God bless. John 5:19-21 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things so ever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and showed him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these that ye may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises up the dead, and quickened them; even so the Son quickens whom he will. (KJV)
In this fallen world we are surrounded with many who will stop at nothing to achieve what they think is greatness. We see the term great as well as greater throughout the Bible, however, this greater realm is not found in the outward. So many miss out because they are still trying to achieve what man says is greatness, measuring greatness by outward things, like having a big following. Nothing could be further from the truth, because all of mankind has access to true greatness when they receive the things of God and put them into practice in their walk. Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (KJV) Before your conversion in Christ you were not partaking of the fruit of the Spirit. The things you see listed above cannot be bought on-line, or found on an end cap at Wal-Mart. For those that have truly tasted and have partaken of this fruit they know that nothing else comes close, it’s the greatest gift available. However, in order to keep bearing fruit in your life you will have to keep your old nature dead, died and buried. Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV) In this fallen world greatness is based on 'what have you done for me lately', and once you are no longer considered an asset you will be kicked to the curb. The realm of the Spirit is so much greater than that of the flesh. The realm of the Spirit promises us eternal life without the strife. The realm of the Spirit has no sickness or death; it’s a realm where no weapon formed against you will prosper. This fallen life has such big expectations that will never satisfy and always leaves one lacking. The word of God is the only thing that can satisfy that inward hunger and void without the hangover of sin. Psalms 145:3-6 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. 5 I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. 6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. (KJV) Is your goal to achieve greatness in this life? Well, why not go to the greatest source and see how much greater His realm is than this limited fallen one has to offer. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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