"You Can Do It"

       Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Some of the most amazing words that Jesus ever spoke were directed to his

disciples in a moment of confusion. After nearly three years of constant on-the-

job training, Jesus’ disciples still didn’t understand who He was. John 14 tells

us about Thomas’ confusion concerning Jesus' destiny. Verse 8 relates Philip’s

confusion about Jesus’ relationship with God the Father.

In that moment of his disciple's confusion, weakness, and vulnerability, toward

the end of their Savior’s earthly life, Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever

believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even

greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do

whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Amazing! Jesus said that his confused disciples would do greater works than He

did if they would only believe. We all know the works of Christ: He healed the

sick, raised the dead, freed people oppressed by the devil, confronted self-

righteous religious leaders, and announced the Kingdom of god to thousands all

across Palestine. These are great works. But Jesus said his disciples would do

greater works if they would only believe.

The words of their Leader must have seemed preposterous to the disciples.

They know who they were, confused, fearful followers of a Rabbi whom they

did not fully understand. How could they do greater works than he?

Even so, Jesus encouraged them. Against all odds, Jesus encouraged them. In a

moment when things looked bleak, He believed in them. By faith, Jesus saw

what they could do. Jesus encouraged his disciples: “Very truly I tell you,

whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do

even greater things than these because I am going to the Father.

I’m sure as you my brothers and sisters look at your disciples you see and hear

some of the same indications of confusion and fear that Jesus heard from

Thomas and Philip. Sometimes you may be tempted to ask yourself, “What will

my disciples ever accomplish?” Take care in that moment; don’t give in to

despair. Instead, speak a word of faith and encouragement. Tell your disciples

in their moments of doubt, “You can do it. God is with you. Don’t give up.

Keep trusting Jesus. You are going to accomplish great things.”

I remember when I was about 23 years old. I was a student in a Bible seminary.

I was certainly not the most gifted student and not the most eloquent. I

wondered what my future would hold. But some trusted men in my church told

me that they believed I would do great things. I could hardly believe their

words, but I took heart. As I think back on their words over 50 years later, I

have to say that God has done amazing things in and through my life. This is

not because I’m great. It’s because He is great and He is good. So, encourage

your disciples. Tell them that if they believe, they will do greater works than

they can ever imagine today.

This is Multiply, and I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #GreaterWorks #John14