The Benefits of Belief John 14:12-14

What happens when we believe in Jesus? Is belief just a subjective experience? Is there a metaphysical change that takes place? What does the Bible indicate about what happens when we believe?

What happens when we believe in Jesus: We are justified by faith We are born again We are adopted into the family of God We become members of the body of Christ We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit We are sealed by the Holy Spirit

What are the implications of being a believer? We are known as Christians We are considered followers of Christ We are expected to love and obey God/Christ We are expected to live for and share Christ This sounds like a lot more than some subjective feeling… More like a change of identity & character!

I. There is Anticipation of a Multiplication of Works “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” (John 14:12, NKJV)

A. The stated condition for action is belief in Christ This text is introduced by a customary phrase This belief involves recognition of Jesus’ identity and works

B. The stated expectation is doing comparable works He who believes will do comparable works to Christ’s He who believes will do greater works than these

C. The stated basis for the works is departure to the Father These works are anticipated after and because of His departure The departure involved a special provision soon to be noted in this context The assumption is that these works will be possible because of a special provision to be made available after His departure

Dr. Thomas Constable noted: “Jesus probably did not mean that His disciples would do more stupendous miracles than He did. Feeding multitudes from a small lunch and raising people from the dead are hard miracles to supersede. We should not assume, either, that Jesus meant that these miracles would continue throughout church history as they occurred in the apostolic era. Church history has shown that they died out almost entirely after the apostolic age, and the New Testament, while it did not specifically predict that, implied that they would.”

Texts to consider: “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.” (1 Corinthians 13:8, NKJV) “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,” (Ephesians 2:20, NKJV)

Hebrews 2:3-4: “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Hebrews 2:3–4, NKJV)

II. There is a Broad Promise of Provision for the Asking “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13–14, NKJV)

A. This clear expectation for asking has one proviso (condition) The initial indication for asking seems quite open ended The only qualification is to ask in Jesus’ name What does it mean to ask in Jesus’ name?

Deuteronomy 18:19-20 “And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’” (NKJV)

Jeremiah 14:14 & Matthew 18:5 “And the Lord said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.” (Jer 14:14, NKJV) “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” (Mt 18:5, NKJV)

Matthew 18:20 & 24:5 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”” (Mt 18:20, NKJV) “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Mt 24:5, NKJV)

Mark 9:39-41 “But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (NKJV)

Mark 13:6 & 16:17 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.” (Mark 13:6, NKJV) “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;” (Mark 16:17, NKJV)

John 14:26 & 15:16 “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 things that I said to you.” (John 14:26, NKJV) “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16, NKJV)

John 16:23-24 & 26 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23–24, NKJV) “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;” (John 16:26, NKJV)

B. This is a distinct promise of provision by the Son This text indicates Jesus’ direct response to such requests This text indicates that Jesus has an interest and intention to respond

C. There is a distinct purpose of glorifying the Father Any request must bring glory to the Father This requires correspondence to God’s will Does being a believer mean you can ask for and receive whatever you ask for? Does being a believer mean having a blank check from Jesus’ account? If that were so, what would you ask for?