DUPLICATING WORK AND MORE

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“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.”

John 14:12

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

If you were going to start a movement and then hope for that movement to sustain, how would you go about it?

Usually the answer to the question comes by observing other successful movements and then look to duplicate the processes that made the movement excel in achievement. Perhaps Christianity would serve as one such movement to examine. It came to be through a charismatic leader named Jesus Christ and the movement He sparked rightfully bore His name.

Now any leader needs followers in order for the movement to first begin and then expand. These followers need to be trained to go and represent their leader, encouraging others to join the cause. In Jesus’ case, He hand-selected 12 men who would travel with Him for three years, receiving His instruction and observing His works, all with the intent that they would one day carry on His work after His death.

This is what Jesus was getting at as He speaks to His disciples and provides some final words of instruction prior to His arrest and subsequent execution. Look again at His words here:

“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.” John 14:12

And that’s exactly what happened. Jesus died on the cross of Calvary, was buried in a tomb, and was resurrected on the third day. He made multiple post-resurrection appearances to His disciples and others just before He said the following in advance of His ascension to sit at the right hand of God:

“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

After Jesus went to heaven to be with His Father, the disciples did as they were told. They went into Jerusalem and on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was imparted on them. This incredible nature of this anointing not only allowed the disciples to do the works Jesus did but as He prophesied, they did even greater works.

And as a result, the movement grew as more and more people believed in Jesus, received the Holy Spirit, and then allowed the Spirit to lead them to do work in the His name.

In other words, the movement Jesus started didn’t fizzle out after He left the earth. Rather, it carried on and thrived…and it has continued to do so right up to today. As you read this devotion, Christians are working to advance the cause of Christ all over the world, duplicating His work and doing greater things than He could of ever done in His time.

Jesus entrusted His work to those who would place their belief in Him as Savior and in doing so, agree to carry on the work He began, to keep the Christ movement going in order to create more disciples from all nations. As we work to honor Him with our service today, let us always keep in mind that He first did the work we are called to do, and He did so perfectly. All we need to do is duplicate His efforts and then allow Him, through the Holy Spirit, to lead us to accomplish even greater things in His name and for His sake.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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Send any prayer requests to Gods4all@aol.com