John 14:12-13 (NKJV) “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. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
When Jesus was on earth, He preached the Gospel, casted out demons, healed the sick, ministered to the people, helped the poor, and He said we would do all these and even greater things. Why? Because there are more of us as compared to Him doing it alone. Jesus is interceding for us in heaven now, and we are given the use of His name. Because the same Holy Spirit whom He was anointed with resides in us, we have an anointing to do the work too. Moreover, the church has the critical mass to do more than Jesus did on earth. Through modern communication channels and social media, the church can reach much bigger audiences.
Sharing the Gospel may or may not involve power evangelism because every case is different. Nonetheless, we should all be equipped to do the work of the ministry. Jesus has promised to be with us and to confirm His Word with signs and wonders. We cannot do it alone because it is not about us and our abilities, but about God and His abilities working in and through us. Therefore, we should stop rationalising, being self-conscious or doubting our own abilities.
For example, nobody would pay attention to us if we stood in the middle of the road, raised our hand, and asked all vehicles to stop. However, it would be very different if we were to repeat the action wearing police uniform, because the uniform carries the vested authority empowered by the government to do the work of directing traffic. Drivers have to stop because they respect the authority vested upon the police to carry out the necessary work for law and order.
Likewise, Jesus is not sending us out to minister to people with our own abilities, but with His vested authority to enforce the victory that He has achieved through His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. He has triumphed over the devil and there is power in His name! Therefore, it is not us the devil respects but the authority vested upon us by God.
The ability to minister to someone has nothing to do with us but everything to do with God’s abilities. It is liberating knowing that we are only vessels for His power and abilities to work in and through, and this applies not only to fulltime ministers but anyone who is willing to be used by Him. He gave the use of His name to His entire body so that every believer is equipped and empowered to do the work of the ministry on His behalf.
Sermon Series: Arise and Build (Part 4)
我们有祂授与的权柄
约翰福音 14:12-13 “我实实在在的告诉你们，我所作的事，信我的人也要作，并且要作比这更大的事。因为我往父那去，你们奉我的名。无论求甚么，我必成就，叫父因儿子得荣耀。
当耶稣在地上时，祂传福音，赶鬼，医治病人，服侍百姓，帮助穷人，祂说这些我们都要做甚至要做更伟大的事情。为什么？因为相比祂的孤军作战，我们有更多的人。耶稣现在在天堂为我们代祷，我们得以使用祂的名字。因为与祂一同受膏的圣灵住在我们里面，所以我们也有恩膏来作工。此外，教会有足够的能力比耶稣一个人在地上做的更多。通过现代沟通渠道和社交媒体，教会可以接触到更多的听众。
分享福音可能涉及也可能不涉及权能布道，因为每个案例都是不同的。尽管如此，我们都应该受装备做事工。耶稣应许要与我们同在，并以神迹奇事来确认祂的话语。我们不能独自完成，因为这关乎的不是我们和我们的能力，而是关乎上帝和祂的能力在我们里面并通过我们做工。因此，我们应该停止找籍口、害羞或怀疑自己的能力。
比方说，如果我们站在路中间，举起手，要求所有车辆停下来，没有人会理会我们。但是，如果我们穿着警服再做这个动作，那情况就大不相同了，因为警服承载着政府授权的既定权力，可以进行交通指挥。司机必须停车，因为他们尊重那被授与警察执行必要工作以维护法律及秩序的权柄。
同样，耶稣派我们出去服务不是以我们自己的能力，而是用祂既得的权柄来执行祂藉着被钉十字架、死亡和复活所取得的胜利。祂已经战胜了魔鬼，祂的名里有力量！所以，魔鬼所尊重的不是我们，而是上帝赋予我们的权柄。
服事某人的能力不关乎我们，却与上帝的能力息息相关。知道我们只是祂的力量和能力的器皿，在我们里面动工且通过我们动工，这是一种解放，这不仅适用于全职牧师，也适用于任何愿意被祂使用的人。祂赐与整个肢体使用祂的名字，好教每个信徒都获得装备和授权代表祂做事工。
讲章系列：兴起和建造（第 4 部分）
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