BEING ABOUT THE FATHER’S BUSINESS DOING THE “GREATER WORKS”- LUKE7:28

By Edward O'Hara ,

The Father’s business has changed in some dramatic ways since the days of Jesus. And thank God it has! Because if it hadn’t then all the rest of the nations, commonly referred to as gentiles in the scriptures, would not have the salvation that comes through faith in Jesus offered to them.

Jesus came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The preaching of the apostles was to the Jew first then also to the Greek. When He ascended Jesus gave the apostles the commission of preaching the gospel to both Jew and Gentile. So even John who baptized Jesus, though he was the greatest among the prophets, ministered only to Jews.

And did you know that even though John was considered by Jesus to be the greatest among Old Testament prophets. That all New Covenant believers are greater in God’s kingdom than John was? Jesus said this when He told them, “For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

The reason this is true is that everyone who believes in Jesus since His resurrection, that is those believers who have been blessed to be part of this dispensation of the grace of God, are made a new creation. Being born of God’s Spirit. Made a spiritual being, that no one before Jesus came, including John, ever were. Or could be.

And because of this they who are born of God’s Spirit are now part of the kingdom of God. One who is born again by the Spirit of God is made a spiritual being eternal in the heavenly places. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “the kingdom of God is within you”.

This is why Paul said in Eph.2:6,7 that God has, “raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

And that this is only accomplished through faith in Jesus apart from works. Because in Eph.2:8,9 Paul says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

So, when Jesus said “greater works than these ye shall do”, what do you think these “greater works” are? It’s the “work” of preaching the gospel by which men are born again. And this is exactly what happened after Jesus died and rose from the grave. The apostles preached Christ and Him crucified, as we preach today. And by this men were, and still are today, being born again made a spiritual being and filled with God’s Spirit.

This was something that Jesus was not able to do. You know why? Because It could not happen before this because Jesus had to die first. To finish the Old Covenant and to give power to the New Covenant. Gal.4:4 tells us that He was a man born under the law. And as such He was both Lord of and in a covenant where having a spirit birthed in us for eternal life could not be had.

Paul makes this clear saying, “there was never a law given that could give life.” So eternal life is only available in the New Covenant. This means that preaching the gospel so that men can receive eternal life is the “greater work”. That is only possible through the preaching of “Christ crucified” as Paul said in 1Cor.1:23.

A message that 1Cor.1:23,24 says is “unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

Because it was by His death the final nail in the coffin for the Old Covenant was driven. This is why Paul said “Christ is the end of the law for all who believe”. And is what caused Jesus to say just before He died that “It is finished”. Telling Israel that the law was fulfilled and therefore passed away.

Because His death was the final once for all sacrifice for sins under the law. Which is why Hebrews tells us “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” And that “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins”.

His death giving power to a New Covenant as Heb.9:15-17 says. Because a testament has no power while the testator lives. It only has power after the testator, the one who wrote the will, has died. Just like the will our parents may have written concerning all their worldly goods has power only after they die. So you can only possess what is in the will, or testament, after it receives power by their death.

So Jesus’ death brought an end to the Old Covenant. And gave power to the New Covenant. By fulfilling the law by His death to finish it. And empowering this dispensation of grace we live in by that same death. Wherein believers in Jesus are doing the “greater works than these” of showing men the way to being made a new creature in Christ. A spiritual being that never existed before.

It is only in this dispensation where we find the new birth of a spirit in us when we believe in Jesus. Something that was never possible in the Old Testament or under the law. Because as I quoted Paul saying before in Gal.3:21, “there was never a law given that could give life”.

But, now every believer has this life in him. A spirit that was birthed in them when they first believed in Jesus. A spirit that now communes with God’s Spirit continually as He leads all believers in the truth. The “unction” and an “anointing” John spoke of in 1John2:20-27 that, “ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

This is why the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Making intercession for us, intercession that is Jesus’ death and resurrection on our behalf, with groanings which cannot be uttered.

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. 1Cor.1:23-29

So to you that are saved I say preach the gospel and continue to do the “greater works than these”. Works that even Jesus when He lived as a man under the law could not do. But, now does through the Holy Spirit by the preaching of the cross. That only us who are saved by faith in His death and resurrection can do.

To fulfill the ministry of reconciliation God has given us to do. Telling the world that God is not imputing their trespasses to them. But, only seeks a loving relationship with you. A relationship that is righteousness unto eternal life.

And for those who have not yet come to a saving faith in Jesus I say, what are you waiting for?! Because of His great love for us Jesus has done all that is needed for you to have eternal life and immortality. The only step remaining is your free will choice to receive His free gift of eternal life. To be born again by grace by trusting in His profound love for you.

A free will choice that joins us to Him that all loving relationships require in order to exist. To be joined with Jesus and seated in heavenly places with Him. Having a spirit birthed in you that you never had before.

The kind of love that caused Jesus to come in the same flesh all men have. Without which he that held the keys of death could not be defeated. But, by which Jesus has defeated the one who held the power of death. That is the devil. Both by His death and His resurrection. As Heb.2:14,15 plainly say.

So that now when you confess the Lord Jesus. And believe in your heart He has raised from the dead. You are saved. Made eternal by the spirit He has birthed in you. And immortal when you receive your new body at the resurrection.

Do this and you will have eternal life. Do this and you will be made immortal at the resurrection. Do this and you will be a child of God and therefore heir to His kingdom. Do this… and I will see you there or in the air!

This message can also be heard at: https://rumble.com/v46sv0w-being-about-the-fathers-business-doing-the-greater-works-luke728.html?mref=6zof&mrefc=2