Doing what Jesus did.

     Everyone who walks in the realm of the Kingdom of God, understands something about the Epic calling upon the Church of Jesus Christ in these days.  Yet, we are also painfully aware that the church is not yet walking in the full measure of their destiny and purpose.  It seems rather that the contemporary church is more interested in walking in human ingenuity and creativity, but not yet grasping their full potential as sons and daughters of the Most High.  No where is this more obvious than in the area of actually doing what Jesus did.  Many churches are far more focused on using the latest techniques to draw crowds.  Others are content to sit and listen to the stories in scripture.  Either way, we fall far short of our intended calling.  I'm not against lights and lasers to set atmosphere but I am far more interested in seeing the full release of God's power, in the lives of ordinary people.  After all, isn't that what the church really is?  Ordinary people who have been radically touched by grace and love and called out of darkness in order to walk in the light of God's provision and power.
   
What would the church look like if we took seriously our call to do what Jesus did; to really obey his directives in this contemporary culture?

 John 14:12-14 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works that 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.  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."  


What if Jesus actually meant what He said in this text?  What if He actually meant for us to do what He did and even greater works?

I believe Jesus expects His church in this century to rise up and take up their high calling by doing everything that He did and even more.  I think the question that each of us must answer is whether Jesus did his miracles as God or as man.  If Jesus did his miracles as God then I am off the hook.  I am clearly not God.  If Jesus were acting as God, no wonder He could do what he did.  (Heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons etc.)  But, what if Jesus did what he did not as God but as a man?  That is a game changer for us.


Philippians 2 suggests that Jesus laid aside his divinity in order to walk as a perfectly committed man to the Father.  Vrs. 6-7 "Being made in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God something to be held on to.  But rather, made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men.  He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross."
Jesus said in John 5:19, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner."  Jesus did only what He saw the Father doing.  That too is our calling.
John 15:5, 7 "I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing...But if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."
Matthew 10:1 "And when He (Jesus) had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease."


     Christ is in us.  He is our "hope of glory."
     Holy Spirit resides in us and gives us power and authority.
     By submitting fully and walking in intimacy with the Father we also can do what Jesus did.
     We do nothing, He does in us and through us his good pleasure.
     Begin to expect Jesus to show himself strong on behalf of those who love Him.
   
I believe 2012 will be the year of Holy Spirit releasing the fullness of His power and authority in his church - for all those who will listen and obey his voice.  Wouldn't it be awesome if we began to trust God and really began to do what Jesus did.  Imperfectly at first; but learning to walk in the full measure of Holy Spirit in these days in which we live - that the Father might be glorified.