Were they better off before I left, or now? Now. You will be filled to the brim with power - enough power to do everything I had ever done, and then some! Now everyone look at the volunteers. Pick up three “Filled with power” signs and return to tape them on each volunteer. But when I leave, I will send you my power. Then, let’s say the time has come for me to leave. Everyone look at me and look at my 3 friends. But you are not filled with power you only have it sometimes. Hand each volunteer a small piece of paper from your pocket. And because you are near me, I can even give you some of my power, sometimes, to do certain tasks (Matthew 10:1). Being near me is very good - there’s no doubt about that. Say: You love being near me because of my awesome power and incredible teaching. Tape a large sign on yourself that says, “Filled with power.” I am doing great things - things that you have never seen before, or even imagined were possible. Soon they would be filled with the same power that Jesus was filled with! (Luke 4:1) That’s how they would do even greater things than Jesus did. But Jesus promised them that it was best for them that He leave so He could send God’s Spirit to live inside of each of them. The disciples were terribly sad to hear that Jesus was going away from them (John 16:17-18). Jesus said that when He went to be with His heavenly Father, He would send God’s Holy Spirit to live in each of them! Some Bible translations call God’s Spirit the Counselor, or Friend, or Helper. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help You until I leave. But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you. You are very sad from hearing all of this. That is because I am going to the Father.”ĭid you hear that? Jesus promised that the disciples would do GREATER things than Jesus did! Ask: What are some of the amazing things that Jesus did? He cast out evil spirits, healed a paralyzed man, calmed the storm, walked on water, and taught with great authority! Say: So how in the world could His disciples do GREATER things than these? Jesus gives the answer in John 16:5:īut now I am going back to the Father who sent Me, and none of you asks Me where I am going. Anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. One of the promises is written in John 14:12: Jesus made some really big promises to His disciples. Knowing what was ahead for them, Jesus wanted them to take every word to heart (Psalm 119:11). Say: The night before Jesus willingly went to the cross, He spent time with His disciples, teaching them the most important things.
Ephesians 1:5-8 A Big Promise (John 14) He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ.
There is no greater news for us! (1 Corinthians 15:20-23) God raised Jesus to give new life to all who believe - life in God’s kingdom, life in which we are no longer slaves to sin, and life in which we are sons and daughters of the God of the universe! (John 3:36, Romans 6:4-7, Ephesians 1:4-7) The entire Bible points to this event - the moment that Jesus would be raised, and evil would no longer rule over the hearts of men. In Genesis 3:15, God promised that He would send a Savior to crush the devil. When God raised Jesus from the dead, He fulfilled the promise that He made way back in the Garden of Eden. Say: Last week, we looked at the VICTORY of Jesus’ power over sin and death.
PROPS: 4 signs that say “Filled with Power”, tape, 3 small pieces of paper Background/Review And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Main Point: God gives us the Holy Spirit to grow His kingdom.īut you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.