The One Who Believes - The Works and Prayers of Believers - John 14:12-14

1:02You remember in Mark chapter 10, there's a rich young ruler that comes up to Jesus to meet him, and he wants to have eternal life. And so he asked Jesus some questions. What must he do? And he left disappointed, didn't he? He left disappointed. He thought he could simply go up to Jesus, have an encounter with Jesus, and then go right on back to his life. But no one, as the scripture teaches us, no one who connects with Jesus simply goes back to life as usual. Even if they go back to their same routine, it's not life as usual. Because those who connect with Jesus are fundamentally changed. Their life will never be the same.

1:56And specifically, there are two areas of a person's life that are impacted when they connect with Christ. Number one, the works that they do, and number two, the prayers that they offer. They'll never be the same. When you connect with Christ, I promise you, the things that you do, the things that you give yourself to do, will not be the same as they were before you met Christ. Your prayers will not be the same as they were before you met Christ. And so this morning, as we look at these three verses, I want you to see two defining characteristics of those who believe. Those who believe, and I mean just really believe. Those who have ceased their contention, those who have ceased growing in their unbelief and finding reasons not to believe, and have just simply taken Jesus out of them. His word. They are markedly different people. And their works and their prayers tell the story. And so as we come to this this morning, I just ask you, what are your thoughts? Where are you? What is your faith? Do you really believe? Do you simply believe in the Christ that's revealed in the scriptures? Well, let's look at first the works, the works of believers, the works of the one who just simply believes. It's taken from verse 12. Look at verse 12. Truly, truly, 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 the Father. Now, what is he saying here? This is a staggering statement.

3:57Hard to believe. In fact, it's interesting to see the different directions so many commentators go on this because it is quite difficult to believe. It's not so much difficult to understand, as we shall see in a moment, but it is difficult to believe. Is he really saying what we think he's saying? Well, I don't know what you think he's saying, but we're going to read. But there are two questions that you have to have answered before you go further into.

4:31What he's saying. First question, you have to ask to get started: who is included in this promise? Is this just talking about the disciples in the upper room, or are future believers included? Then the second question you have to ask yourself is: what works is Jesus talking about here? Is he including supernatural miracles in this works that he's describing here? I think those are two fundamental questions that as you answer those, it'll take you down some very different directions. And so, those are the first two questions. And by the way, this is the way we do things here: we approach scripture carefully, systematically, and we, at times, we'll have to slow down and go line by line because we want to make sure we really get our minds around what is being said. And we want to go where Christ takes us. We're not afraid to go where the clear revelation of God takes us. Well, first of all, answer to the first question: who is included in this promise? Are disciples the only ones in view? My answer is: no. I don't think there's any limitation to the disciples. And for three reasons, at least three reasons. Number one, if you look at the present participle there is singular. And what that means, truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes, In me. That is, the one believing in me. This is a truism of the one who is believing in me. The works that I do, he will do. Greater works than these, he will do. Do you see the singularity?

6:16I would expect that if he's saying, Look, if y'all believe in me, y'all are going to go out and do greater works. That's not what he's saying. He's talking about an individual here, and I think that's speaking of a general condition. And second reason, the call here in verse 14:1 is to have comfort. He's comforting his disciples because he's departing. And he's saying, Look, because I'm departing, you know, don't let your heart be troubled because I'm going, but I will come back. Well, obviously, he's talking about a future generation that he's coming back for, the collective whole. And so there is comfort that's happening here that is valid for the future believers because they are also going to experience Jesus' absence. As we hear today, we are experiencing Jesus's absence and the promise that he is going to come back. So I think the comfort in this whole chapter is geared towards all believers who are going to experience his absence, not just the disciples. Third reason is I get a little nervous. When we start being arbitrary in choosing what is applicable and not, unless there's a clear, obviously Peter denied, obviously, Judas betrayed. Those are historical events particular to an individual. But this whole chapter, you have commands to love Christ. You have commands to pray. All of these are widely held, and certainly to apply to all believers. So why would we then start reducing this or applying this to a different category? No, I think it's to all these, the promises here extend to all believers. Future believers are included. So first question, yeah, no limitation to just disciples.

8:23Second question, what works is he talking about here? Well, my answer is: the works include the supernatural, but they're not limited to it. In fact, if you look back, what does Jesus say in the verse right before this? You remember in verse 11, he's answering Philip. Philip says, Show us the Father. And Jesus is saying, Do you not believe I am in the Father and the Father is in me? And then he verse 11, he says, Believe me, I am in the Father, and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves. And then in verse 12, the very next verse, truly, true. I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do. So it's very difficult to imagine that Jesus has in mind a different category of works than he does in verse 11, which he's saying, Look, Philip, look at the works I'm doing. They testify. And I think he's certainly including in that supernatural works.

9:25You remember, when we looked at this last time, Matthew 11, or Jesus' answer to John the Baptist. You remember John the Baptist who's in prison? He's getting nervous. Are you the expected one? So he sends a delegation to go ask Jesus, Are you the expected one? Are you the one we're looking for? And Jesus answered and said, Go and report this to John. Go and report what you hear and see. Go report what you are hearing and you are seeing. Number one, the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up. All supernatural, right? Supernatural works. And I think literally that's happening. It's not just spiritually.

10:16But then he says this: and the poor have the gospel preached to them. So certainly there's some supernatural works that are evidence of Christ and who he is, but there's also This other element of the gospel being preached, the continuing, the communication, all of these works geared and aimed at communicating the benevolent message from heaven. See, so it's pretty evident, it's evident as you walk through this that the works that Jesus did were not just supernatural feats. Yes, he did those, but his works, when you talk about the character, what did he, what did he do with his life, what he engaged in, that's what tells the story about Christ. And his works had a certain characteristic about them, had a certain persona. There was a certain nature, certain behavior. They had a disposition to connect people to God. They were loving, they were kind, they were designed to help. There was a willingness, an excitement, a compassion. This is the persona of Christ's total life.

11:39And so to reduce it just to supernatural feats is to highly restrict it. But to exclude supernatural feats, I don't think that that is what is in Jesus' mind in verse 11. So it's important to understand that Jesus. Is still working today. It's the same persona. Just because Jesus ascended to heaven does not mean his purpose has changed. You know, work involves work, right? Earth shattering, right? He is still working. And as you look at Jesus's earthly ministry, it's evident that Jesus's prime purpose was to bring glory to his father. And that's why he did what he did. He displayed this purpose many times. And I don't want to take time to go back through it all, but you can look at 541, 718, 850, 854, just to start. But he was all about bringing glory to his father. And now that he has been exalted and now sits at the right hand of the Father, guess what? He hadn't changed. He still works to bring glory to the Father.

13:07And the difference is now that he's working through his followers, those who believe in him, to do what he says is even greater things than he did. And he is at work now, bringing glory to his father through them. It's fascinating. His works will continue after he leaves. That's what he's saying. Saying, look, I'm leaving, but guess what? The works that I am doing and have done and have started are going to continue because I am going to the Father.

13:48I'm still very much engaged in what's happening on planet Earth. And it's all going to this conclusion where the Father is glorified. So, just to restate the basic questions that I first asked: number one, these promises are not just limited to the disciples. Number two, that Jesus's works refer to the sum total of his ministry, including the supernatural, but by no means limited to it. Now, look back at the beginning of this verse: the word truly, truly. Okay, truly, truly. That means he's very serious about what he's saying here. These are true words, right? In fact, I would look at out of this verse three truly true truths. Okay, tongue twister, right? Can you say that? Three truly true truths. Well, that's what I'm going to look at: three truly true truths out of verse 12. In the first Involves the kinds of work that they will do. The kinds of work. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also.

15:12The verb tense here is, it's worth noting here. Look at, it's not, I have done, but I am doing. Do you see that? The works that the one who believes in me will do, the works that I do, he will do also. It's not like Jesus is saying, the works that I did, okay, you're going to do exactly those same things. So now go out and mimic what you've seen me do. That would be the sense if it was kind of more of a past tense verb, but he's saying, no, the works that I am doing, they will do also. He will do also. So he has in mind more of a participation that the one, it's not just that his disciples are going to go out and mimic what he's done in the past, but they're going to participate with Jesus in the future.

16:09Notice the word, the same kind of word, the works that I am doing, that is those kind of works that carry with it my persona, my character, my disposition, my willingness, my love, my compassion, my desire, all that stuff, the whole persona of the works that I did, they are going to do also. So, the one believing in Jesus, connected to Jesus, is going to be involved in the kind of works that he did. Would we expect anything else? No, if you have a relationship with Christ, if you're in love with Christ and you believe in him and you're truly connected, you're truly walking, guess what's going to characterize what you do day in, day out?

17:04But looking back at verse 11, it's important to recognize that the works that Jesus did are unity markers. Look back at verse 11: Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves. So, the works of verse 11 testify to the unity between God the Father and Jesus, right? He went about doing a whole bunch of works. And what the people were supposed to pick up is that there is a connection between Jesus and his Father in heaven, because he is doing some things that no one can do unless the Father is with them. And they were to pick up on that, and that's what Jesus is saying. These works that I am doing speak of a unity that exists between me and the Father.

17:58They're unity markers. Back to John 5:19. You remember, he said, unless it is something, he does nothing, unless it's something he sees the Father doing. In John 28, 8:28, I do nothing on my own initiative. And then at the end of this chapter, chapter 14, verse 30, he says, Look, the ruler is coming. He has nothing in me, but so that the world may know I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded me. And so what's happening here is Jesus is disclosing the unity that exists between himself and the Father.

18:35But parallel to that, he's saying, Let me tell you what my relationship with you going forward is going to be. So the relationship between the Father and Jesus that he is making clear here is going to be the same that Jesus has with his disciples going forward. That's why he's saying, the works that I do, you will do, because there's an ongoing unity. And just as Jesus's works were unity markers, so all of the works that we do are also unity markers. Who are you in union with?

19:14Do you have faith in Christ? Are you connected to Jesus? The kinds of works you engage in tell your story. So I want to tell you a second truly true truth. I want you to see. The quality of their works. Verse 12, truly, truly, 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. Now, if he hadn't said that, it might be a little bit, commentators might all be together on it, but this takes us, this stretches us, right? And greater works than these he will do. What in the world does Jesus mean by greater? Greater works. And he starts running through the options. And by the way, you need to note the verb tense here, very important.

20:11It's not he's saying that the works that I do, he will do also, and greater works than these he might be able to do. It doesn't say that, does it? There's a future indicative there. He will do. You see, it starts getting stretching us a little bit. What does Jesus mean by greater works? Is he talking about being greater in power? Well, it's hard to believe that power, that he's just talking about works that are more marvelous. No, because even in the New Testament, you don't have anybody that's dead four days. See the apostles calling out something, a man that's been dead four days. You don't see a greater in power necessarily at all. But what do you do see? There's more numerous, greater works, more numerous works than these he will do, perhaps.

21:20Greater effectiveness. I think we're getting warmer. More convincing. And I would, I believe that just think about when you talk about something being greater, you're talking about a relative term, right? I believe that the works that he's talking about are going to be greater, more amazing, because they are going to be more effective, more amazing, and more effective. And it's going to be based on a couple of factors. Now, let's talk about being greater than, something that's a relative term, okay? I've asked a couple of individuals just to, for illustration purposes, and so I asked them beforehand, so don't worry, I'm not going to use your name unless I ask you up here. But let's suppose I had a weightlifting contest up here, and I had 200 pounds put on the bench press, okay? And I called Jamie Grundlin. Jamie, will you just stand up so everybody can see? There's Jamie Grundlin. He lifts weights. He bench presses cars, okay? I'm just kidding. I'm embarrassing you. I'm embarrassing you.

22:30Now, I want you to see another individual in the back, Daniel Vines. Daniel, will you stand up? There he is. All three years of Daniel, right there, right in front of us. All right, Daniel, we're so glad you're here. So you can sit down. So, now let's suppose Jamie comes up here. Okay, 200 pounds. That's pretty good. I can't do that. That's great. Man, that's strong. Now, let's suppose Daniel comes up here and he does 200 pounds. Now, would you think that those two works are equal? No, we would say, well, Daniel, that was amazing. Jamie, that's pretty impressive. But man, that was, where did you get those muscles? That's amazing, right?

23:12Well, you think about this. When you're talking about relative terms and you're talking about, it's one thing for God incarnate to come down and walk among us and raise the dead and to stand and go through crucifixion and to stand on God's principle. It's one thing for an individual who came from the right hand of God to walk in among us and do all these incredible things. It's another thing when sinful man, who by nature is selfish, considers himself and is limited by time, space, and weakness, and then for him to engage in some of the same works. Now, that's truly amazing, right?

23:56It speaks that Christ's power is even greater, not only can Christ himself do it, but he can do it through him, or he can do it through her. You see, that when we're talking about something greater, there's a relativeness to it. So I think there's that dimension, that element that is real. There's a relative term here. Jesus is doing something through fallen man. There's also an element that these works are more effective, greater works that are more effective. Think about what's happening in John chapter 9. We spent a lot of time there. Do you remember the blind man healed from, he was blind from birth, and then he's healed. And you see this stubborn people, this stubborn, resistant unbelief. And then the man stands up who had been healed, and he stands after several rounds of interrogation. He says, We know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does his will, he hears them. Since the beginning of time, it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. They answered, You were born entirely in sins. Are you teaching us to get out of here? I mean, how, what's it going to take to get through to This generation, to the unbelieving hearts, that what's it going to take?

25:40It's going to take a beggar who has found some food to tell another beggar how to get it. You think about what happens in Acts chapter 2. You remember Acts chapter 2? All of a sudden, the Holy Spirit comes. Jesus has been exalted. Peter preaches a sermon, and then he says this in verse 37. Now, when they heard this, that is his sermon, and he said, Therefore, in verse 36, let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus, whom you crucified. We see a very different Peter here. Verse 37, Now, when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the disciples, Brethren, what shall we do? Peter said, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, for the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord will call to himself. And with many other words, he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation. So then those who had received his word were baptized, and that day, and there were added about 3,000 souls. You don't have of a mass conversion like that, even in Jesus' ministry. There was something that. Was effective when Christ's Spirit came upon Peter. There was something that convinced that God was able, was willing, ready to do something that was even greater than what you see in Jesus' ministry. Difficult to believe?

27:25Not really, if you choose to believe. It's pretty plain. Jesus wasn't even there in Acts chapter 2, bodily. And yet, look at the work he accomplished. He did it. He was at work. Look at what he accomplished through broken, frail humanity that was even afraid to hang around him at his crucifixion. There is something amazing when a selfish, fallen, sinful, frail person does something truly godlike. When they sacrifice, when they're kind, when they're whatever they do, we might expect this from Jesus, but from somebody who's been touched by Jesus, it speaks that he's. Really been touched by Jesus. So, what you give yourself to do says everything about you. Those who believe in Jesus will be endowed with the capacity to do what only Jesus can do because Jesus is doing it.

28:48Just the vassal through which he does it. Followers of Jesus will be doing the same kind of works that Jesus does and did. That's because they are in unity with him. I want to say a caution here. Don't think that, okay, we're just going to go around and maximize on the supernatural. I'd say the supernatural isn't excluded, but certainly, unity markers are about the same compassion, the same kindness, the same attention, the same care, the same diligence. Sometimes it's taking a meal over. In fact, sometimes it's serving in some capacity, meeting real needs that you have been endowed, but it's the testimony. Why do you do these things? It's because you've been touched by Christ.

29:41Now, to avoid confusion, yes, I believe that God has not, that supernatural is still fair game. God, do whatever he wants. Now, I will say that it's important to understand that God has given us His Word, that it is. Completed, that relevatory gifts, that those relevatory that would speak forth, breathe, inspire new special revelation like Scripture, yeah, that is completed. Some people say, well, you're a cessationist. Well, God's Word is written and it's completed. I like to use the term completionist, that he has written his word and it is finished. And so, in that sense, that it is completed, that he is not breathing forth new relevatory authority on par with Scripture. So, anything that he is doing is more to be in that regard is illumination, illuminating work, not new relevatory work. But to say that miracles have gone off the stage seems to go directly against what Jesus is saying here. I am going, the works that I am doing are still.

31:03So, if anybody tells you that I don't believe that God can do miracles today, they misrepresent me completely. But here's the point: there's unity markers here. The kinds of works that we do tell the story of who we're in union with. Those who believe in Christ. Will be excited about what excited Jesus. And they will give themselves to what Jesus gave himself to. And there will be a kind, there will be a quality, there will be a disposition, and they will do even greater works, as Jesus says.

31:50Now, I want you to see the third truly true truth. Now, why will they be doing greater works? Well, it's because I go to the Father, verse 12, because I go to the Father. The whole reason that they're going to do greater works has nothing to do with them, but because Jesus has gone to the Father, exalted humanity. He went to the cross, he went to the grave, he rose, and he has been exalted. Humanity is now in the presence at the right hand with all power, all authority, the right hand of God. It's because of that exalted position that Jesus says, you guys are going to do greater things than even I did.

32:38That's because of where Jesus is going. Jesus is continuing to do works. And he's going to do those works not by physically being present as he was in the days of his incarnation, but by the time he was in the harness, But he's going to manifest himself in his followers. So, what Jesus is saying to his disciples here is like, look, okay, I'm leaving, but my works are not in retreat mode, they are in advance mode. And everything necessary to be proclaiming the gospel and take it to the ends of the earth is very much in advance mode, because that's the task at hand.

33:30And so, Jesus is active at this very moment, metering out gospel blessings to the nations, and he's doing that through those who are believing in him. And so, by going to the cross, going to the grave, going into heaven, Jesus' spirit is no longer restricted to dwell with him alone, but in and with those who believe in him. Look at what he says in verse 17: the spirit of truth, he's not going to leave you alone, but the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see him or know him, but you know him because he abides with you and he will be in you.

34:11Because I go to the Father, the Spirit is going to be in you. There is going to be a significant change, something new that wasn't true beforehand. Glorified humanity in the presence. Presence, God's Spirit, with and in. So looking at the defining characteristics of those who simply believe in Jesus. The first, it's the works of the believers. The second, the prayers of believers. Again, verse 13, not hard to understand, maybe a little more difficult to believe. Verse 13, whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

35:08You know, one of the key works of a believer is prayer. That's a work. Pray. And the way a person prays reveals the nature of their faith. And there are three elements of their prayers here, and I just want to quickly look at them. But number one, we talk about the prayers of believers. Look at the liberty that Jesus grants them. Whoever or whatever you ask. Look again, verse 14. If you ask me anything, whatever you ask, anything, and that indicates a very wide parameter, right?

35:48You're allowed to bring whatever and anything you want before me in prayer. Whatever you ask. Is it too good to be true? Yes, but it is true. And Jesus is going to have to say it over and over and over and over again in this upper room. What he says in verse 8, 15, 8, My Father is glorified this, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. Verse 16, you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. And he goes on. He's going to, he wants us to be a praying people because of the relationship.

36:49Second element of believers, look at the promise that Jesus makes, the promises that Jesus makes. Two times he says, that will I do. Verse 13, and I will do it. You see, Jesus is interested in a relationship with his people. And he wants to work through the prayers of his people. What we do up here on Wednesday nights, what you do in your private life in prayer is very defining about who you are. And do you really believe Jesus?

37:27Look at the condition, number three. That Jesus requires. In my name. Two times he says that, verse 13, 14. And what does in my name mean? Unison. That's what it means. Unison with all that his name stands for. So when you pray in unison with his character, with his being, with his disposition, this is what he is promising. I will, don't ask me to do something that would bring shame on my name. Prayer is not to shame God, but to glorify God.

38:10And those who truly love Jesus do not really want what is contrary to his nature and purpose anyway. In fact, he's going to go on in verse 15: if you love me, you will keep my commandments. The whole theme of love is going to come on the scene. You see, the more we study Jesus, the more effective our prayers will be, because the more we will get to know him. Second condition, it's not just in his name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. I'm going to answer that, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. That's what I came to do when I was here on earth. That's what I'm doing now in heaven. And as I am answering prayers, I am still bringing glory to my Father.

39:00He always answers prayer in a manner that glorifies his father. So expect, just as we sung that last song, there's a Christ is going to answer the prayer in a way that brings glory to his father. His glory to the Father in the Son. It's not about our glory. And many times we miss because it's about, we make prayers about ourselves, our comforts, our issues, and we make prayer all about us. And Jesus is saying, look, I'm praying to put God's glory on display.

39:41Well, I'm going to press forward here to the end. There's more to say on that, but bring this down to home. Do we really believe what we say we believe? Do we really believe that this Christ who walked among us really wants a relationship with us? Really, and do we really believe that he is who he says he is? Well, it will show up in our works and in our prayers. You know, in closing, and I want to take a couple more minutes of your time looking and just thinking about the events of Acts chapter 3 and Acts chapter 4, because here we Have an example of the mighty works, of the works of the apostles and the prayers of the apostle. I'll just real quickly just give you a sense of what's taken place. Chapter 3. Okay, Holy Spirit has come. Jesus has been exalted, and now his people are going around in his spirit. They are doing the things that Jesus is at work, and Jesus is doing things through them. So here in chapter 3, verse 1, now Peter and John were going up to the temple the ninth hour, and a man who had been laying from his mother's womb was being carried along and used to set him down by the gate, which is called beautiful. He sees Peter and John, and he looks up for alms, and then Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, look at us. He said, look, silver and gold I don't have, but what I do have, I give you in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk. And he got up and he walked. People were all around were praising. And they, verse 10, taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the beautiful gate and beg alms. They were filled with wonder and amazement what happened. So, great miracle. And then what does this miracle takes them? Well, it takes them into getting arrested. And while he was clinging to them, verse 12, Peter said to the people, men of Israel, Why are you amazed at this? Or why do you gaze at us as if by our own power or piety we have made him well? We have not. It's not us. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate when he had decided to release him. But you disowned the holy and righteous one and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses, and on the basis of faith in his name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know, and the faith which comes through him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. And then he says, What you should do, verse 19, repent, return. You see where this all goes to the gospel? That your sins may be wiped away in order. Now that I've got your attention, let me tell you what this is all about. It's about turning so that the presence, so that times of refreshing may come to your soul. That is why you are to repent. That is why you were to turn.

43:05So this lands him in chapter 4. It gets them effectiveness, right? That's a great work, but effective. Jesus did works like that all the time, but there's something that seems to drive home here. In chapter 4, verse 1, as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees, uh-oh, came up to them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming. Claiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead, and they laid hands on him, took him to dwell, took him into jail. So the next day, they're gathered together in Jerusalem, Annas, the high priest, and there was Caiaphas. And they bring them, in verse 7, they place them in the center. Now, what happened the last time that Peter had to go into the courtyard of the high priest?

43:55Slave girl, you're with him. No, I'm not. Strike one. Goes over to the fire. You're with him. No, I'm not. Strike two. And then another, you were with him. One, you cut off my brother's ear, cousin's ear. Strike three. I don't know him. That's Peter. Frail humanity out. He didn't even make it into the center. He didn't even see Caiaphas and Annas. And now here he's in the center with all of them around. Listen to what Peter says. He says, Look, there is you rejected. He is the stone. Let it be known to all of you that the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, who you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name, this man stands here in good health. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that's been given among men by which we must be saved.

44:52So he's in the realization. Listen to what they said. And this is. Now, as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. There was something wonderful and amazing and effective about what Peter did that day. Now, I want you to listen to their prayers. That's their works.

45:40Verse 29: And now, Lord, take note of their threats and grant that your bondservants may speak your word with all confidence while you extend your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of your Holy Spirit. Your holy servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. One of the greatest works, amazing works of the disciples, is the boldness on which they spoke when before they were so afraid.

46:24And it's because Jesus continues to do his work. There is an unusual boldness, there is an unusual Unashamedness of his name for those who truly believe. Well, let's pray. Heavenly Father, we just come before you wanting to pray like a true believer, wanting to work like a true believer. Father, help us to be done with lesser living, simply to take your word at its face value. We welcome your spirit. We welcome your presence in our lives and desire for you to help us to get excited about what excites you, to draw our faith and grow our faith, that we might be excited about what excites you. So thank you so much for your word and for the truths that you gave the disciples in the upper room that night that have come down all the way to us. And as we meditate and think upon these things, Father, may you bring about your desired outcome.