"I want to see the Lord Jesus Christ's ministry." 1 Corinthians 1:24

Some Greeks [non-Jews] came to one of the disciples of Jesus and said,

"Sir, we want to see Jesus." John 12:20-21

They wanted to see Him, NOT necessarily His works, the miracles He was doing in God the Father's name. Matthew 4:23; 15:30; Mark 1:34; Luke 4:40; 7:22; John 5:19-21, 36, 43; 7:3; 8:18; 10:32; 14:10-11; Acts 2:22; 10:38

Did they want Jesus for Himself?

Is that our desire, too?

WISDOM OF JESUS

Or did those Greeks want Him as a source of wisdom or THE source of it? 1 Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:2-3

Greeks had a reputation that they sought wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:22

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching,

because He taught as One Who had authority, and not as their scribes. [experts in the Law of Moses] Matthew 7:28-29

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.

So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

"I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world." Matthew 13:34-35

And many more believed because of His message.

They said to the woman,

"We now believe not only because of your words;

we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world." John 4:41-42

"Never has anyone spoken like this man!" the officers answered. John 7:46

POWER OF JESUS

King Herod, an unbeliever, Matthew 14:1-5; Luke 3:19-20 hoped to see a miracle done by Jesus. Luke 23:8 

If Jesus had performed a miracle in front of Herod, would it have changed him?

Prior to this, Herod listened to John the Baptist frequently and enjoyed it. Mark 6:20

But did these meetings lead him to a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of his sins Matthew 3:1-2, 7-8; Luke 3:3 as John directed his audience to Jesus? Mark 1:7; Acts 13:24-25; 19:4

Probably not because when face to face with Jesus, Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked the Savior. Luke 23:11

Are some today like Herod? 

They hear the message of salvation and the need to turn from sin but nothing changes.

Or are some like religious leaders who said to Jesus to show them a sign, a miracle from heaven. Matthew 16:1

Jews were known to seek after signs. John 2:18; 6:30; 1 Corinthians 1:22 

Jew or non-Jew, if we're desperate, we may crave to see His power work for us.

Jesus said to a royal official who pleaded for His healing touch for his dying son, John 4:46-47

"Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe." John 4:48

The father wasn't offended as some now might be.

"Sir," the official said, "come down before my child dies." John 4:49

If our attitude is right, to seek the One Who does miracles, we may be surprised by and thankful for what He will do.

"Go," said Jesus. "Your son will live." John 4:50-54 

How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. Hebrews 2:3-4

"I DON'T WANT TO BE ONLY A BUTT IN A SEAT"

People go to movies, theater performances, sporting events, and concerts to watch and listen to others.

Many or most ministry meetings are STILL like these where people listen and watch others.

Tell me I'm wrong.

They show up and sit.

They stand, kneel, bow, sing, give, and recite when prompted. Even unbelievers can do these actions.

Active spiritual ministry participation by ALL believers 1 Peter 4:10-11 isn't encouraged nor even allowed in many or most fellowships of believers.

What could and should happen will be discussed later in this message.

LET JESUS BE JESUS Acts 10:38

Does Jesus, Who is alive forever, Revelation 1:17-18 show up for your gatherings?

An outsider might ask,

"I thought that the Lord Jesus Christ was supposed to be present when 2 or 3 believers came together in His name. Matthew 18:20

Where is His supernatural ministry in all of this?"

Do you also want to see Jesus showing that He is alive by many convincing proofs? Acts 1:3

Do you want to see Jesus confirming His word with miracles, wonders, and signs FOLLOWING a gospel message? Acts 2:22

And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it. [or followed it] Mark 16:20 

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, Who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. Acts 14:3

The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles [non-Jews] through them. Acts 15:12

Do you want to see Jesus confirming His word with supernatural deliverance and healing PRECEDING a gospel message when there are needs that could be met immediately? Mark 4:35; 5:1-16; 9:17-24; John 9:1-7

When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit.

"You deaf and mute spirit," He said, "I command you to come out and never enter him again."

After shrieking and convulsing him violently, the spirit came out.

The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, "He is dead."

But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. Mark 9:25-27

One man there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.

When Jesus saw him lying there and realized that he had spent a long time in this condition, He asked him,

"Do you want to get well?"

"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am on my way, someone else goes in before me."

Then Jesus told him,

"Get up, pick up your mat, and walk."

Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk. John 5:5-9 

Do you want to see Jesus confirming His word DURING a gospel message? Mark 1:21-27; Luke 6:6-11

One Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman there had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years.

She was hunched over and could not stand up straight.

When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said,

"Woman, you are set free from your disability."

Then He placed His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began to glorify God. Luke 13:10-13

One of Jesus' disciples, Peter, Matthew 10:1-2 preached the gospel of peace to non-Jewish listeners. Acts 10:22-43

During Peter's message, Jesus did something wonderful for them.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message.

All the circumcised believers [Jews] who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. [non-Jews]

For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Acts 10:44-46

Peter later retold what happened and said, 

"As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He had fallen upon us at the beginning." Acts 11:15

The Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Holy Spirit baptizer, Matthew 3:11; John 1:29-34 confirmed the truth of this word that Peter proclaimed. Acts 10:34-43

JESUS' WORD and WORKS

Jesus said that He only said what God the Father told Him to say. John 12:49-50

Jesus said that He only did what God the Father showed Him to do. John 5:19-20

Before the Lord Jesus Christ bore the sins of the world in His own body for humanity's salvation, 1 Peter 2:24 

and rose from the dead, Matthew 20:17-18; 28:5-6, 9; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:18-20, 27-28; 21:14; Acts 2:31-32 

what did He do that was great in word and action? Luke 24:19; Acts 1:1; 2:22

The ministry of Jesus was primarily to teach, preach, heal, and deliver. Matthew 4:23-24; 8:14-17; 15:30-31; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 4:16-21; 6:19; 9:11; Acts 10:38

He taught His disciples that no one could get to the Father apart from Him. John 14:6

He said that when they saw Him, they saw the Father. John 12:45; 14:9

If they had a hard time believing that, as some do today, Jesus said this --

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?

The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.

Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves. John 14:10-11

But then, this supernatural ministry of the Savior would NOT end with Him.

Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing.

He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12

Did His first disciples believe that?

Do you and I believe that now?

JESUS' MINISTRY CONTINUED

Consider these Scriptures below that tell us that Jesus was still at work through His followers.

The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord the believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade. Acts 5:12

As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.

Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were healed. Acts 5:15-16

Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 6:8

The crowds gave their undivided attention to Philip's message and to the signs they saw him perform.

With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:6-8

I [Paul] will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles [non-Jews] to obedience by word and deed,

by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God.

So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. Romans 15:18-19

My [Paul] message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,

so that your faith would not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. 1 Corinthians 2:4

JESUS' MINISTRY CONTINUED AMONG REGULAR BELIEVERS

Normal disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, like you and me, were told to continue the ministry of the Savior as the Lord had stated. John 14:12

We have different gifts according to the grace [unearned & undeserved favor] given us.

If one's gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;

if it is serving, let him serve;

if it is teaching, let him teach;

if it is encouraging, let him encourage;

if it is giving, let him give generously;

if it is leading, let him lead with diligence;

if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8

There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

What then shall we say, brothers [and sisters]? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:26

Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

CAN WE BE WORTHY? Luke 20:35; Acts 5:40-42; 2 Thessalonians 1:5

"Father, You have a sacred plan for believers. Hebrews 12:1

Please do NOT let us toy with, play in, ignore, or drift away from it." Hebrews 2:1

"Lord, please help us by Your Spirit to want You and Your ministry."

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Your thoughts?

R. Jason