Knowing the Son and Knowing the Father

Part 2 : Works

John 14:11-14

Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Verse 11

Believe me

• Believe me about what?
• Why is this one thing so important?

or else

• If you guys still can’t believe what I say, then …

believe on account of the works themselves

• what works?
• See John 6:26-29
• What does it mean to see a sign?
• Put John 6:29 in your own words

Verse 12

Whoever believes in me

• Who is included in this?

the works that I do

• what works?
• Has this promise been fulfilled?

greater works

• the Greek word translated greater is mega.
• It can refer to size, scope, excellence, importance, value, worth, number.
• In what sense do you think Jesus means that His followers will do greater works than He did while on earth?
• Has this promise been fulfilled?

I am going to the Father

• How is this relevant to the works that will be done in Jesus’ name?

Verse 13

Whatever you ask

• Whatever? Anything at all?

in my name

• what does it mean to you to give your name to something?
• what does it mean to ask something in the name of Jesus?
• what does Jesus’ name represent?

this I will do

• Who is doing the works?
• See Ephesians 2:10
• See John 5:19-21

that the Father may be glorified in the Son

• What is the ultimate purpose of these works?
• Is God self-obsessed?
• What happens in our lives when we behold the glory of God? 2 Corinthians 3:18

Verse 14

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

• Who will do it?
• In whose name?
• Why does Jesus repeat this promise?

Knowing the Son and Knowing the Father

Part 1 : Words

John 14:7-10

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.”

Verse 7

If you had known Me

• What is Jesus implying here?
• Do you find this a surprising thing for Jesus to say to his disciples?

you would have known My Father also

• Is it difficult to know the Father? 1 John 2:12-14
• What is required? John 6:28-29

from now on you know Him, and have seen Him. 

• Luke 10:22, John 10:30
• What sort of claim is Jesus making here?

Verse 8

Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.

• Philip was not an unbeliever. When first introduced to Jesus, he was quick to believe in Jesus as Messiah (John 1:43-46).
• What was his problem? What was he not seeing (pardon the pun)?
• What had every Israelite been taught from their youth?  (Exodus 33:20; John 1:18; 1 Timothy 6:14–16; 1 John 4:12)

Verse 9

Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?

• What did Philip not know about Jesus?

He who has seen Me has seen the Father

• John 1:14, 18
• Why might this be difficult for an Israelite to grasp?
• Why is it still difficult for us to fully grasp?

Verse 10

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

• Where was Jesus at the time of creation? Genesis 1:26-27, John 1:1-3

The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative

• Where did Jesus’ teaching come from? John 7:16-18, Matthew 11:27

the Father abiding in Me does His works

• Genesis 1:3
• How are Jesus’ words and his works (deeds) related to each other?

Reflection

What do we most need Jesus to do for us / in us?