The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1903-09-25

THE reason the disciples were to do
greater works than their Master is
made clear by the closing words of our
text. Because | go unto My Father"
The return of Jesus to Heaven was proof
of three glorious facts: Jesus triumph;
Gods acceptance. and mans deliver
ance. Jesus triumphed over sin and
death; God accepted the sacrifice of His
well-beloved Son for the sin of the
world, and man was delivered from the
consequences of sin, being cleansed and
redeemed by Jesus blood and made ac-
ceptable to God in the Righteousness of
Christ. And the return of Jesus to
Heaven was the reason His disciples
were to be enabled to do greater works
this world in bodily form Jesus was
bound by certain limitations But His
going to Heaven made it possible for
God to send the Holy Spirit to be every
where present in the hearts of the be-
levers and to be all-powerful. If Jesus
had remained in the world to carry on
His work He could have been in but one
place at one time, but through the Holy
Spirit who is sent to represent Him in
the world Jesus is able to go everywhere
with His disciples preaching the Word,
and bringing dead souls to life. How
Jesus could do while on earth because
the channels through which He could
pour His power have multiplied through
the years and multitudes have been
raised from death to life. Greater
works! A Peter at Jerusalem; Philip
at Samaria; Barnabas at Antioch;
Paul in Asia and Europe; a Luther in
Germany; John Knox in Scotland;
Wesley in England; a Moody in Ameri-
ca, and within the last year the most re-
markable worldwide evangelistic tour
of Mr.. Torrey and Mr.. Alexander with
their over 10000 converts. Australia,
the center of the great revival move
ment, was turned into one vast choir
singing the Gospel hymns, and praising
God for the mighty works of savin
grace which were wrought on every
hand. Greater works, surely!
IIOW may the promise of Jesus find
l l its realization in and through us?
believe this promise is for the Chris
tian of to-day, for you and me. Greater
works, because Jesus is in Heaven d.
recting the greatest conflict of the ages
against sin, and because the Holy Spirit
is present in the world and the command
to the believer is "be filled with the
Spirit" All the rich, full and wonderful
promises of the New Testament are for
us and are to be fulfilled in us. Greater
works, but perhaps not duplication of
the works of the early church, except in
the winning of souls to Christ. What
is there in connection with this text
which troubles the Christian, and makes
him question whether it's promise may
be realized in him? Is it not because
the thought has been centered upon the
material rather than the spiritual? Is
1t not because the Christian has come
to eXalt the power of God upon the
physical above the power of God upon
the dead and sin-blackened soul? Jesus
a sign that no sign should be given them.
And the Christians to-day who are seek
ing for sign in the miraculous as tes-
tlmony to the world when no such tes-
timony is needed will be disappointed.
THE greatest miracle is a trans
1 formed life. The greatest testi-
mony for Christ is the life redeemed
and sanctified. Instead of signing and
praying: Lord, Lord, where are the
greater works? Do something won
derful through me- we ought to rejoice
in Christ powerful to save, and pray
that we might permit Him to so live in
our hearts and shine forth in our lives
as to win others to Him Were we per-
mitted to perform miracles we might
draw the multitudes and impress them
with our power, but it would not win
them for Christ We may have the
presence of Jesus in our lives though
so as to win some soul for Christ. The
greatest thing in the world is not the
gift OF tongues or prophecy, it is not the
understanding of all mysteries or the
possession of all knowledge, it is not
faith that could remove mountains, it
is not charity which would give all
earthly possessions to feed the poor, it
is not martyrdom in the name of Jesus, |
but the greatest thing in the world is
love. And the greatest work in the
world is the fruit of that love, the win
ming of soul for Christ 1t is not mir
acles which the world needs to-day to |
draw it unto Christ, but it is the Christ |
lifted up in the individual lives of Chris
tians so that the world may be drawn |
unto Him. Then may we realize the |
promise of Jesus of greater works. |
Have you ever led soul to Christ? If |
you have you have known in the JOY of |
that moment the greater works which |
Christ is performing through you. Let
us be content to live in the present. Let |
us like true soldiers of Jesus Christ live
faithfully and obey His orders implicit
ly, and permit Him to plan the cam
paign. He will make no mistakes. He
will not fail you, and you in your service
will be doing the greater works which
will shine as stars in your crown forever
and nvnr