I. The staggering promise of Jesus. John 14:12-14 (see 15:7, 16:25-27).

1. The sovereign authority of the crucified and risen Lord "because I go to the Father." John 14:12 (Matt. 28:18-20, Phil. 2: 9-10).
2. The coming Holy Spirit. "Another companion" to be given believers. (John 14:18-25, 15:26, 16:7-15)
3. Through His Body, the church (Acts 1:1, Eph. 1:19-23, 3:20, Phil. 1:13, etc.)

III. Christ promises greater works in the world through His people by the Holy Spirit. John 17:16-26, I Pet. 2:9.

1. Greater in extent. Universal, no longer merely local. For all believers everywhere.
2. Greater in numbers, i.e. the rapid expansion of church (Acts 1:8)
3. Greater in nature. Reconciling, redeeming, birthing in God's forever family (Eph. 2:7-10, etc.)
4. Greater in influence and permanence. An eternal work. John 15:16.
• Jesus died--a failure in eyes of the world. No visible fruit. "All forsook him and fled". Contrast "Your fruit shall remain."
5. Greater in authority and power (Matt. 28:18-25, Eph. 1:15-23).

IV. Christ promises greater works in the believer by the Holy Spirit (John 16:7)

1. A new life, God's indwelling (John 14:17 and 23)
2. A new love for God (Romans 5:5)
3. A new love for one another (John 15:9-17)
4. A new obedience issuing from new trust and love in Jesus Christ (John 14:15-21)
5. A new peace and joy (Christ's) John 14:15-18, 25-27; 15:26-27; 16:4-15.
6. A new perception of truth--the real world of God (John 15:26; 16:13). The Spirit of truth bears witness to Christ, unfolds reality; exposes error; convinces of sin, righteousness and judgment; quickens with Christ's life; imparts faith and dispels doubt and fear; confronts us with the loving God.
7. A new witness to the world (John 15:26-27).
8. A new strength. The Holy Spirit is given to us as our Enabler.
9. A new personal, moral and spiritual productivity--"much fruit" (John 15:5; Gal. 5:22).
10. A new, abiding presence of God, a divine companion of the heart (John 14:15-17).

1. The Name stands for the person, all the person is and has done.
2. Our prayers are heard through the person, work and worth of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-2, Heb. 10:11-22).
3. "Prayer is endorsed by the name when it is in harmony with the character, mind, desire and purpose of the party named" (Samuel Chadwick).
4. The use of the name may represent legal union (John 16:23-24). As a treasurer signs the checks on the account of his company or a lawyer exercises "power of attorney," the one who gives his name to another stands aside to let the other act for him in his interests. The one using the name subordinates his/her interests to the interests of the one whose name is being used.
5. The use of the name may represent his union, as a child carries the name of parent. We are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We belong to God. We are children of his family. Therefore seek His help to honor His name, do His will, serve his interests and boldly ask Him to protect us from evil and show us His loving kindness.
6. The use of the name may represent a love union, oneness of heart. Earnestly desiring to please Him. Offering up all to him, receiving all from Him, trusting Him in all (II Cor. 5:14; Phil. 1:19-21, I Pet. 5:7, etc.).
7. The use of the name in the early church "Rejoicing they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name." (Acts 3:6, 11-16; 5:41).

From the teaching notes of Robert B. Munger

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