Introduction
Good day to you all. We continue with the series, The Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have dedicated seven sessions to the scriptures in Luke Chapter 4. Does this mark the end of the Gospel series? By no means, the narrative is just beginning. Why is that? Because it was the Lord Jesus who initiated it. Should the Lord Jesus succumb to death and be confined to the tomb, we would be in dire straits. Therefore, I bring you glad tidings: What the Lord Jesus accomplished, those who believe in Him shall also accomplish.
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He said to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18-21)
Subsequently, the Lord Jesus was crucified. Did the Gospel then descend into the tomb? No. This is an example set by the Lord Jesus for us, demonstrating the nature of the Gospel. Recently, there was a video posing the question, If the Lord Jesus does not heal you, would you still believe? Heavens, if the Lord Jesus could not do what He did, what would be the point of believing? If I were to believe in some false messiah, I would rather not. You see the sheer glory of it all. In the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is nothing short of ordinary.
I bring you glad tidings: The truth is, the Lord Jesus set an example for us. In the first chapter of Genesis, God set an example for us, revealing the nature of God's image. Upon seeing emptiness and chaos, should we perpetuate emptiness and chaos? Is it good to perceive it as such? No. God separated light from darkness in the midst of emptiness and chaos. What God sees, that is what is good.
Some brothers and sisters have told me, I want to see everything as good. I asked, What good are you seeking? I want to see emptiness and chaos as good. I find that rather peculiar. Consider the Lord Jesus, who enabled the lame to walk and the blind to see. Later, some pastors caused those who could see to become blind, and those who were once able-bodied to become unable to walk. Would you choose to believe in such things? To me, that reeks of deviltry.
Therefore, I tell you, whether it be the first chapter of Genesis or Luke 4:18-21, these are examples set by God for us. As God does, so shall we do. Why is the Spirit of the Lord upon me? Because we can separate light from darkness, and in those consumed by emptiness and chaos, we can unleash hope. Thus, the Lord Jesus added, Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing. See how well this is articulated. In the first chapter of Genesis, God acts in this manner, and so shall we. In Jesus Christ, God acts in this manner, and so shall we. Let us not twist the meaning.
I thank my God that among us, cancers are healed, the lame walk, the blind see, emptiness and chaos are transformed into hope, and there are beautiful testimonies. The poor shall become rich. Thank God, because the words of God in the Bible declare it, and I boldly proclaim it among us.
Some may snicker, Pastor, what will you say when you get cancer? It is simple. If I get cancer, I deserve it. Because I have erred, and I do not yet know it. I will certainly not say, This is a blessing in disguise. Would you want a blessing like that? There is no need to comfort me. In these matters, the Lord Jesus has set a fine example for us. Ah, it is done this way! I tell you, reading these words is very inspiring.
When I was in the local church, I studied the Bible meticulously. Even now, as I lead everyone in studying the Bible, I still put in the effort. What the Lord Jesus did, those who believe in Him shall also do. I began to have hope. I genuinely desired to do the things the Lord Jesus did, even from a young age. However, I later discovered a very prominent characteristic of the church: They do not do what the Lord Jesus did, and they do a lot of what the Lord Jesus did not do. This is a perplexing point.
On my journey of faith, pursuing likeness to Jesus became a central theme. How I longed to be like our Lord Jesus! Others would strike me, pouring buckets of cold water on me. You are just a nobody. How can you think of being like the Lord Jesus? I asked, Why not? Is it wrong to be like the Lord Jesus? Precisely because I am a nobody, I no longer want to live like one. I want to live out the image of Jesus.
Believe it or not, an opportunity arose. I had a good relationship with my parents, so I shared the Gospel with them. They spoke to me with heartfelt honesty. They said, Child, it is not that your parents do not believe in the Gospel you speak of. It is that we cannot bring ourselves to believe. One day, an opportunity came. Their eldest grandson, my younger brother's child, was on the verge of death shortly after birth. The elders placed great importance on sons over daughters. He told me, If it is a girl, just let it be. But they were mistaken. Girls are just as good. I prayed over the child and they lived. That is when my parents began to believe. This is so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
I continued to pursue Jesus Christ, wanting to overcome the devil. I often sparred with him, sometimes getting battered and bruised. But if you go up against him, do you think the devil would show mercy? We should all do what the Lord Jesus did. Now, I give you the biblical basis, so you can live out the image of God. Can you? You can! This is God's promise! Because the Lord Jesus sits on His throne, whatever you ask, He will answer and grant it.
This is the first puzzle: The church doesn't do what Jesus did. The church does a lot of things that Jesus doesn't seem to do. That's evil. The second puzzle is even more interesting. That is, the words spoken by the church are not the words spoken by Jesus. Isn't that evil? Then Jesus' words are often twisted, making it impossible for people to believe.
You can live out the image of God. This has biblical basis. Do you want to? You want to in your dreams. Not only can we do what Jesus did, but we can do even greater things than Him. Can you imagine that? How can we be able to do greater than what Jesus did? But that truly is what Jesus said. So in the past few years, I have been wanting to study about how can people live out the image of God.
Once, I signed up to study theology. I used the time from my break and nights to study. It was really tiring and I had to spend a lot of money. Then the professor was speaking about the New Testament, what it was saying in Hebrew, what it was saying in Greek. I didn't even know if he was saying it correctly, because I understood neither Hebrew nor Greek. Then maps were pulled of everywhere. My God, this is all that was being said.
I raised my hand and asked, Professor, if this matter was Jesus Christ, how would he see this? I'm not even Jesus, how would I know? Oh my goodness, I was turned back. Sit down! I honestly sat down. Then I started to think, Why did I even come here? Did I come here to study history or geography? I just wanted to know how Jesus thought, wanted to know how Jesus did it, but he was speaking about things that Jesus did not do. When did Jesus ever pull out a map?
Then I sat in the classroom, and he was speaking his, and I was thinking mine. I was thinking, Do I even want to continue studying this? Finally when the class was over, I made a decision. Forget it! What he was speaking about, no thanks. I want to tell everyone, don't go and study theology. If you want to read, read Chinese Mingding Doctrine.
I did some research because I usually go to different churches to study, and I visited each church. I asked, Which theological school did you study at? He responded I studies at such-and-such theological school, but we won't mention their name? I asked, How do you feel about it? He said, I didn't learn what was useful, but I learned a lot of what wasn't useful. I asked, Then were you able to use it for building the church? I wasn't able to use it. Then what did you go for? Later I asked another pastor, and he also said, I didn't learn what was useful, but I learned a lot of what wasn't useful. Then what was being done was that time was being wasted.
What Chinese Mingding Doctrine wants to speak of, is to understand what Jesus thought, what God's will is, what God's beautiful good intention is. I want to say that clearly. This is Chinese Mingding Doctrine. I also thank this professor, who finally destroyed my hope in reading theology. Thank God, I am doing Chinese Mingding Doctrine, everyone come read it.
I am not the Lord Jesus, how would I know? Must you not do what the Lord Jesus did? This sentence enlightened me, reading this stuff is useless. There was also a sister who had depression and was already very tired, but she went and read psychology. But after reading psychology, she was even more confused. She only knew that she was wrong after coming here.
What has always went through me in my belief in the Lord is this word: If it was the Lord Jesus, what would he do? If it was the Lord Jesus, how would he see this? If it was the Lord Jesus, how would he think? These words often encouraged me. Thank God, the Lord has allowed us to see how he sees, how he thinks, how he wants to do, and he also tells us that we must also so what he does. What do we do?
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)
This is what the Lord Jesus did. How about you? If you want to do this, put your hand on your chest and say: I also desire to do such a thing. Put your hand on your chest, follow me in declaring:
Lord Jesus, just as you do, I also want to do. The Spirit of the Lord is on me, he anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. God, may these words today be fulfilled in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
I tell you, the reason is because the Lord Jesus already knew that there was a group of rascals who would preach a gospel unlike Jesus. They preach a gospel of going to heaven, but they are not like Jesus. They don't do what the Lord Jesus does. They do a lot of things that the Lord Jesus does not do. What kind of gospel is this? So the Lord Jesus reminds that era, and also reminds our era. He says:
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:11-14)
Speaking of here, I want to tell everyone an amazing word. You need to know that no matter what you ask, our Lord Jesus is on his throne, he will fulfill it for you. You need to know that in the past few years in the church, what I have seen the most is that it is a very big puzzle. One puzzle is that the things that the Lord Jesus did, they do not do. The things that the Lord Jesus did not do, they do a lot of. The second puzzle is even more dreadful. It is that a lot of prayers are not answered.
I am wondering, the Bible says that the Lord in heaven will fulfill us, but how come I don't see it? True, they don't do the things that the Lord Jesus did, but do a lot of the things that the Lord Jesus does not do, then how can the Lord fulfill them? He can't! A good sister starts to have issues controlling her bowels and bladder. A good sister starts to have cancer.
Also, there was a pastor I knew who was interesting. I asked What have you been busy with recently? I have just been busy helping out. There is someone in our church that is has cancer, and I go to the hospital to see him everyday. After some time, I asked him again What have you been busy with recently? He says Another person has cancer. Oh my God, how can you even stay in this church?
After some more time, I ask him Are you busy? Yes, I am even more busy than before, there are three people in the church with cancer. After awhile, one of the sisters from their church called me and said Pastor, there are already three cancers in our church. I asked Will it be you next? Oh my goodness, she was so scared. My mouth just likes to joke around. I really don't want it to be her. They are lining up for it.
So I am thinking about the topic that I am speaking about now. This is the word of the Lord Jesus, not my word. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing. How good is that? Do you want to do it? Oh, teacher, I want to in my dreams. Do you want to do greater than what the Lord Jesus did? Oh, I want to in my dreams. I tell you, just do it like that!
If you do it like that, our Lord Jesus will tell you, You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. Until now, nothing has failed of all that God has done for us. How good is that? How good is the way I believe in the Lord. It is so good. I also thank God that he had allowed me to understand his word. Understanding what he is saying isn't hard right? It isn't hard.
Later during Paul's era, the Apostle Paul really did do more than what Jesus did. From the geographic location, it spread out even farther. Paul brought the gospel to the Roman empire. Apostle Paul also did things at a higher level. Let's say for example, Jesus made the basic theory clear, and died for us on the cross, accomplishing salvation. But did he build a church? No. Then who built the church? Paul.
Paul's level was also higher. Apostle Paul figured out the theological system of Jesus Christ, and the theological system of the church. Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Colossians, Ephesians, Galatians, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, and Philippians. Paul spoke so well. Apostle Paul transferred a theology like God. He said You must imitate me. Later I also learned from him, asking everyone to imitate me, because I learned from him, because Paul imitates Jesus. Someone that is like Jesus does what Jesus does, unlike the ones that do things that Jesus doesn't do.
You need to know, that when Jesus was on earth, he never wrote a book, do you find that peculiar? I thought, how can such a master not write a book? He left that work for Paul. Later I understood, that God created heaven, the earth, and the Garden of Eden, then left it there for Adam and Eve. The work that God didn't finish, he left for Adam and Eve.
This work is for you to do, not for God to do! Jesus left the work that he didn't finish on earth for Paul. Paul left the work that he didn't finish for us. As I thought about this, wow, how amazing. Paul didn't finish the work, I will continue to finish it! We inherited the theological system of Paul. Later I was thinking, are we to stay at the level of Apostle Paul? No. Can we stay there? We need to do even greater.
Later I told my colleagues, that Chinese Mingding Doctrine is a theology that does research. I know it may sound weird. Doing research, doing training, what are we doing? Researches God's words, studies how humans can live out the image of God, studies how to build God's glorious temple. Now our research and technology need to improve continually. The technology is even more advanced. We can say that wherever there is internet is a place that we will serve. Wherever there is internet is we will have connections. Wherever there is internet is we can build God's glorious church together.
Do you know what we want to study? Later I found out, that Adam's purpose for being created, was for managing, not for yelling Hallelujah. He didn't create a choir, didn't bring out a guitar and drums, just to bang around and sing. It was to manage, to manage the birds in the wind, the fish in the sea, the animals on the ground. Later I realized, managing is such a good phrase. Chinese Mingding Doctrine also teaches about how to manage. You must study there. Just like how Josef acted as the Egyptian prime minister, he managed so well. Don't just always Hallelujah with a loud voice, if you can't do anything. What's the meaning of that?
So I tell you, we must buid a theological system of pastoring. We pastor God's sheep, and bring all of God's people completely before God, and allow man to live out God's image, and allow God's will to be completed among us. What is God's will? To allow us to manage. I tell you, I have put very deep thought into studying the Bible. Jesus didn't leave us in the sky at the end, but took us and went down, and was a king on earth for a thousand years, managing the whole earth. That's the thing to go for.
If you only know how to say Hallelujah, I think it's a little dangerous. Only knowing how to say Hallelujah, how is that so similar to the Pharisees? So the words that the Lord Jesus spoke allow us to have confidence. No matter what we ask for in the name of the Lord, the Lord will fulfill it for us. When we have eyes that can't see, they can now see. When the lame, they can now walk. When the poor, they become rich. That really is an amazing word, don't get that word mixed up or wrong.
Yesterday, I visited an elderly person who used to be completely immobile, relying on a walking stick for support. Two relatively unknown pastors from our church were ministering to this elderly person. This person was in Singapore, while the two sisters were in Australia. Lo and behold, the elderly person could get up and walk.
Why the visit yesterday? The elderly person's house was full of rubbish, which I had to clear out. Every time I tried to throw something away, he would snatch it back, saying, This is useful. When I tried to discard another item, he would object, This won't do. There were stacks of plastic containers, and I saw what must have been hundreds of bowls, each wrapped in newspaper. I said, You only have one mouth; what are you going to do with so many bowls? He liked to collect bowls and cups. He wanted to keep this cup, and that cup—oh my heavens.
So, what do you do? You can't expect the elderly person to clean up; he doesn't have the physical strength. I had to contend with him, showing some consideration while secretly discarding the rubbish when he wasn't looking. Thank God, there are so many areas where we need to be like Jesus Christ. Serving the elderly, they need more deliverance because hoarding is a bad habit and also a demon.
What these two sisters did is precisely what the Lord Jesus would do. We must always ask, what would the Lord Jesus do? I ask you, if the Lord Jesus saw such an elderly person, what would he do? Those who believe in him will also do it, and will do even greater things. Do you understand? Now, let's read the scripture, John 14:11-14:
Scripture
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. Amen. (John 14:11-14)
Prayer
God, may this word be fulfilled among us today. Whatever we ask on earth, you will accomplish for us, because we yearn to do what you do. God, may your gospel fill the whole earth! May your glory fill the whole earth! God, may those who believe in you and do what you do also fill the whole earth! God, stir us up, stir us up! Enable us to do what you do and to do greater things than you. Use us, and may your will be done.
In the name of Jesus Christ! Amen!
Scripture Background
At this time, the Lord Jesus was not far from being crucified, probably just a day away. He was sharing his innermost thoughts and final arrangements with his disciples. Jesus was concerned about them, fearing they would not be able to bear his death and burial. So, at this time, Jesus repeatedly instructed them, saying many things, sometimes repeating the same topic several times.
When John wrote the Gospel of John in his old age, Peter was dead, and perhaps Paul as well, leaving only old John. John wrote his Gospel very late; the Gospels of Matthew and Luke were written earlier.
John recalled the scene when Jesus repeatedly gave many instructions. How important are these words? Very important. Why? Because, as we look at the two thousand years of church history, we immediately understand that people often go back and forth in their faith, going astray. What did Jesus say? Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
So, I also tell everyone that regardless of what is said, you may not believe me, but you must believe because of the works I do. Look at what I do, how many people among us have been delivered! How many have been healed! I am especially moved by how difficult it is for people to have faith! Sometimes I really want to discipline those I lead when I see the level of their faith; I really want to punch them. They don't do what I do; they just do their own thing. What do I do? I do as the Lord Jesus did.
Once, I went to a place where they brought a sister whose legs were red and black, swollen so that when you pressed them, it wasn't a pit; it felt like pressing wood. I said, You people are really bad, bringing me such a person; are you testing me? Then I remembered the words of the Lord Jesus: if it were Jesus, what would he do? Jesus would deliver her! Not because this person had done so well; her legs were already like that, so how dirty must her mind be. But Jesus would deliver her.
I and another sister, we each held one leg. Sometimes I didn't like to look, so I covered it with my clothes, holding the leg in my arms. Give me a little bit of faith! During that prayer, in the name of Jesus, I commanded the leg to loosen up! After a while, the leg was still the same. I covered it again and prayed again, with barely enough faith. Just believe! Just believe! Believe that my Lord will hear from heaven, that the Lord Jesus will accomplish it for me on his throne!
After more than an hour, when I uncovered the leg, my heavens! A normal leg. I tell you, I was really shocked. It is faith! No matter what, believe until it is accomplished, and the Lord will accomplish it for us. This is what I do; what I do is according to what Jesus did. Jesus touches it once and it's healed, but I can touch it ten thousand times, Amen!
Do you all see that? Believe in him because of what he does. You know that believing in him is because of what he does. If he hasn't done anything, how can you believe? And he still feels he's so great; there's no way to believe him. I thank my God; the Lord Jesus I believe in is such a Lord Jesus. Those who are oppressed are set free; the sick are healed; the poor become rich.
Unlike some people, their greatest skill is turning the healthy into the sick, the free into the oppressed, and the wealthy into the poor. Can you believe like that? When did Jesus ever do that? Following him leads to cancer? There's no such thing. Abraham didn't get cancer; Isaac and Jacob didn't get cancer; Joseph didn't get cancer. There's no such thing! Nor is there poverty.
Speaking of this, let me share something: we live out the likeness of Jesus Christ from the faith of Abraham. Don't fall into the pit of the Mosaic Law. So, we should believe in the Lord Jesus because of what he does. Today's churches don't dare to say that; if he hasn't done anything, how can they believe? Then, after leading people in prayer and they're not healed, they say, I prayed, and they weren't healed; do you still believe? If it were me, forget it; I wouldn't believe.
I used to know a pastor who said he never prayed for the sick. Why? He said that a long time ago, he prayed for a sick person, and it would have been better if he hadn't prayed because the person died after he prayed. The pastor was terrified, fearing he would be extorted. What did Jesus say? Believe because of what he does. I tell you, you should do the same.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do. (John 14:12)
These are heartfelt words spoken by Jesus before he was crucified, and they have always been in my heart. I will do what Jesus did! I will do what Jesus did! I will do what Jesus did! No matter how much cold water others pour on me, I still firmly believe this is God's will.
I will do what the Apostle Paul did. Not only that, but I will also do greater things than these. That is why I boldly tell you that we are to do greater things than Paul did. Paul preached the gospel to the Roman Empire. Can we have a heart to spread this gospel to the ends of the earth so that the Chinese Mingding Doctrine can influence an entire generation? Amen!
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)
The Son is glorified because of us. Do you understand? The Heavenly Father is glorified through our Lord Jesus! The Lord Jesus is glorified through us! We are not stealing God's glory, but we are sharing glory with the Lord Jesus! This glory was prepared for us by God before the creation of the world. If you read the Bible carefully, there is no logic of stealing God's glory in the Bible. The Bible is all about us enjoying the glory of the Father together with the Lord.
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)
Now it is about Jesus being glorified through us. Originally, we were all united as one in Jesus Christ. Why talk about this? Because the Lord Jesus saw from afar what the church is like today. They don't do what Jesus did, and they do a lot of things Jesus didn't do. Some churches have become match-making agencies, and others have become pyramid schemes. If you are a believer, imitate our Lord Jesus with me and do what he does. Not to get depression, but to heal those with depression; not to make yourself poor, but to make the poor rich; to set the oppressed free; to release the captives. By the Spirit of God upon us, we do what Jesus did. Amen!
Believe Because of What I Do
Remember, believe because of what people do. When you see that a person's mouth is full of sweet talk, speaking exceptionally well, beware; that person is likely a swindler. You must know that swindlers speak the best. But Jesus said, Believe because of what I do. How did the Apostle Paul develop this further? Paul said:
My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)
Do you understand? Look at what people do. The most deadly thing is to believe people's words. Never develop the bad habit of believing people's words, because the mouth is a very evil thing. Look at what people do; never listen to what people say. Of course, when you come to Singapore and see me, this little old man who looks like this, unattractive, speaking coarsely, sometimes drinking a little wine with others, is this a pastor? Whether this is the case is not important; you must look at what this person does.
Brothers and sisters, let me also say something from my heart: seeing the needs of this generation, seeing people living in oppression, I really feel sad. I think to myself that there are still many unresolved problems, and many brothers and sisters are living in oppression, living in poverty, living in the lusts of the flesh. They always say, I can't control it, I can't control it. Although I say, Then how can you not control it? in my heart I tell myself: I am still not very much like Jesus; I need to be full of God's mercy.
Now may the Spirit of God move you, may you have more of God's compassion in you, but of course, don't be deceived by swindlers. Have more of God's justice and mercy, more of God's image. We can't do it now, we know we are still not good enough. To believe is to believe in what people do, and looking at what you do yourself is also a way.
Those Who Believe in Jesus Do What He Did
This is the theme we are talking about. The previous sentence reminds you not to follow the wrong person. Those who believe do what Jesus did. What is it if they don't do what Jesus did? That is unbelief.
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mark 16:17-18)
You know, believing in the Lord Jesus and doing what Jesus did is such an exciting thing. Not only that, but think about it carefully: you must look at what those people do. Remember, those who believe also do what Jesus did, and those who don't do what Jesus did, like that professor of theology I mentioned, forget it.
Signs will accompany those who believe, and in my past experience of believing in the Lord, this sentence has always been in my heart, and I really long to do what the Lord did. I encourage everyone to also begin to long to do what the Lord did: to make the blind see, to set the oppressed free, to release the captives, and to make the poor rich. So, the church still has a lot of work to do.
Paul Did Greater Things Than the Lord
Paul did greater things than the Lord. He wrote many epistles. What did he write? He wrote the theory of building the church. The Chinese Mingding Doctrine actually inherits from the Apostle Paul; the Apostle Paul inherited from the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wrote the theory of building the church: Ephesians, Colossians, and Galatians. If it weren't for the Apostle Paul, we might not be able to receive the pure gospel today. So, Paul's epistles are in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
What Paul did was even more amazing. What Paul did was to shepherd with the heart of a father and mother. What Jesus wanted was to find people to shepherd his flock. So, sometimes I also think about those people on YouTube; I don't know who they are, but they typed a few words saying they have this disease or that disease, and I wish I could train more pastors who are after God's heart. Paul trained people in that era and spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. It's not doing less than the Lord, it's doing more than the Lord; it's not doing smaller than the Lord, it's doing greater than Jesus. He himself said:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (Colossians 1:24)
He really dared to say this because the Lord was clearly with Paul, and whatever Paul asked, the Lord accomplished for him. This is our God. How wonderful! Later, the Apostle Paul gave himself up. This kind of suffering heart is a glorious heart; this kind of tribulation is a glorious suffering. Many people think they will glorify God if they get cancer. Can that glorify God? I tell you, those who get cancer, from those I have ministered to, are extremely indulgent in the flesh and selfish.
Now we are beginning to see Paul doing greater things. Paul formed a logical system and theoretical system for building the church. Now we are to do greater things than Paul did. How well the Lord Jesus said this: to do greater things than the Lord Jesus did. We are to do greater things than the Lord Jesus did, greater things than Paul did. What are we to build? We are to build the church, to establish a system of shepherding.
We are to begin to have a deeper understanding of the schemes of the devil, and a deeper understanding of shepherding, so that people can be delivered. Our shepherding is not just preaching and studying the Bible. Our shepherding is to enable people to live out the image of God! In fact, if you carefully examine the epistles of the Apostle Paul, I think there are still many topics. Paul left these tasks to our generation, which is that we are to continue to climb the holy mountain of Jehovah, so that the knowledge of God will fill this generation as the sea fills the ocean.
In the days of the Apostle Paul, how many words could he write on a piece of sheepskin? How many words can we write now? We can write a lot. I tell you, how many words have I written? About twenty or thirty million. Paul couldn't write that much on sheepskin. Why? Because we are all on the internet. The knowledge of God, in our time, using science and technology, can do greater things.
May the God in heaven, the Lord Jesus sitting on the throne, hear our prayers, and may his will be accomplished in us. What we desire, God will accomplish for us, because our Lord Jesus has returned to the Father. The Lord Jesus went to the Father, so we are to do greater things.
The Lord Jesus is in heaven, and we are connected to the Lord Jesus. Those eighteen kinds of weapons in heaven, those magic weapons, like when we watch Journey to the West, fighting demons, you have to find treasures. Once you use the magic weapons from heaven, the demons will immediately submit. I tell you, the things that the Lord Jesus has prepared for us there allow us to conquer cities on earth with his magic weapons so that brothers and sisters can restore the glorious image God created them to be.
Later, in this process of shepherding, I discovered that God doesn't like us shouting Hallelujah all day long. He wants us to become managers. When Adam was created, it was for management. So, what can you manage?
Now we must know that you are to become a manager. For example, financial management, human resources management, project management, etc. The businesses we do must be orderly through management. This is our Mingding. We are to accomplish God's will in this generation. Even if we have to pay the price of our lives for this, we will not hesitate. This is our Mingding.
May God bless you all! Amen!