But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
John 5:17-19
How did Jesus do all of His miracles, wonders and signs? He made this statement after healing a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. The religious leaders were especially upset about this one because it was a Sabbath Day, so no true rabbi would instruct someone to carry their sleeping mat on the day of rest. But Jesus not only claimed the authority to give such an instruction but went beyond that to say the instruction was directly from God Himself. The Jewish leaders even perceived Jesus was making an even stronger claim – to divine Sonship and equality with God His Father.
With that background in mind, listen to these powerful words from the Lord Jesus just a few chapters later in John’s gospel.
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 authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 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. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
John 14:10-14
Greater works. How? Not because the apostles were so wise and powerful. But because Jesus promised to hear and answer their prayers and now, we believe, ours.
We just finished our series Join God in His Work (summer 2026) – living on mission with God. What is the work God is doing? Jesus made that clear through His final instructions to His disciples.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[to] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus sent out his followers to make disciples of all nations, serving as witnesses to all they had seen and heard from Him.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
As we continue this work, we can take comfort in the promises Jesus made to enable us to complete His mission.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Matthew 24:14 (The Great Commitment)
Check out these resources on completing the task Jesus has given us and what it’s going to take.
https://www.missionquest.org/post/unreached-people-groups
The fact is that there still remain thousands of unreached people groups who have never heard the name of Jesus, adding up to over two billion people. https://media.joshuaproject.net/public/assets/media/handouts/people-group-view-of-world.pdf
Sign up TODAY to get an email from the Joshua Project every day with a people group to pray for. https://joshuaproject.net/pray/unreachedoftheday/email
There is still a lot of work to do in terms of Bible translations and gospel access, but a Great Collaboration is underway to reach the remaining unreached people groups. How can we contribute to the fulfillment of the Great Commission?
It’s encouraging to see how Bible Translation is picking up the pace and it won’t be long before the last people group in need of a translation in their heart language has a project underway. https://missionexus.org/missiographics/global-bible-translation-2024/
Bibles. Believers (Gospel witness). Bodies (churches present and planting new ones). Breakthrough Prayer. Bridges of Love (tangible ministries serving the needs of people in Jesus’ name). Let’s help Finish the Task. https://finishingthetask.com/
Our denomination, the EFCA, has a program to serve the needs of at risk children all over the world: Global Fingerprints. Provide a bridge of love to a family today by sponsoring a child! https://globalfingerprints.org/ Choose the Philippines to partner with with friends of Oakwood.
Be encouraged by these words from the Lord Jesus:
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Luke 24:44-49
The work will be done. What part will you play? What part will we play?