Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12 How to See God! Greater Things Than Jesus?

How to See God!  The provoked question?  Jesus is the only way to God.  If you really knew me, you know my Father.  You do know Him (Father) and have seen Him.  Jesus wanted this discussion!  This was done to help them with the despair that was to come after the crucifixion!  Philip fixes his thoughts on seeing God! Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

How to See God!  So, what are our limitations of sight?  Philip was probably thinking of the OT sightings of God like in Exodus 33:19; 24:10; 1 Kings 19: Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

Exodus 33:19 (ESV) 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The L ORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” Exodus 24:10 (NASB) 10 and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.

1 Kings 19:11-12 (NASB) 11 So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the L ORD.” And behold, the L ORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the L ORD ; but the L ORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the L ORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake a fire, but the L ORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing.

How to See God!  So, what are our limitations of sight?  Philip was probably thinking of the OT sightings of God like in Exodus 33:19; 24:10; 1 Kings 19:  Even though Exodus 33:20 tells us we cannot see God, Philip wants a theophany. Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

Exodus 33:20 (NASB) 20 But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”

How to See God!  So, what are our limitations of sight?  Philip was probably thinking of the OT sightings of God like in Exodus 33:19; 24:10; 1 Kings 19:  Even though Exodus 33:20 tells us we cannot see God, Philip wants a theophany.  Philip – “we would know if we could see.”  Jesus contrasts this in vs 9, saying you have seen and yet you do not know. Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

How to See God!  So, what is the right kind of seeing?  The right kind of seeing is centered in Jesus!  This is how it goes: Seeing Jesus with understanding Seeing Jesus with understanding Coming to know Jesus as a result of that seeing Coming to know Jesus as a result of that seeing Coming to know God through knowing Jesus Coming to know God through knowing Jesus  Philip asks to be shown (a demonstration) while Jesus says you need an apprehension!  It is not what you see, but how you perceive it! Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

How to See God!  But what kind of seeing is this?  We have an illustration of this in John  Three different words are used here: blepo – John saw with his eyes blepo – John saw with his eyes theoreo – scrutinized or puzzled it together theoreo – scrutinized or puzzled it together orao – John now sees with understanding (belief) orao – John now sees with understanding (belief)  This is not physical seeing, but spiritual sight! Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

How to See God!  So, really believing is seeing!  The first half of this conversation is filled with knowing (4x) and seeing (5x).  The second half has none of these words but instead has believe (4x).  We have seen this before in John. Belief must come before seeing!! John 4:48, 50 Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

John 4:48 (NASB) 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” John 4:50 (NASB) 50 Jesus *said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off.

How to See God!  So, what is the object of our faith?  Jesus talks about faith in two things or on two levels.  The first level of faith is believing in the words of Jesus!  This implies that we read and know His words  The second level of faith is in Jesus’ works, His miracles, and His sacrifice.  This implies that this is on a personal level. Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

Greater Things Than Jesus?  What kind of works are these?  Some would say they are miracles.  Possibly of the apostles only  Why are they not greater today?  Is our faith not strong enough?  Some say this is referring to a different work entirely. Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

Greater Things Than Jesus?  Could this be talking about spiritual things instead of the physical? Luke 10:17-20 Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

Luke 10:17-20 (NASB) 17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

Greater Things Than Jesus?  Could this be talking about spiritual things instead of the physical? Luke 10:17-20  What specifically are these “things”?  Spiritual works are mostly about regeneration through the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is for every Christian and not limited to “special” believers.  There would be “miracles” as an outpouring of the Gospel. Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

Greater Things Than Jesus?  Jesus also gives us some conditions for the greater.  We must have faith in Jesus – vs 12  We must pray – vss  We must be marked by a love for Christ expressed in our obedience – vs 15  We must be empowered by Christ’s own Spirit which we have received – vss Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12

Application Is your believing driving your seeing? What are you doing to improve your eyesight? Are you praying for the lost? Seeing God Clearly John 14:7-12