Greater Things

John 14:12-14

The key words are Father and "in my name." These are words that Jesus spoke to his disciples just before he was arrested and crucified. He is telling them about things that are going to happen immediately (i.e. his arrest and crucifixion) and a bit further into the future (i.e. the coming of the Spirit).
Jesus is telling his disciples that they will be empowered to continue on his work. He makes a bold and somewhat puzzling statement: that his disciples will do even greater things than he did. That statement should have caused his disciples to sit up and take notice. Greater things than Jesus? How is that even possible? Jesus gives the answer in the following verses: 1) through prayer (v.13-14) and 2) in the power of the Spirit (v. 15 and following). Regular human beings who have been redeemed by Christ, adopted by the Father and empowered by the Spirit will continue to carry out the work and agenda of Christ on this earth. That will cause people to take notice, just as it did in the book of Acts.
There is another phrase that has often been misinterpreted; "in the name of Jesus." This is not a magical phrase that we just add to our prayer that forces God to answer in the way that we want him to. This is not a mantra that we repeat to get our own way. It means that when I approach every moment as an opportunity to advance the agenda of the Kingdom that Jesus will give me everything I need to accomplish that.
So, as I go to L.A., this means that I do not need to worry. The success of this trip does not rely on my own wisdom or strength. I go in the wisdom, strength and power of the Spirit who lives in me and empowers me, along with my team-mates, to do everything that God has called me to do. It means that as I look for opportunities to advance the agenda of Christ and make him known to people, that I will have everything that I need as I rely on him.