Points of Meditation & Reflection
Sermon Title & Text “Proclaim the Gospel” Mark 16:14-20 ESV
Message in a Sentence: To believe in Christ is to believe in His power being evident in you!
1. Before ascending to heaven, Christ commissioned the disciples to “Proclaim the Gospel” to the world. He taught of the distinctive characteristics evident in Believers of Christ.
2. In Matthew’s syn-optic, account of the Great Commission, he includes that Christ introduced His command to “Go therefore”, by stating, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me”. How a believer aligns with that truth determines how they will live for Christ.
3. Christ rebuked the disciples (a) of unbelief (b) of hardness of heart. Unbelief was the disciples’ life long struggle. Christ’s absolute teaching creates a radical change that puts fruitfulness in the disciples lives.
4. Let it Go: Christ provides a model for us to move forward in life. After Christ rebuked the disciples, He immediately put full confidence in them & commissioned them to a live a life of telling the world to do the very thing they themselves had struggled with for years.
a. Christ identified & corrected v14
b. Christ instructed v15
c. Christ’s authority Mk16:19 & Mt 28:18
d. Disciple’s Go & Preach v20
e. Christ was with them v20
5. In Christ there are believers and unbelievers. Christ Gives Accompanying Signs to Believers, “They Will Have”
a. Authority cf Ac 5:16
b. Speak of God’s Mighty Work cf Ac 2:11
c. Authority over Danger cf Lk 10:19, Ac 28:3-5
d. Overcome Deception
e. Prayer Power cf Ac 5:16
6. None of us have a level 10 grip on each of these attributes at all times. Yet, as we pray to surrender and align with the truth of Christ’s Commission to each believer, we find the undeniable strength of God at work in us.
To continue to develop your relationship with Christ, spend time every day this week praying and meditating on this passage and it’s truths [EveryDay Jesus - below].
Edward
Everyday Jesus: Mark 16:14-20 Lord send us out to proclaim your Word
· Monday: Read Mark 16:14-20. Christ rebukes the disciples for their unbelief & hardness of heart. Then in a model of the immediacy of Christ, He commissions them to give to others what they struggle with themselves. Today, ask God to give you this attitude to “let go” of anything from the past that stops you from growing in Christ.
· Tuesday: Read Mark 16:14-20, Mt 28:16-20. Christ’s command to “Go therefore” and proclaim the gospel, is built on the understanding from Matthew’s account that, “All authority” has been given to Christ. Today, thank the Lord that He has all authority and ask Him to allow you to now Go and Do His work of proclaiming the gospel message.
· Wednesday: Christ gives 5 Signs that Accompany Believers. Each of these signs speaks to the Power and Authority you have as a Believer in Christ. Today, ask God to strengthen your understanding and alignment of the power given to you to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
· Thursday: Read Mark 16:14-20, Acts 18:19 & 27:24. Even as believers, we come to places of unbelief. Re-read the commission of Christ and the times of fear in Paul’s life. Ask God to strengthen the places of fear in you, so that you can live a fruitful life in Christ.
· Friday: Read Luke 10:19-20 As a child of God, your name is written in heaven. Therefore, God has given you authority over all things - including fears and doubts. Ask God to allow the truth of this passage to guide you into a God centered confidence.
· Saturday: Read Mark 16:14-20 After the Lord finished speaking, He ascended back to heaven, sat down at the right hand of God and the disciples went out. As they went, the Lord was with them and confirmed their work with accompanying signs. Seeing that Christ’s commission to share the gospel is to all believers, ask Him to make it plain who He wants you to “preach to” & how.