The Ascension & Great Commission
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· 63 viewsThe focus on unbelief, the Great Commission, and the visible power of God , As we read through the fast-paced "long ending" of Mark,
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9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Address “Long Ending”
Address “Long Ending”
FIRST NOTE: All Scripture is Inspired.
15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
FROM GCC’S Statements of Faith on our website: The sixty-six canonical books of the Bible are the inspired Word of God without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of God's will for the salvation of man, and the only infallible guide for faith and living.
NOTE ABOUT THE TEXT
A final conclusion to the problem probably cannot be reached on the basis of presently known data. A view which seems to account for the relevant evidence and to raise the least number of objections is that
(a) Mark purposely ended his Gospel with verse 8 and
(b) verses 9–20, though written or compiled by an anonymous Christian writer, are historically authentic and are part of the New Testament canon (cf. similarly the last chapter of Deut.). In this view, very early in the transmission of Mark’s Gospel (perhaps shortly after A.D. 100) verses 9–20 were added to verse 8 without any attempt to match Mark’s vocabulary and style.
Possibly these verses were brief extracts from the post-Resurrection accounts found in the other three Gospels and were known through oral tradition to have the approval of the Apostle John who lived till near the end of the first century. Thus the material was included early enough in the transmission process to gain recognition and acceptance by the church as part of canonical Scripture.
These verses are consistent with the rest of Scripture. The development of the theme of belief and unbelief unifies the passage. (BKC)
Review Unbelief of vv 9-14
9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
I read a post on Facebook that went something like this: “if you want a new testament resurrection service, have the women all come to church then run home and tell the men about Jesus. Then have the men go back into hiding.”
FIRE IN A SYNAGOGUE
J. Mack Stiles writes of hearing James McPherson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, lecture on naval battles during the Civil War. The lecture, sponsored by the local historical society, was held in a large synagogue. The auditorium was packed. There was a certain electricity in the air as we waited to hear from the well-known professor from Princeton.
As Dr. McPherson took the stage, he also took command. His resonant voice, dry wit, and astounding command of the material captivated the audience. But midway through the lecture, the fire alarm sounded. This was a serious alarm. It wasn't merely allowed “blat blat blat" coming from an electronic horn; there were also strobe lights that ticked blinding flashes at odd intervals.
Dr. McPherson froze. His wide-eyed look reminded me of an owl woken suddenly from slumber. He rotated his head from side to side, not knowing what to do. Since no one in the audience apparently attended the synagogue, no one took charge. We just looked around, smiling at our neighbors and wondering what to do. For what seemed like an eternity, the alarm continued. People in the chairs began talking in small groups while waiting for the alarm to go off.
“Maybe there really is a fire,” I thought. But I quickly dismissed the idea: false alarms are the norm; i figured the alarm just needed to be reset. Besides, no one else seemed to think there was a problem - except one man who stood up, calmly walked to the exit, and left the building. I’m not sure that many noticed him. Soon the alarm stopped and Dr. McPherson continued where he had left off.
If this parable were of true conversions, there was only one true believer…one convert in the room; the rest of us were stuck in our rationalization. Some might have thought there was a fire, but they didn’t really believe it enough to walk out. We aren’t persuaded in a biblical sense unless we repent, place genuine faith in Jesus, and walk with Him.
(Evangelism (9Marks) by J. Mack Stiles, pp37-38 (2014)
1. CAN YOU RELATE TO THE UNBELIEF?
1. CAN YOU RELATE TO THE UNBELIEF?
Word is Apistia - refuse to put on’e trust or reliance in someone or something. (11x in NT)
Luke uses the word Apisteo in Luke 24.41- to believe that something is not true - to not believe. (8x in NT)
The disciples didn’t become unbelievers in that moment - but they were unbelieving....refusing to believe the report of the women, the 2 witnesses, and even struggling when Christ appeared because “for joy and marveling, they still disbelieved.”
They were acting like unbelievers. At best they were foolish. Psalm 14.1
1 The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
The women were acting a bit foolish - as we discussed last week - coming to complete the burial ritual with the spices and perfumes…as if Christ had not been raised!
The disciples look a bit foolish, with Jesus sending word to them by honest messengers, while they still refused to believe.
We, too, can appear foolish and not distinct in any way when we constantly get entangled with the affairs of this world and live as though there is no Great Commandment for us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves.
You may have as many degrees as a thermometer, but you, sir…you, madam are at best conflicted or lazy and at worst an unbeliever, a rebel who likes church people…you appear to be foolish, when you reject God’s clear instruction of the Great Commission.
BETTER, “REPENT OF OUR UNBELIEF”
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
2. RECALIBRATE TO THE GREAT COMMISSION!
2. RECALIBRATE TO THE GREAT COMMISSION!
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Note on baptism - A superficial reading of Mark 16:15–16 would suggest that sinners must be baptized to be saved, but this misinterpretation disappears when you note that the emphasis is on believing. If a person does not believe, he is condemned, even if he has been baptized (see John 3:16–18, 36). It was expected in the early church that believers would be baptized (Acts 2:41; 10:44–48).
See also / Quote
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
It isn’t a good suggestion or one of many strategies of the church.
“THE GOSPEL CAME TO YOU ON THE WAY TO SOMEONE ELSE! “
We stand in need of recalibrating everything in our lives to the Great Commission.
We gather in worship to live out the Great Commandment in community and be equipped to work out the Great Commission while we’re gathered, as we’re apart, and until we’re reunited.
Brother, Sister, Make Disciples of all nations - and the nations have come to us in Charlotte NC for sure.
Families, add some folks to your table for dinner…make disciples.
Single adults, partner with other men and women on fire for Jesus and make disciples on your lunch breaks, coffee runs.
Grace Covenant Church, we shouldn’t have to construct a bridge from any of our endeavors or energies to connect them to the Great Commission…it should be plain.
We will partner with missionaries and organizations who are committed to making disciples of our neighbors and the nations!
3. Realize that God’s Power Accompanies God’s Work
3. Realize that God’s Power Accompanies God’s Work
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
We know these were apostolic signs and wonders for the early establishing of the church. These types of signs that accompanied the apostles began to fade from view and practice (and necessity) even before the New Testament was finished being written.
Follow Paul’s writing to these hosts of new believers and you see a sharp decline and disappearance of these temporal signs and wonders as the Scriptures & NT Letters began to be distributed circularly.
Jesus even demonstrates the lesser signs as a means to validate the greatest sign in Mark 2. Think way back to the paralytic that was lowered down to Jesus by his friends:
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Signs, Wonders, Healings - all start and stop in the temporal.
Every blinded eye opened will once again be closed in death
Every lame person made to walk, would be carried to the grave
Every deaf ear unstopped and mute tongue loosed, would be closed in silence by death
The water that Moses turned to blood, turned back to water
The Red Sea filled back up
The fire Elijah called down from Heaven went away
The most powerful SIGN & WONDER is that which affects time & eternity & never fades and one the enemy cannot replicate: it’s where the Triune God, His Word, and a man/woman/boy/girl collide and a soul is
transferred from the Kingdom of darkness into the marvelous light
where a soul that was dead in trespasses and sins has been made alive in Christ Jesus
where a soul is truly converted from Rebel to Disciple!
THIS IS THE POWER THE KINGDOM AND THE GLORY FOREVER! The power of God displayed in the proclamation and reception of the Gospel!
God’s power still goes with us today:
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
dynamis = God’s explosive power shows up quite a bit in the Gospels through His mighty works. But God’s explosive power shows up with ETERNAL fruit HERE…with the Gospel!
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
“I am with you”
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
“receive power”
Maybe you say this morning, “I don’t feel like God is with me”. He promised He would be with you always WHILE YOU ARE MAKING DISCIPLES.
Maybe you say, “I haven’t felt the POWER of God in some time…or ever.” He promised that kind of dynamite power for His witnesses, His disciples…His Great Commission people!
Hebrews states clearly that God has moved differently in different times for different reasons - always consistent with His character/nature. But Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible were the final word on the matter.
Notice the finality of the last 2 verses…a finish and a start...
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
16:19–20. These verses consist of two closely related parts. On the one hand (Gr., men) the Lord Jesus—a compound title not found in the Gospels except in Luke 24:3—after His post-resurrection ministry (a 40-day period; cf. Acts 1:3) was taken up into heaven (by God the Father, implied). There He sat down at the right hand of God, His place of honor and authority (cf. comments on Mark 12:36–37a). The reality of this was confirmed to the early believers by Stephen’s vision (cf. Acts 7:56). In one sense Jesus’ work on earth was finished.
On the other hand (Gr., de) His work on earth in another sense continued through the disciples who went out from Jerusalem and preached (ekēryxan, “proclaimed”; cf. Mark 1:4, 14; 16:15) the gospel everywhere. At the same time the risen Lord was working with them by empowering them, and confirming His Word, the gospel message, by the signs (cf. 16:17–18) that accompanied it. The signs authenticated their message (cf. Heb. 2:3–4). This task of proclaiming the gospel still goes on through disciples empowered by the risen Lord.
REPENT of our Unbelief (believe truly in a way that actually causes you to move)
RECALIBRATE to the Great Commission
Before I would take on another major calendar interruption
Before I would take on another major expense
Before my life (or family’s life) becomes indistinguishable from Pagans outside of Sunday morning...
I want every individual, every family, every longtime member, every guest to REALIZE THE POWER OF GOD as Grace Covenant Church - individually and corporately - takes the Gospel (like we truly believe in the Resurrected Christ) to our neighbors and the nations for the glory of our KING!
What a boo of the Bible…Mark!
What a Gospel…the Good News that shatters the dark reality!
What a God…that would send His Son!
What a Savior…that would save us, call us, equip us, and launch us for His glory!
What a Church…!
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