Getting More Than We Deserve
Saturday, April 22, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for caring enough to send the disciples into the whole world with the message of the Gospel! Thank You for accompanying the message with signs and wonders that gives the world reason to believe that the message is true. Thank You for all You are and all You do in making this life full and abundant, and for the promise of eternal life when this life ends. Fill me, now, with the Holy Spirit that I may live out the gifts You give me, and that I may proclaim the Good News with a renewed passion and zeal that will be winsome to friends, family and all I meet. Use me today in whatever way will bring You honor. As I come to the close of another week, renew and refresh me that I may be prepared to worship You with brothers and sisters through Jesus tomorrow, and that my life today may be a living sacrifice to You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today – Mark 16:1-18
1The next evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and Salome and Mary the mother of James went out and purchased burial spices to put on Jesus’ body. 2Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they came to the tomb. 3On the way they were discussing who would roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb. 4But when they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone—a very large one—had already been rolled aside. 5So they entered the tomb, and there on the right sat a young man clothed in a white robe. The women were startled, 6but the angel said, “Do not be so surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter: Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died!” 8The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, saying nothing to anyone because they were too frightened to talk.
Then they reported all these instructions briefly to Peter and his companions. Afterward Jesus himself sent them out from east to west with the sacred and unfailing message of salvation that gives eternal life. Amen.
9It was early on Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead, and the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10She went and found the disciples, who were grieving and weeping. 11But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.
12Afterward he appeared to two who were walking from Jerusalem into the country, but they didn’t recognize him at first because he had changed his appearance. 13When they realized who he was, they rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.
14Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their unbelief—their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
15And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. 16Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. 17These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages. 18They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them.”
Reflecting on God’s Word
According to today’s Scripture was is the connection between baptism and salvation? What is the connection between salvation and “signs and wonders”?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
Compare the “Great Commission” here in Mark’s Gospel, with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20. What are the similarities and differences. How does each enhance our understanding of who Jesus is calling us to be, and what He is calling us to do as His followers?
What is the place of “signs and wonders” in our lives as followers of Jesus according to Mark 16:17-18?
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
What does today’s Scripture tell us about God’s purpose for our lives?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
As you read the “Great Commission” from Mark’s gospel it is apparent that we must believe in Jesus to be saved, and that baptism is to be carried out as an act of obedience in response to that salvation. Think about the time when You responded to Jesus’ offer of salvation. When was it? What has changed in your life since then? How is it evident that Jesus is truly the Savior and Lord of your life? Take some time and write responses below:
Thoughts—Any Who Believe and Are Baptized…
There are those in the Christian world who believe that in order to be saved a person MUST be baptized. After all, today’s Scripture states that “..believes and is baptized will be saved.” That is true. However, we need to read the next sentence. It states, “But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” It does not say, “But anyone who refuses to believe AND BE BAPTIZED will be condemned. Condemnation comes to those who do not believe in Jesus for their salvation. While baptism is an important response of obedience to Jesus, it is not a requirement for salvation. Jesus wanted the disciples to teach salvation in Him and in nothing else. They got the message. That’s why Peter could proclaim in Acts 4 that there is salvation in no one else, that there is no other name given under heaven among people by which we can be saved—except the name of Jesus. Sometimes as followers of Jesus, we get caught up in arguing over what the bible calls “disputable matters.” In other words, we worry about things that don’t lead to salvation or condemnation. Many believers argue over whether the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the signs and wonders mentioned right here in Mark 16:17-18 are valid for today. The reality is that signs and wonders ARE being performed all over the world in Jesus’ name. We can argue whether it’s Jesus, or whether they’re real, but they ARE happening. Better for us to take Jesus’ commands seriously and live in the power of the Holy Spirit! As we conclude our week of studies on the Easter event, the power of God is so evident from start to finish. It took God’s power to bring Jesus back from the dead, and it takes God’s power for us to live our lives in the Spirit. As we go about this day and every day in Jesus’ name may our lives be a testimony to His greatness and live—may our lives be resurrection lives that draw the world to Him!