Empowered for Mission: The Great Commission Unveiled
Summary
In our final exploration of the Gospel according to Mark, we delve into the concluding verses of Mark 16:14-20. These verses, often referred to as the "long ending of Mark," present a unique challenge in biblical scholarship due to questions about their originality. Despite these questions, the doctrines contained within align with the broader teachings of the New Testament. The passage begins with Jesus appearing to the eleven disciples, rebuking their unbelief, and commissioning them to preach the gospel to all creation. This Great Commission is central to the mission of the church, emphasizing the necessity of spreading the gospel's definitive content, which is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The text also discusses the signs that will accompany believers, such as casting out demons, speaking in new tongues, and healing the sick. These signs served to confirm the truth of the apostolic message. The passage concludes with Jesus' ascension and session at the right hand of God, underscoring His authority and ongoing presence with His followers. This dual reality of Jesus' physical absence and spiritual presence empowers the church's mission, reminding us that our efforts are not in vain but are supported by Christ Himself.
The sermon also addresses the importance of faith and baptism, clarifying that while baptism is not necessary for salvation, it is essential for sanctification. The necessity of faith for salvation is emphasized, as is the reality of condemnation for those who do not believe. This underscores the urgency of the church's mission to reach every creature with the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
- The Great Commission is a central mandate for the church, calling us to preach the gospel to all creation. This mission is not about entertainment or personal testimonies but about proclaiming the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the core of the gospel. [11:29]
- Faith is the necessary and sufficient condition for salvation. While baptism is important for sanctification and obedience, it is faith alone that justifies us before God. This distinction is crucial for understanding the relationship between faith, baptism, and salvation. [16:01]
- The signs accompanying believers, such as casting out demons and healing the sick, serve to confirm the truth of the gospel. These signs are not ends in themselves but are meant to authenticate the message and the messengers of God. [20:22]
- Jesus' ascension and session at the right hand of God highlight His authority and ongoing presence with His followers. This reality assures us that our mission is supported by Christ, who leads and empowers His church. [24:18]
- The urgency of the church's mission is underscored by the reality that many die without hearing the gospel. This calls us to a renewed commitment to evangelism, recognizing that the world is already under condemnation and in need of the saving message of Christ. [14:35]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Introduction to the Final Study of Mark
[00:26] - Jesus Appears to the Eleven
[00:39] - The Great Commission
[01:25] - Jesus' Ascension
[02:12] - Prayer for Deeper Faith
[02:53] - Reflection on Dr. Roger Nicole
[03:38] - Analogy of the Yardstick
[04:40] - The Original Manuscripts
[06:30] - The Science of Textual Criticism
[08:05] - The Long Ending of Mark
[09:04] - The Abrupt Ending of Mark
[10:22] - Consistency of Doctrines
[11:29] - The Mission of the Church
[12:46] - The Content of the Gospel
[14:35] - The Urgency of Evangelism
[16:01] - Faith and Baptism
[20:22] - Signs Accompanying Believers
[24:18] - Jesus' Ascension and Authority
[26:57] - The Lord's Presence with His People
[29:10] - The Role of Miracles
[31:55] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Mark 16:14-20
- John 3:16-18
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus' reaction to the disciples' unbelief when He appeared to them after His resurrection? ([00:26])
2. What specific instructions did Jesus give to the disciples in the Great Commission? ([00:39])
3. What signs did Jesus say would accompany those who believe? ([20:22])
4. How does the passage describe Jesus' ascension and His position after ascending? ([24:18])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Great Commission in Mark 16:15 relate to the mission of the church today? ([11:29])
2. In what ways do the signs mentioned in Mark 16:17-18 serve to confirm the truth of the gospel? ([20:22])
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between faith, baptism, and salvation? ([16:01])
4. What is the significance of Jesus' ascension and session at the right hand of God for believers? ([24:18])
#### Application Questions
1. The Great Commission calls us to preach the gospel to all creation. How can you personally contribute to this mission in your daily life? ([11:29])
2. Reflect on the urgency of evangelism mentioned in the sermon. What steps can you take to share the gospel with someone who has never heard it? ([14:35])
3. The sermon emphasizes faith as the necessary condition for salvation. How can you strengthen your faith in your current season of life? ([16:01])
4. Baptism is described as important for sanctification. If you have been baptized, how has it impacted your spiritual journey? If not, what are your thoughts on taking this step? ([16:52])
5. Consider the signs that accompany believers. Have you experienced or witnessed any of these signs in your life or community? How did it impact your faith? ([20:22])
6. Jesus' ongoing presence with His followers is a source of empowerment. How can you be more aware of His presence in your daily activities? ([24:18])
7. The sermon mentions the reality of condemnation for those who do not believe. How does this influence your perspective on sharing your faith with others? ([18:56])
Devotional
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Quotes
Later he appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table, and he rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them, go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. [00:26:00]
He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues, they will take up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them. [00:53:03]
They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover. So then after the lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. [01:18:40]
The gospel has a definite content. He didn't give us the mandate to preach entertainment, to preach the latest psychological theories. That this mandate is to preach a particular method, a particular message I should say, which message can be gleaned by looking at the apostolic record itself. [11:29:00]
The gospel is not that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. The gospel is not that if you come to Christ you will have purpose for your life. Those things may be true and they'd be interesting and inviting to certain people, but that's not the gospel. [12:32:00]
The gospel has to do with the life of Jesus, his work, his atonement, his resurrection, his ascension, and the salvation that is wrought by Jesus, which is appropriated by faith and by faith alone. That's the gospel. The gospel is not my personal testimony. [12:43:00]
More people will die today in the world having never heard the gospel than died yesterday or the day before that. The population explosion of this world has made it very difficult for the church's missionary task to keep up with the numbers of those who are perishing without ever hearing of Jesus. [14:32:00]
This is his last mandate into all the world to every creature that they would hear the gospel and then the text says Jesus said he who believes and is baptized will be saved but he who does not believe will be condemned. [14:58:00]
The only absolute necessary condition for our salvation which condition is not only necessary but is also sufficient is faith. Anyone who truly puts their trust in Christ will be justified at that very second and we see examples in the scripture themselves of those who were saved who were not baptized. [16:01:00]
Baptism is not necessary to salvation, but it is necessary for sanctification. Why do I say that? Because we're commanded to be baptized, and if we do not obey that command, that is a failure in terms of our being conformed to the image of Christ and of our obedience in terms of our sanctification. [16:49:00]
These signs that we call miracles are given to the church primarily and essentially to confirm the truth proclaimed by the apostolic testimony. In the Old Testament, agents of revelation were demonstrated to be messengers from God because of the miracles that they performed. [29:50:00]
The word of God is confirmed by miracles, not miracles by the word of God. Finally, the gospel and the longer ending ends with one word, amen, that word which is based upon a Semitic word for truth simply means this is the truth. [31:47:00]
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