Sermon Central
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The Importance Of Believing
Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 24, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: This passage is a summary of the forty days from Easter to Ascension (Acts 1:3), and beyond that to the application of the Great Commission.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BELIEVING.
We start with a resounding statement of fact: “Jesus was risen early on the first day of the week” (Mark 16:9a)! This fact is attested in the other Gospels, and throughout the New Testament, and is the whole basis and explanation of the existence of the Church - a body of people known as ‘Christians’ - throughout the world to this very day.
“He appeared first to Mary Magdalene” (Mark 16:9b; cf. John 20:14-18).
“She went and told them that had been with Him,” and they “BELIEVED NOT” (Mark 16:10-11; cf. Luke 24:11).
After that, He appeared to the two on the Emmaus Road (Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13-32).
They went all the way back to Jerusalem to share the good news, but “NEITHER BELIEVED THEY THEM” (Mark 16:13).
Afterward He appeared to the eleven, and “upbraided them with their UNBELIEF” because they “BELIEVED NOT” them which had seen Him after He was risen (Mark 16:14; cf. Luke 24:36-43).
The passage fast-forwards to the Great Commission (Mark 16:15; cf. Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:47-48; Acts 1:8).
The writer factors in other details: “he that BELIEVES and is baptised shall be saved; and he that BELIEVES NOT shall be damned” (Mark 16:16; cf. John 3:16; John 3:18; John 3:36).
“And these signs shall follow them that BELIEVE” (Mark 16:17a).
“In my name they will cast out demons &c.” (Mark 16:17-18). Jesus was in no doubt as to His own divine authority, and these things did indeed follow when people did BELIEVE.
They did cast out demons (Acts 8:7; Acts 19:11-12).
They spoke with new tongues (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:45-46; Acts 19:6).
One accidentally picked up a serpent (Acts 28:3-6).
Drinking any deadly thing and not suffering harm? (cf. Luke 10:19).
They laid hands on the sick, and they recovered (Acts 28:8; cf. James 5:14-15).
After giving His NOW BELIEVING disciples the terms of the Great Commission, Jesus “was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19). His authority resides there. Our authority emanates from there.
“And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following” (Mark 16:20). The work goes on, and will go on, until the gospel has been preached to all nations; ‘and then shall the end come’ (Matthew 24:14).
‘If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and BELIEVE in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved’ (Romans 10:9).
