“Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” – Mark 16:20 (NIV)
In this verse, we see the disciples fulfilling the Great Commission given by Jesus, going out and preaching the gospel to the world.
But they did not go alone – the Lord Himself accompanied them, confirming His word with signs and wonders.
Empowering Presence
The disciples were not left to their own devices, relying solely on their own strength and abilities.
Instead, they were empowered by the presence of the Lord, who worked alongside them, validating their message with supernatural signs.
Confirming Signs
These signs were not mere spectacles or displays of power for their own sake. They served a specific purpose – to confirm the truth of the gospel message being preached.
They were tangible evidence that the words the disciples spoke were not their own, but those of the living God.
Ongoing Testimony
Even today, as we continue to spread the Good News of Christ, we can trust that the Lord is still at work, confirming His word through the transformative power of His Spirit in the lives of those who believe.
While the specific signs may differ, the principle remains the same – God continues to bear witness to the truth of the gospel through the changed lives of His followers.
As you go forth in obedience to the Great Commission, do so with confidence, knowing that the Lord Himself is with you, empowering you and confirming His word through the signs and wonders He performs in and through you.
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)
We receive a beautiful invitation to approach God with confidence, knowing that our hearts have been cleansed and purified by His grace.
Cleansing
The imagery used here is striking – our hearts are “sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience,” and our bodies are “washed with pure water.”
This speaks to the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, which cleanses us from sin and guilt.
Assurance
But it’s not just about being cleansed – it’s also about having “the full assurance that faith brings.”
We can come before God with a sincere heart, confident in the knowledge that our faith has been made complete through Christ’s work on our behalf.
Nearness
And because of this cleansing and assurance, we are invited to “draw near to God.”
No longer do we have to stand at a distance, separated by our sin and guilt. Through Christ, we can approach the very throne of grace with boldness, knowing that we are accepted and welcomed by our Heavenly Father.
This is the beauty of the gospel – that we can have a clean heart, a confident faith, and a close relationship with the One who created us.
So draw near, with sincere heart and full assurance, to the God who loves you and has made a way for you to be reconciled to Him.
“Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.” (2 John 1:8 NIV)
What Does It Mean to Watch Out?
The apostle John wrote this letter to a group of Christians who were facing false teachers and deceivers. He warned them to be careful not to be led astray by those who denied the truth about Jesus Christ. He also encouraged them to remain faithful to the commandment of love and to walk in obedience to God.
To watch out means to be alert, vigilant, and discerning. It means to pay attention to what we believe, how we live, and who we associate with.
It means to guard our hearts and minds from anything that would compromise our faith or our relationship with God.
Why Do We Need to Watch Out?
It is important to watch out because we have a precious treasure that is worth protecting. John said that we have worked for something that we do not want to lose. What is that something? It is the reward of eternal life that God has promised to those who believe in his Son.
The reward of eternal life is not something that we earn by our own efforts or merits. It is a gift of God’s grace that we receive by faith. However, it is also something that we can forfeit by our own negligence or disobedience.
If we turn away from the truth, if we follow false teachings, if we stop loving God and one another, we risk losing our reward.
How Do We Watch Out?
You watch out by staying close to God and his word. We need to read, study, and meditate on the Scriptures, which are able to make us wise for salvation and equip us for every good work.
We need to pray, worship, and fellowship with God, who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before his glory. We need to obey, serve, and love God, who is able to reward us according to our deeds.
Watch out by staying connected to the community of faith. We need to listen, learn, and submit to the leaders and teachers who faithfully proclaim the truth and guide us in the way of righteousness.
Support, encourage, and care for one another, especially those who are weak, struggling, or suffering. We need to share, witness, and defend the gospel, especially to those who are lost, confused, or deceived.
What Is the Result of Watching Out?
The result of watching out is that we may be rewarded fully. John said that if we watch out, we will not lose what we have worked for, but we will receive the fullness of God’s blessing.
What is the fullness of God’s blessing? It is the joy of seeing Jesus face to face, the peace of being in his presence, the glory of sharing in his inheritance, and the love of being with him forever.
The reward of eternal life is not something that we can take for granted or assume that we already have. It is something that we need to pursue, protect, and prepare for. It is something that we need to watch out for.
“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” – Acts 13:38 (NIV)
In the bustling marketplace of life, we carry burdens—hidden chains that weigh down our souls. Guilt, shame, regrets—they cling to us like shadows.
But here, in the heart of Acts, a clarion call resounds: forgiveness. Not a mere pardon, but a sweeping liberation—an unshackling of our deepest wounds.
Prisoner Set Free
“Through Jesus…”
Imagine the scene: a weary traveler, stumbling under the weight of guilt. His past, a prison cell; his sins, iron bars. Yet, the proclamation echoes through the ages: forgiveness.
Not earned, not deserved, but freely given. The shackles fall, and the prisoner stands—redeemed, restored. The cross, once an instrument of death, becomes the gateway to life.
The tomb, empty; the grave clothes, discarded. The risen Christ extends nail-scarred hands—inviting us into the dawn of grace.
Whisper of Mercy
“The forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”
Grace whispers in the quiet corners of our hearts. It speaks of second chances, of redemption woven into our brokenness.
The tax collector, the adulteress, the doubter—all find solace at the foot of the cross. The slate wiped clean, the ledger erased. The Pharisee’s judgment silenced; the sinner’s tears embraced.
The Gospel, not a legal transaction, but a love story—a divine romance. Forgiveness, not a distant concept, but a living reality. The proclamation echoes still: You are forgiven.
Unshackled Life
“Through Jesus…”
As pilgrims on this grace-soaked journey, we walk unshackled. Our souls, once imprisoned, now dance in the light of forgiveness. We extend grace to others, for we know the cost—the crimson price paid on Calvary.
Our words, seasoned with mercy; our actions, dripping with compassion. We bear witness to the proclamation: forgiveness. It’s not a theological abstraction; it’s our heartbeat.
We live as liberated souls, marked by grace, pointing others to the One who sets captives free.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV)
Context
This verse comes from a book that is attributed to King Solomon, the wisest and richest man who ever lived. In this book, he shares his observations and reflections on life, as he searches for meaning and purpose in a world that seems full of vanity and futility.
He explores various aspects of human existence, such as work, pleasure, wisdom, wealth, justice, and death, and evaluates them from a human and a divine perspective.
In chapter 3, he talks about the seasons and cycles of life, and how there is a time for everything under the sun.
Message
What can we learn from this verse and its context? First, we can learn that God is the creator and sustainer of everything. He has made everything beautiful in its time, according to His design and plan.
He has given order and harmony to the universe, and He upholds it by His power and wisdom. He is the source and the goal of all things, and He works all things for His glory and our good.
Second, we can learn that God has given us a sense of eternity. He has also set eternity in the human heart, meaning that He has planted in us a longing and a desire for something more than this temporal and transient world.
He has made us for Himself, and He has given us a capacity and a curiosity to know Him and His ways. He has created us in His image, and He has endowed us with dignity and destiny.
Third, we can learn that God is beyond our comprehension. Yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end, meaning that we cannot fully grasp or understand the mystery and the majesty of God and His works.
He is infinite and eternal, and we are finite and temporal. He is sovereign and wise, and we are limited and foolish. He is holy and righteous, and we are sinful and flawed.
How can we apply this verse and its message to our lives? Here are some suggestions:
Worship God
Acknowledge that God is the creator and sustainer of everything, and that He deserves our praise and gratitude. Thank Him for His beauty and goodness, and for His grace and mercy.
Adore Him for His greatness and glory, and for His love and faithfulness. Surrender to Him as your Lord and Savior, and trust Him as your Father and Friend.
Seek God
Recognize that God has given you a sense of eternity, and that He is the only one who can satisfy your deepest needs and desires.
Ask Him to reveal Himself to you, and to guide you in His truth and will. Study His Word, and listen to His voice. Pray to Him, and commune with Him. Serve Him, and follow Him.
Humble yourself before God
Realize that God is beyond your comprehension, and that you need His wisdom and grace. Do not lean on your own understanding, or rely on your own strength. Do not question or challenge God’s ways, or resent or rebel against God’s purposes.
Do not boast or brag about yourself, or judge or condemn others. Rather, submit to God’s authority, and depend on God’s power.
Seek God’s forgiveness, and extend God’s forgiveness. Learn from God’s correction, and grow in God’s likeness.
God has set eternity in the human heart, and He invites us to know Him and love Him. This is the message of Ecclesiastes 3:11, and this is the message of the gospel. Let us heed it and live by it.
Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Bringing Good News
In a world filled with bad news, followers of Jesus have the privilege of bringing joyful good news of peace, salvation, and God’s reign.
What beautiful work!
Running with Urgency
Like urgent couriers, we eagerly carry this hope-filled message across mountains and valleys to those needing to hear of God’s grace.
The time is short so we must move quickly!
Proclaiming Christ
Our central role is to proclaim the salvation offered through Christ’s finished work on the cross.
All who believe receive redemption and new life in Him.
Blessed Feet
Though the task seems daunting, God takes our faltering steps to spread the gospel far and wide.
Our feet are made beautiful by the message they carry.
