{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrad-thurston.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fwheres-the-power-2-VDsR4pWp","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"Where’s the power 2","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/928b8180-b57f-49dc-a827-65b6a9112d3b/3a910af9-8814-42ab-9c4c-927ebc76be39/ea680eb2-5183-4cea-9f1a-9604c323fc3b.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"","height":200,"description":"Mark 16:14-20\nThe differences between the evangelists’s recording the the great commission is like a Diamond. Same message with different emphasis. Luke looks at the finished and unfinished tasks. John looks at the methodology of reproducing and multiplying the life of Jesus. Matthew looks at making disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching. Today we look at Mark’s account. 1.\tThe reaction of the disciples is even more dramatic. Jesus even rebukes them for their lack of faith.\n2.\tThe commission is simple and clear\n3.\tThe addition in Mark of the activity of the Holy Spirit points to the continuity of the ministry of Jesus\n4.\tThe obedience to the call and the activity of Jesus \n\nThe focus is on the words of testimony shared that focus on the encounter with Jesus. They are powerful because Jesus uses the testimonies of salvation to demonstrate his life in the present. See Romans 10.\nThe commission is to go and preach the good news. Jesus alive from the dead and conquering fear, death, the devil, and sin! It is worth it to give your life to Jesus!\nNow comes a difficult matter for the church over centuries. Do the gifts of the Spirit still function today?\nThe problem with signs, they are not to be worshipped. Salvation means wholeness, and that is what God does. He works with us, doing both signs and wonders. This is not a theological discussion point, this is what Jesus does. We will look into this more in the future, but it is not something to be fearful of, after all we do pray for the sick! But it is a matter of faith and expecting God to move when we are faithful. \nMy mother and prayer for Ruthie with pneumonia even though she believed the gifts ceased with the apostles.\n\nDo these things happen all the time? Are they a part of God’s work? Yes! Look at Jesus, how he heals in various ways. The blind man in Luke 18:42 was spoken to. In Mark 18:22 Jesus spit on him. In John 9:6 Jesus made mud, put it on his eyes, and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. \nSo the method is to be in touch with Jesus and do what he says. You see walking is something we can do. But God has to intervene if the ground we walk on is liquid. \n\nDo we negate the power or do we seek it? Do we yearn for Jesus to do his work, and when he does it, do we honor him and glorify him? Do we deflect the credit away from ourselves and point to Jesus? How do we deal with pride in the midst of great events?\nGive the glory to God!\n"}