Gleans from Monday Bible Study with Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
DLBC Gbagada HQ
12th August 2019
Study 23 – CHRIST’S DEMONSTRATION AND DELEGATION OF HIS MIGHTY MINISTRY
Text – Mark 6:1-13; Job 34:31-32; Psalms 25:9; Isaiah 48:17
“And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?” (Mark 6:1-2). As we come to the Bible Study, we need to understand that studying the word of God brings blessings to everyone. We study His Word, Will and Wonders and all these should produce practical, positive and profitable results in every life. But there are two kinds of people that hear the word of God – those who hear the word and remain the same or even retrogress, worse than they were. But why? (i) They are superficial hearers: what they hear is not in their hearts, so when the wind blows, it blows away the word of God that they have heard. (ii) They are faithless hearers – they hear but the word does not mix with faith in their hearts. (iii) They are religious hearers – they come regularly, religiously, but The word has no effect on their outlook, language, or pattern of their lives. (iv) They are dull hearers – sleeping or dozing while hearing, that the word has no practical, pungent effect on their lives. (v) They are prayerless hearers – they do not pray over what they are hearing. (vi) There are nominal hearers – they go to church as routine, so no impact, effect, transformation nor change in their lives. (vii) They are carnal hearers – they are there to compare ministers carnally and therefore do not gain or benefit from the Word.
But on the other hand, there are people that learn and study the word of profitably because (i) They are awakened learners – the word wakes up their minds, hearts and brings conviction on them. (ii) They are responsive learners – the Word speaks directly to them and they respond immediately to change their lives, attitude and character. (iii) They are active learners – the word mixes with faith in their hearts and makes an impact. (iv) They are teachable learners – bendable, moldable and the word of God has influence on them. (v) They are seeking learners – seeking for solution to their moral, or spiritual problem. They don’t remain sinners, they become saints; they don’t remain babes, they remain real mature people; they don’t remain ordinary witness, they become apostles and teachers of the word as they learn and study the word of God. (vi) They are prayerful learners – they take everything they are learning to the Lord in prayer, and this effects changes in them. (vii) They are heavenly-minded learners – their hearts are set on heaven, and whatever will get them closer to heaven is what they are learning, seeking and praying about as well. See the attitude that benefits from the word of God, “Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more” (Job 34:31-32). When someone is meek, teachable, moldable and tender, God teaches him His ways (Psalms 25:9). The Lord wants us to profit by salvation, transformation, and having all the promises of God fulfilled in our lives, and not to study in vain as we learn His word (Isaiah 48:17). The profit of the word will come to your life, and you will never be the same again in Jesus Name.
Christ came from Heaven to demonstrate His mighty ministry.
“And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?” (Mark 6:2). Then the delegation of power and authority, “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits” (Mark 6:7). And see the wonders that they did with that delegated power and anointing from Christ, “And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them” (Mark 6:12,13).
3 points:
Point 1. THE AMAZING RESPONSE TO HIS MATCHLESS MINISTRY
Mark 6:1-2; Matthew 13:54; Luke 4:31,32; Acts 17:11-12; Mark 6:3,4; Isaiah 53:2,3; John 7:15,24; 2 Corinthians 10:7; 4:18; Mark 6:5,6; John 9:30; Romans 3:3,4; 11:20-22; Hebrews 3:12; 4:2
Christ’s ministry was greater and higher than the ministry of all those who had come before Him, because He is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Very Power of God, and the Word before the beginning, so the people were amazed at His matchless miracle working power and ministry. “And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?” (Matthew 13:54). It surprised them that He had such power, authority and demonstration of mighty deliverance coming from His ministry. “And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power” (Luke 4:31,32). You will notice that His teaching preceded the working of miracles, healings and deliverances. For those who listened to Christ with the right attitude and proper condition of hearts, Hs teaching brought transformation, came with power and led them into discipleship. His messages produced miracles of salvation, healings, deliverance, purity and power. I pray that today, the teaching will produce such practical, positive and powerful effect in every one of our lives in Jesus Name. For this to happen, we must have this same attitude and disposition – “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). We receive the word and doctrines with all readiness of hearts and minds. And as many as believed were saved, healed, delivered and the word worked mightily in them. “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him” (Mark 6:3). They knew so much of the natural that they missed the Supernatural; knew so much of history and missed His healing, knew so much of his natural family and they missed the spiritual fellowship. They missed the glory and the demonstration of His power in their lives because of their earthly considerations. “But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house” (Mark 6:4). When a prophet goes beyond his own community, little circle, village or town, he has honour but when he remains in his locality and community, because of the stories they can tell about him, that honour is lost, but the loss is theirs, because they missed the manifestation and demonstration of His power. Those who are preoccupied with natural, outward, earthly become the losers. There are such situations today that when you are familiar with a leader or local pastor, you know his family and all about him, that knowledge can make you lose the eternal, supernatural, mighty works and wonders of salvation, healing and wonders of heaven. Their knowledge of history prevented them from the experience of heaven. “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). They could not see any glory in Him when He came, with all their knowledge about Him. This prophecy was fulfilled on them, but I pray that negative prophecy will not be fulfilled in your life in Jesus Name (Isaiah 53:3). Don’t look at things after the natural appearance but spiritual (John 7:24; 2 Corinthians 10:7). We benefit from His power and matchless ministry by looking at the things which are not seen (2 Corinthians 4:18).
“And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them” (Mark 6:5). They were the losers; they remained sick, many died prematurely, not converted because they were not looking at Him as the Saviour but as a carpenter, son of Mary and a regular poor villager. The few who pushed aside the talk in town, He healed. In knowing much history, they lost heaven; it earned them hell (Mark 6:6). They didn’t believe yet He remain the Saviour, Healer and Redeemer; their unbelief took nothing away from Christ (Romans 3:3-4). There is the danger and destruction in unbelief (Romans 11:20-22; Hebrews 3:12). When you are not familiar with the preacher, pastor and the leader, you get the best from the word of God but when familiarity sets in, the word does not mix with faith in your heart anymore (Hebrews 4:2). Pray that the word of God will mix with faith in your heart in Jesus Name.
Point 2. THE ASSIGNED RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MASTER’S MESSENGERS
Mark 6:7-13
These disciples were the messengers of Christ, and He appointed and gave them responsibilities that they were to follow. When we will lift up Jesus, He will draw all men unto Himself. “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits:” “And they went out, and preached that men should repent and they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” (Mark 6: 7, 12-13)
Three lessons to learn here as their assigned responsibilities:
(i) Preach Repentance to rescue the Perishing – Mark 6:12; Luke 13:3,5; 24:45-47; Acts 3:19,26; 17:30,31; 2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 18:30-32. This is the reason why we preach, to rescue them and as they repent they will not perish. In all nations, cities, at all times, wherever there are men that need to be saved, repentance must be preached. Their sins will not be blotted out if they don’t repent that is why we are to preach repentance. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). If their sins are not blotted out they will remain in God’s record, and when they die they will answer for those sins, and suffer eternal punishment and damnation. After repentance, there will be cleansing, forgiveness, refreshing, freedom and salvation. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but He is waiting for all to repent (2 Peter 3:9). Herein lies the forgiveness of humanity and the peace we have with God, that men should repent. Repentance is to turn away from all your transgressions; and if you don’t repent, iniquity will ruin you.
The duty the Master gave –
(ii) Heal the Sick to save the Soul – Mark 6:7,13; 10:51-52; Luke 19:10; John 4:50-53; 5:14; Acts 9:32-35. Many people don’t understand the purpose of the ministry of healing. It is a means to open up the soul to receive the salvation of the Lord and new life in Christ. Healing the sick is to save the soul and wake him up to get more from Christ. Jesus was not healing the people so they will go and serve Satan with the renewed strength and vigour. “And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way” (Mark 10:52). You are healed but not to have the license to follow Satan, or evil but to follow Christ. The purpose of the healing was to draw them to Christ for salvation. You are healed of your sickness so that you can be saved from sin. “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14). Salvation must follow after healing. Heal the sick and reach out to save their souls.
(iii) Cast out spirits to convert the Sinner – Mark 6:7,13; 5:15,18; Acts 19:18-20; Luke 11:24-26; 2 Peter 2:20. How useful will it be that a minister with deliverance ministry will cast out devils and still leave the souls on the path to hell. When you cast out evil spirit from somebody, don’t leave him there, but still reach out to him to save his soul. What if you cast out devils and Jesus does not live in the heart and the heart is empty, see what will happen to him, “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26). Complete the job; lead him to Christ. “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20)