Monday Bible Study(07 September, 2020)
SUPERNATURAL SIGNS FOLLOWING BELIEVERS TILL THE END
Mark 16:17-20
Supernatural signs follow believers. These signs are not only for the early apostles, but also for all those “that believe” in Christ’s name now and until the end of the world. Therefore, as believers, we ought to find out the supernatural signs that should follow us until our Lord comes again for the saints.
Point one: THE SPECTACULAR SOURCE OF FAITH FOR STEADFAST BELIEVERS
Mark 16:17
The spectacular source of faith for steadfast believers is the name of Jesus. They cast out devils, speak and preach in His name. To experience signs in the ministry and accomplish great things in God’s service, we must do all things in the name of the Lord.
(i). The Power of His Name
John 1:12; Acts 8:12; 10:43; 19:13-17; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 John 2:12
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name”. Those who believe in the name of Jesus Christ, the only Way and Source of salvation, possess the power of sonship and have His nature in them. It is a privilege to believe on the name of the Lord Jesus who died for us. Through faith in His name, we are cleansed from sin, justified and redeemed by His blood. He also sanctifies and purifies our hearts because we believe on His name.
(ii). The Possibilities in His Name
Mark 16:17; John 14:12-14; 15:16; 16:23,24; Acts 3:6,16; 16:18; Hebrews 1:4
There are lots of possibilities for those who believe in Christ’s name. We become confident and express unwavering faith when we trust in His name that cannot fail. Christ did many works and He gives us the assurance that we will do “greater works” than He did. But this can only happen if we believe on His name. The blessings we receive through the authority of the name of Jesus are unlimited. Christ said, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father IN MY NAME, he will give it you”. Through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, preach and have signs follow us. God answers our prayer as we ask Him in the name of our Substitute, Saviour and only begotten Son of God.
(iii). Our Privilege under His Name
Philippians 2:9,10; Colossians 3:17; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Timothy 6:1; Acts 9:15; 1 Peter 4:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:12
Christ has been given “a name which is above every name” on earth, in heaven, anywhere and everywhere. We have authority and power of attorney under His name because He obtained the greatest name in the whole universe. The name of Jesus is higher and greater in any realm above, beneath or on earth. Therefore, calling upon His name is a privilege. But we do not just act or relate with His name when we want to pray. Every area of our lives and the things we “do in word or deed” must be under the authority of Christ and glorify His name. On this basis, we come confidently, convincingly and with unshakable faith before the Lord who grants all our petitions. Besides, through faith in His name, He forgives, redeems, cleanses, transforms and empowers us to live righteously.
Point two: THE SUPERNATURAL SIGNS THAT FOLLOW SERVING BELIEVERS
Mark 16:17,18
Supernatural signs follow serving believers in the name of Christ alone and not in any other name. There are five things to note:
(i). Casting out Devils
Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17-20; Acts 5:14-16; 16:16-18; 19:11,12
Christ has given us the opportunity, authority and power to cast out devils in His name. The seventy disciples testified that “even the devils are subject unto us through thy name”. The same name is at work today. Thus, we can pray in the power and anointing of His name and manifest authority over any oppression, infiltration, possession or work of the devil. The name of Jesus will never lose its potency against the demonic power that engineers evil in people.
(ii). Speaking with New Tongues
Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46; 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10,11
The promise of the Father to “speak with new tongues” was fulfilled in the lives of the early apostles because they gathered, prayed and waited in the name of the Lord. The power to speak with new tongues, which is the evidence of baptism in the Holy Ghost, is available to present-day believers who are saved, sanctified and hold on to the promise Christ has given us in His name.
(iii). Destroying Satan’s Serpents
Mark 16:18; Luke 10:19; Psalm 91:13; Acts 28:3-6; Revelation 12:9-11
The name of Jesus Christ gives us the power, authority and ability to destroy all the serpents of Satan. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Being under the authority and protection of the name of Jesus, we receive assurance of victory over the enemies that confront us.
(iv). Protection from Harmful Substance
Mark 16:18; 2 Kings 2:19-22; 4:38-41; Luke 10:19b
Our Lord Jesus Christ assures us of total protection from harmful substances, which is taken accidentally. He also promises to preserve and prolong our lives. However, to ingest poisonous substance presumptuously because of God’s protection is to tempt the Lord. Those who indulge in such act and die in the process will face the consequence because it is suicide. Such persons will be separated from God in eternity.
(v). Healing the Sick
Mark 16:18c; Matthew 10:1,7,8; Luke 10:1,9,17-20; John 14:12; James 5:14-16
When believing saints lay hands on the sick in the name of the Lord, “they shall recover”. However, we should not limit ourselves to the laying on of the hands to receive healing. When we have the opportunity, we can also “call for the elders of the church” to pray for the sick. Distance will not be a barrier if we offer “the prayer of faith” in the name of Jesus. Prayers that are only based on emotion, force or shouting do not attract divine intervention. To receive answer and finally make it to heaven, those who pray for others must ensure they are consistent in holy living.
Point three: THE SOVEREIGN SUPPORT FOR FAITHFULNESS IN SELFLESS BELIEVERS
Mark 16:19,20
“And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them… Amen” There is sovereign support for the faithfulness of selfless believers. If we obey the Lord like the early apostles, He will confirm “the word with signs following.” There are three things to note:
(i). The Sovereign Conqueror Who is Worthy
Mark 16:19; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 12:2; Ephesians 1:20-22; Revelation 4:11; 5:9-12
Christ presently resides “on the right hand of the Majesty on high” – a place of authority, sovereignty, anointing and power. From there, He upholds all things in the universe “by the word of his power”. He has power over the devil, demons, diseases and everything on earth. He is set on the right hand of the Father “in the heavenly places, Far above all… power and might… and every name”. He has also put “all things under his feet”. All position, power, authority and supremacy belong to Jesus. So, when we go in His name, we experience victory and possibilities in our lives.
(ii). The Selfless Consecration of His Watchmen
Mark 16:20a; Acts 5:28-32,42; 8:4,5,26-30,40; 20:24-28; 2 Timothy 4:2-5
The power, authority and confirmation of the Word follow us as we move into the field of service and evangelism. The apostles were committed and selfless in their consecration as witnesses and watchmen over the people. Thus, they experienced supernatural confirmation of the Word they preached. The Lord wants every member in the body of Christ to be a witness unto Him. But as we preach, we must also “watch …in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of [our] ministry”.
(iii). The Supernatural Confirmation of the Word
Mark 16:20b; Hebrews 2:3,4; Acts 11:21-24; 14:3; Mark 16:15-20; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9; Matthew 28:19,20
If we obey Christ’s word, spread the gospel and touch every life, He will work with us and confirm His word with signs following. He does not confirm our personality, title, power or authority but the Word we preach. Therefore, we must ensure we speak faithfully, persuasively, convincingly and believingly so that the people will accept and believe the word of God. If we are faithful, He will confirm the Word with salvation, sanctification, Holy Ghost baptism, healing and deliverance. “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”
GHS: 153