DCLM Daily Manna – Signs Following Christ’s Followers

 

TEXT: Mark 16:14-20 (KJV)

14 Later, as the eleven were eating, he appeared to them and chastised them for their lack of faith and their stony hearts for not believing others who had seen him after he had risen.

15 He then instructed them to spread the word to all peoples by going into the entire world.

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; nevertheless, he who does not believe will perish.

17 And these signals will adhere to those who believe; They will expel demons and speak in new tongues in my name.

18 They will pick up snakes, and if they drink something poisonous, it won't harm them. They will also heal the sick by touching them.

19 The Lord was then accepted into heaven and seated at God's right hand after speaking to them.

20 The Lord was with them as they went forth and preached everywhere, confirming the message with further signs. Amen.

KEY VERSE: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (MARK 16:17, 18).

MESSAGE:

Late Jamie Coots, the pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name in Middlesboro, Kentucky USA, was handling a rattlesnake during a service when he was bitten on his right hand. He refused medical care because he believed that God called upon him to handle venomous serpents and to drink other poisons without being harmed. While the Scripture encourages intelligent and Spirit-guided faith, it does not support presumptuous actions.

In the text we read today, Jesus firmly orders His followers to go into the world and proclaim the gospel to everyone they encounter, including devout people, atheists, young people who have not yet been converted, and even toddlers. As they continue to spread the gospel, Christ vowed to keep them safe. They went around preaching and leaving behind signs as instructed by Him.

Jesus made the reassurance that He would be with them because He understood that the devil would try to prevent them from following His instructions. The message that a believer should spread is the story of Jesus and the cross, and they should anticipate that their obedience will be accompanied by signs (Acts 28:1-5).

To intentionally put ourselves and other people in grave risk is not an act of faith, but rather of assumption. Miracles do not happen for show. When faced with life-threatening circumstances while carrying out the Master's instructions, believers must act with respect and make informed decisions.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The essence of faith is to turn sinners into saints through the gospel.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Job 22-25

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.