Focus Scripture:  

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God. 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 16:14-20  

In last week’s lesson we learned that Jesus gave His followers four distinct signs that would distinguish His Church from imposters. We also discovered that the “signs” were not meant to be taken literally. Rather, they are symbolic representations of spiritual truths, as was the style and custom of Jewish prophets. These signs point to something beyond themselves: they are evidences of divine activity and transcend the common course of nature. Their value is not in their doing as much as what they indicate is the power and grace of the Doer. They are  God’s fingerprints proving that His hand is on His Church.

Last week we reviewed signs #1 & #2. This weeks teaching starts with #3. 

3. They will pick up snakes with their hands; they drink deadly poison it shall not effect them. AUTHORITY OVER NATURE!

A cursory reading would seem to indicate that there are two signs. However, each sign is in reality a part of the whole. This dichotomous reference represents the influence of mother nature, i.e., the power or force that seems to regulate the physical universe. God gave Adam dominion over all of His creation; every living plant and every living creature (see Gen 1:28-30). This dichotomous reference speaks directly to this dominion mandate and once again establishes redeemed mankind as the lord over God’s creation.

This may not seem significant to us in our present day society. But one must bear in mind that in the community of the ancients the gods of mythology were confessed to reigned supreme. Each aspect of creation had its own deity. In one symbolic statement Jesus lumps together the myriad of god’s and renders them powerless against His Church. Romans 8:28 teaches us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” The only way that is possible is if all of creation is subject to the power of God’s Word resident in His Church!

4. They will place their hands on the sick. DIVINE CHARACTER!

To understand the symbolic value of this statement one must once again read it from the perspective of those who heard it. Societal compassion did not exist then as a model for community standards. Void of the influence of the Holy Spirt man is a selfish, self-serving, self-preserving individual. This deficiency of God like character, even in those who purport to be “godly,” was the central issue in the parable of the Good Samaritan (see Lk 10:30-37).

The natural response of base human nature is to avoid helping others in need. A recent news story confirms this point. In Hartford, Conn. a streetlight surveillance camera recorded a 78 year old man being tossed like a rag doll after being struck by a hit-and-run driver. As grotesque as this scene was, the rest of the video was even more disturbing. It shows people on the sidewalk staring at the victim, who was sprawled out on the busy city street in obvious pain. Yet no one attempts to help him or even try to divert traffic so that other cars don’t hit him again. The next day the city’s biggest newspaper printed “SO INHUMANE” in bold type on the front page. 

Inhumane? No, unredeemed! The reason compassion is lacking in our society is that man, in his fallen state, no longer possesses the desire to help others. Rather, man motto has become, “To thine own self be true.” It wasn’t until the incarnation of Jesus Christ that man witnessed true compassion and a unconditional love for others. 

This is the central teaching of Christianity and the ultimate evidence of one’s conversion (see John 13:35). Therefore,  truly born-again Christians “will place their hands on sick people”. In other words, they will go out of their way to do whatever they can  in order to help those who are in need.

Questions For Personal Reflection: 

1. Does a Christian need to pick up snakes to prove his faith? Explain.  

2. What does Gen 1:28 give to man who is in right standing with God?

3. Why is laying hands on the sick a sign of a person being born again?  

4. How can you show others the same love God has given to you?  

Remember

The Bible teaches us that man is created in God’s image and likeness and has given redeemed mankind authority over all His creation. Therefor, nothing can separate us from the love of God and nothing can cause us to fail to fulfill our destiny.

Prayer Requests for the Week:  

Prayer is the very life and breath of Christ the King Church. It sustains the momentum of the church to fulfill our calling and destiny by releasing God’s anointing and power. Please take some time during your study to help us pray for current needs of our church.  

1. Pray that every man, woman and child who enters this building will experience the life changing love of Christ.   

2. Pray for the church and school in Cambodia.   

3. Pray for our Bishop as he seeks God’s will about how we should live out our mission and vision. 

4. Pray for wisdom for Pastor Beninate and the other pastors as they lead the ministries God has given each of them. 

5. Pray for the deacons and the rest of the staff as they support and help manage all the ministries that make up Christ the King Church. 

6. Pray for our leaders in every branch of government, especially for the upcoming elections.  

Bishop and Pastor Beninate hope that you enjoy this short devotional Bible study. They recommend that you use this material as a reference for your family’s daily devotion and prayer time.  

Thank you for your commitment to this church body!