God is Still Active Today
ICS Daily Devotions
Mark 16:14-20 (NKJV) Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
The passage above contains instructions similar to the Great Commission in Matthew chapter 28. Both passages instruct us to preach the gospel, do the work of the ministry, and make disciples. Did you know that these instructions are given to those who believe, not only to the 11 apostles? As Christians, we believe that Jesus has risen from the dead and will return. These instructions are closest to God’s heart because they were given right before He ascended to heaven. Jesus also confirmed every work He had instructed them to do with signs. Just as Jesus partnered with them in ministry, He will also partner with us when we step out in faith to carry out His instructions, convinced that He is risen, alive, and will come again.
God is still active today! Jesus’ love for mankind did not stop after His resurrection and ascension to heaven. Today, He is ministering through His body to express His love for you and the lost. He has also distributed gifts to the fivefold ministry to equip the saints for ministry. God expects a large part of the ministry to be carried out by the body of believers, because the work of the fivefold ministry is to spend time in prayer and preparation to deliver the Word to His people. We have the Holy Spirit’s help and empowerment to do what Jesus has instructed us to do, which, according to this passage, are preaching the gospel, casting out demons, and laying hands on the sick. Jesus also said that those who believe would speak in new tongues.
Jesus rebuked the disciples for their unbelief and hardness of heart. To avoid becoming consumers of Christianity, we ought to take time to reflect on God’s love for us, His sufferings, and His ultimate sacrifice for us on the cross, so we can respond rightly to His sacrificial and unconditional love by seeking ways to live for and serve Him.
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you still struggling with unbelief or a hardened heart toward God’s Word or the supernatural? Where is He inviting you to soften, trust, and yield more fully to Him?
Sermon Series：Jesus Ministers Through His Body After the Resurrection
