The Great Command

Dated: 4-11-1971

Mark 16:15-20 (ASV)

[15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. [17] And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; [18] they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

 [19] So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. [20] And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

Mark tells us about Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and Salome coming very early in the morning with sweet spices to anoint Jesus’ body – at sunrise – the first one’s there.

They were wondering who would roll the stone away so they could go in. 

But when they looked they saw the stone was rolled away.

They entered and saw a young man sitting on the right side clothed in a white garment. 

They were afraid.  He said “Be not afraid. You look for Jesus.  He is not here – see the place where they laid Him.  – But go tell his disciples and Peter – He will meet them in Galilee.

Jesus appeared first to Mary –  She went and told them that she had been with him, as they morned and wept.

BUT THEY BELIEVED NOT.

So Jesus appeared to two of them and even walked with them into the country – and they went and told – yet they did not believe them.

Then Jesus appeared to the eleven as they sat at meat and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen.

THINGS I SEE, and would like to point out to you in this lesson

#1. The person who Gave this Command – Jesus Christ God’s son 

– The Lilly of the Valley – The Bright and morning star.

The fairest of Ten Thousand – The Great I Am

– thats who gave the Command

#2. To Whom It Was Given

He did not give it to Kings or his enemies

No, He gave it to his friends – like you and me.

The ones He had walked with – ate with – slept with – prayed with and for.

Go ye.

#3. The Plan He Gave is Plain and Simple

Go Ye into ALL the world and witness – or bear witness

Testify – tell what you know or have seen

He said look on the fields for they are white.  Now is the harvest time 

– today if ye hear His voice, harden not your heart

#4. His Price – It will cost you something to be a Christian

We are rich and have much goods stored up – It will cost you your life.

Photo from “NASA”.

Take up thy cross and follow me.  The rich young ruler did not follow.

#5. The Power Behind this Cause

We were all thrilled by the moon mission – it’s power to lift that rocket off the ground – That is like a fire cracker along side GOD’s POWER (Note added by Tim: this was written in 1971!)

#6. The Promise – Lo I am with you always – said Jesus – with you in life – with you in death

He will walk with you through the hazardous journey’s of life, and put His arms around you in death, and present you faultless before the Father

#7. Go and Weep – and you will come again rejoicing, bringing your Sheaves with you