SHARING JESUS’ MESSAGE
Gospel of Mark #18
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
(Mark 6:6–13, NLT) “Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes. “Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.”
1. Jesus empowers and sends.
(Mark 6:7, NLT) “And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.”
We…
a. Strengthen and encourage one another.
b. Comfort in times of rejection.
c. Help one another discern so that fewer mistakes are made.
d. Spur one another on.
2. Jesus provides.
(Mark 6:8, NLT) “He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money.”
a. Focus on God’s power.
b. Go further than your natural resources can carry you.
c. Worry less; Worship more.
d. Live simply and efficiently.
e. The minimum of provision calls out the maximum of faith.
f. Care for one another.
g. The best stories are those of faith tested, proved, growing, and affirmed.
3. Jesus prophesies.
(Mark 6:11, NLT) “But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”
GROWTHWORK
1. My mission in life is an extension of Christ’s work in the world today.
(Mark 16:15, NLT) “And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”
2. My call comes before my comfort.
(Mark 8:34–37, NLT) “Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”
3. My efforts must bless others.
(Mark 6:12–13, NLT) “So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.”
a. Casting out demons was destroying the strongholds of Satan.
b. Jesus’ vision must be ours.
c. Jesus gives authority to us.
d. Jesus taught the disciples and they taught others.
e. Jesus modeled life for the disciples and they in turn modeled life for others.
f. Are we doing the same?