Before You Take On The World

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: Before You Take On The World ------------------- Date: 1/17/2003
Keywords: "disciples" "heal" "send" "spiritual maturity"
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Passage: Mark 5:7-13*

7. And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits;

8. and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff — no bread, no bag, no money in their belt —

9. but to wear sandals; and He added, "Do not put on two tunics."

10. And He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.

11. Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them."

12. They went out and preached that men should repent.

13. And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

Questions

1. If someone were to ask you what a Christian is, what would you say?

 

2. Try and give a description of what a Christian might look like to people who may have never met one.

 

Practical help

On first reading, people might think that today’s passage gives all Christians some ability to cast out demons and heal the sick. If this were true, Christians would probably struggle less with temptations like pornography as well. This is not the case by a long-shot. As you and I know, these miraculous gifts are not abundantly found in churches today. Perhaps it is because most of us lack a particular amount of faith. But if this were true, then why did Jesus say we only needed a mustard seed amount? (Matthew 17:20)

I think the reason we are not effective in moving mountains and walking on water, is due to the fact that we are poor readers. We quickly jump to simplistic conclusions that are incorrect because we do not spend the time to really understand what the Bible is saying. So let’s look at today’s passage (and ourselves) a little more critically.

In verse 7 Jesus called his disciples together and gave them instructions before sending them out. You and I need instructions as well. How well do you understand the Bible? If the answer is, "Not very well," then you haven’t been reading the game plan and therefore are not ready to go out and turn the world upside down. Another point from this verse is that he sent them out in pairs. Are you meeting with other believers? Do you value your relationships with other Christians? If you are a "loner" Christian, then, again, you are not following the game plan as the Bible teaches it. We fall into a great deal more temptation and sin when we are not interacting with other believers. They need you and you need them. God designed it that way.

In verse 8 Jesus told them what not to pack for the trip. Why? Because then they would have to rely completely on him. How about you? Are you going through life trusting in Jesus PLUS other things — like your good looks, your money, you charming personality, etc.? If your priorities are not in sync with God’s, then you are not ready to live a miraculous God-empowered life. True saints are not more talented than others, they simply live life trusting God will do what only he can do on their behalf. This should be the normal Christian life — and the most exciting way to live. Don’t miss out!

In verse 10 Jesus told them not to be flighty with their relationships with others. When they entered a house, they were to stay put. Do you leave relationships quickly when things aren’t working out?

In verse 11 Jesus told them they could feel hurt and disappointed when people let them down, but the most they could do about it was clean their own sandals. This was to indicate that they were going to leave retribution in God’s hands. When people run you the wrong way, are you quick to explode, or quick to escape into porn, alcohol, or any other addiction in order to dull the pain of disappointment? If any of this describes you, find help now. One place to look might be at a nearby Bible-believing fellowship.

So in conclusion, before you jump for the dramatic in an attempt to determine if Jesus is with you, begin by obeying his instructions for those areas of your life you need to fix today. In time, you will be ready to change the world in Christ’s name. Have a great day and know that we at eXXit are cheering you on!

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."