"THE GREAT COMMISSION ACCORDING TO MARK"
INTRODUCTION
1. In Mark's account of "The Great Commission," notice the main thought
of Jesus' command...
a. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature"
- Mk 16:15-16
b. Jesus wanted every person in the world to hear the gospel (good
news)
2. Have you heard the gospel of Jesus Christ...?
a. You have likely hear some part of the gospel
b. You might even have responded in some fashion to it
[But exactly what is the gospel of Christ, and how should one respond to
it? With Mark's account of the Great Commission as our starting point,
note that the gospel of Christ contains...]
I. FACTS TO BELIEVE
A. CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED FOR OUR SINS...
1. This is likely the main point Jesus had in mind when He said
"Preach the gospel..."
2. It was fundamental to the gospel Paul preached - 1Co 15:1-3
3. Why did Jesus die for our sins?
a. Because we are all sinners! - Ro 3:23
b. Because the wages of sin is death! - Ro 6:23
-- In love God offers His Son as a "propitiation" (sacrifice) for
our sins! - 1Jn 4:9-10
B. OTHER FACTS OF THE GOSPEL TO BELIEVE...
1. Christ was raised from the dead
a. Also fundamental to the gospel Paul preached - 1Co 15:4
b. As proclaimed by Peter in the first gospel sermon - Ac 2:
22-32
2. Chris is exalted as King and Savior
a. He is now both Lord and Christ - Ac 2:33-36
b. He is head over all things - Ep 1:20-23
3. Christ is coming again
a. As promised when He ascended to heaven - Ac 1:9-11
b. Coming to offer both rest and tribulation - 2Th 1:7-10
-- He who died for us arose and ascended to reign and will return
in judgment!
[Whether we are prepared for His coming depends upon our obedience to
the gospel (cf. 2Th 1:8). In "The Great Commission According To Mark",
it is clear the gospel of Christ contains...]
II. COMMANDS TO OBEY
A. BELIEVE THE GOSPEL CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST...
1. We must believe the gospel, or we are lost! - Mk 16:16
2. The gospel is God's power for salvation to those who believe
- Ro 1:16
3. E.g., we must believe that God raised Him from the dead - Ro
10:9-10
-- For those willing to believe, eternal life can be theirs! - Jn
3:16; 20:30-31
B. BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS...
1. Jesus expected people to be baptized in response to His gospel
- Mk 16:15-16
2. Peter proclaimed baptism for the remission of sins to those who
believed - Ac 2:37-38
3. Paul related the place baptism had in his salvation from sin
- Ac 22:16
-- When we submit to baptism, God does His work in saving us! - Co
2:11-13
C. OTHER COMMANDS OF THE GOSPEL TO OBEY...
1. Confess your faith in Jesus
a. Confessing with our mouth the Lord Jesus leads to salvation
- Ro 10:9-10
b. Jesus will confess us before God if we confess Him before
others! - Mt 10:32-33
2. Repent of your sins
a. Jesus wanted repentance preached in His name to all nations
- Lk 24:46-47
b. The apostles therefore preached the need to repent - Ac 2:
37-38; 3:19; 17:30-31
3. Be faithful unto death
a. Faithfulness is necessary if we desire to receive the crown
of life - Re 2:10
b. There is a real danger in losing our faith - He 3:12-14
-- Though not included in Mark's account of the Great Commission,
these commands are clearly taught elsewhere in the Scriptures!
[When one obeys the commands of the gospel, they receive wonderful
blessings. In "The Great Commission According To Mark", it is clear the
gospel of Christ contains...]
III. PROMISES TO RECEIVE
A. THE PROMISE OF SALVATION...
1. Clearly stated in Mark's account of the Great Commission - Mk
16:16
2. This involves salvation from sin - Mt 1:21
a. We are promised the remission of sins! - Ac 2:38
b. Our sins are "blotted out", "washed away" - Ac 3:19; 22:16
c. Made possible by the precious blood of Christ - Ep 1:7
d. An ongoing blessing whenever we confess our sins - 1Jn 1:9
3. It also includes salvation from the wrath to come - Ro 5:9
a. When Jesus comes in flaming fire - 2Th 1:7-10
b. A day of wrath and indignation, tribulation and anguish - Ro
2:4-11
-- Such is the salvation that Jesus promises to those who obey the
gospel!
B. OTHER PROMISES OF THE GOSPEL TO RECEIVE...
1. The gift of the Holy Spirit
a. Spoken of by Christ during His ministry - Jn 7:37-39
b. Promised to those who repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38-39;
5:32
c. Given by God to those who become His children - Ga 4:6; cf.
3:26-27
2. The gift of eternal life
a. In the sense of our eternal reward...
1) Received at the end of a life bearing the fruit of
holiness - Ro 6:22-23
2) Received in the age to come - Mk 10:29-30
b. In the sense of abundant life now...
1) As offered by Jesus - Jn 10:10
2) A quality of life made possible by our relationship with
God - Jn 17:2-3
3) A life in Christ enjoyed even now - 1Jn 5:11-13
-- Thus the gospel has promise both in this life, and that which
is come! - 1Ti 4:8
CONCLUSION
1. The gospel Jesus wanted preached to every creature is certain "good
news"...
a. The facts to believe contains the message of God's love and grace
b. The commands to obey are not difficult works done to earn
salvation, but simple acts of faith whereby we receive God's grace
c. The promises to receive help us deal with the real problem of sin
in our lives, and prepare for the blessings of eternity!
2. What have you done with the gospel of Christ...?
a. Jesus wanted you to know about it
b. You have now heard it, if not before
Jesus made clear what He wanted people to do (believe and be baptized).
He also made clear what would happen if we did not: "He who does not
believe will be condemned."
Are you willing to believe the facts of the gospel and obey its
commands? If so, then its wonderful promises are there for you to
receive...!
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Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2009
