By Andrew Williams – September 19, 2021
Summoning the Twelve, He gave them power and authority over all the demons, and power to heal diseases. Then He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2 HCSB
So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.
Luke 9:6 HCSB
Good morning fellow disciples.
Today we continue to look at some choices that were made in the Bible. To choose means: “to select freely and after consideration, to have a preference for, or to take an alternative”. The question that we always have to answer is this, ” When I am faced with a choice, what will I choose to do?”
In our culture, many persons believe that it is the job of the pastor, evangelist, deacon, apostle, preacher, or Bishop to go out and preach the word of God. Many believe that because some of these persons are paid by the church then they should be the ones who do this ministry. Many church members don’t try to go and spread the gospel of the Kingdom for many different reasons.
Some of these church members will say that they are not appointed, not anointed, not called, or not trained to spread the gospel of the Kingdom. These reasons are all wrong because the word of God says differently. From the passages above we see that Jesus anointed and appointed his disciples to preach the gospel of the Kingdom and to heal the sick.
Many persons will say that and I quote, “I can’t preach” or “I can’t heal the sick”. And right now I can hear some of you saying that Jesus appointed his disciples and anointed them but he did not do that to you. But what does Scripture say?
Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name, they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.” Mark 16:15-18 HCSB
The command is for disciples to go spread the gospel. Are you saved? Do you believe? Well, Jesus says that as you go and spread the gospel of the Kingdom that signs and wonders will follow you, which includes casting out demons and healing the sick. This is the same authority and power that He gave to His disciples. You have that same mission, the same authority and power, and the same anointing as the apostles and the original disciples. So my question to you today is, “will you choose to go out and proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom?”
Prayer: Father God, Your Word clearly states that if we believe in Your son and we are baptized then as we go proclaiming the gospel of Your kingdom then signs and wonders will follow. We see that we are anointed and appointed just like the disciples in these passages and that You have blessed us with your Holy Spirit and with power to be Your witnesses. Father God, today I choose to proclaim Your word.
As I faithfully proclaim Your gospel may You honor it by showing the accompanying signs and wonders. I pray dear Lord that all who read or hear this posting today will be encouraged to proclaim Your gospel even more than they are currently doing. I pray that You will bless their obedience by doing exactly as your word says, they will cast out demons, they will lay hands on the sick and they will be healed, and You will be with them always. Amen.
