GOOD WORKS – PART SIX
Thursday – March 22, 2018, Nisan 6, 5778
Welcome back to our wonderful, powerful, and faith building Bible Study from the Book of Hebrews. Let’s review our primary text reading it aloud and then dive right into the Truth. Read it in context with a focus on the twenty-fourth verse.
Hebrews 10:23-26 (KJV)
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
We are to say what the Lord says not just as a rote memory recitation but because it is embedded in our heart and we have an unwavering faith in that Word. When this is true we will be much more effective in provoking (causing, stirring up) others to love and good works. I have been talking for several days about good works which is a vital part of being about the Father’s business. Today I will be focusing on what I hope is a familiar Scripture to all of us.
Mark 16:15-20 (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
These Words are uttered by Jesus some forty days after the Resurrection and ten days before the Day of Pentecost or Feast of Pentecost. These Words are not just for those assembled that day but for all who believe. A prerequisite to people receiving the “good works” of God through us is that they hear the gospel and attain a level of faith in that Word. To preach the gospel does not mean that you have to preach in the way you see your pastor each Sunday. It simply means that people must see and/or hear the good news of the Kingdom of God. Let’s take another look at Jesus, for this is how we are to look.
Mark 1:14-15 (KJV)
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Are we telling people about the wonderful, expansive, abundant Kingdom of God available to the believer in this life and in the next? It seems more commonly we are only telling people they must receive Jesus as Lord and Savior to escape Hell and go to Heaven? This Kingdom into which we have entered is not one of fear, confusion, or lack of any kind but one of abundant life here and the life hereafter. Back to our Mark 16:15-20 text we see that signs, supernatural, Holy Ghost and Power manifestations are to follow the believer. If there are no signs we can conclude that doubt is present, and faith is corrupted in spite of our confession. Confession (speaking) and believing (having unshakeable faith) are two very different things. Faith starts by hearing the Word of God, our confession of that Word, putting down deep roots in our heart (mind).
As we read on in our text we find that these signs are contingent on the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus is also our name. It is like having a hyphenated last name. For example, it would look like this, David Wood-Jesus. My name is useless apart from the name Jesus. When I say; “be whole in the name of Jesus” if the recipient believes (has faith) they will indeed be whole just as when Jesus said “be whole” and then remarked “your faith has made you whole”. My Anointing coupled with your faith makes you whole, just as with Jesus, the Father does the works.
Notice in the midst of our Mark text we find Jesus specifically noting the speaking in tongues. None of the things in the passage under discussion are going to happen for those not baptized in the Holy Spirit with the speaking in tongues. Notice in the final verse of the Gospel According to Mark that they went forth, preached the gospel, and the Lord confirmed the Word with signs following. If a contaminated Word is spoken, signs will not follow. Selah.
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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