Blessing To Enjoy Through Disciple Training (Mark 3:13-15) 8/25/2024
Eternal Answer of 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC:
Blessing To Enjoy Through Disciple Training (Mark 3:13-15) 8/25/2024
A believer has two identities. First is the identity of a child of God (7 privileges), and second is the identity of a Disciple of Christ. God has called us in this age to enjoy these two blessings.
A Disciple is someone who can do the work of Christ on behalf of Him (John 20:21-Apostle of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:20-Ambassadors of Christ). So, if we truly believe, we can do greater works than Christ (John 14:12-14). That is going beyond saving our family and field and going on to save 237 nations and 5000 people groups, in world evangelization. For that absolute reason, God promised to give us evidence that takes us to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The problem is that most believers do not know the privilege of being a child of God and know even less about the blessing of a Disciple. We were chosen and called as a Disciple, but because we don’t realize it, we live oppressed (Baby Eagle in Aesop’s Fables).
There are also many misconceptions about being a Disciple. People wonder how we are supposed to go on such a difficult path, and they say they are not special enough. Sometimes God trains us through hardships (Deuteronomy 32:10-12). All of that is what believers should enjoy throughout their entire lives.
Today’s scripture is the key to 3 years of Disciple training after Jesus called the people of Galilee that were weak and lacking as Disciples. This blessing of disciple training is what we must hold onto and enjoy in this difficult age. We must confirm it through every worship, confirm it in your individual time of meditation, confirm it through 24-hour prayer, and experience it within all problems, conflicts, and crises.
- It says that “he appointed twelve that they might be with him” (v14).
1) This is the blessing we must never lose sight of the moment we receive salvation.
① He is with me (with), He is with us (Immanuel), and He is with everything that we do (oneness). This is the start of salvation (Matthew 1:23), it is the evidence of salvation (1John 5:11-12), and this is the conclusion of salvation (Revelation 21:3).
② What comes from this is the 5 Assurances that believers will enjoy (assurance of salvation in 1John 5;11-12, Assurance of Answers to prayer in John 16:24, Assurance of Victory in 1Corinthians 10:13, Assurance of Forgiveness in 1John 1:9, and Assurance of Guidance in John 16;13, Proverbs 3:5-6).
2) From the moment He is with us, we are given three of His things.
① His life is with us (Jesus’ life). That life is a reborn life (John 3:5), a New Life (Romans 6:4), and an Eternal Life that will not perish (John 5:24). Within that life is God’s DNA (“Holy Seed”). Whatever the DNA is, that is what will show. When we train it, great things will show.
② His authority is with us (Jesus’ Authority). This is why He calls us royal priesthood in 1Peter 2:9. We are the ones to conquer and heal the world. God trains us through our pain and all circumstances to give us evidence to save people like us.
③ What comes from that authority is power (Jesus’ Power). The people of Mark’s Upper Room enjoyed this power through Concentrated Prayer and Scheduled Prayer. When we train 24-hour Prayer inside the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:18), we can overcome all things (weaknesses, pain, failure, suffering). This is what we call “enjoyment” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18). Do not live an oppressed life. Restore a life that enjoys all things.
3) From here comes our life’s journey that God takes full responsibility of (Covenant Journey). The things that God promised and fulfills will be revealed in our lives (here, we find the Assurance of our lives).
- It says that “he might send them out to preach” (v14).
1) When we enjoy the blessing of God being with us, evangelism is bound to follow.
① God will be with us and others will see how God blesses our lives in all circumstances (Joseph, Isaac). God will be with us and others will see how we save lives in all crises (Daniel, Paul). Ultimately, they will see the light of God and His glory through us (1Peter 2:9).
② God will make our lives (work, studies, business, pain, suffering) into evidence (Acts 1:8). Evangelism isn’t teaching or persuading someone. It is testifying the one who has saved us and is with us.
2) When these answers and blessings continue, people will come to you (evangelism that takes place, Evangelism of the Platform and Bartizan).
① All people, nations and kings will come, and their riches (Economy of Light, Economy of Missions) will return (Isaiah 60:1-5). Enjoy the Gospel of God being with you and wait. For evangelism, wait as you pray until they open their hearts (Time Schedule).
② We must be prepared to tell them about Christ, when one day they open their hearts and come. This is why we have forum and organize and meditate on the pulpit. That is what will come out. This is also why we practice the Way of Salvation and ways of evangelism.
3) This is where the Journey of the Pilgrim begins. Our lives that seem full of weaknesses and scars and seem ever so small will become our Worship, our Evidence, and God’s Masterpiece.
- It says to “have authority (power) to drive out demons” (v15).
1) Why is it that we live an upright walk of faith but hardships and suffering still come? Job in the Bible was like that. It may be part of God’s testing (James 1:2-3, Job 23:10). The work of Satan was used for this purpose. The conclusion of the book of Job is to heal our hidden scars by opening our spiritual eyes (Job 42:5), and Job enjoyed double portion of blessings afterwards (Job 42:10).
2) See the work of Satan behind all conflict, suffering, and failures, use the authority of Christ to overcome it.
① The first lives Adam and Eve crumbled here (Genesis 3:5). They fell for the sweet temptations. Cain fell here and murdered his brother (John 8:44). If we do not receive grace, we will be attacked even when we don’t know it. King Saul crumbled here and ended his life in failure after trying to kill David (1Samuel 16:14-15). Satan entered in Judas Iscariot, and he betrayed Jesus (John 13:27), and church officer Ananias and Sapphira also crumbled that way (Acts 5:3).
② They did not receive the authority to drive out demons through training. They realized the authority that they were already given, and they trained in spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-11 Full Armor of God). We are seeing the spiritual reality and experiencing the evidence of victory in our prayers, in our problems, and in the field of evangelism and missions.
3) From here comes the Journey of Victory, Journey of a Conqueror. We are walking the Path of a Conqueror and Victor in all our tasks (studies, businesses), problems, and circumstances. Challenge yourself for this blessing.
Conclusion – A Disciple is someone who has everything. They can overcome all things. They can save all people. God is training this blessing into us. Are you faced with problems, pain, or unfair situations? It is the testing of your Discipleship. May we all stand as True Disciples who have victory within this blessing.