You Talking to Me? – Part 39

Imagine being commanded to do what Jesus did.  You talking to me?

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Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 21, 24, 26, & 28 – And God said . . .

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Today we continue our look at the multiple “You talking to me?” moments in Mark 16:15-19.  We have already looked at the two greatest elements of this Great Commission.  Let’s more forward now and examine the remaining elements.  “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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.”  Consider the first evidentiary statement.  “In my name shall they cast out devils.”  If this statement is proffered in most churches today, I am convinced the majority of those who call themselves Christian would either be shocked, or very quickly cite some excuse as to why they cannot.  Both responses would be wrong, and both would reveal to some degree the current weakness of faith and lack of knowledge of Scripture of far too many Christians.

When one considers the raw power of God that is called upon in this exercise of faith, and the far-reaching impact of this action, I can fully understand how one’s mind could almost scream, “You talking to me?”  And I can understand it even better with the evidence that seems to be in great abundance demonstrating the weakness of the current Church as a whole.  I can only place my trust in the Lord for His Word to be fulfilled, that when Jesus comes, He will come for a glorious Church without spot, wrinkle, or blemish.  When that is the state of the Church, casting out devils will be part of a normal day. 

Ah, but there’s more.  We shall also “speak with new tongues.”  Now here, while we don’t have such a broad-based voice of “You talking to me?” moments, this command expectation is found in the midst of many denominational conflicts.  One denomination fully embraces this command expectation while another completely rejects it, and out of that comes debate, argument, and ultimately, strife.  It will be in those denominational, or some would call, doctrinal disagreements that the “You talking to me?” moments occur, and that from both sides of the debate.  It happens whenever one side tries to persuade, or in truth, out-argue the other, and the “You talking to me?” moment is not directed at the Lord, but at one another.  My friend, I am in no way attempting to jump start a battle over doctrine, nor am I trying to convince one side or the other of its error.  I am simply setting forth what is clearly stated in God’s Word.  Speaking is tongues as Holy Spirit gives utterance IS the initial physical evidence of being filled with Holy Ghost, and being filled with Holy Ghost is a definite work of the grace of God subsequent to the new birth.  From that truth there must be no turning.

Manna for Today – Genesis 1; Psalm 119:89; Proverbs 4:20-23; Mark 11:22-26; Romans 3:4