Mark 16
Belief!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, May 7.
What does it mean to believe?
If I say, I believe that chair is a good and safe place to sit down and enjoy my morning cup of coffee while I read my Bible, then I act upon it: I put all my weight and I trust the chair to support me. I don’t do a half squat in the chair and start feeling the burn within seconds just to keep the illusion that I believe…
Belief is not just an act of the mind to understand a truth or the will of our hearts to trust. Biblical belief requires the work of God in us to act upon what our minds and hearts say is true. It is the coming together of our whole person into a lifestyle that proclaims what we believe.
As Mark concludes the Gospel of Mark, he describes the events of the resurrection, but he doesn’t end with an optimistic view of the disciples. Jesus is raised from the dead, but over and over again the disciples struggled to believe. Listen to Mark 16:8, “And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”
Mark continues to say of the disciples, “they would not believe” (v. 11) and again, “they did not believe” (v. 13). Jesus gave three eyewitnesses a personal encounter, but the disciples would not believe.
Seize the moment and pray that Holy Spirit will work in you to align your lifestyle (from the inside out) to the teachings of Jesus Christ. The evidence of belief is not displayed in what building you find yourself sitting on a Sunday morning, that’s more true than ever, but in how you live for Jesus all week long. Don’t get distracted from being the Church—Shine His Light!
FBC wants to be there for you personally, so please dial the phone number below if you need someone to call you today. We are praying for you!