They Worked
THE RESURRECTED LIFE!
Terry R. Baughman

“And the apostles went out announcing the good news everywhere, as the Lord himself consistently worked with them, validating the message they preached with miracle-signs that accompanied them!” (Mark 16:20 TPT).

The resurrected life is not one of retirement, relaxation, and reticence; rather, it is a life of purpose, passion, and perseverance. The disciplined life of Christian living is work. Some may object to this declaration by saying, “No, it is not of works,” while quoting the Apostle Paul, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJ). 

It is correct to say we are not saved by works, but by grace alone. However, good works are a natural outgrowth of the Spirit-filled life. Paul went on to say, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10 NKJ). While we rely solely on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, the purpose for our salvation and redemption was that we might bear the good fruit of the Spirit, which is, “Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJ). 

When we go out in the power of the Spirit we are enabled to more effectively represent Jesus Christ in the world. God has assured us of His presence working with us! It becomes obvious that if He is working with us, we must also be working with Him!

The Scripture gives several examples of our involvement with God being action, effort, and work. Paul wrote, “Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:8-9 NKJ). This passage in the KJV said that we are laborers together with God. 

Paul also said “As God’s servants, we prove ourselves authentic in every way. For example: We have great endurance in hardships and in persecutions. We don’t lose courage in a time of stress and calamity. We’ve been beaten many times, imprisoned, and found ourselves in the midst of riots. We’ve endured many troubles, had sleepless nights, and gone hungry. We have proved ourselves by our lifestyles of purity, by our spiritual insights, by our patience, and by showing kindness, by the Spirit of holiness and by our uncritical love for you. We commend ourselves to you by our truthful teachings, by the power of God working through us, and with the mighty weapons of righteousness— a sword in one hand and a shield in the other” (2 Corinthians 6:4-7 TPT). It was never His intention for us to simply spend our days in fellowship enjoying the blessings of God, but to do the works that He has called us to do.

Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4 NKJ). As much as Jesus came with a purpose to fulfill the work of God, we also have been sent to complete His commission. Jesus told His disciples, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21 NKJ). Christ’s expectation of every believer was that, “You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJ).

The calling of God is to fulfill the works of ministry to which we have been assigned. Paul noted that there is in the church, “some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,” and then explained their purpose was, “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJ). It is not just ministers and leaders, but every believers’ responsibility to fulfill the work of ministry!

Paul instructed his son in the Gospel, “Be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5 NKJ). Whatever our calling, we are to complete the task, work to achieve our goals, and commit every success to the Lord Jesus Christ. He will work with us; we are co-workers with God! 
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Theme passage:
“For although he was crucified as a ‘weakling,’ now he lives robed with God’s power. And we also are ‘weak ones’ in our co-crucifixion with him, but now we live in God’s triumphant power together with him” (2 Corinthians 13:4 TPT).

They Went
THE RESURRECTED LIFE!
Terry R. Baughman

“And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs” (Mark 16:20 NKJ).

The commission to go was consistent throughout the Gospels. After the interim instruction to wait for, “power from on high,” the disciples remembered the greater initiative of the Lord (Luke 24:49 NKJ). They were empowered to fulfill the commission, and engage the authority of the Church. 

In His final words before the ascension, Jesus promised His followers, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJ). The declaration was two-fold: You shall receive power, and you shall be witnesses. This is synonymous with the other instructions from the Gospels. 

In Matthew the command was, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations”(Matthew 28:19 NKJ). Mark stated that they should, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15 NKJ). Luke wrote, “That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47 NKJ). In the Gospel of John Jesus spoke to His disciples and said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21 NKJ).

Even in the training of the disciples there were times when Jesus sent them out with a mission to heal and to declare the Kingdom of God. On one occasion Jesus sent out seventy-two followers into the surrounding countryside and villages. He said, “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’” (Luke 10:8-9 NIV).

After they received the Holy Spirit, it came as no surprise that they should proclaim the message of Jesus and His resurrection from the dead to others. They were empowered by the Spirit and given boldness they had not possessed previously so that they might boldly proclaim the good news to those who had not heard. 

Mark recorded their passion and motivation to share the Gospel and the way that the Spirit worked with them to accomplish their mission. He said, “The apostles went out announcing the good news everywhere, as the Lord himself consistently worked with them, validating the message they preached with miracle-signs that accompanied them!” (Mark 16:20 TPT). Signs, miracles, and wonders were performed at the hands of the disciples as they were led of the Spirit and enabled to believe for these wonderful works of God. 

This was what Jesus had prepared them to accomplish. At the beginning of His ministry as recorded by Mark, the people began to respond to the miracles and deliverance that Jesus brought to these new followers. One morning Jesus went out early to pray all alone. The disciples finally found Him and joyfully proclaimed, “‘Everyone is looking for You.’ But He said to them, ‘Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth’” (Mark 1:37-38 NKJ). 

Jesus showed them that His mission was bigger than notoriety in one town, or popularity in one place, but rather that all may have the opportunity to receive deliverance and hear the message of the Kingdom of God. Mark wrote, “He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons” (Mark 1:39 NKJ). This was the pattern then, and it continues to the present. 

God’s desire is greater than our four walls and extends beyond our city limits. Every person has a right to hear the message of Jesus and learn more about Him. We cannot remain content in our community of faith as we celebrate with like-minded believers. We must reach out to the unbeliever and extend a welcome to every community. The next town remains to be our mission and reaching them continues to be our challenge.

​As they went, let us go!

Theme passage:
“For although he was crucified as a ‘weakling,’ now he lives robed with God’s power. And we also are ‘weak ones’ in our co-crucifixion with him, but now we live in God’s triumphant power together with him” (2 Corinthians 13:4 TPT).

They Waited
THE RESURRECTED LIFE!
Terry R. Baughman

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’” (Acts 1:4-5 NKJ).

The Commission Jesus gave was to GO, but also came with a clause, Wait!  The imperative was undeniable, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing …” and teaching (Matthew 28:19-20 NKJ). Mark stressed the urgency, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15 NKJ). However, it was Luke who included the clause, “but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49 NKJ). He also said, “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem,” but the stipulation was to wait for the promise of the Father. (See Luke 24:47 NKJ.) 

Sometimes we get so focused on the vision, that we fail to fulfill the mission. We seek the end result without adequate preparation and patience to find divine direction. God has a plan for world-wide expansion. He desires to save the world much more than any of us. He loves people more than we do. The Scripture makes it clear, we must have His Holy Spirit before we will ever be able to accomplish His purpose. Sometimes, we just have to wait… 

Jesus couldn’t have been clearer,  “I will send the fulfillment of the Father’s promise to you, so stay here in the city until you are clothed with the mighty power of heaven” (Luke 24:49 TPT). Before His ascension, Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJ). The empowering of the Spirit was (and is) essential to the fulfillment of the commission. We have that promise from God!

The baptism of the Spirit is not an optional blessing or a spare tire, if we happen to need it sometime, rather the Holy Spirit is essential to the born-again experience and the all-important empowerment for evangelism. Jesus instructed Nicodemus, “You must be born again!” (John 3:7 NKJ). The same imperative is ours by extension. In the flesh we will never be adequate for the task. Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6 NKJ). Only through the birth of the Spirit will we be able to fulfill the mission to which we have been called. 

As great as the mission is, the need to be filled with the Spirit is even greater. So vital was the New Birth, the entire mission was placed on hold for ten days. The Apostles and many believers prayed and waited in the upper room in Jerusalem. It was on the Jewish feast day of Pentecost that the miraculous event took place. Luke wrote, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting…. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-2,4 NKJ).

The promise was given, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers who were waiting! 120 were gathered in the upper room, and as they spilled out onto Solomon’s porch in the courtyard near the Temple thousands gathered to see and hear what the commotion was. After being filled with the Spirit, Peter and the apostles declared the arrival of the Promise. Jesus had returned in the Spirit to fill their lives and equip them to fulfill His commission. 
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Today is the same! We are taught to turn our lives to God and expect the baptism of His Spirit. When we experience the New Birth we find the power to fulfill His mission and our calling. Nothing is impossible through the power of the Spirit. Seek Him, and wait to be filled to overflowing!


Theme passage:
“For although he was crucified as a ‘weakling,’ now he lives robed with God’s power. And we also are ‘weak ones’ in our co-crucifixion with him, but now we live in God’s triumphant power together with him” (2 Corinthians 13:4 TPT).

They Worshipped
THE RESURRECTED LIFE!
Terry R. Baughman

“The eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted” (Matthew 28:16-17 NKJ).

What do you do with a risen King? There was no protocols, no established required response to welcome royalty returning from the grave. This had never happened before!

Considering His claims and the prophecies fulfilled, the resurrection became a powerful testament of His Deity. Only the One who held the keys of death, hell, and the grave could break the bondage of the tomb and come out alive forevermore. 

Through the ministry of Jesus several (at least three) were resurrected to life. The widow’s son from Nain was restored to his mother in the middle of a funeral procession. 

Jarius’s twelve year old daughter was raised from her death bed and reunited with her family. The mourners were dismissed and the final arrangements were discarded. 

A desperate messenger was seemingly ignored when he brought word of the fatal illness of Lazarus. Jesus waited a few days before leading His disciples to Bethany. By the time they arrived Lazarus had been dead four days and was sealed in his tomb. Nevertheless, Jesus commanded the stone to be removed and commanded Lazarus to rise up and walk out of the tomb. 

Many came to believe in Jesus after the resurrection of Lazarus. John noted that, “The chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus” (John 12:10-11 NKJ). Consider the irony; how do you put to death one who has already been raised to life? How do you threaten one with death who is proclaimed to be “the resurrection and the life”? Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25 NKJ). 

Even at the death of Jesus on the cross, resurrection life ignited in graves as deceased believers were seen alive and walking into Jerusalem. Matthew wrote, “The graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:52-53 NKJ). That should have been a good indication of what was to come!

Jesus predicted His own resurrection. He explained to the disciples, “that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31 NKJ). He also taught, “as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40 NKJ). 

The grave was not permanent, but temporary. He didn’t need to own a tomb, a borrowed one worked just fine. The grave could not hold Him; death did not stop Him. Shred the death certificate, get a refund from the mourners, retract the obituary, because Jesus is no longer dead. The tomb is empty!
After the resurrection of Jesus there should have been no doubt of His deity. He was worthy of worship. The triumphant King who rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey was now clothed in resplendent glory. The plan of redemption was completed and the Savior lives forever. 

Disciples met Jesus in the prearranged location. When He arrived on the mountain the disciples worshipped Him. Their teaching forbade worship of men or angels, but revelation was now evident that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Lord of Glory with them. 

Yet, there were some disciples who entertained lingering doubts. Jesus had been with them for three years. He ate with them, slept with them. He was so … human. Yet, He had performed incredible, impossible miracles. This revelation came more slowly to some. Jesus WAS God AND man! And, He was worthy of worship! Let us come to the same conclusion today!

Theme passage:
“For although he was crucified as a ‘weakling,’ now he lives robed with God’s power. And we also are ‘weak ones’ in our co-crucifixion with him, but now we live in God’s triumphant power together with him” (2 Corinthians 13:4 TPT).