KEY VERSE
“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” — Mark 16:20
INTRODUCTION
The task that was given to the early Church—and continues to be our task today as followers of Jesus—is to demonstrate the proof of God’s power to a lost and dying world. To accomplish this mission, we must reflect on the methods the early Church used to produce undeniable, life-changing evidence of God’s power.
MESSAGE
The ministries of the early apostles were miraculous and proof-producing. When we talk about miracles, we often think of physical signs like healing, deliverance, and provision. However, the greatest miracle of all is salvation—the transformation of a soul from death to life. This is the miracle that underpins everything else.
The success of the early Church was simple: the Lord was working with them. When God Himself is your co-worker, failure is not an option. He will always confirm His Word with supernatural signs and wonders. Without these confirming signs, the apostles’ message would have lacked the divine proof necessary to demonstrate that Jesus is alive and that He has the power to save.
In Mark 16:15-18, Jesus commissioned His followers:
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
And verse 20 says: “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.”
The disciples were able to preach the gospel and manifest signs and wonders because they were not ministering in their own strength. The Lord was working with them. Too often, many believers try to work for the Lord—they make their own plans and ask God to bless them. They have a set order of service and miss the flexibility that allows the Holy Spirit to move spontaneously.
APPLICATION
The method that proved successful for the early Church was not their working for the Lord, but the Lord working with them. This is a breakthrough revelation that can completely transform your ministry. It’s not about our plans or our ability to make things happen. It’s about allowing God to work with us—to direct, empower, and confirm our work through His supernatural power.
As you step into your ministry, whether in your personal life or in your service to others, remember that God wants to work with you. He wants to partner with you in demonstrating His proof-producing power to the world. When you align yourself with this truth, you open the door for God to move powerfully and miraculously in and through your life.
CONCLUSION
You don’t have to struggle on your own or rely on human methods and strategies. When the Lord works with you, everything changes. His power will confirm His Word, and people will see that the message you carry is not just words—it is backed by the supernatural power of God Himself.
Step into your breakthrough today. Let the Lord work with you to bring His life-changing power to the world around you.
PRACTICAL REFLECTION
Take a moment today to invite the Lord into your plans. Ask Him to work with you in every area of your life, ministry, and service. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead and empower you in every step you take.
SIMPLE SUMMARY
To effectively fulfill God’s calling, we must allow the Lord to work with us, not the other way around. When God is your co-worker, His power will confirm His Word and produce undeniable results.
PRAYER POINTS
- Lord, work with me in every area of my life. I invite You to empower me and confirm Your Word with signs following.
- Father, help me not to rely on my own strength but to move in the power of Your Spirit.
- Lord, use me as a vessel to demonstrate Your proof-producing power to a world that needs You.
FURTHER STUDY
- Mark 16:15-20
- Acts 1:8
- John 14:12
- Luke 10:19
- 1 Corinthians 2:4-5