1. Today’s Sermon: Mark 16:15-20: “Jesus Christ Gives His Disciples The Great Commission And Then Ascends To Heaven” by Pastor Jim Bomkamp

2. Outline of last week’s msg: 1. We looked at the motives of those who came on Sunday morning to further anoint Jesus’ body. 2. We looked at the post resurrection appearances of Jesus. 3. We discussed some the timeline of post-resurrection events. 4. We saw how what is recorded in the gospels encourages our faith. 5. We discussed the way in which Jesus appears to people. 6. We discussed that the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus is as important as any NT truth

3. Outline of today’s msg: 1. We will look at the commissioning of the church. 2. We will discuss how that serving a risen and exalted Jesus who has ascended up to heaven is central in importance to the church being able to take up its commission by Jesus. 3. We will talk about the ascension of Jesus to heaven. 4. We will discuss what the church did because they now serve a risen and exalted heavenly Jesus Christ.

4. Mark 16:15-16: Jesus gives “The Great Commission”

5. What did Jesus mean when He said that the one who, ‘has believed and has been baptized shall be saved’ ?

6. I prefer Matthew’s recording of Jesus’ Great Commission: Matthew 28:18-21, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “ All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of rhe Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you ; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

7. Mark 16:17-18: Jesus declares the signs and wonders that will follow those who believe in Him

8. Notice what attesting sings Jesus says will accompany the church: 1. Cast out demons. 2. Speak with new tongues. 3. Pick up serpents and they will not hurt them. 4. Drink any poison and it will not hurt them. 5. Lay hands on the sick and they will recover.

9. Mark 16:19: Jesus ascends up to heaven.

10. What does the phrase ‘the right hand’ means in reference to Jesus being raised up?

11. Luke writes in his gospel further details of Jesus’ ascension: Luke 24:50-51

12. In Luke’s account in Acts, we learn more about this event and see that He ascended from the Mount of Olives, the same place that He will return, and that angels stood by when He was lifted up: Acts 1:1-12

13. Mark 16:20: what the church did as a result of a resurrected and ascended ‘Lord’

14. Mark shows Jesus continually in action even after His ascension as the gospel is preached all around the world. So it is today, Jesus is continually in action…

15. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Jesus is continually moving in the church as we go out and preach the gospel and make disciples, how is He using your life? 2. What are you doing for the Great Commission today?