we all may want it to mean!
Matthew 10:7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,[c] cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Luke 10:8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
Here we see that Jesus began to prep people for spreading the Gospel. I think that this is a great example of on the job training. Those 70 returned in joy as to what they accomplished:
Luke 10:17 Then the seventy[e] returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather[f] rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Later He gave this command as well...
Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
So, when any preach these scriptures to prepare and/or inspire others to go out and spread the Gospel, why does it seem they leave parts out or the truth is, even though they preach it... they don't believe it?
When does man's traditions, expectations and ultimately our experiences trump the Word of God and we even challenge the Word of God by not believing any of these miracles are happening today?
Thus, we preach our beliefs based on traditions, expectations and experiences and NOT preach the Word of God as GOD says it, as we are to believe it. Instead, what "we" want God's Word to mean... then we ask why the Body of Christ is powerless today?
Are we suffering from tradition today just like many were when Jesus spoke these words, thus is this warning for us today as well?
Mark 7: 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”





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