In this final sermon of The Gospel of Mark, Pastor Scott Worthington shares from Mark 16:9-20.
In this passage, Jesus reveals His authority over the spiritual world, confronts unbelief, gives the Great Commission, ascends in glory, and empowers His followers to carry the gospel to all creation.
The story doesn’t end—it continues through us!
Check out this sermon to learn more!
Sermon Notes
The Gospel of Mark Mark 16:9-20 // The Mark Finale
“Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.” Mark 16:9-20
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 1:1
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”2 Timothy 4:3-4
“If we are cut loose from the anchor of God’s Word, we will not be free. We will be slaves of personal passions and popular trends.” John Piper
“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 16:8
5 Final Truths from the Gospel of Mark:
1. Jesus has authority over the spiritual world “Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.” Mark 16:9
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Colossians 2:15
2. Jesus’s disciples had trouble believing
“And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.” Mark 16:13
3. Jesus gave a great commission
“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” Mark 16:15-16
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20
“‘And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’” Mark 16:17-18
4. Jesus is alive and seated in glory
“So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19
“God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” Psalm 47:8
5. The message spread and the movement grew
“And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.” Mark 16:20
