Back in the day when Elvis Presley was growing in popularity, he appeared in the middle of a musical lineup in 1956 in Shreveport, Louisiana. After he left the stage, the crowd continued to scream for Elvis. The remaining musicians had a hard time performing. Finally, promoter Horace Logan said, “All right, all right, Elvis has left the building.” With Elvis gone, the people lost their motivation and went home.

Now that Jesus is gone, what are we to do? What did the disciples do? I discovered 6 things that we ‘gotta do’ based on what the disciples after Jesus ascended into Heaven.

“And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16:20)

1 – We gotta GO!

“… they went forth…”  The word ‘Go’ is part of the Great Commission. Mark 16:15 says, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’ After Jesus was gone, the disciples ‘went forth.’

The most difficult step is the first. As a runner, I know the hardest step to take is the first. The hardest weight to lift is the first. People do a lot of talk, but talk is cheap if there’s no action. We need to put our faith into action. We need to just go. We talk about it. We know we should. We just need to go.

2 – We gotta TALK!

“… preached…”  Once we go, where ever it is, we need to start talking. For some, that’s talking is not a problem. But there’s something different about talking about the gospel that closes the mouths of the most talkative Christian. The disciples pushed past the uncomfortable feeling and spoke out. And they changed the world.

3 – We gotta LOOK!

“…everywhere…”  The disciples went ‘everywhere’. Why? People are everywhere. It’s easy to get settled in our own safe world. We hang out with the same people. Jesus wants us to diversify our audience. Find people who haven’t been reached… people who are neglected and forgotten by most. Amazingly, they are often the easiest to reach.

Have you noticed people recently? Stop, look, listen, and engage. In the words of Billy Hybels, ‘just walk across the room.’

4 – We gotta WORK!

“… the Lord working with them…”  This job we have been given is a job. It’s work! But we are not working alone. Jesus works with us.

It’s a job. So treat it like a job. If you treated your employer like you treat your ministry for Jesus, how long would they keep you on the payroll. Tardiness, absenteeism, quality of work, teamwork, … these not only reflect on your character, they also reflect on your perception of Jesus. I need to do a great job in my ministry because I have a great Savior. In need to do a good job because I have a good Lord.

5 – We gotta CHOOSE!

“…confirming the Word…”  The disciples chose to use the Word and God blessed it. Today, we have many tools we can use to do our work for God. But our primary tool is the Word of God. The Bible is the only thing that can really change people’s lives. Use it and God will bless it, and you.

6 – We gotta TRUST!

“…confirming the Word with signs following…”  Notice that the disciples did the work and the Word was confirmed after their work. They had faith that God’s way of ministry was the best. There was no guarantee other than the lord’s Word that He would bless His Word. And He did. God will bless His Word with sous saved and believers strengthened.

When Jesus left, He gave His disciples a job – take the gospel to the world. That job has been passed on to us. One day, Jesus will return. We will all have to stand before God. I believe He will demand an answer to two questions:

  1. What have you done with my Son?
  2. What have you done with what I gave you?

What are you doing until Jesus comes back?

You can read some of my similar articles: Ready or Not… Here He Comes, What Does the Ascension Mean?