The Lord Jesus Works With Us Everywhere Mark 16
May 15, 2026
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
The Ascension Of Our Lord 14-May-2026 Sermon Text: Mark 16:14-20 Sermon Theme: “The Lord Jesus Works With Us Everywhere!” I. Believe His Living Word Recorded By Eyewitnesses! (Vs.14) II. Rejoice In The Gospel He Still Preaches In His Church! (Vs.15-16) III. Trust His Rule Over All Creation! (Vs.17-20) By Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Episode Notes
The Ascension Of Our Lord 14-May-2026
Sermon Text: Mark 16:14-20
Sermon Theme: “The Lord Jesus Works With Us Everywhere!” I. Believe His Living Word Recorded By Eyewitnesses! (Vs.14) II. Rejoice In The Gospel He Still Preaches In His Church! (Vs.15-16) III. Trust His Rule Over All Creation! (Vs.17-20) By Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. Acts 1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" Forty days after the crucified Jesus physically rose from the dead His disciples still didn’t get it. Journeying towards Jerusalem the Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s Kingdom would come. Luke 17:20-21 .... He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; (21) nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Like the disciples and the Pharisees, we long to visibly see God’s Kingdom. We want to be able to quantify it, point to it, in short we want to walk by sight not by faith.
Jesus doesn’t call us to build the Kingdom of God. Instead He teaches us to pray, “Our Father Who art in Heaven... Thy Kingdom Come!” God’s Kingdom isn’t our work, it is the Father’s gift to us through His Son by the Holy Spirit given in His Church. We confess the mystery of God’s grace, The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also. “How does God's kingdom come? “ ”God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.”
Seventy-five years ago God’s kingdom came to Lutherans living in Tell City. The Gospel was preached a congregation gathered. Pooling their resources and talents they built this sanctuary dedicating it to the preaching of God’s Word and reception of Christ’s sacraments. God the Holy Spirit called, gathered, enlightened, built, and has kept our congregation with Jesus Christ in the one True Faith.
Beware of stumbling away from King Jesus and His Kingdom here in His Church - our congregation. The Ascension and enthronement of Christ Jesus assures us, “The Lord Jesus Works With Us Everywhere!” I. Believe His Living Word Recorded By Eyewitnesses! (Vs.14) II. Rejoice In The Gospel He Still Preaches In His Church! (Vs.15-16) III. Trust His Rule Over All Creation! (Vs.17-20)
I. John Mark, the Holy Spirit’s instrument through whom He wrote the Gospel of Mark, was a follower of Jesus. His parents house most likely served as the place of the Last Passover. He fled from Gethsemane naked. His abandonment of Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey, led to division in the Church. Later Mark would accompany Peter as he preached to the Gentiles. Peter’s Gospel is Mark’s Gospel.
In spite of our failings, Jesus works through His Word. Listen. We begin Easter evening. Mark 16:14 Luke and John testify that the followers of Jesus didn’t buy the report of that Jesus had risen from the dead. Even Peter, and the two disciples from Emmaus couldn’t convince them of this historical fact.
It was later on Easter Sunday, the darkness having long ago swallowed the light of day, Jesus appears to the eleven. Judas Iscariot following the devil’s lies choose death to solve his guilt. Now only eleven remain. They sit “at table.” The same table they ate the Last Passover with Jesus. The table where He instituted the Supper. They too were following His Word - to do this in remembrance of Him.
Suddenly their sad and solemn repetition is interrupted by a living flesh and blood Jesus. He bears the scars for our sins. He speaks His Word of peace. He rebukes them for their unbelief. Refusal to believe the eyewitness testimony that He lives. They cowered in unbelief. Unbelief is sin paying the wages of death.
Unbelief and hardness of heart go hand in glove. We consciously choose unbelief over the written eyewitness testimony of Moses, the prophets, evangelists, and apostles. Why? We idolize our own reason, our own thinking. We worship self. Repent! Our reason is spiritually blind. It cannot discern the things of the Spirit of God. Human reason from the second of Adam’s rebellion is bound and chained to Satan, his lies, sin, rebellion, death, and hell. Truth testifies, Genesis 8:21 .... the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth;....”
Saving Faith is never your decision to trust in what makes sense to you. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” ”God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word” Faith’s source is the living Word of Jesus - gifted and empowered in us by the Holy Spirit working our ears by the message of Christ.
Repent! The Crucified is risen! If we really believe that Jesus is risen - why do we live in fear and not in sure and certain hope? Daily cling only to the eyewitness testimony of the Gospels - Jesus died for your sins. Alleluia Jesus is risen! As Dr. C. F. W. Walther wrote, “Christians are more certain of that which they find in Holy Writ than of anything which they themselves have seen or heard.”
II. Mark’s Gospel is one of action. He moves swiftly from one scene to the next. In one verse we move to the fortieth day after Easter. At the Mount of Olives near Bethany as Luke records. Jesus repeats the commission He gave them during His post resurrection appearances to them in Galilee. Mark 16:15
Jesus choose calling His disciples saying, “Follow Me!”. They were to be fishers of men casting the net of the Gospel in all the world. Jesus began His public ministry preaching. Mark records, Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, (15) and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." After an exhausting day of healing the sick and casting out demons. Jesus rises long before day break to pray. Mark 1:36-38 (36) And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. (37) When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." (38) But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."
To follow Jesus is hearing His voice in the preaching of the Gospel by those He calls and sends to us. “John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Where do we hear the voice of our crucified, risen, and ascended King Jesus? Calling and sending out the 70 men to preach His Word - Jesus instructed them, Luke 10:16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me." As the Father sent Jesus, He sends His apostles to preach and teach pastors to be sent by the Church to preach His Word.
Where? In all creation! The King of all creation is Jesus. It is His realm, He created it by the power of His Word. When Satan the proud fallen angel, a lying murderous thief stole it with his lie - Jesus rescued it - humbling Himself to take on our form - the form of a servant - He was obedient to the Father’s loving will to death on the cross. Risen from death - He flings the gates of Paradise wide open bringing us Home to our Heavenly Father.
The Gospel isn’t a twelve step program by which sinners earn their way back into God’s grace by what they do! Listen! Mark 16:16
Jesus calls us to turn from our sin - repent and believe the Good News - He alone has done and continues to do all to save sinners. Outside of belief in Jesus as the Lamb of God Who has taken away the sins of the world - is only self-delusion and judgment. In King Jesus is Light, Life, Salvation. Faith alone in Jesus saves. Believe all that Jesus has spoken to us from the heart of God the Father. Faith isn’t your decision, it is the birthright given you in baptism - you are born from above by the power of the cross and empty tomb.
Baptism works the forgiveness of our sins - cleanses us in King Jesus’ living blood. Baptism rescues us from death and the devil -King Jesus marches triumphantly through Satan’s hellish fortress and then forever breaks death robbing the grave by His resurrection. King Jesus gives us eternal salvation by His ascension and sending forth the Holy Spirit. We are members of His Body - the Church- where the Head is the Body will dwell forever. Now He prepares our place. Soon He comes again to receive us to Himself - where He is you shall be forever - like Him.
Unbelief condemns - our own stubborn refusal to receive the Father’s free gift in His Son by the Holy Spirit. Repent! Daily return to His baptismal promise. Here the Triune God wrapped His Heart, Arms, and Breath around you saying ,“You are Mine, I save you!” Beware of the old unbelieving Adam in you. Unbelief may masquerade in the Church as tares among the wheat. Weeds grow fast - they trust their good deeds to save them. Or they cheapen grace as a license to sin - instead of freeing them to live a new life in King Jesus. A life that pours itself out in loving service to his neighbor , rejoicing to run in the path of His commandments.
III. King Jesus rules over all things. From eternity He is the only-begotten Son of the Father. Now He rules as the God/Man. Man is enthroned in the highest Heaven. Why fear? King Jesus, our Good Shepherd, doesn’t abandon His lambs and sheep to the wolf. Mark 16:17-18 These signs were fulfilled in the days of the apostles. Now we have the more perfect thing - His written Word. Still He protects and preserves His Church. Every baptized child is freed from Satan and his demon horde within Christ’s Church. The Gospel is preached throughout this world in all tongues - as the Holy Spirit teaches us to translate the Bible into all dialects. Satan has tried to destroy the Church - it stands. The Church cares for the body and the soul - hospitals, orphanages, rest homes, and the like all originate with Christianity.
Behold our Brotherly King! Mark 16:19 . Jesus receives Heaven as True Man - our Brother in the flesh is enthroned at the right hand of God in the highest Heaven - the very presence of the Trinity. Now His human nature is fully exalted with the glory His Divine Nature always possessed. He fills all creation as the God/Man. In King Jesus do we fully become human again - forgiven - renewed daily by the Holy Spirit working forgiveness.
The apostles obey. Mark 16:20 When the prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven - his ministry ended - Elisha took up the mantle. Not so with King Jesus - His ascension isn’t retirement, but His continued work to seek and save the lost. He works with the Apostles, evangelists, and teaching pastors to gather His Kingdom.
Every baptism is His sign - His Work. Every convert His sign - His Work. Every absolution is His sign - His Work. Every sermon preached is His sign - His Work. Every Supper at His Altar is His sign - His Work! King Jesus still works by His Spirit through His Word in His Church. Hear Him pray! His voice echoes through all creation in His Church, ‘Our Father - Thy Kingdom Come!” It has, does, and will for Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
Sermon Text: Mark 16:14-20
Sermon Theme: “The Lord Jesus Works With Us Everywhere!” I. Believe His Living Word Recorded By Eyewitnesses! (Vs.14) II. Rejoice In The Gospel He Still Preaches In His Church! (Vs.15-16) III. Trust His Rule Over All Creation! (Vs.17-20) By Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. Acts 1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" Forty days after the crucified Jesus physically rose from the dead His disciples still didn’t get it. Journeying towards Jerusalem the Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s Kingdom would come. Luke 17:20-21 .... He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; (21) nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Like the disciples and the Pharisees, we long to visibly see God’s Kingdom. We want to be able to quantify it, point to it, in short we want to walk by sight not by faith.
Jesus doesn’t call us to build the Kingdom of God. Instead He teaches us to pray, “Our Father Who art in Heaven... Thy Kingdom Come!” God’s Kingdom isn’t our work, it is the Father’s gift to us through His Son by the Holy Spirit given in His Church. We confess the mystery of God’s grace, The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also. “How does God's kingdom come? “ ”God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.”
Seventy-five years ago God’s kingdom came to Lutherans living in Tell City. The Gospel was preached a congregation gathered. Pooling their resources and talents they built this sanctuary dedicating it to the preaching of God’s Word and reception of Christ’s sacraments. God the Holy Spirit called, gathered, enlightened, built, and has kept our congregation with Jesus Christ in the one True Faith.
Beware of stumbling away from King Jesus and His Kingdom here in His Church - our congregation. The Ascension and enthronement of Christ Jesus assures us, “The Lord Jesus Works With Us Everywhere!” I. Believe His Living Word Recorded By Eyewitnesses! (Vs.14) II. Rejoice In The Gospel He Still Preaches In His Church! (Vs.15-16) III. Trust His Rule Over All Creation! (Vs.17-20)
I. John Mark, the Holy Spirit’s instrument through whom He wrote the Gospel of Mark, was a follower of Jesus. His parents house most likely served as the place of the Last Passover. He fled from Gethsemane naked. His abandonment of Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey, led to division in the Church. Later Mark would accompany Peter as he preached to the Gentiles. Peter’s Gospel is Mark’s Gospel.
In spite of our failings, Jesus works through His Word. Listen. We begin Easter evening. Mark 16:14 Luke and John testify that the followers of Jesus didn’t buy the report of that Jesus had risen from the dead. Even Peter, and the two disciples from Emmaus couldn’t convince them of this historical fact.
It was later on Easter Sunday, the darkness having long ago swallowed the light of day, Jesus appears to the eleven. Judas Iscariot following the devil’s lies choose death to solve his guilt. Now only eleven remain. They sit “at table.” The same table they ate the Last Passover with Jesus. The table where He instituted the Supper. They too were following His Word - to do this in remembrance of Him.
Suddenly their sad and solemn repetition is interrupted by a living flesh and blood Jesus. He bears the scars for our sins. He speaks His Word of peace. He rebukes them for their unbelief. Refusal to believe the eyewitness testimony that He lives. They cowered in unbelief. Unbelief is sin paying the wages of death.
Unbelief and hardness of heart go hand in glove. We consciously choose unbelief over the written eyewitness testimony of Moses, the prophets, evangelists, and apostles. Why? We idolize our own reason, our own thinking. We worship self. Repent! Our reason is spiritually blind. It cannot discern the things of the Spirit of God. Human reason from the second of Adam’s rebellion is bound and chained to Satan, his lies, sin, rebellion, death, and hell. Truth testifies, Genesis 8:21 .... the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth;....”
Saving Faith is never your decision to trust in what makes sense to you. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” ”God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word” Faith’s source is the living Word of Jesus - gifted and empowered in us by the Holy Spirit working our ears by the message of Christ.
Repent! The Crucified is risen! If we really believe that Jesus is risen - why do we live in fear and not in sure and certain hope? Daily cling only to the eyewitness testimony of the Gospels - Jesus died for your sins. Alleluia Jesus is risen! As Dr. C. F. W. Walther wrote, “Christians are more certain of that which they find in Holy Writ than of anything which they themselves have seen or heard.”
II. Mark’s Gospel is one of action. He moves swiftly from one scene to the next. In one verse we move to the fortieth day after Easter. At the Mount of Olives near Bethany as Luke records. Jesus repeats the commission He gave them during His post resurrection appearances to them in Galilee. Mark 16:15
Jesus choose calling His disciples saying, “Follow Me!”. They were to be fishers of men casting the net of the Gospel in all the world. Jesus began His public ministry preaching. Mark records, Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, (15) and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." After an exhausting day of healing the sick and casting out demons. Jesus rises long before day break to pray. Mark 1:36-38 (36) And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. (37) When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." (38) But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."
To follow Jesus is hearing His voice in the preaching of the Gospel by those He calls and sends to us. “John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Where do we hear the voice of our crucified, risen, and ascended King Jesus? Calling and sending out the 70 men to preach His Word - Jesus instructed them, Luke 10:16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me." As the Father sent Jesus, He sends His apostles to preach and teach pastors to be sent by the Church to preach His Word.
Where? In all creation! The King of all creation is Jesus. It is His realm, He created it by the power of His Word. When Satan the proud fallen angel, a lying murderous thief stole it with his lie - Jesus rescued it - humbling Himself to take on our form - the form of a servant - He was obedient to the Father’s loving will to death on the cross. Risen from death - He flings the gates of Paradise wide open bringing us Home to our Heavenly Father.
The Gospel isn’t a twelve step program by which sinners earn their way back into God’s grace by what they do! Listen! Mark 16:16
Jesus calls us to turn from our sin - repent and believe the Good News - He alone has done and continues to do all to save sinners. Outside of belief in Jesus as the Lamb of God Who has taken away the sins of the world - is only self-delusion and judgment. In King Jesus is Light, Life, Salvation. Faith alone in Jesus saves. Believe all that Jesus has spoken to us from the heart of God the Father. Faith isn’t your decision, it is the birthright given you in baptism - you are born from above by the power of the cross and empty tomb.
Baptism works the forgiveness of our sins - cleanses us in King Jesus’ living blood. Baptism rescues us from death and the devil -King Jesus marches triumphantly through Satan’s hellish fortress and then forever breaks death robbing the grave by His resurrection. King Jesus gives us eternal salvation by His ascension and sending forth the Holy Spirit. We are members of His Body - the Church- where the Head is the Body will dwell forever. Now He prepares our place. Soon He comes again to receive us to Himself - where He is you shall be forever - like Him.
Unbelief condemns - our own stubborn refusal to receive the Father’s free gift in His Son by the Holy Spirit. Repent! Daily return to His baptismal promise. Here the Triune God wrapped His Heart, Arms, and Breath around you saying ,“You are Mine, I save you!” Beware of the old unbelieving Adam in you. Unbelief may masquerade in the Church as tares among the wheat. Weeds grow fast - they trust their good deeds to save them. Or they cheapen grace as a license to sin - instead of freeing them to live a new life in King Jesus. A life that pours itself out in loving service to his neighbor , rejoicing to run in the path of His commandments.
III. King Jesus rules over all things. From eternity He is the only-begotten Son of the Father. Now He rules as the God/Man. Man is enthroned in the highest Heaven. Why fear? King Jesus, our Good Shepherd, doesn’t abandon His lambs and sheep to the wolf. Mark 16:17-18 These signs were fulfilled in the days of the apostles. Now we have the more perfect thing - His written Word. Still He protects and preserves His Church. Every baptized child is freed from Satan and his demon horde within Christ’s Church. The Gospel is preached throughout this world in all tongues - as the Holy Spirit teaches us to translate the Bible into all dialects. Satan has tried to destroy the Church - it stands. The Church cares for the body and the soul - hospitals, orphanages, rest homes, and the like all originate with Christianity.
Behold our Brotherly King! Mark 16:19 . Jesus receives Heaven as True Man - our Brother in the flesh is enthroned at the right hand of God in the highest Heaven - the very presence of the Trinity. Now His human nature is fully exalted with the glory His Divine Nature always possessed. He fills all creation as the God/Man. In King Jesus do we fully become human again - forgiven - renewed daily by the Holy Spirit working forgiveness.
The apostles obey. Mark 16:20 When the prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven - his ministry ended - Elisha took up the mantle. Not so with King Jesus - His ascension isn’t retirement, but His continued work to seek and save the lost. He works with the Apostles, evangelists, and teaching pastors to gather His Kingdom.
Every baptism is His sign - His Work. Every convert His sign - His Work. Every absolution is His sign - His Work. Every sermon preached is His sign - His Work. Every Supper at His Altar is His sign - His Work! King Jesus still works by His Spirit through His Word in His Church. Hear Him pray! His voice echoes through all creation in His Church, ‘Our Father - Thy Kingdom Come!” It has, does, and will for Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
© 2026 Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Tell City, Indiana Podcast. All rights reserved.