Jesus Chooses Jesus Chooses His DisciplesHis Disciples

Pastor ReynoldsPastor Reynolds

May 7|2014May 7|2014

AimAim

To discover the talents and To discover the talents and skills of Jesus’ disciples skills of Jesus’ disciples

and to see what talents and and to see what talents and skills we have to offer to skills we have to offer to

God.God.

Background ScripturesBackground Scriptures

Matthew 10:2-8Matthew 10:2-8

Mark 2:14Mark 2:14

Luke 6:13-16Luke 6:13-16

John 1:43-47, 20:24-29John 1:43-47, 20:24-29

FactsFactsJesus knew He needed helpers Jesus knew He needed helpers

to tell others about God’s plan to tell others about God’s plan of salvation. of salvation.

He choose twelve men to do He choose twelve men to do this out of the crowds of this out of the crowds of followersfollowers..

Facts (cont.)Facts (cont.)God gave each of these helpers God gave each of these helpers

different talents that would different talents that would enable Him to use them to enable Him to use them to complete this task.complete this task.

The Apostles were a varied The Apostles were a varied group from many different group from many different walks of life.walks of life.

He Called ThemHe Called Them

““Come and follow Me”Come and follow Me”

Disciple Disciple

Followers of JesusFollowers of Jesus

Another name for ApostleAnother name for Apostle

Used to identify the original Used to identify the original

followers of Jesusfollowers of Jesus

Apostle (Disciple)Apostle (Disciple)

““one sent forth”one sent forth”

““the twelve that were called the twelve that were called

to the office by our Lord to the office by our Lord

during His ministry” during His ministry”

Signs of an ApostleSigns of an Apostle

They were chosen directly by They were chosen directly by the Lord or the Holy Spirit the Lord or the Holy Spirit (Matt. 10:1-2, Mk. 3:13-14; Luke (Matt. 10:1-2, Mk. 3:13-14; Luke 6:13; Acts 9:6:15; 13:2; 22:10-6:13; Acts 9:6:15; 13:2; 22:10-15; Rm. 1:17)15; Rm. 1:17)

Signs of an Apostle (cont.)Signs of an Apostle (cont.)

They were endued with sign They were endued with sign gifts, miraculous powers which gifts, miraculous powers which were the divine credentials of were the divine credentials of their office ( Matt. 10:1; Acts their office ( Matt. 10:1; Acts 5:15-16; 16:16-18; 28:8-9) 5:15-16; 16:16-18; 28:8-9)

Signs of an Apostle (cont.)Signs of an Apostle (cont.)

Their relationship to their Kingdom Their relationship to their Kingdom was that of heralds, and was that of heralds, and announcing to Israel only (Matt. announcing to Israel only (Matt. 10:5-6) the Kingdom is at hand 10:5-6) the Kingdom is at hand (Matt. 4:17), and manifesting (Matt. 4:17), and manifesting Kingdom powers (Matt. 10:7-8)Kingdom powers (Matt. 10:7-8)

Signs of an Apostle (cont.)Signs of an Apostle (cont.)

To one of them, Peter, the keys To one of them, Peter, the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 13 and 16:19)(Matt. 13 and 16:19)

Their future relation to the Their future relation to the Kingdom will be that of judges Kingdom will be that of judges over the twelve tribes of Israel over the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28)(Matt. 19:28)

Signs of an Apostle (cont.)Signs of an Apostle (cont.)

Consequent upon the rejection of Consequent upon the rejection of the Kingdom, and the revelation of the Kingdom, and the revelation of the mystery hid with new the mystery hid with new enduement, they will be baptized enduement, they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4 and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4 and Ephesian 2:20-22)Ephesian 2:20-22)

Signs of an Apostle (cont.)Signs of an Apostle (cont.)

The indispensable qualification of The indispensable qualification of an apostle was that he should have an apostle was that he should have been an eye-witness of the been an eye-witness of the resurrection (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor. 9:1-resurrection (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor. 9:1-2)2)

Who are the Disciples?Who are the Disciples?

PeterPeterAndrewAndrewJamesJamesJohn John JohnJohnPhillipPhillip

Who are the Disciples?Who are the Disciples?(continued)(continued)

BartholomewBartholomewThomas Thomas JamesJamesThaddaeusThaddaeusSimonSimonJudasJudas

Disciples’ Natural InterestsDisciples’ Natural Interests

Five were fishermen – Jesus knew of Five were fishermen – Jesus knew of their patience, how to work together, their patience, how to work together, how to work hard and depend on God how to work hard and depend on God in severe storms in lonely boring in severe storms in lonely boring hours mending nets and repairing hours mending nets and repairing their boatstheir boats

One was a tax collectorOne was a tax collectorOne who had courage but doubted One who had courage but doubted

Disciples’ Natural Interests Disciples’ Natural Interests (cont.)(cont.)

One was a shadowy figureOne was a shadowy figureOne was a publicanOne was a publicanOne was the son of AlphaeusOne was the son of AlphaeusOne was a member of the ZealotsOne was a member of the Zealots

One was in charge of the moneyOne was in charge of the money

Who are the Disciples?Who are the Disciples? Matthew (Levi) was a tax collector in Matthew (Levi) was a tax collector in

Capernaum when Jesus called him, gave Capernaum when Jesus called him, gave a feast in Jesus’ honora feast in Jesus’ honor

Andrew, the bringer was a fisherman from Andrew, the bringer was a fisherman from Bethsaida who brought others to JesusBethsaida who brought others to Jesus

James, the son of Zebedee, a fisherman James, the son of Zebedee, a fisherman was one of “the sons of thunder” and the was one of “the sons of thunder” and the first disciple to be martyred first disciple to be martyred

Who are the Disciples? (cont.)Who are the Disciples? (cont.)

JohnJohn, the son of Zebedee, a fisherman, , the son of Zebedee, a fisherman, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” and “the disciple whom Jesus loved” and called “the son of thunder” called “the son of thunder”

PhillipPhillip, a fisherman from Bethsaida had , a fisherman from Bethsaida had an inquiring mind and wondered about an inquiring mind and wondered about Jesus’ miracles and was eager to bring Jesus’ miracles and was eager to bring others to Jesusothers to Jesus

Thomas (Didymus)Thomas (Didymus) had courage as well had courage as well as doubtsas doubts

Who are the Disciples? (cont.)Who are the Disciples? (cont.)

BartholomewBartholomew or or NathanielNathaniel, the , the publican, was honest and direct, publican, was honest and direct, came to Jesus from Nazarethcame to Jesus from Nazareth

Thaddaeus (Judas or Lebbaeus) Thaddaeus (Judas or Lebbaeus) is is a shadowy figurea shadowy figure

PeterPeter, a fisherman, who is also called , a fisherman, who is also called Simon was Andrew’s brotherSimon was Andrew’s brother

Who are the Disciples? (cont.)Who are the Disciples? (cont.)

JamesJames or James the Less or Younger or James the Less or Younger was the son of Alphaeus was the son of Alphaeus

SimonSimon the Canaanite was a member the Canaanite was a member of the Zealotsof the Zealots

JudasJudas Iscariot of Krtioth was in Iscariot of Krtioth was in charge of the money, helped himself charge of the money, helped himself to it and later killed himselfto it and later killed himself

Jesus’s Invitation Jesus’s Invitation

Invitation was not forcefulInvitation was not forceful Invitation to Disciples was to be Invitation to Disciples was to be

co-workers with Him in ministryco-workers with Him in ministry Invitation recognized the special Invitation recognized the special

talents giventalents given Invitation was to honor Him and tell Invitation was to honor Him and tell

others about Himothers about Him

Disciples TodayDisciples Today(Matthew 28:16-20)(Matthew 28:16-20)

Teaching/PreachingTeaching/Preaching

BaptizingBaptizing

Observe the CommandmentsObserve the Commandments

ConclusionConclusionGod has given each of us at least God has given each of us at least one special talent. We can thank one special talent. We can thank

Him for the talent (s) He has Him for the talent (s) He has given us and those around us. given us and those around us.

We can use our different abilities We can use our different abilities and work together to bring and work together to bring

others to Christ, help others, and others to Christ, help others, and honor God. honor God.