WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.020 If you have your Bibles, I want you to turn to Mark chapter 3. 00:00:04.020 --> 00:00:05.179 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.159 Elegant speakers. 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:34.560 You get the best. 00:00:36.719 --> 00:00:38.120 Well, not necessarily. 00:00:40.259 --> 00:00:45.960 Because the greatest movement, and calling it a movement, is almost sacrilegious because it's so much more. 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:53.700 But the communicating and the managing of the greatest opportunities that have been offered to humankind, or ever will be, 00:00:54.799 --> 00:00:58.179 was actually led by a pile of misfits. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.560 That seems so ragtag and obscure that the plan should have been ruined from the start. 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:07.000 From a human perspective. 00:01:08.460 --> 00:01:11.120 But it did not fail at all. 00:01:11.780 --> 00:01:17.240 It still continues today and will until the world ends with success. 00:01:18.260 --> 00:01:21.980 And I'm talking about the opportunity of salvation through Christ. 00:01:22.340 --> 00:01:24.039 The sharing of that message. 00:01:24.599 --> 00:01:26.640 The leading of those who have committed to it. 00:01:27.340 --> 00:01:29.680 The ministry that comes forth from it. 00:01:30.900 --> 00:01:35.219 Today, when we look at Mark, we look at the choosing of the apostles. 00:01:36.480 --> 00:01:40.760 It is amazing to see who Christ chose. 00:01:40.760 --> 00:01:50.320 And I believe it gives us all hope for our own lives, how we see this happen. 00:01:51.380 --> 00:01:54.439 It's in Mark chapter 3, beginning in verse 13. 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:57.280 And it speaks of Christ when it says, 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:04.040 And he went up on the mountain and called to them those whom he desired and they came to him. 00:02:05.159 --> 00:02:08.580 And he appointed twelve whom he also named apostles. 00:02:09.020 --> 00:02:10.900 That means the sent out ones. 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:18.699 So that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. 00:02:18.699 --> 00:02:20.699 He appointed the twelve. 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:21.280 And he appointed the twelve. 00:02:21.959 --> 00:02:24.879 Simon to whom he gave the name Peter. 00:02:25.579 --> 00:02:27.759 James the son of Zebedee. 00:02:27.959 --> 00:02:30.239 And John the brother of James. 00:02:30.659 --> 00:02:33.919 To whom he gave the name Bonaerges. 00:02:34.419 --> 00:02:36.419 That is sons of thunder. 00:02:36.419 --> 00:02:38.859 Andrew and Philip. 00:02:39.579 --> 00:02:40.559 And Bartholomew. 00:02:40.699 --> 00:02:41.219 And Matthew. 00:02:41.579 --> 00:02:42.079 And Thomas. 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:44.219 And James the son of Alphaeus. 00:02:44.419 --> 00:02:45.159 And Thaddeus. 00:02:45.579 --> 00:02:46.959 And Simon the zealot. 00:02:47.639 --> 00:02:48.599 And Judas. 00:02:49.819 --> 00:02:50.659 Isaaceret. 00:02:52.099 --> 00:02:53.399 Who betrayed him. 00:02:55.459 --> 00:02:58.699 When you look at this list, you won't find a load of scholars. 00:02:58.699 --> 00:03:04.219 They were not great speakers, especially when he met them. 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:06.259 They were not theologians. 00:03:07.039 --> 00:03:09.259 There are no rabbis among this group. 00:03:09.359 --> 00:03:11.239 There are no scribes among this group. 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:13.379 There are no Pharisees among this group. 00:03:14.259 --> 00:03:16.459 There are no Sadducees among this group. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:19.339 There's not a priest among them. 00:03:21.019 --> 00:03:23.519 Or any from a religious establishment. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:26.120 Or at least in leadership at a religious establishment. 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:29.840 They were too prone to mistakes. 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:31.980 They were too prone to misstatements. 00:03:32.580 --> 00:03:34.840 They were too prone to wrong attitudes. 00:03:35.080 --> 00:03:38.099 And they were too prone to faith failures. 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:40.900 And he picked 12 of them. 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:43.099 That's an interesting number. 00:03:44.460 --> 00:03:47.860 Because that is the same number as the Jewish tribes. 00:03:48.480 --> 00:03:51.040 Which are God's people in the Old Testament. 00:03:52.379 --> 00:03:55.400 Collected those people and put them into 12 tribes. 00:03:55.400 --> 00:04:03.120 And those 12 tribes were to carry out the whole law system. 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:05.040 The sacrificial system. 00:04:05.259 --> 00:04:08.620 As a prophecy of when the Messiah would come. 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:11.460 It was all a lead up to the Messiah. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:16.660 But when the Messiah came, they didn't recognize him. 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:20.740 Now he picks 12 apostles. 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:21.680 The same number. 00:04:22.020 --> 00:04:27.620 None of which is of the Judaistic institution as far as in leadership. 00:04:28.980 --> 00:04:30.380 It is a judgment. 00:04:31.660 --> 00:04:36.860 By picking these 12 versus the 12 tribes of Israel. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:40.200 It is a judgment upon the leaders of that day. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:45.579 But it is a repositioning and a realigning of sorts. 00:04:45.719 --> 00:04:47.680 But it is much more than that as well. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:50.019 It is an intense training system. 00:04:50.060 --> 00:04:55.639 Of raising up future leaders that will carry out the cause of Christ throughout the world. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:59.919 And establish the church to thrive until the return of the Lord. 00:04:59.920 --> 00:05:05.800 And the reality is, it is estimated that he only had 18 months to do it. 00:05:06.640 --> 00:05:13.840 The reality is, as we have looked at Mark chapter 1 and Mark chapter 2 and part of Mark chapter 3. 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:17.220 Although I warned you when we began that Mark moves quickly. 00:05:17.740 --> 00:05:18.800 He is very brief. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:24.759 But those three chapters and all that great movement of people following Christ. 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:26.840 People's lives changing. 00:05:26.980 --> 00:05:27.780 People being healed. 00:05:27.900 --> 00:05:32.199 All of that makes up about half of the ministry of Christ already. 00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:36.620 Now he has about 18 months before he will go to the cross. 00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:43.139 These men were too often self-centered. 00:05:44.139 --> 00:05:46.240 They were too often self-promoting. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:50.740 And yet lacking a faith and lacking spiritual understanding. 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:59.240 And yet they would be immersed into the most intense hands-on seminary experience that has ever been known. 00:05:59.960 --> 00:06:09.400 And for the most part, they would come out sold on their cause and effective in carrying out its faith. 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:13.980 Our lives are changed because of the faithfulness of these men. 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:20.360 God loves to choose the weak. 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:24.680 God loves to choose the foolish. 00:06:26.379 --> 00:06:34.540 He loves to pick the incomplete to do strong, wise, and wonderful work. 00:06:34.540 --> 00:06:40.260 And these guys, I believe, give us all hope of being used by God. 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:43.020 But they also challenge us as we see their commitment to him. 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:55.120 Understand that from a human perspective, the future of the church and the long-term success of the gospel 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:59.040 depended solely on the faithfulness of these men. 00:06:59.040 --> 00:07:01.140 There is no plan B. 00:07:03.720 --> 00:07:10.200 When Christ is crucified, raises again, is on the earth for a short time before he ascends, 00:07:10.700 --> 00:07:14.820 it all lives and falls with them. 00:07:16.100 --> 00:07:23.080 It is a huge responsibility to men that, quite honestly, do not seem capable of carrying it out. 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:26.979 And that's what makes the whole story somewhat amazing. 00:07:28.180 --> 00:07:35.360 Now, again, Mark writes in a hurry with little detail, but Luke is much more thorough in what he says about everything. 00:07:35.959 --> 00:07:40.560 I want you to notice how he describes the process of choosing these men. 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:45.839 He says, in Luke chapter 6, verse 12 through 13, 00:07:46.519 --> 00:07:50.079 In these days Christ went up to the mountain to pray, 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:56.639 and all night he continued in prayer to God. 00:07:58.240 --> 00:08:05.819 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose for them twelve, whom he named apostles. 00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:10.779 The Lord toiled all night. 00:08:11.599 --> 00:08:18.740 That word there for continued in prayer is a laboring, an intense laboring. 00:08:18.980 --> 00:08:23.719 And when the sun came up, he called those men to himself and he chose them. 00:08:25.420 --> 00:08:27.180 What were they to do? 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:30.519 Well, notice in the text it tells us what they were to do. 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:31.699 They had three tasks. 00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:37.059 One was they were to shadow him. 00:08:38.059 --> 00:08:41.039 It says in the text, so that they might be with him. 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:42.139 That's what that's talking about. 00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:46.360 Over 150 years ago, A.B. Bruce wrote a book called Training of the Twelve. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:49.960 I read it about 25 years ago, did a study through it, 00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:56.220 and it opened my eyes to see much more and why Christ did what he did when he did it. 00:08:56.220 --> 00:09:04.500 And how he many times implemented teaching behind the scenes and even on the spot to his disciples, 00:09:05.080 --> 00:09:09.340 almost in everything that he does from this point on until the cross. 00:09:09.899 --> 00:09:14.800 Jesus came primarily to be the redemptive hope of all of humanity, 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:18.300 to die on the cross for our salvation. 00:09:18.299 --> 00:09:22.599 However, he also came to train these 12 to spread the gospel, 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:29.319 to plant the church of Jesus Christ, to influence the world with the cause until the return of the Lord. 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:35.059 And the best way for them to learn was not to experience it with other spiritual leaders. 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:37.299 It was not in the synagogue. 00:09:37.939 --> 00:09:39.379 The best way for them to learn, 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:44.199 the spiritual leaders actually were hunting Jesus down, 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:45.800 trying to kill him. 00:09:46.160 --> 00:09:48.300 While he's choosing the apostles, 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:50.140 they're coming up with a way to snuff him out. 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:54.840 It was also not for them to sit under the greatest professors. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:10:00.020 Instead, it was to walk with the Lord. 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:03.640 As verse 14 says it, that they might be with him. 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:08.460 By the way, the best way to learn about him is to be with him. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:13.500 As I thought about that, I couldn't help but think about the song that says, 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:15.179 and he walks with me and he talks with me. 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:17.559 And he tells me I am his own. 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:22.700 And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known. 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:29.059 Friend, that relationship is how Christ personalizes, 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:32.120 through the power of the Holy Spirit, what he writes in his word. 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:35.000 They were to shadow him. 00:10:35.539 --> 00:10:37.740 The second thing, where they were to share the story. 00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:41.980 He would teach them how to share. 00:10:42.200 --> 00:10:45.700 And then he would send them out to share what they knew, 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:49.019 as many as God would enable them to share with. 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:52.500 As I said, the apostles mean the set out ones. 00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:53.600 They are unique. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:59.840 These, and later Paul, are the only apostles. 00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:02.680 I'll be clear about this. 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:05.699 If you go to a church and the preacher wants to be called apostle, 00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:08.000 you went to the wrong church, okay? 00:11:09.219 --> 00:11:09.639 Leave. 00:11:10.859 --> 00:11:12.879 As well, if he wants to be called father. 00:11:13.079 --> 00:11:15.239 Matthew 23, 9 says that's not right either. 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:16.179 So that's another sermon. 00:11:16.299 --> 00:11:22.139 But anyway, the apostles were set apart by Christ himself. 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:24.759 Ephesians chapter 2, verse 20 says, 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:30.779 The church is, quote, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:33.279 Heaven is described. 00:11:33.439 --> 00:11:35.759 Revelation 2, 21, verse 14 says, 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:38.519 And the wall of the city had 12 foundations, 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:43.259 and on them were the 12 names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb. 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:46.259 Another scene in heaven shows 24 elders. 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:49.299 12 of those elders represent the apostles. 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:53.259 12 of those elders represent the 12 tribes of Israel. 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:57.879 In other words, in heaven, redemption is complete. 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:01.220 All God's people are together. 00:12:01.819 --> 00:12:05.899 Those before Christ that came because of Christ, 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:10.000 and those after Christ are all in Christ. 00:12:10.100 --> 00:12:13.439 And my point is that these apostles are unique men. 00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:15.000 They're set apart by God, 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:20.039 and they were called primarily to share his story. 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:26.240 The third reason, it says, is they were to silence the demons. 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:30.299 It says that he would give them authority to cast out demons. 00:12:30.459 --> 00:12:34.000 Now, I dealt with silencing the demons last week, 00:12:34.319 --> 00:12:36.679 and so I'll only touch on it this morning. 00:12:37.699 --> 00:12:39.860 Christ came to defeat evil once and for all, 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:41.120 and he did that on Calvary. 00:12:41.199 --> 00:12:42.139 It's done, folks. 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:46.159 There are still battles being fought here and there in all of our lives, 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:47.439 but I want you to make no mistake. 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:48.980 The war is won. 00:12:50.319 --> 00:12:52.379 Now, the spiritual struggle, 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:55.219 the demonic struggle, 00:12:55.579 --> 00:12:59.199 is much more graphic in other parts of the world 00:12:59.199 --> 00:13:01.779 than it is in the United States today, 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:08.839 although I would confer that it is intensifying here as well, 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:13.259 and I believe that's got a lot to do with the melting pot of the world coming to us 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:16.259 with all their false religions and all those things. 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:17.000 It opens us up. 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:18.460 Scripture shows that. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:23.560 However, the same evil is still prevalent, 00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:26.019 just not victorious. 00:13:27.180 --> 00:13:30.019 The greatest way to silence the evil of the world 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:33.639 is to proclaim through word, deed, and love 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:35.519 the much greater need, 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:38.139 the story of Jesus. 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:40.280 That's the key. 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:42.960 One day, every knee shall bow, 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:46.180 every tongue proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:48.300 In the meantime, it's our job to do that, 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:52.139 and the apostles started that process, 00:13:53.060 --> 00:13:55.960 and so I want us to look at each of the apostles. 00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:57.780 Now, don't panic. 00:13:58.340 --> 00:13:59.120 There's 12 of them. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.340 We're only going to look at four today. 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:04.860 All of the synoptic gospels, 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:07.740 that is Matthew, Mark, and Luke, 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:09.620 they write in the same way. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:11.080 John's a little different, 00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:15.740 but all of the synoptics have the apostles listed. 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:17.019 John does not list them. 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:19.740 Luke, who wrote the gospel of Luke, 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:21.340 also wrote the book of Acts, 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:24.080 and it's called the Acts of the Apostles. 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:25.440 He also wrote that book, 00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:28.000 and he makes the list again as well, 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:30.660 but I believe that's the list that leaves off Judas, 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:33.560 and we'll get to that later and explain why. 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:36.900 But in all of these lists, 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:42.380 you'll see the men grouped in groups of four. 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:46.919 The first four are always the first four. 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.820 They're sometimes in different order, 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:50.139 but they're always the first four. 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:52.039 The second four are always the second four. 00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:55.740 The third four are always the last four, 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:57.840 except that one that leaves out one. 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:02.220 And always in the first group 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:06.019 is Peter, Andrew, James, and John. 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:09.440 They were the inner circle around Christ, 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:14.260 and one of them particularly is always listed first. 00:15:15.160 --> 00:15:17.520 I call him the outspoken. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:21.800 The first man that's always mentioned is Simon Peter. 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:24.860 He's called Peter some places. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.240 He's called Simon other places. 00:15:26.520 --> 00:15:27.840 His given name was Simon. 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:30.720 Jesus called him Peter because Peter means rock. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:32.440 Some called him Simon Peter. 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:36.060 Normally when Jesus referred to him as Simon, 00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:38.300 he was talking either about his background 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:40.359 or the carnality in his life. 00:15:40.479 --> 00:15:41.699 And when he called him Peter, 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:43.339 he was talking about his spiritual side. 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.819 It's kind of interesting to see that. 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:48.279 But Jesus would make him a rock, 00:15:48.339 --> 00:15:50.639 but he was not a rock when they met by any means. 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.959 Peter was the fastest, 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:56.359 most interruptive, loud mouth among them. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:59.019 He could not help himself. 00:16:00.079 --> 00:16:02.240 He said too much too often. 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:06.700 Peter gives us loud mouths a lot of hope 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:10.799 because he speaks more than any of them. 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:14.080 He is rebuked more than any of them. 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:17.759 He is the only one that rebukes Christ among them. 00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:19.860 When Jesus spoke of the cross, 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:20.820 Peter corrected him. 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:24.440 When they came to arrest Jesus, 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:26.799 Peter's the one that grabbed the sword 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:28.639 from his own side 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:32.139 and I believe tried to take the head off 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:33.419 of a soldier. 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.659 But Peter was a fisherman, 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.480 not a swordsman. 00:16:35.939 --> 00:16:37.699 So he took an ear off instead. 00:16:38.939 --> 00:16:41.080 When Jesus was being accused that night, 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.419 it was Peter 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:45.220 who denied him three times. 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.699 However, 00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:49.460 the spirit is a wonderful thing for the believer 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:51.799 because when Jesus resurrected from the dead, 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:54.000 it was Peter that he reaffirmed. 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:56.700 And when the spirit came in Acts chapter two, 00:16:56.700 --> 00:17:00.240 it was Peter that became the voice of the Christian church. 00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:02.780 It was Peter that proclaimed that powerful message. 00:17:03.020 --> 00:17:05.240 It was Peter that saw thousands of people 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:07.819 come to know the Lord under his ministry in one day. 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:13.400 He was martyred for his faith by crucifixion. 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.640 It's not in scripture. 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:17.460 History tells us this. 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:21.120 And it was Peter who said 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:25.039 that he was not worthy to die like Christ. 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:27.440 And instead, 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:29.599 they hung him upside down 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:33.019 on what's believed to be an X-shaped cross. 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:37.259 If you read the book of Acts, 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:40.039 especially in the first third of the book of Acts, 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.619 you'll understand 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:43.299 the significance 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:45.619 of why Jesus picked Peter. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.000 Then, 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:49.059 after Peter, 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:51.539 they have what I call the inviter. 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.180 Andrew. 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:54.579 Andrew. 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.819 Andrew is Peter's brother 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:57.440 and not anything like Peter. 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:00.619 He is the first apostle to be called 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:03.599 and is seen as the least of the top four. 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:06.159 There are places where the other top three 00:18:06.159 --> 00:18:08.500 go with Jesus that Andrew don't go. 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.119 But, 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:12.839 John the Baptist is the one 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:14.379 that introduced Andrew to Jesus. 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:17.720 And the moment that Andrew was introduced to Jesus, 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:19.659 he brought his brother Peter to Jesus. 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:21.540 Andrew was, 00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:22.840 I call him the inviter 00:18:22.840 --> 00:18:23.820 because Andrew, 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.100 every time we see him, 00:18:25.300 --> 00:18:28.360 is about bringing people to Jesus. 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:32.060 It was Andrew who found the boy 00:18:32.060 --> 00:18:33.740 with his lunch 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.820 and brought him to Jesus 00:18:35.820 --> 00:18:37.640 when the 5,000 were fed. 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:40.800 It was Andrew that when Greeks, 00:18:41.060 --> 00:18:42.660 which speaks of Gentiles 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.480 that were not believers, 00:18:45.860 --> 00:18:48.200 when Greeks were asking about Jesus, 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:50.039 it was Andrew 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:52.900 who brought those seekers 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:54.920 to the Lord. 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:58.680 He never sought attention. 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.940 He was quiet. 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:03.080 He was unsung. 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:06.440 But he was so very thoughtful of others. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:08.279 And he was steady. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:11.799 He was steady in his ministry 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:13.660 just in the background. 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:17.580 We have no knowledge 00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:18.640 of him ever preaching. 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:20.060 I'm not saying he didn't. 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.300 We have no knowledge of it. 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.700 But he's the one 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.960 that invited the preacher, 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.200 Peter, 00:19:26.540 --> 00:19:28.920 to come to Jesus initially. 00:19:30.100 --> 00:19:30.759 And quite honestly, 00:19:30.840 --> 00:19:31.940 that's made all the difference. 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.700 History tells us 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:37.680 that Andrew died on the cross as well 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:39.160 for his faith. 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:44.120 He spent his life 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:48.460 bringing people to Jesus 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:50.460 unapologetically. 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.840 He's the inviter. 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:56.140 The third one among them 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:57.160 is the thunderous. 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:02.259 The last two in this list of four 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.120 are brothers, 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.940 James and John, 00:20:05.040 --> 00:20:06.500 the sons of Zebedee. 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:08.940 It is apparent 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:10.039 that Zebedee 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:12.140 was a successful fisherman, 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.799 had quite an enterprise, 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.539 had hired servants 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.700 working under him 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:18.099 in that business. 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.480 His wife, 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.920 the men's mother, 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:25.319 traveled with the apostles 00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:27.980 and traveled with Jesus 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:30.740 and underwrote a lot 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.720 of the ministry 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:33.319 because of the prominence 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.339 of that family. 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:37.159 They may have even, 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.919 James and John, 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.419 may have even been cousins 00:20:39.419 --> 00:20:41.220 with Jesus. 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:43.879 But there are a lot of Marys 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.500 in Scripture 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.839 and sometimes 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:48.119 we parallel them together 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:49.240 when they may not need 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:49.919 to be paralleled. 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:50.879 So we're not positive 00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:52.220 about that. 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:53.879 But Jesus nicknamed 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.799 these brothers 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:57.819 the sons of thunder. 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.279 That sounds like 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:01.299 a tag team rassler to me, 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:02.679 a rassler to me, 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.359 and that's what they did 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:04.259 on the weekend I guess. 00:21:04.399 --> 00:21:06.759 But they came from money, 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.959 they came from a household 00:21:08.959 --> 00:21:09.759 with hired servants 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.899 and they wanted prominence. 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:13.319 Their mother asked 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:13.939 on their behalf 00:21:13.939 --> 00:21:14.740 if they could be 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.799 in a place of prominence. 00:21:16.399 --> 00:21:17.839 It appears that they set 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.619 their mother up 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:20.139 to ask on their behalf. 00:21:21.699 --> 00:21:23.439 But I call James 00:21:23.439 --> 00:21:24.479 the thunderous one 00:21:24.479 --> 00:21:26.599 because he was zealous, 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.679 he was passionate, 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:31.079 he was thunderous. 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.960 I want you to see 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.859 what I mean by this. 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.579 In Luke chapter 9, 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.339 verse 51, 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.139 there's an incident 00:21:36.139 --> 00:21:37.299 that I want you to see. 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:38.199 It says, 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.759 when the days drew near 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.839 for him to be taken up. 00:21:40.879 --> 00:21:41.559 Now that's talking about 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.159 when Jesus 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:44.740 is going to go to heaven. 00:21:45.199 --> 00:21:45.539 In other words, 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.559 he's going to go to the cross, 00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:47.939 he's going to rise again, 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.299 and then he's going to live 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.299 on the earth for 40 days 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.679 and then he's going to ascend. 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.879 He's going to be taken up. 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:56.860 He set his face 00:21:56.860 --> 00:21:59.600 to go to Jerusalem. 00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:02.160 It's the last stage 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.240 of his ministry. 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:05.820 There was a preparation stage 00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:09.760 of sorts that was in the desert 00:22:09.760 --> 00:22:11.140 where he was tempted 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:12.300 and he set his mind 00:22:12.300 --> 00:22:13.720 on what his ministry was to be. 00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:15.600 There was the beginning 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:17.380 of that ministry along with that. 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.580 Then there was the calling 00:22:18.580 --> 00:22:19.280 of the apostles. 00:22:20.080 --> 00:22:20.480 And then, 00:22:20.600 --> 00:22:21.120 at this point, 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.040 he sets his face 00:22:22.040 --> 00:22:22.880 toward Jerusalem. 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:25.220 And he sent messengers 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.080 ahead of him 00:22:26.080 --> 00:22:28.500 who went and entered 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:30.820 a village of the Samaritans 00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:33.440 to make preparations for him. 00:22:34.260 --> 00:22:35.320 But the people 00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:36.740 did not receive him 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:40.140 because his face 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:41.880 was set toward Jerusalem. 00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:43.900 Now I talked about last week, 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.880 I talked about the Samaritans, 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:46.120 talked about the history of it, 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.620 the difficulty of that region. 00:22:49.760 --> 00:22:51.120 People didn't like Samaritans. 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:52.459 And apparently, 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.479 they didn't like Jesus either. 00:22:54.239 --> 00:22:54.819 And it says, 00:22:54.919 --> 00:22:55.959 and when his disciples, 00:22:56.199 --> 00:22:57.000 James and John, 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:57.599 saw it, 00:22:57.659 --> 00:22:58.079 they said, 00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:58.439 Lord, 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:01.299 do you want us to tell fire 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.399 to come down from heaven 00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:03.619 and consume them? 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:05.139 They weren't going to put up with it. 00:23:07.179 --> 00:23:09.059 But he turned and rebuked them. 00:23:10.199 --> 00:23:11.039 Man, what a statement 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.659 that they made. 00:23:11.739 --> 00:23:12.379 What a statement. 00:23:12.459 --> 00:23:13.539 Think about what they said. 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:16.119 Because in reality, 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.639 who were they 00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:19.519 to be able to call down fire? 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:21.659 Now I'll tell you 00:23:21.659 --> 00:23:22.619 what that comes from. 00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:24.000 It comes from 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:26.559 they knew the word. 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.659 They had been in the synagogue, 00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:28.200 apparently. 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.839 And they knew about Elijah. 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:32.619 And Elijah was a hero to many. 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:34.019 And Elijah could call down fire. 00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:34.680 And so man, 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.659 they're followers of God. 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:37.039 Why don't we just call down fire 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:38.399 and burn up these Samaritans, 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:39.180 is what they were saying. 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:43.740 He turned and rebuked them 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:45.180 and they went on 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:45.940 to another village. 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.580 When you see that, 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.840 can't you see the Sons of Thunder 00:23:49.840 --> 00:23:51.060 in wrestling attire? 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.299 I mean, 00:23:51.320 --> 00:23:52.279 I can see that in my head, 00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:52.600 but anyway. 00:23:53.060 --> 00:23:54.400 But I grew up on Saturdays 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:55.440 watching NAA wrestling. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.980 But these men 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:59.080 didn't want to play games. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.140 They were a little off. 00:24:03.320 --> 00:24:04.200 Do you want us 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:05.060 to call down fire? 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:06.900 Listen. 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.320 Actually, 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.679 Philip 00:24:09.679 --> 00:24:11.579 would later go 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.439 to Samaria 00:24:12.439 --> 00:24:14.720 and would win 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.799 possibly some of 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.720 these same people 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:18.039 to the Lord. 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.399 That's why God 00:24:19.399 --> 00:24:20.200 didn't call a fire 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:20.720 upon them. 00:24:22.159 --> 00:24:23.519 A different kind of fire 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.399 came upon them. 00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:25.879 The fire of the Holy Spirit 00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.359 of God. 00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:27.559 But these men 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.339 were zealous. 00:24:29.179 --> 00:24:30.240 They were with Jesus 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.720 on the Mount 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.659 of Transfiguration. 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.539 They were the ones 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.639 that went a little further 00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:35.339 in the garden 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:35.859 with Jesus 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.720 as they prayed. 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:38.579 They, like Peter, 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.180 had a fire 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.799 in their belly. 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:43.120 The passion of James 00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:44.860 was also for the gospel 00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:45.680 as well. 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.940 James is the first 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.779 to be martyred 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:50.299 among them 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.079 for the faith. 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.140 Acts chapter 12, 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:53.700 verse 2 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:55.339 talks about 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.200 his death. 00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:57.680 And Herod 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:59.140 had him killed 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:00.940 with the sword. 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:03.420 That almost always 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:04.460 means that he was 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.000 beheaded 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:07.059 for his thunderous 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.720 stand 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:09.759 for the gospel. 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.799 He was the thunderous. 00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:13.660 His brother, 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.460 the last one 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.000 we're going to look at 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.440 this morning 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.160 is the passionate. 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.840 John was a lot 00:25:18.840 --> 00:25:19.559 like his brother. 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.299 He was passionate. 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.180 He was cut and dry 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:21.660 about everything. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.779 He had no gray areas. 00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:25.320 And later 00:25:25.320 --> 00:25:26.259 he wrote about it. 00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:28.900 This is the John 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.440 that wrote 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.559 the gospel of John. 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.980 This is the John 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.460 that wrote 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.759 the three letters 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.419 from John. 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:34.960 I call it 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.639 the big John 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:36.559 and three little Johns. 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:38.639 This is the John 00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:39.159 that wrote 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:40.279 the book of Revelation 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.379 on the Isle of Patmos. 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.440 This is the John 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:43.940 that wrote 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:45.220 more of the New Testament 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:45.859 than anybody 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.179 but the Apostle Paul. 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.559 And he is a man 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.579 of no compromise. 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.639 Read what he wrote. 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:55.200 It's light 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.099 against darkness. 00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:57.519 It's life 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.559 against death. 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.759 It's kingdom 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.460 of God 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.779 against the evil empire. 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:03.720 It's receive Christ 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:05.140 or reject Christ. 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:07.200 It's bear fruit 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.819 or be fruitless. 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:10.099 It's be obedient 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.740 to God 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:12.319 or be disobedient 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:12.700 to God. 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:14.299 It's love God 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.900 or hate God. 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:18.240 When you read 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.500 John, 00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.619 especially his three letters, 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.839 John's works 00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:22.160 will unsettle you 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:23.099 or at least it should. 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:25.599 You got to go read Paul too 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.660 and he'll comfort you. 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:28.920 But God 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:30.880 took that 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:32.920 call down fire 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.600 among them 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:34.820 and he mellowed 00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:35.840 that in John. 00:26:37.040 --> 00:26:38.380 And he made John 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:39.980 the Apostle of love. 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.880 John became 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:42.300 a tender hearted 00:26:42.300 --> 00:26:44.080 loving Apostle 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:45.360 that lived, 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.700 he's the only Apostle 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.240 that lived 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.900 into his old age. 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:51.920 in his writing 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:53.400 he mentions truth 00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:55.420 45 times. 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:56.320 He was passionate 00:26:56.320 --> 00:26:57.740 about the truth. 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.160 But listen to this. 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:01.180 He mentioned witness 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:03.000 70 times. 00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:06.340 He wrote 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:07.380 so that people 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:08.560 would know Christ. 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.880 He says 00:27:09.880 --> 00:27:11.200 in the Gospel of John 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:11.960 at the end of it 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:12.680 as well as 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.540 in 1 John 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.659 I write 00:27:14.659 --> 00:27:15.519 these things 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.119 to you 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:16.859 that you may 00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:17.339 believe 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.899 that Jesus 00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:19.019 is life 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.420 and you may 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:19.879 have life 00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:20.460 in his name. 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.420 It's the reason 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:22.980 he wrote them. 00:27:24.659 --> 00:27:25.680 But he mentions 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.339 love 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:26.960 more than 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.879 either one of those. 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.799 He mentions 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.299 love 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.799 80 times. 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.940 He calls 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.579 those that he 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:34.159 writes to 00:27:34.159 --> 00:27:35.000 little children. 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:37.960 He never 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.680 mentions his 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.259 own name 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:39.879 in the Gospel. 00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:42.460 He always 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.020 put the 00:27:43.020 --> 00:27:43.580 disciple 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.400 whom Jesus 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:44.980 loved. 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.620 You know why 00:27:45.620 --> 00:27:46.080 he put that? 00:27:46.140 --> 00:27:46.800 Because he never 00:27:46.800 --> 00:27:47.380 got over 00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:48.760 Christ's love 00:27:48.760 --> 00:27:49.920 for him. 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.700 And we 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.180 better not 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:53.480 either. 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.900 It is believed 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.920 that after Paul 00:27:58.920 --> 00:27:59.740 started the church 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.300 in Ephesus 00:28:00.300 --> 00:28:01.640 that John 00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:01.980 went and 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:02.340 pastored 00:28:02.340 --> 00:28:03.000 that church 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:05.400 until the 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:06.220 Roman emperor 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:07.480 Domitian 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.780 put him on 00:28:08.780 --> 00:28:09.160 the island 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:09.840 of Patmos 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.740 in exile 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:12.480 where he 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.019 lived in a 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.480 cave 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:15.419 slept 00:28:15.419 --> 00:28:16.119 on a 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.559 pillow of 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.059 rock 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:19.059 and saw 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.500 a great 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.119 vision from 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:20.559 the Lord 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:22.119 that led 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:22.379 to him 00:28:22.379 --> 00:28:23.059 writing about 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.779 it in 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.259 Revelation. 00:28:25.939 --> 00:28:26.720 In his 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.619 latter days 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.220 historians 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:29.139 tell us 00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:30.220 that he 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:30.720 had to be 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.439 carried into 00:28:31.439 --> 00:28:32.059 church 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.480 in his 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.099 old age 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:34.220 and that 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:34.500 he was 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.119 constantly 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:36.279 saying 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.500 my little 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:37.980 children 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:39.359 love one 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:39.720 another. 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:44.740 when it 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.419 came time 00:28:45.419 --> 00:28:47.939 to carry 00:28:47.939 --> 00:28:48.379 out the 00:28:48.379 --> 00:28:48.779 greatest 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.319 task 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:49.519 that 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.000 humankind 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.759 will ever 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.159 see 00:28:51.159 --> 00:28:53.220 Jesus chose 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.899 the common 00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:57.240 Jesus chose 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:59.000 the ordinary 00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:00.759 and he 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.340 empowered 00:29:01.340 --> 00:29:02.019 them with 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.380 the spirit 00:29:02.380 --> 00:29:02.940 of God 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.180 and he 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:05.019 made them 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:07.320 extraordinary. 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:11.039 when I 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.460 think about 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.019 that I 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.439 think about 00:29:12.439 --> 00:29:13.019 what in 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:13.480 the world 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.200 is holding 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.220 us back 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.919 from being 00:29:16.919 --> 00:29:17.659 all that 00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:18.159 God would 00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:18.659 have us 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:19.139 to be. 00:29:19.639 --> 00:29:19.859 What's 00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.299 holding me 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:20.700 back? 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:21.980 What's 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.399 holding you 00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:22.799 back? 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:23.799 What's 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.500 being everything 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:24.939 God would 00:29:24.939 --> 00:29:25.299 have you to 00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.500 be? 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.559 God wants 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.539 people who 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:27.859 will speak 00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:28.480 boldly for 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:28.759 him. 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:30.920 God wants 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.740 people who 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.440 are quiet 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.839 who don't 00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:34.599 say much 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:36.019 but who are 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.379 willing to 00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:36.940 walk up to 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.480 others and 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:38.539 quietly invite 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:40.000 them to 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.339 come to 00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:40.640 Jesus. 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.359 He even 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:43.779 wants the 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.400 thunderous 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:46.920 those that 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.220 you see 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.599 coming 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:49.059 those that 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.579 will step 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.900 up when 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.240 needed. 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:53.720 He wants 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:53.880 the 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.259 passionate. 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:57.019 The folks 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.420 that love 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:59.440 folks like 00:29:59.440 --> 00:29:59.759 the Lord 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.120 Jesus. 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:02.660 He wants 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:04.420 you and 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:04.799 he wants 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.140 me. 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.740 It's not 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:10.980 our job to 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.579 do the job 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:11.819 of the 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.200 apostles. 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:14.839 It's our 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:15.660 job to do 00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:17.000 the job that 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.660 he set before 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.120 us. 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:20.079 And he has 00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:20.559 a way of 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.180 taking our 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.340 temperament and 00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:23.220 our strengths 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:24.340 and our 00:30:24.340 --> 00:30:26.600 weaknesses and 00:30:26.600 --> 00:30:28.880 molding them 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.640 and making 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.440 them like 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.160 clay on a 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.600 potter's 00:30:31.600 --> 00:30:32.620 wheel and 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.000 by the 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.500 spirit of 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.180 God and 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:34.620 the power 00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:34.880 of the 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:35.240 spirit of 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:37.080 God to 00:30:37.080 --> 00:30:37.740 be effective 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:39.779 to reach 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:41.240 people and 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.720 encourage 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:43.700 people for 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.000 the Lord 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.799 Jesus Christ. 00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.480 What is it 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:47.799 God would 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.279 have you to 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:48.500 do? 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.380 maybe you're 00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:52.660 here this 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:53.019 morning and 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:53.500 you've never 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:53.940 given your 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.220 heart and 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.519 life to the 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:54.940 Lord Jesus. 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:55.680 There's not 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.259 a relationship 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.640 there. 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:57.840 You don't have 00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:58.480 a problem with 00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.039 him necessarily. 00:30:59.200 --> 00:30:59.680 You just never 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.220 have surrendered 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:00.759 your life to 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.000 him. 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:01.960 Never have 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.500 committed your 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:02.900 life to 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:03.100 him. 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:04.820 I want you to 00:31:04.820 --> 00:31:05.180 know if you've 00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:05.820 never done that 00:31:05.820 --> 00:31:06.440 today's the day 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:06.960 to do that. 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:07.400 There's no need 00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:07.860 to put that 00:31:07.860 --> 00:31:08.200 off. 00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:09.920 If you'll ask 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.420 him to forgive 00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:10.799 you of your 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.340 sins and 00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:11.920 you'll acknowledge 00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.600 that you've done 00:31:12.600 --> 00:31:13.120 wrong in your 00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:14.180 life and ask 00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:14.539 him to come 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.160 into your life 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:15.820 and to change 00:31:15.820 --> 00:31:16.220 you, 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:18.819 he will empower you with the spirit of God 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:21.579 and he'll take those natural things within you 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:24.620 and he'll tune them up by the spirit of God 00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:27.039 and use them in his might and power. 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.759 Maybe you're here this morning 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:31.259 and you have done that privately 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:33.380 but you've never acknowledged that through baptism. 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:35.980 We plan to do that in a couple, three weeks 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:38.360 and I encourage you if you've never been baptized 00:31:38.360 --> 00:31:42.740 to obey God in that. 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:45.140 By his commission and by his example, 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:46.039 Christ told us, 00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:48.259 that was the first step that we're to take 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:50.220 when we give our life to Christ. 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:54.640 Or maybe God's drawing you to Pickens First Baptist Church. 00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.980 That's your step of obedience. 00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:59.120 That's what you're to do to obey God 00:31:59.120 --> 00:32:01.000 and if that be the case, 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.779 we'd love to welcome you. 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:04.680 We'd be happy to guide you in that 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:06.120 or maybe it's something else. 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:07.420 I have no idea what it is. 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:09.880 I don't ever pretend to know 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:12.059 what God's speaking to you about 00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:13.120 but I'll tell you this, 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:15.059 by the power of God, 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:16.579 he'll make each one of us effective 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:19.539 to do the ministry that he's called us to do. 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:23.980 And if you're a child of God, 00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:28.539 he's called you to do ministry 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:31.519 in some form or fashion. 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:35.460 whether it be quiet, 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:37.900 whether it be loud, 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:40.339 whether it be speaking, 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.400 whether it be nudging, 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:43.700 whatever it is, 00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:45.460 the apostles show us 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:46.599 God can use any of us 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:47.759 and will use any of us 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:49.819 and he plans to use all of us. 00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:50.819 So let's just be obedient 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:51.680 and follow him today. 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:53.220 Just say yes 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:55.700 to whatever God would have for you. 00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:56.759 Let's pray together. 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.879 Lord Jesus, I love you. 00:32:57.880 --> 00:33:00.300 Thank you Lord for your love for us 00:33:00.300 --> 00:33:01.300 and I ask dear God 00:33:01.300 --> 00:33:02.560 that you'll help us to learn 00:33:02.560 --> 00:33:04.420 from the apostles, 00:33:04.600 --> 00:33:05.800 the great teachers that they are 00:33:05.800 --> 00:33:07.280 by their example, dear God. 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.900 Help us to be obedient 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:10.260 to follow you as you lead us. 00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:12.100 In Jesus' precious name. 00:33:12.620 --> 00:33:12.920 Amen.