Choosing your Fellowship

Scripture: Mark 3: 13-19, 6:6b-13

Introduction: Today’s lesson deals with Jesus choosing the twelve disciples. They were set apart and given a job. They were examples for us, to show what to do, and how to do it. In doing this Jesus makes a very strong statement about our responsibilities as Christians and citizens. We are to go out into the community and we are to carry the Word by mouth and by example.

Observe:

The Selection  3:13-15 13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. 

1. The introduction to this call or promotion of disciples; He goes up into a mountain. Though Christ had authority to confer the gifts of the Holy Ghost, yet for us, he set an example. He prayed. We should always pray before making life’s decisions.

2. The rule he went by in his choice, and that was his own good pleasure; He called unto him whom he would. Not as we would choose by stature, looks, wealth, popularity. HE did what seemed good in his eyes. Such are God’s ways. He chooses us for His own purpose.

3. They came to Him. He called them to be separate from the crowd. So it would become the character of future Christians…we are to separate.

The Sanctification and Ordaining  3:14-19 14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,   15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:   16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;   17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:   18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus, and Simon the Canaanite,   19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into a house.

1. He ordained them (probably by the imposition of hands, which was a ceremony used among the Jews), that they should be with him constantly. Christians are to spend much time with their Master and Savior. Time of prayer and a constant awareness of His presence and will.

2. They were to be witnesses of His and be able to give an account of His:

   1.  Doctrine

   2. Manner of Life

   3. Patience 

3. He gave them power to work miracles; and hereby he put a very great honor upon them, beyond that of the great men of the earth. They could heal sickness and cast out devils.

4. He gives them special names. God knows us by what we are, not by what we call ourselves.

   1. Simon is called Petere

   2. James and John are called Boanerges or Sons of Thunder. They became special and were noted for their preaching.

5. They went into a house and put themselves in order. IT was here that the it was probably decided Judas would carry the bag, which pleased him and made him feel at ease. (God knows the real desires of our hearts)

The Sending 6:6b-13 And he went round about the villages, teaching. 7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;   8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:   9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.   10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.   11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.   12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.   13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

1. They have by now heard His teachings, sat at his feet and seen His examples. Now He decides to make use of them.

2. Christ sent them forth by two and two. That out of the mouth of two witnesses every word might be established; and that they might be company for one another when they were among strangers, and might strengthen the hands, and encourage the hearts, one of another; Christ would thus teach his ministers to associate, and both lend and borrow help. They would work together.

3. He commanded them not to take provisions along with them. That they might appear, wherever they came, to be poor men, men not of this world, and therefore might with the better grace call people off from it to a better world.

4. They were to live with the people and be part of the community and thus gain acceptance and do good.

5. He pronounced doom to those that would not listen to them or who rejected them.

6. He sent them out and they did preach and heal.

Conclusion: They were to go into the community and country and be heard by spreading the gospel and setting the example of involvement.