(krŏn'ĭ-kəl) n. An extended account in prose or verse of historical events, sometimes including legendary material, presented in chronological order and without authorial interpretation or comment. A detailed narrative record or report.

Sunday, 2 September 2012

The Messengers of the King


JULY 25, 2009

For CELLGROUP: DISCIPLESHIP

 

1ST LESSON: THE MESSENGERS OF THE KING (John MacArthur)

Text: Matthew 10:1

CALLING AND COMMISIONING OF THE 12

 

1. INITIATION: given authority

            Proskaleo:       kaleo   -           to call

                                    Pros     -           toward

                        : to call someone toward you so that you’re face to face with them

-       OFFICIAL COMMISIONING

Acts 13:2

English Standard Version (ESV)

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

 

He called them (before His face to give them commands-

                                                To give them commission-

                                                To send them-

                                                To instruct them-

 

Verse 1: disciples        -           learning – learner- mathetes

Verse 2: apostles        -           they were sent- to be sent- apostello – sent one

 

4 PHASES IN CHRIST’S TRAINING OF THE 12

 

a. salvation or conversion

John 1:35-51


English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

 35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.[a] 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus[b] was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter[c]).

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him,“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you,[d] you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

-       Initial calling  -           called to believe, called to Christ in a conversion sense, but then went back to their jobs secular employment, back to their homes.

 

b. ministry

Matthew 4:18-22


English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”[a] 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

-       Called to attached to Him PERMANENTLY

-       Called out to their employment, called away from their livelihood, called away from everything they knew about making a living called to follow Jesus for 3 years to be trained (their schooling)

 

c. sent out (internship/calling)

Matthew 10:1


English Standard Version (ESV)

The Twelve Apostles

 1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

Mark 6:7


English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

 7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

-       Sent out 2 by 2, not ready to be alone

-       The Lord stuck with them

-       Go out for short term mission assignment

 

d. final sending

Matthew 28:16-20


English Standard Version (ESV)

The Great Commission

 16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

-       After the resurrection and after the ascension

-       Holy Spirit came into them, scattered and went into the world, discpling the nations

 

AUGUST 01, 2009

2. TRAINING AND INITIATION

a.    chosen sovereignly

Mark 3:13


English Standard Version (ESV)

The Twelve Apostles

 13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him.

-       His choice, His will, His sovereign purpose

 

John 15:16

English Standard Version (ESV)

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

 

b.    chosen after a night of prayer

 

Luke 6:12


English Standard Version (ESV)

The Twelve Apostles

 12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

 

-       Submission to the Father and occurred ONLY AFTER He sought the Father’s will

-       Humility

-       Affirmed they were the gift of God

John 17:6


English Standard Version (ESV)

   6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

c.    chosen to be trained

Matthew 11:29

English Standard Version (ESV)

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

-        Learning through Jesus himself

3. 5 THINGS/  PROBLEMS/ INADEQUACIES IN THE PROCESS OF DISCIPLING

a.    lack spiritual understanding

-       They were blind, thick, dull, stupid, didn’t understand the parables

Matthew 15:15

English Standard Version (ESV)

15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.”

 

Luke 8:31

English Standard Version (ESV)

31 And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss.

 

Luke 8:34


English Standard Version (ESV)

 34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.

John 13:6-7

English Standard Version (ESV)

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

 

Matthew 16:22-23

English Standard Version (ESV)

22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord![a]This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance[b] to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

 

John 21:1-3


English Standard Version (ESV)

John 21


Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

 1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

John 21:15-19


English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus and Peter

 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord,you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

-       Overcame simply by teaching, teaching, teaching…

 

Acts 1:3

English Standard Version (ESV)

3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

 

-       Dealt the lack of understanding by INSTRUCTION

b.    lack of humility

-       they were proud, jealous, envious bunch

Mark 9:33


English Standard Version (ESV)

Who Is the Greatest?

 33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”

Matthew 20:20-27


English Standard Version (ESV)

A Mother's Request

 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[a] 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,[b]

-       dealt by giving the a demonstration to His OWN HUMILITY

-       Likened himself to a little child

Mark 9:33-37


English Standard Version (ESV)

Who Is the Greatest?

 33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

-       Likened himself to be a servant

John 13:1-20


English Standard Version (ESV)

John 13


Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

 1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet,[a] but is completely clean. And you[b] are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant[c] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled,[d] ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

-       Overcame their lack of humility by example of his own life as a teaching tool

Lesson: When you disciple someone/somebody, you’re going to have the same problems with the same remedies.

c.    lack of faith

Mark 4:40

English Standard Version (ESV)

40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

 

Mark 16:14


English Standard Version (ESV)

The Great Commission

 14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.

Acts 1:3

English Standard Version (ESV)

3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

-       Overcame by miracles and mighty deeds

d.    lack of commitment

Mark 14:50

English Standard Version (ESV)

50 And they all left him and fled.

 

Matthew 26:56

English Standard Version (ESV)

56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

-       Dealt it through prayer

Luke 22:31-32


English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

    31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,[a] that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

e.    lack of power

 

-       weak and helpless, impotent

Matthew 17:14-20


English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

 14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon,[a] and it[b] came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.[c] 19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”[d]

 

-       Dealt it by breathing unto them the Holy Spirit

 

Acts 1:8

English Standard Version (ESV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 

·         Training is by WALKING around with a GODLY man- the process of DISCPLESHIP

 

Mark 3:14

English Standard Version (ESV)

14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

 

·         Not enough to be saved, to be called, to serve Christ, not enough to be trained

 

·         Only enough when all of that’s done- TO GO

 

Matthew 28:19

English Standard Version (ESV)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

 

·         Training and sending are 2 sides of the coin. DISCIPLISHIP AND APOSTLESHIP go together

 

 

·         Phase 1:    FOLLOW ME

·         Phase 2:    LEAVE AND CARRY THE MESSAGE

Verse 1: after their training, they begin their sort term mission assignment and they went with an IMPACT: casting out demons, healing the sick, did the same thing as Jesus.

 

Prayer:

Father thank You this morning for our time, thank You for showing us how Jesus discipled men, things He was able to overcome in His power and how He did it. May we learn from this. May we see ourselves in the process of being learners, mathetes, yet to become apostles, apostolos. Being trained to go, to be sent. Oh not in some official way, not in some manner as those special twelve for whom are reserved the twelve thrones, but nonetheless to be sent. Train us Lord and help us to train others, send us and help us to send others that the work may go on which You began. May we disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Lord Jesus and teaching them to observe all things whatsoever He commanded them. Bringing them to maturity and then sending them.

We pray Father for those in our midst who perhaps have been converted, they've been called to Christ, they've come to the second point of being called to serve. Perhaps they're resisting the training or perhaps having been trained they're resisting the final sending. Lord speak to each of us wherever we are, may be some Lord who have not yet even come the first time to follow Jesus in faith. Wherever we are Lord draw us to Yourself, do Your perfect work in each heart. In Christ's name. Amen.

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