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The Growth of the Ministry of Jesus

Text: Mark 3:13-21; Luke 6:12-16; Matthew 10:1-4
10 November 2013

THE GROWTH OF THE MINISTRY OF JESUS

1. It had grown rapidly

2. Multitudes thronged Him

3. Some desired to be His disciples

4. The need to appoint people to leadership roles becomes obvious

a) Advice of Jethro to Moses          Exodus 18; Deuteronomy 1
b) Jesus’ implicit understanding          Mark 3:13-19

THE APPOINTMENT OF APOSTLES

1. It is a calling          Mark 3:13a

a) Selection from His disciples          Matthew 10:1
b) Not from the multitudes

2. It is according to what Jesus wanted          Mark 3:13b

a) Perspective of Jesus
b) Not from the human perspective

3. Divine appointment          Mark 3:14a

a) He appointed just Twelve
b) They were called apostles          Matthew 10:12

4. Duties

a) They were to be with Him          Mark 3:14b
b) They were to be sent out to preach          Mark 3:14c
c) They will be empowered
i) Power to heal          Mark 3:15a
ii) Power to cast out demons          Mark 3:15b

5. List of names of Apostles          Mark 3:16-19

REASONS FOR THEIR APPOINTMENT

1. To help Jesus with His vast ministry

2. To prepare for the future ministry

POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDAS

1. Instruction to the disciples

a) Concerning false brethren
b) Concerning leadership

2. To fulfil Scriptures

a) The Scriptures forewarned the appearance of a traitor
b) Jesus nevertheless sought to give him friendship
c) He also sought to teach him

IMPACT ON THE MINISTRY

1. The multitudes kept coming

2. The apostles were kept so busy they did not have time to eat          Mark 3:20

NEGATIVE IMPACT ON JESUS’ FAMILY

1. They remained unconvinced          Mark 3:21

2. They thought He was out of His mind          Mark 3:21

3. They wanted to lay hold of Him          Mark 3:21

POEMS CT

CALLED AND APPOINTED

The First Call of Jesus was given to sinners to follow Him,
They did not fully comprehend what the Call could mean.
They responded and stepped away from the multitude,
They would follow Jesus with sincere and proper rectitude.

The Second Call of Jesus was different from the First,
Many had followed Him to quench their souls’ thirst.
Out of the many disciples Jesus gave the Second Call,
Those who received this word were prepared to yield their all.

Only Twelve were especially given the Second Call,
But in that many lessons were to be learned by all.
It is the prerogative of the Lord to call whom He wished,
There was a work that to them He would relinquish.

These must learn to attend to the Master’s word each day,
They must prepare themselves for ministry that would come their way.
They would be appointed as apostles filled with authority and power,
They must seek to master many lessons of faith in life’s short hour.

Inspiration: Mark 3:131-4