Ordinary Men For An Extraordinary Task

I. Ordinary Men

A. These were simple men whom Jesus choose to follow Him

B. Some might see them as unfit.

- Jesus, Son of Joseph

Woodcrafter’s Carpenter Shop

Nazareth 25922

From: Jordan Management Consultants

Dear Sir:

Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.

The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully.

As part of our service, we make some general comments for your guidance, much as an auditor will include some general statements. This is given as a result of staff consultation, and comes without any additional fee.

It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew had been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.

One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory.

We wish you every success in your new venture.

Sincerely,

Jordan Management Consultants

C. What Price Did These men and the Apostles pay.

Tradition holds that the Apostles died in the following manner: Matthew suffered martyrdom by being slain with a sword at a distant city of Ethiopia. Mark expired at Alexandria, after being cruelly dragged through the streets of that city. Luke was hanged upon an olive tree in the classic land of Greece. John was put in a caldron of boiling oil, but escaped death in a miraculous manner, and was afterward banished to Patmos. Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downward. James, the Greater, was beheaded at Jerusalem. James, the Less, was thrown from a lofty pinnacle of the temple, and then beaten to death with a fuller’s club. Bartholomew was flayed alive. Andrew was bound to a cross, whence he preached to his persecutors until he died. Thomas was run through the body with a lance at Coromandel in the East Indies. Jude was shot to death with arrows. Matthais was first stoned and then beheaded. Barnabas of the Gentiles was stoned to death at Salonica. Paul, after various tortures and persecutions, was at length beheaded at Rome by the Emperor Nero.

D. What Effect did they have?

- God used these men to change the face of History.

II. The Extraordinary Task

A. To Build the Kingdom of God (no greater task in the entire world)

- One of the problems with Christians today is that we view the extraordinary responsibility of building the Kingdom of God as a less than ordinary job. We no longer see it as the greatest calling and work on earth.

B. It is a Good work

- Matt. 5:16

- Matthew 12:35 (NKJV)

35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

C. It is a Great Work

- Nehemiah

D. IT is a Godly Work

- it takes Godly people to do God’s work

- Only God can make a Godly person

E. God Appreciates everything we do for Him By faith

- - Abraham was called a friend of God

- David a man after God’s own heart

- John the Baptist none born any better

- Rewards in heaven (5 Crown)

- Answered prayer

- A cup of cold water

III. Preparing Ordinary People For Extraordinary Task.

A. We have to be saved and sure of it.

- New nature

- New man

- New creation

- New mind

- New heart

- New Father

- New family

- New destiny

- New Spirit

B. How Prepares us through the Spirit (no one can be Godly with out God)