The Cowardly Dozen

THE COWARDLY DOZEN

April 13, 2001

GOD HAS BEEN SPEAKING TO US RECENTLY ABOUT HIS CHURCH AND WHAT HE WILL DO.

Ÿ HE IS GATHERING A PEOPLE

Ÿ IF WE STAY HOLY, HE WILL ADD

Ÿ HE WILL SEND HIS SPIRIT BEFORE US

Ÿ HE WILL GIVE US THE WORDS TO SAY

OBVIOUSLY, GOD HAS BIG PLANS IN STORE.

I HAVE BEEN PREACHING TO YOU FOR 7 MONTHS THAT GOD IS GETTING READY TO ADD TO THIS CHURCH.

BUT GOD DOESN’T JUST RAIN PENNIES FROM HEAVEN!

AND NEW CHURCH MEMBERS DON’T JUST FALL OUT OF THE SKY!

CHRISTIANITY DID NOT BECOME THE WORLD’S LARGEST RELIGION SIMPLY BECAUSE PEOPLE BELIEVED THE GOD WOULD SEND PEOPLE!

THE EARLY CHURCH MIXED THEIR TRUST WITH THEIR ACTIONS AND GOD PROVIDED THE INCREASE!

2nd Chronicles 7:14

then, IF my people, who bear my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.

GOD HAS ALWAYS HAD A PLAN.

GOD’S PLAN HAS ALWAYS HAD CONDITIONS!

Isaiah 1:19,20

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the lord has spoken.

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GOD HAS SET US ON THE COMMON ROCK OF JESUS.

GOD HAS SET US UP TO RECEIVE THOSE WHOM HE HAS CALLED.

GOD HAS GIVEN US PEACE AND TAUGHT US LOVE.

AND GOD HAS PROMISED THAT HE WILL ADD TO THIS CHURCH.

THE QUESTION TONIGHT IS THIS: HOW DO WE FIT INTO THE PLAN OF GOD?

WE FIND OUT BY LOOKING AT THE COWARDLY DOZEN: THE 12 APOSTLES.

ANDREW

Ÿ son of Jona and brother of Peter.

Ÿ lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum.

Ÿ he was a fisherman

Ÿ was originally a disciple of John the Baptist

Ÿ John 1:35-41

35 The next day, John was again standing with two of his disciples.

36 On seeing Jesus walking by, he said, ”Look! God’s Lamb!”

37 His two disciples heard him speaking, and they followed Jesus.

38 Jesus turned and saw them following Him, and He asked them, “What are you looking for?” They said to Him, “Rabbi!” (which means teacher) “Where are you staying?”

39 He said to them, “Come and see.” So they went and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him the rest of the day - it was about four o’clock in the afternoon.

40 One of the two who had heard John and had followed Jesus was Andrew the brother of Simon Peter.

41 The first thing he did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We’ve found the Messiah!”

THE CALL OF THE TWELVE BEGAN WITH GREAT EXCITEMENT!

ANDREW WAS EXCITED BECAUSE HE HAD FOUND THE LAMB OF GOD!

PETER

Ÿ son of Jona, brother of Andrew

Ÿ lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum

Ÿ fisherman, partners with James and John

Ÿ originally a disciple of John the Baptist

Ÿ Led to Jesus by Andrew

Ÿ John 1:42

He took him to Jesus. Looking at him, Jesus said, “You are Simon Bar Jona; you will be known as Peter.” (The name means “rock.”)

PHILIP

Ÿ lived in Bethsaida

Ÿ instantly followed when Jesus called.

Ÿ led Bartholomew to Jesus

Ÿ John 1:43-45

43 The next day, having decided to leave for Galilea, Jesus found Philip and said, “Follow me!”

44 Philip was from Bethsaida, the town where Andrew and Peter lived.

45 Philip found Bartholomew and told him, “We’ve found the one that Moses wrote about in the law and the prophets - it’s Jesus the son of Joseph from Nazareth.

BARTHOLOMEW

Ÿ John 1:46-49

46 Bartholomew answered him, “Nazareth? Can anything good come from there?” “Come and see” Philip said to him.

47 Jesus saw Bartholomew coming toward him and

remarked about him, “Here’s a true son of Isreal - nothing false in Him!”

48 Bartholomew 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 Bartholomew said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Isreal!”

THE CALLING OF THE TWELVE BEGAN WITH EXCITEMENT!

THEY WERE RUNNING AROUND TELLING EVERYONE WHO JESUS WAS!

WE HAVE FOUND HIM! COME AND SEE!

JAMES & JOHN

Ÿ fishermen, partners with Simon Peter.

Ÿ when Jesus showed his power by the number of fish they caught, they left everything and followed Him.

Ÿ led to Jesus by Simon Peter.

SIMON ZEALOTES

Ÿ member of the revolutionary Jewish Zealots

THOMAS ALSO KNOW AS DIDYMUS

Ÿ the doubter

JAMES

Ÿ possibly the brother of Matthew

MATTHEW

Ÿ also known as Levi

Ÿ tax collector just outside Capernaum

Ÿ wealthy yet despised because he was a tax collector