Who Jesus Picks
Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: Who Jesus Picks ------------------- Date: 11/13/2002
Keywords:
"Apostles" "chosen" "disciples" "qualifications" "qualified"
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temptation.
Passage: Mark 3:16-19*
16. And [Jesus] appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter),
17. and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Baonerges, which means, "Sons of Thunder");
18. and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot;
19. and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.
Questions
1. What do you know about the disciples? What was their background?
2. If Jesus chose you to do something important for him, what would be his reason for doing so?
Practical help
If you were to ask me why I believe Christianity is superior to all other world religions, I would submit as one of the strongest pieces of evidence the Apostles. They were the people Jesus chose to walk with him during his three year ministry and then build his church after his death and resurrection. There is no denying the incredible impact Christianity has had on the world and it is clear how the Church revered the Apostles. They were very important people with a very important mission.
Knowing the importance of what they were to be involved in, you would think Jesus would select people with a few more qualifications. In fact, probably the most "qualified" from the world’s standpoint was Judas Iscariot. This might have been part of his downfall. He probably looked around at the others and thought, "What am I doing with this bunch of losers?" And that’s my point. Christianity rings true to me as a God-ordained movement because it was founded on a bunch of unimportant, unspectacular, nobodies. Only God would have the power to take the risk that this baby would ever fly.
After wandering through the world of Internet pornography for a while, I know that it can take it’s toll on your self-esteem. You can feel dirty and unworthy. Porn is a source of incredible shame and is evidence something is missing in a person’s life. The good news is that sexual addictions are not reasons for disqualification in the Kingdom of God. In fact, Jesus came and died for sinners just like you and me. If he can change the likes of Peter, James, John and Matthew, he can change you. Your future is as bright as that of the Apostles, not because you are qualified, but because Jesus is God and He can do whatever he wants. It’s his program, not ours. If you want to know more, click here.
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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright
The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by
permission."
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