Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1918-02-09
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 10
JESUS CHOOSES THE TWELVE
LESSON TEXT-Mark 9:7-25.


twelve. that they should be with him. and
that he might send them forth to preach
Mark 3:14.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEACHERS 1914: Luke 612-l6;
John 15:l5-27: Matt 5:13-16; 16:24-25; John
1866; II Tim. AS.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus chooses twelve
helpers.
INTERMEDIATE TOPIC-The twelve
and what we know about them.
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-What It
means to be a disciple OF Jesus.
No man can alone accomplish any
great task. Every great leader has
been blessed by one or more equally
great helpers. Luther had his Metanc-
thon: Wesley, his brother Charles,
Whitfield and others: Moody had
White, Bliss, Sankey, TOwner ana
more. These leaders but followed the
example of our Lord. Jesus ministry
made him much observed and greatly
multiplied his duties and burdens.
When. therefore he chose these dis
ciples, he desired not only TO obtain
help and to begin to teach those WI"
were to take his place, but, like every
l.,
60 those who were 50 carefully Observ-
ing him. In verse If we are told that
he chose twelve, which was signih-
cant number corresponding TO the
twelve tribes. and at once confirmed
his assumption to the MessiahShip and
meant that the wOndrOus prophesies
were being fulfilled. II also served TO
stimulate those upon whom the choice
fell. Jesus, as we know from other
passages, retired to the mountains TO
pray. The call came from on high
". 49,, and those called event up" to
him for preparation and for quail
ficatiOn. The call Is a purpose
full one, for 1t is not enough 10 go up;
we must also go down and out, hence
these are "sent" wv. Il, 15). Only
those who are authorized however are
sent. Those WHOM Jesus sent out were
TO found new Kingdom and To do
greater work than merely to judge the
people, because they were not only to
fudge results. but they were 10 change
results by altering causes; hence they
had power over demons, even as the
Master, for evil has no rights. The
source of their power Is to be Jesus,
for he Is TO be with them. our own pro-
lection as we'll Matt 2S :20) /; and their
power is to grow with its usage, for
we learn by doing. These men were
originally united, not by creed but
by an ideal not by a doctrine or teach
en- hut nv of nv CIhCprin-
ton to confession. At once they met
with conflict. First of all by bias
before his unfinished work, great shall
be the penalty. Those who hate God
shut out the light. Secondly, by a con-
f1ict with misdirected zeal. There We're
those about Jesus who watched over
him, whereas rather they should have
had him watching over them ". Ply.
On the other hand, the scribes accused
him of being possessed Of devils. They
attributed to the devil the work that
the Holy Spirit and Son were doing.
What strange picturei Friends seek
Ing to restrain, enemies accusing and
relatives interposing, yet nothing can
of God. Luke tells US that these twelve
were selected from among the rest Of
the disciples. They were to have a
greater nearness and more extended
authority and, OF course, greater test
ings than the others who were disci-
pies or learners" These disciples are
to be the light of the world. The Chris
tan, "who Is the salt Of the EARTH"
loses his identity and will lose his salt.
ness and become like the world, If he
keeps not near unto Christ As light
Is good thing to preserve, purify and
to cleanse, so are the Christians, yet
there is a greater thing, when we ener-
glze, direct and believe. This is what
the apostles were TO do. The agrees
sive Peter and the other "Son of
Thunder" the reflective, cautious
Thomas, these were the men who were
sent forth as public heralds John
:36) Some they are TO win by per-
sonal solicitation (James :41). 9th
ers by public proclamation (Acts
2:39-41.) Men are saved through men.
and those whom he sends forth are
those who have first learned to follow.
Their work is made permanent only as
they abide in him." God wants the
hearing ear, the believing heart and
the cOnfessing mouth (ROm. 101N.
The one who would preach Jesus and
have power In his name must first of
all "'be with him." that is, he must en-
Joy deep, abiding, victorious life of
fellowship with Jesus. Jesus. gave d.
recti0ns to those he sent out. first TO
preach; second. to heal illness; third,
TO cast out demons.
Our mission is to both body and
soul, but Christ puts the spiritual
needs first wv. ii, 10; see Matt.
1877, s. The difficulty with many
healers Of today is that they invert
this order. Those whom Jesus sends
gut are TO offer his kingdom TO men
and not command met to receive II. |
Their work viii bring variance upon |
the earth. even among those in the |
Iame family; but those who will not |
90 are hot worthy OF me" Jesus saw |
ol.iniy thss TIE victories of his King. |
l0m were sftel lindered rather than /
a9lLei by the presence of great
cTcvls ty. 12),
WIS.,
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