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Jesus, Peter, James and John
THE POINT: The close relationship between Jesus, Peter, James and John is a powerful and often overlooked model of discipleship.
• Many Christians look at the Sunday Service as the primary expression of their faith.
• The Christianity that took over the Roman world was a matter close-knit relationships, not classes and programs.
• Most of the Gospels talk about Jesus’ relationships with His closest friends.
• The New Testament Epistles were mostly written as deeply personal letters, not theological treatises.
Matthew 10:2-4 (NKJV)
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
Matthew 17:1-9 (NKJV)
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one fo r Elijah." …
Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead."
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Mark 5:35-37 (NIV)
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.
Mark 13:1-4 (NIV)
As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!"
"Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?"
Mark 14:32-34 (NIV)
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
Galatians 2:9-10 (NIV)
James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.
WHAT THEN SHALL WE DO?
• Which have changed your life more: classes, speeches, or relationships?
• Who are the two, three, or four people that you can be completely yourself with?
• Start looking at that relationship as your primary ministry vehicle.
PowerPoint Slides from this Sermon
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