CHRISTIAN FOLLOWERS

Let's pick up where we left off in our Tell me the story of Jesus journey, shall we? Jesus told His disciples that the people were like sheep without a shepherd and that there were so many of God's people, but few to tend to them. So Jesus called the twelve disciples that were His Apostles and gave them power to cast out devils, (today this is called exorcism) and to heal all kinds of sickness and disease.

These are the names of the twelve Apostles of Jesus who were the very first Christian followers of Jesus Christ:

Simon (Peter)
Andrew (Peter's brother)
James (Son of Zebedee)
John (James' brother)
Philip
Bartholomew
Thomas
Levi (Matthew)
James (Son of Alphaeus)
Lebbaeus (Thaddaeus)
Simon (the Canaanite)
Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus)

The twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ were but twelve average men. Fishermen, a tax collector, a Canaanite. I know you're in a hurry to find out more about the mission of this group, but slow down a little and let's just think about this for a moment.

Let's take a small the twelve Apostles of Jesus field trip, shall we? So, there is this new company in town and the owner is looking to fill 12 positions. He holds a few speaking engagements around town and tells everyone about His product. He grew up in the next town over, and nobody there believes He'll be a success. You know those "too good to be true" type of things?

This sounds even better than the best one you've ever heard of. It just so happens that you've been looking for a new job. Been thinking about it for quite some time now. You're just so stuck in your same ole routine and the fact that you've been at your old job for so long, it just scares ya to death to let go of that kind of security for something that's so ... Risky.

Awwwwwww heck, there's probably hundreds of people who have a better résumé than you anyway, right? There's some travel involved. Might have to be away from the family. You can't understand the salary part. You aren't paid any money, but the benefits last a lifetime and get even better after you're dead! What in the world does that mean? Your family won't like it. Your friends will tell you you're crazy. You step up to talk to the owner and after you ask Him a question or two, you tell Him you'd like to sleep on it before you make such a big decision.

A couple weeks later you hear about the 12 guys who got the jobs. Fishermen, a tax collector, a Canaanite. What did they have that you didn't? Faith. They were willing to risk it all for the product (cause). Matter of fact, maybe they had less than you. Less fear. Less to lose. Less doubt. And now they have the twelve most important jobs to ever exist. And where are you? Well ... Don't you worry about a thing. That company is still hiring! Every day. And ya wanna know a funny thing? It's kinda strange, but the people with the worst resumes' are usually the ones who get hired quicker.

Now, let's get back to the twelve Apostles of Jesus awesome adventure telling us about the very first of the Christian followers of Jesus ... This is what Jesus told His twelve Apostles: Don't go into the region where the Gentiles or the Samaritans live, but rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and as you go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is near.

Why did Jesus send the Apostles of Jesus only to the Jewish people? The answer is because it wasn't the time of the Gentiles yet, it was still the time of the Jewish people. To find out what this means, check out The 70th Week. Take your time and read it slowly and thoroughly.

If you didn't know before about the time of the Jewish people and the time of the Gentiles, your mind is going through your memory banks like a computer goes through files and it's replacing a lot of misunderstood information and clearing it all up for you now. You're not even conscious of it.

The next time something comes up that concerns this topic, your corrected knowledge will appear in your mind and light bulbs will be turning on everywhere! What you just did, (and each time you study) is you reinforced your confidence in your knowledge of the Word. This makes us better followers of Jesus, better able to spread the Gospel of Jesus, and that's a great achievement!

We better get back to the twelve Apostles of Jesus study ... Jesus told the Apostles, and appointed 70 others also, sending them out, saying, Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. You've received this power freely, so do these things without charge. Don't take money with you, or an extra coat or shoes or staff, you won't need it. The workman is worthy of his meat. (Remember what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount about not worrying about those things Matthew 6:31-34.)

He told the Christian followers that when they go to a house, to greet it, and if the house is worthy, bring peace to it, but if it isn't worthy, let their peace return to them. He continued talking with the twelve Apostles of Jesus ... Whoever doesn't welcome you, or believe your words, when you leave there, shake off the dust from your feet. I tell you the truth, it'll be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. Whoever will hear you, hears me, and whoever despises you, despises me, and whoever despises me, despises He who sent me. And the seventy returned with joy, saying. Lord, even the devils are subject to us through your name. Awesome huh?

Let's take a time out in the Christian followers of Jesus lesson and ponder a lil about this ... "Shaking off the dust of the feet" ... Jesus explained to the Apostles that when they set forth to share the Gospel if someone was found not worthy and would not hear their words, they were to "shake off the dust of their feet" as they departed.

But, what about now? When are we to wipe our feet of the dust? When we are sharing the Gospel with another? At what point would you want Jesus to wash His hands of you? Is the individual that we encounter and consider "dusting" ... Denying OUR words or are they denying Jesus? If they are only denying our words, are we not to forgive 70 x 7 times?

Prepare for the twelve Apostles of Jesus warning ... Therefore, to make harmony of what Jesus has said about "dusting and forgiving" ... We would need to be able to discern who our Father has deemed UNWORTHY. The answer is within the next set of words ... We MUST Discern and that can only be accomplished by having the Holy Spirit reveal the TRUTH to us. I mean how can we "dust em" until we know they are unworthy? Did you read what happens to these souls when ya "dust 'em" ???

It says "I tell you the truth, it'll be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city" ... Sooooo, Until we do KNOW ... It is best for us to do unto them as we would have done unto to us. Cuz the TRUTH is this ... The difference between a lost soul and a soul that will be in eternal darkness and pain FOREVER ... May be YOU.

Let's return to the Christian followers of Jesus story and see what Jesus was saying next. He said, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. But beware of men, because they'll take you to court and whip you in their synagogues and you'll be judged by governors and kings for my sake when you speak against them and the Gentiles. But, when they accuse you, don't worry about what to say, because in the same hour the Holy Spirit of your Father will give you the words that you should say at that time.

The brother will deliver up his own brother to death and the father the child. The children will rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death and you'll be hated of all men because of me, but whoever never gives up to the end will be saved.

Are you seeking an everlasting job with excellent benefits and an eternal life insurance policy that is ... Out of this world? Try the Christian followers of Jesus life. Do you like a challenge? Do you want to be an Apostle of Jesus? I've got some good news for you. You don't have to quit your job. Be a moonlighter for Jesus!

The twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ were just the beginning. The Christian followers of Jesus continued to grow.

Matthew 10:23-42

The Gospel that Jesus taught, though it was 2000+ years ago, pertains to today's world as much now as it did when He spoke it. Let's refresh the last couple of things we studied. Jesus was talking about how His disciples would be taken to the authorities because of their beliefs and how the Holy Spirit would tell them what to say. Jesus added that families would be in conflict with one another because of Him and that His disciples would be hated of all men for His sake, but whoever stands firm in their faith will be saved.

It certainly sounds a lot like the world today doesn't it? It's a tough road that Christians travel, there's no doubt about that. And it's not only people that oppose the Christian lifestyle, it's the world. Of course the world is controlled by people (as well as spirits, both good and bad), but it's not always people directly that are the ruts in the road. There's addictions, money, government, weather, traffic, oh my and so much more ... Music, health, war, emotions, television, we could just go on forever. The point is, if you maintain a Christian lifestyle in the way you deal with any of these things, people are gonna give you a rough time.

Got lost there again. I could talk to you about the Lord forever. However, we best get back after the Twelve Apostles of Jesus truth. Jesus said, But when they persecute you in one city, go to another. You won't finish with the cities of Israel until my Kingdom come.

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

What I tell you privately, say in the light and whatever you hear, preach from the housetops. Don't be afraid of people who destroy the body, but aren't able to touch your soul, instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Aren't two sparrows worth a farthing? (A farthing is a coin of very small value) and your Father won't allow a single one of them to fall to the ground. But He knows the number of every hair on your head. Don't be afraid then, you're worth more than many sparrows.

There are Christian followers of Jesus dangers ... Whoever denies me in front of anyone, I'll deny him also before my Father in Heaven. If someone asked you who your hero is, would you say first Robin Hood, or Jesus? Would you be afraid or ashamed of what someone else would think if your answer was Jesus?

Jesus continued, Don't think that I came to bring peace on earth. I didn't come to bring peace, but a sword. I came to set men in conflict with their fathers, and the daughter against her mother and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's enemies will be his own family. Whoever loves his father or mother more than me isn't worthy of me and whoever loves their son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me. Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever gives his life for my sake will find it. Whoever accept you accepts me and God who sent me. Remember the story about when God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis, Chapter 22? This wasn't a new idea of the Lord's. He wants your love for Him to be more than anything else in the whole world. Your reward will be worth it, trust Him.

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Well, now you've seen the the Christian followers mission statement. Quite a prestigious job, eh? Another great thing about working for God is that you get to set your own hours too! And again ... Wait 'till you see your end of the world bonus! Eternal Life. The twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ started it ... It is up to the followers of Jesus who are here today, to finish the race.