February 10, 2013
Passage:  Matthew 10:1-15
Speaker:  Pastor Bill Knepper
Main Point:  Serve the Lord with your whole heart.

I. The Lord sends twelve Apostles into Israel.
            A. Twelve is a national number.
            B. Each Apostle was chosen by the Lord.

The Twelve Apostles

The Apostles are grouped in fours in all of the places where they are listed.  The leader of each group is the first one listed.         (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:13)

Simon Peter – a fisherman, brother of Andrew and disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35-42).  He is also called “Cephas” which is Aramaic for Peter.  He was the leader of all.
Andrew – brother of Peter, he is noted for being committed to quietly bringing others to Jesus.
James – brother of John, they were called the “Sons of Thunder”.  The first Apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:2).
John – called the disciple whom Jesus loved, he was the man to whom Jesus committed Mary, His mother at the crucifixion.   John lived many years in Ephesus and discipled Polycarp and Ignatius.  He is the author of 1st, 2nd, 3rd John and Revelation.
Philip – also a disciple of John the Baptist, leads the second group of four.  He ministered in the Roman part of Asia.
Bartholomew – also called Nathanael, was described by Jesus as a true Israelite, “a man in whom is no guile”.  (John 1:47)
Thomas – also called Didymus which means “twin”.  Evidence that he ministered in India.  Declared “My Lord and my God” when he saw the hands of the Lord.  (John 20:28)
Matthew – also called Levi, a tax collector and expert on Jewish customs and rules.  His attention to details is evident in the gospel according to Matthew.
James of Alphaeus – is likely the brother of Matthew whose father’s name was also Alphaeus.  Little more is known.
Thaddaeus – also known as Judas of James, likely “son of James”.  Little is known of him beyond a question he asks of the Lord in John 14:22.
Simon the Zealot – also called Simon the Cananaean, he was a part of the Jewish community willing to do anything to throw off the yoke of Rome.
Juda Iscariot – perhaps the only non-Galilean if his name refers to a location.  He was the treasurer of the band although he stole from the purse.  (John 12:6)   He was the one who betrayed Jesus into the hands of the enemy by a kiss.

II. The twelve are sent only to Israel.
            A. They are told to avoid other nations.
            B. Jesus has a plan for the whole world.
            C. They are to heal the people.
            D. They are to preach the kingdom.

III. The twelve are to take care of business.
            A. They are to travel light.
            B. They are to rest easily.
            C. They are to serve readily.

IV. The Lord will judge the response.
            A. Sodom and Gomorrah have further judgment.
            B. Every town faces judgment about Jesus.