Matthew 10:1-7
And he called to him
his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them
out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. 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 Thaddaeus; Simon
the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent
out, charging them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of
the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And
preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
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Do you believe in the
the life-changing power of the gospel and experience its transforming effect in
your life? The core of the gospel message is quite simple: the kingdom (or
reign) of God is very near! What is the kingdom of God? It is that society
of men and women who know God's love and mercy, and who willingly obey and
honor God as their Lord and King. In the prayer which Jesus gave to his
disciples (the Lord's Prayer or Our Father), he taught them to
pray for God to reign in their daily lives and in the world around them: May
your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. When
Jesus proclaimed the good news of God's kingdom he also demonstrated the power
of the gospel with supernatural signs and wonders. Jesus healed people who
suffered physical, emotional, and mental illnesses. He freed people from
spiritual bondage to sin and demonic powers. Jesus gave his disciples the same
authority he had to heal and set people free from spiritual bondage. The gospel
(which literally means "good news") which Jesus proclaimed is just as
relevant today, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. If we believe in Jesus
and in the power of the gospel, we will experience freedom, joy, and power to
live as his disciples. No one can buy heaven; but if we know the love and mercy
of Jesus, then we already possess heaven in our hearts! Do you believe that
Jesus can change your life and show you the power of God's kingdom?
Jesus commissioned
his disciples to carry on the works which he did – to speak God's word and to
bring his healing power to the weary and oppressed. In the choice of the twelve
apostles we see a characteristic feature of God's work: Jesus chose very
ordinary people. They were non-professionals, had no wealth or position. They
were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special
education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could
take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for
what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his
direction and power. When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not think we have
nothing or very little to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us,
can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Do you believe that God
wants to work in and through you for his glory?
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"Lord Jesus, you
have chosen me to be your disciple. Take and use what I can offer, however
meager it may seem, for the greater glory of your name."
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