The 12 Disciples Part II, Bible Study 05/05/10

Posted on May 9, 2010 by growintheword

The 12 Disciples Part II

Synopsis of Bible Study 05/05/10

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

Revisiting the 12 disciples

The 12 Disciples by name

  1. Andrew

  2. Bartholomew (Nathanael)

  3. James (son of Zebedee)

  4. James (the lesser or younger)

  5. John (the son of Thunder, the Revelation)

  6. Judas

  7. Thaddeus (Jude)

  8. Matthew

  9. Peter (Cephas, Rock, Simon)

  10. Phillip

  11. Simon

  12. Thomas (Doubting Thomas) He was a born a twin.

About the Disciples


First we will introduce you to a term called martyrdom. These were people who died for the cause of Jesus. All of the Disciples/Apostles were martyred in one way or another. 

Andrew  

  • He was a fisherman by occupation

  • He was the brother of Peter and the son of Jonahs.

  • He lived in Capernaum.

  • He was a disciple of John the Baptist originally. (Mark 1:1 -18).

  • He brought Peter to Jesus

  • He was condemned to die on the cross.

  • Andrew felt so unworthy to be crucified in the same fashion as Jesus, he requested to be crucified with an X-shaped cross.

  • His Symbol: Two crossed fish in the shape of an X or the X shape

  • Personality trait: Enthusiastic about Christ, Inquisitive, resourceful

  • Life lesson: He felt that we should go out and eagerly share the good news about Jesus Christ


Bartholomew (Nathanael)

  • Occupation was uncertain.

  • He was the son of Talmai.

  • Lived in Cannon Galilee.

  • We think he was a Romanian Missionary.

  • Many scholars think he came from royal blood. His name means son of Talmai. 2 Samuel 3:3 3And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; – Talmai was the king of Geshur whose daughter was Maacah which was the wife of David the Mother of Absalom.

  • Nathanael was really Bartholomew’s first name. ( John 1:47 – Jesus referred to him as Nathanael)

  • He died in India where he preached. He died by being fillet alive with knives.

  • His symbol: 3 parallel knives.

  • Personality traits: Skeptic, honest, and faithful. John 1:49: 49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

  • Life’s Lesson: Believers are called to test all things scripture and remain true to its principle.


James (son of Zebedee, son of Thunder, James the Elder or James the Great)

  • His Occupation is a fisherman with his father and brother. Matthew 4:18-22 says 18And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.  22And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

  • Brother of the Apostle John. The two were inseparable.

  • He lived in Capernaum.

  • He preached in Judea and Jerusalem. In AD44, he was beheaded by Herod. This task was done in public. Acts 12:1-2: 1Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

  • He was the first of the 12 Disciples to die.

  • His symbol: 3 shells (sign of his pilgrimage by the sea).

  • Personality Trait: Vengeful and fiery, selfish, and conceited. He was committed to Christ and courageous to the end. Acts 12:2: 2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

    • Also part of Jesus’ inner circle (consisting of Peter, James, and John)


  • Life’s Lesson: Stand firm in the face of persecution. James- son of Zebedee


James (the lesser or younger)

  • Uncertain about his occupation.

  • Brother of Jude.

  • This is the James that wrote the Apostle of James.

  • Strong character and committed.

  •  This James died a horrible death. This James died by being sawed alive into pieces. He was crucified in Egypt.

  • His symbol: A saw.

  • Personality Traits: Strong character, Committed.

  • Life’s Lesson: He believed that all followers of Jesus can accomplish the work of God without being in the limelight.


John (Son of Thunder, The revelator)  

  • He was the son of Zebedee.

  • Brother of James the Great.

  • He was known as the beloved disciple.

  • Occupation: Fisherman

  • He was part of Jesus’ inner circle.

  • He wrote the gospel of John as well as 1, 2, & 3 John. He also wrote Revelation.

  • Asia Minor is where he preached. He was exiled to the aisle. Patmos. He was sent there to die a slow and painful death in exile.

  • He wrote what he saw in a vision after being led by the spirit of the Lord (found in the book of Revelations)

  • He was at the cross with Jesus. ‘

  • He died a natural death. There was an attempt to poison him though.

  • His Symbol: A snake around a cup is his symbol.

  • Personality traits: He was vengeful, fiery, judgmental, selfish, bold, loving, and compassionate after the Pentecost. Acts 4:13. 1 John 4.



Judas

  • He was the treasurer. John 12:5-06: 5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

  • Son of Simon. He lived in Judah.

  • He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver and hanged himself after that. Judas became the traitor.

  • He is hard to understand. We wonder if his betrayal was preordained by God or was Judas a demoniac agent. As a demonic agent, we wonder about the suicide? Can one repent from that? As being preordained by God, did God allow this just to execute the plan.

  • Was a violent Jewish Nationalist. He followed Jesus in hopes of promoting his own dreams. He used his position as treasurer often to negotiate.

  • His symbol: A hangman’s noose or money purse with silver coins falling out.

  • Personality Trait: Greedy, deceitful, treacherous, and remorseful.

  • Life’s lesson: He believed that not all who claim to follow Jesus are faithful to him and his foals. Thaddeus (Jude)

  • He was the brother of James the younger.

  • We know very little about him.

  • He lived in Galilee. Assyria and Persia is where he preached.

  • He died in Persia.

  • Jerome called him Trinomious. This means a man with 3 names. Mark 3:18:18And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,- Here he is called Thaddaeus. Matthew 10:3: 3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; – Here is called Lebbaeus. Luke 6:16: 16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. – Here he is called Judas.

  • He was characterized as a nationalist.

  • Asked Jesus how he would manifest to the disciples and not the world. He made himself kno n as king rather than servant. – John 14:22-23:22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

  • Jude was known for manifesting gifts of healing.

  • He died at Ararat-He died by arrows.

  • His symbol:  Ship, because he was a missionary thought to be a fisherman.

  • Personality Traits: Inquisitive, Confused

  • Life’s Lessons: Jesus will reveal truths to those who follow him thasddaus


Mathew

  • He was a Tax collector in Galilee. Matt 9:9- Tax collectors dealt with public money. Most people didn’t like them.

  • Lived in Capernaum.

  • He wrote the book of Matthew.

  • He died in Ethiopia

  • Jews hated tax collectors.

  • He was the first one to bring them the gospel in the Hebrew language so that they could understand it.

  • His symbol: 3 money bags (this was to remind us Matthew was a tax collector before being called to be a Disciple)

  • We don’t know how he died. We know he died and was martyred, but we don’t know how. They think he might have been cut open and burned at the stake, but we are not sure.

  • Personality Trait: Hospitable.

  • Life’s Lesson:  Jesus Christ is for everyone even sinners and outcasts.


Peter (Cephas, Rock, Simon)

  • He was as fisherman

  • He was the son of Jonahs from Capernaum.

  • He did evangelistic work among the Jews. He was crucified upside down. He asked to be turned upside down, because he didn’t think he was worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his savior. He was part of inner circle.

  • It is believed that he wrote 1 & 2 Peter.

  • Jesus called him Simon. He was like the chairman of the disciples. He spoke for them.

  • He was married.

  • His symbol: An upside down Cross. Other symbols for Peter were 2 crossed keys representing him being given the keys to the kingdom. In fact the whole apostolic succession belief is based on Peter. If you look at a Pope’s garment, there is two keys crossed sown on it.

  • Peter was the switch blade carrying disciple.

  • Personality traits: Impulsive yet cowardly, hot tempered yet tenderhearted, insightful yet dense.

    • He was courageous and solid after the Pentecost Experience.


  • Life’s Lesson: He believed that God can forgive our sins and strengthen the faith of those who love him.


Phillip

  • He preached in Perugia. .He died a martyr in a place called Hierapolis.

  • He came from humble beginnings.

  • He was a fisherman.

  • The first 3 gospels record his name. In the gospel of John, Phillip becomes a living personality.

  • Scholars wonder if he was the same Phillip that was ordained as a deacon. Phillip was the one that read to the Enoch and showed him away.

  • He was hung and while doing so, he asked them not to wrap him up in linen and perfumes which was their form of embalming. He said he is not worthy of his body being treated the same way as Jesus’ body (his savior) was.

  • His Symbol: Basket of bread loaves, because he was part of the feeding the multitude.

  • Personality Traits: Practical, helpful, literal and confused. John 14:8


Simon

  • He was called a Canaanite.

  • He lived in Galilee.

  • He died of some form of crucifixion, but not sure what.

  • He was a Jewish nationalist very much into the law.

  • He hated people that compromised with Rome.

  • He had lots of faith. He was willing to share with the other disciples.

  • His symbol: Fish laying on bible indicating that he was a fisherman who became a fisherman of men as a preacher.

  • Personality Trait: Patriotic, loyal. Mark 3:18

  • Life’s Lessons: He believed we should sacrifice politics to follow Jesus.


Thomas (Doubting Thomas)

  • He was born a twin.

  • Lived in Galilee.  

  • He was also known as Didymus (Greek name). John 20:24

  • Hey labored in Persia and India.

  • He died in a place called Mount Saint Thomas in India.

  • His Hebrew name was Thomas and his Greek name was Didymus.

  • Sometimes they called him Judas.

  • This Thomas appeared at the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

  • He was in upper room when Jesus appeared with the disciples. Thomas was the one that said he didn’t know the way. He is known as doubting Thomas. He was the one that said he was not going to believe that Christ had risen until he saw the nail prints in his hand.

  • He died in India and with the spears.

  • His Symbol: A group spears, stones and arrows

  • Personality Trait: Inquisitive, doubtful, courageous, faithful.


When you look at the totality of the gospels, you have to recognize that there is a certain pattern of lessons that you can get from them. Jesus was training the disciples to reign. In all of these things there were lessons that Jesus was using in preparing the disciples to reign, before he would release them to be apostles. We can use some of these lessons, because we are disciples as well. We are being trained to function as the disciples of old did. Whether you know it or not, we are disciples too, because we are emulators and followers of Christ. The question we must ask it what things did Jesus do attempts to molding the disciples into their assignment?
      I.            Commitment to the cause

  1. True discipleship requires strong commitment to the cause.

  2. Examples of disciples whose priorities are straight:

    1. The disciples priorities– Mark 8:34 says 34And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.-True disciples have their priorities in order.

    2. We have to know how to handle persecution-Once our priorities are in order, we can handle persecution. Matthew 10:22 says 22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

    3. We have to deny ourselves. Coming to church just on Sunday doesn’t count. Think of your level of commitment and your priorities. If it just looks like rain, some people won’t show up for church. However, we can be under a tornado warning and those same people will still get dressed and go out to a party. If we are Disciples of Christ, we have to deny our self and do what God calls us to do.

    4. We have to be able to handle persecution. If the disciples listed in the bible were martyred for their discipleship and all we have to worry about is people not liking us, then it looks strange for us to have the position we have. Some of us will get out the choir or some other Ministry simply because somebody doesn’t like us. If you think about it, this sounds stupid in relationship to what the Disciples had to go through. Everything Jesus was doing was in efforts of training the disciples. Jesus tried to teach them how to handle persecution. This is why each of them went to their deaths giving God the glory.


  3. As disciples we have to:

    1. Check our Identity– We must look like him.

    2. Check our Integrity– We have to act like Christ. (We have to go above looking like him)

    3. Here are two scriptures that validate this:




                                                              i.      We have to love one another (This shows characteristics of a disciple.) John 13:35 says 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. –As a disciple, we must love people. We don’t have to like them, but we must love them. Jesus loved everyone despite what they did to him.

                                                            ii.      We must bear fruit. John 15:8 says 8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. -We must bear much fruit. We can’t be disciples if we are sitting on our hands doing nothing. If our level commitment is there it shows up. It shows in our priorities, how we handle persecution, it show in our identity, and our integrity.
   II.            How you make disciples

  1. Evangelism has been lost in the local church. People depend so much on the Pastor’s personality and media outlets to draw people to Christ. The idea of one on one evangelizing has almost become extinct. How many people have you invited to your party to your party verses how many people have you invited to church. Things reproduce after themselves. Genesis 1:28 says 28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.- In this scripture, Jesus was sitting things in motion. He wanted us to be fruitful and multiply.

  2. Don’t get a mad a church because it is growing. There is enough folk unsaved to go around. Matthew 9:37 says 37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; – There is not a problem with the harvest. The problem is with the laborers.

  3. Jesus spoke about a empty pew in scripture. Luke 14:23 says 23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. – Jesus wants his house filled. If you are true disciples, you ought to feel grieved every time you sit or walk by an empty seat at church. Every empty seat is another soul that might have gone to jail or died before knowing God. As a disciple, you have to be about being motivated to helping people change their lives.

  4. People join church and you don’t se e them anymore. Matthew 28:18-20 says 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. – People join the church and you don’t see them anymore because they don’t submit to discipleship. They are not willing to attend the New Members class and the New Discipleship classes. The moment you give your life over to Christ, the devil intensifies the attack to make you second guess your decision. You will deal with stuff you haven’t before. You have to have someone to help you walk through this. One person that is a disciple qualifies to disciple someone else. We must go out and share Jesus Christ making Disciples of Christ.


III. Walk in authority

  1. Everywhere Jesus went demons trembled. Without him saying anything, they recognized Jesus because they recognize his authority. Luke 4:18 says 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

  2. The signs shall follow them. We are one the “Them” that is mentioned. In other words we are one of “Them”, because we are one of them that believe. Mark 16:17 says 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;- They spoke with new tongues, but it is more than an new language. There are people that speak in tongue that will still curse you out. It is about a new way of living life. They changed the way they spoke and they changed their thoughts. When you are a truly a disciple walking in authority, you will start changing. You are never supposed to go around chasing things. This is what Religion does. Religion will have you chasing stuff. When you are a disciple, things chase you. Blessings will overtake you. Most of the time we are tired, because we chase things that we were never supposed to chase.

  3. Greater works shall you do. John 14:12 says 12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. -You were supposed to do greater things. Mentors want you to do better than what they did. Everything that Jesus did, the disciples were compelled to do the same thing. That was the amazing thing about Peter walking on the water. Peter wanted to come and Jesus told him to come. Peter was able to do exactly what Jesus did (walking on the water). It makes you where you are not codependent on spiritual leadership. Jesus never enabled disciples. He tried to empower them. If you are not careful, you will let your Pastor enable you instead of empowering you. Enabled people will get upset, because the Pastor can’t come pray over your house. You should be empowered to cast the demons out yourself. Everything that Jesus did, he taught them (the Disciples), empowered them, and then put it to the test to see where they were. He empowered them and then he says he wants to see if they got it.

    1. Ex- Jesus talks about the seeds on stony grounds and among the thorns and then he says lets got to other side of the sea. Jesus goes sleep while on the ship. Remember that he is the mentor to them. A storm comes and he knew it was coming, because he is God. They didn’t know about the storm, but Jesus knew. He was just trying to get them to see where they were. When the storm came, they began to panic. They woke Jesus up and asked if he cared that they perished. They should have known if Jesus was on the ship, it wouldn’t go down. Jesus gets up and rebukes them and says to the storm peace be still. The disciples flunked the test. Just like this, when you begin to look at what is happening to world today, spiritual people should be asking is “God what are you saying to us?” The Tennessean interviewed Bishop Walker just the other day and his response was “Why is God having such a difficult time getting our attention?” Earthquakes happening, hurricanes, volcanic ash shutting down European airspace, and floods in Nashville of all places. We weren’t really in a flood zone. Not that we done anything wrong, but what is God saying? Not that you did anything wrong. He may be saying I want to know where my disciples are. While everyone else is nervous, true disciples ought to be walking in authority saying God has got this. True disciples let the world know that God is up to something and we want to be spiritual enough to discern and share with others what he is up to.




In the actions of the Apostles found in the book of Acts

Know that Acts is a History Book. In Acts 2:43 it says 43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.-many and wonders and signs were done by apostles. – Where are the miracles and where are the wonders. Where is the level of faith to speak to faithfulness people and tell them God is able. This is the season for real disciples. Jesus told his disciple to go into the world and make disciples. And the world, in which they went, was similar to ours. It was a world full of political uprising and unusual events. In fact when they preached, one day 3000 souls were added to the church. Sometimes God will use events to make Godless people develop a God consciousness. It cultivates the soil so you can deposit a seed. It is an opportunity for real disciples to make a difference. Don’t miss this opportunity. God wants us to use these things to be a blessing to the kingdom, that he might be glorified.

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He knew exactly where I was, Sermon 04/25/10

Posted on May 3, 2010 by growintheword

He knew exactly where I was

Synopsis of Sermon 04/25/10

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

Passage John 5:1-9 says 1After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

All of us can agree, no matter your plight or situation, that God is keenly aware of what is going on in your life. Regardless of your fatigue or frustration, it is good to know that God has your circumstances on his radar. He is working behind the scenes to bring your deliverance to pass. Many of us think God has turned a deaf ear, because it is taking so long. Our problem is we don’t like to wait. We are an instant society. We want everything right now. We have instant everything now. Grandma would say is not worth having unless it is worth waiting on. We must realize that God will let us sit in a circumstance so long; it will push us to the peripheral of our faith. We find ourselves thinking that it seems like he would have come by now.

In the text, we are by a pool called Bethesda. There is a man that has been there 38 yrs. He is there with others that have come. Why is he there? Why have they gathered at Bethesda? Bethesda means house of mercy. It is a place that has 5 porches. People would come and wait at this pool called Bethesda, because the angels would come down in the certain seasons and trouble water. When the troubling of the water occurred, the first one in the pool at that time would be healed of their infirmities. You can imagine with all that was at stake there, it was like a dog fight there. No one there had any manners. It was like every man for himself. Here at this moment in the text, here was an impotent man in his circumstances that had been taken to this pool. He was hoping each day that this would be his moment for a breakthrough. He was disappointed, because every time, somebody beat him in getting into the pool. This story is a testimony for us to know that God knows exactly where where we are. Ask yourself where you were 38 yrs ago? What were you doing 38 yrs ago? Some people were not even born. Can you think back to what was happening 38yrs ago in 1972? To put it in a relevant context the first episode of “The Price is Right” aired. In the same yr the sitcom “Sanford and Son “aired. This gives you a better idea of how long this is. For most of us, we wouldn’t have given up long before 38rys.

We have to know that God is aware of where we are spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. God says you will not leave here today in the same place you were when you first start reading this. God ordered your steps to tell you that he is going to rearrange your life completely. This will be the last you will be frustrated over this. Say good-bye to the pool. God is about to expand our situation into something greater.

The bible says the man with the condition was there 38 yrs. To understand his you have to first look at the context of the man’s conditions and frustrations.

I.                  The Context of the conditions and frustration

John 5:3: 3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

  1. They were all waiting for the same thing to happen (a miracle or healing). There is something wrong with all of us. Don’t let the devil make you think you are the only one. The person sitting around you might think they have it together, but trust me; we are all at the house of mercy (meaning waiting on some kind of healing).
  2. God has our circumstances on his radar.
  3. The people waiting at the pool all have some kind of sickness:
  1. Desolation in producing – This is when you can’t seem to make things happen. The more you try, the more impotent you find out you are.
  2. b.      Darkness in your perspective- The scripture says that some of the people were blind. With no vision people perish.
  3. Disable in progress– Some of the people at the pool could not walk. It took them longer to get there than other people. Just like these people that could not walk, there are some things in our life that we should have had done by now. The problem is there is a paralysis in us that was caused by our problems.
  4. Deterioration in private– The bible says they were withering. It means we can look good on outside, but inside we are suffering deterioration. These are people that feel like they are dying slowly because of what they have gone through. They wondered if it will ever stop.
  5. For experiences-Sometimes we have to be in our situation to learn about ourselves. Sometime you can stay in your situation so long, you allow bitterness step in. If you don’t celebrate other people’s breakthrough, you can hinder your own breakthrough. Know that every time a person steps out of the blessing line, we move up in that line. What is real friendship? It is being able to celebrate other peoples happiness whether it involves us or not
  6. To keep us from being enabled -In the text, people brought the impotent man to the pool for 38yrs. Somebody took it upon themselves to drop this man off every day for 38yrs. How many folk will you let enable you to stay in your rut? How many people will you allow to accommodate your issue?
  7. Expectation – You have to come to a place where you say that you are expecting something different. No longer will you depend on the system for your breakthrough.
  1. They were all depending on the pool to get them well. The pool represents the dream or hope of expectation. When you can’t count on the system, know that you can count on God. Your level of dependency is getting ready to shift. No longer will you put your destiny in the hands of people. Your destiny is going to shift to the hands of God.
  2. Why should God let us stay in our situation so long?

II.               Crisis that can challenge your faith

John 5:4: 4For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

  1. That thing you are about to go through, know that it is about your faith. When Jesus shows up, it is about your faith.
  2. It s hard being at the place, but not in the place. The man in the text wants to be in the pool, not at the pool.
  3. It doesn’t matter how many people are at the pool. 5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? – When we give God the glory, he knows what is going on with us. No matter how many people are at the pool sick, know that God is watching out for us.
  4. Jesus asks a question in verse 6. He says to the man, “Will thou be made whole?” The certain man started having a lamentation over his problem
    1. Problem– God will not allow us wallow in the problem and he will not allow us to be paralyzed by what has happened. All he wants to know is are we wanting to be made whole. The question is do you want something better? Ex- You know these kinds of people. You try to offer solutions, but they keep talking about the problem and are not open to solution. You don’t smoke, but they make you think about smoking when you talk to them. These people keep talking about their problem, because their problem has got them paralyzed.
    2. Paralyzed-You can’t get out of it, because the problem has got you paralyzed. In scripture, when people referred to Jesus, they usually call him Rabbi or Teacher. John 5:7 says 7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. – In verse 7, they referred to Jesus as “Sir”. Sir can mean you have a problem, just like when somebody cuts in front of you. You say, “Sir” as if to say, “What’s up”. In this context the address using the word “Sir” is like the certain man was saying, “You know I want to be made whole!”
    3. Potential– Jesus was not concerned with the man’s problem. He was concerned about his potential. The man’s frustrated spirit is an example of spirit of discouragement that is running throughout the whole body of Christ. Your faith must propel you to place of faith. You can be discouraged, but you can’t wallow there. Job said though he (God) slay me, yet will he trust him. Jeremiah penned a time where he almost got discouraged. Through it all, he penned the words … great is thou faithfulness. God will put you in a situation to challenge your faith, but we must refuse to look like what we are going through.

III.           Christ who can change your future

John 5:6-8 – 6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

  1. Jesus asks in verse 6, do you want to be made whole? All the water or the pool can do is heal you. The certain man was waiting. In verse 6, Jesus says he came to make him whole. He was not offering healing (like the pool offers). Jesus was offering wholeness. Like the man at the pool, we are after more than healing. We are after wholeness.
  2. Deliverance will come when you stop talking about your problem. We have to:
    1. Receptive to revelation-Don’t worry about what happens.
    2. Rise out of your rut. – Know that it is your time now.
    3. Rein over your restraints– The thing that has been holding us, we are now over it. If it has been controlling us, know that we now control it. We give God glory, that destiny is in his hands. It is not about how we start out, but how we end up.
  3. God is saying your turn around is about to happen. Imagine the line at the pool. You are in line trying to figure out how you are going to make it up to the pool. Just like being in the line at the pool, we keep coming to church wondering when our turn will come. Know that no matter what, your turn is next. No matter what, when God shows up, he changes the rules of the game. He asks do you want to be made whole. God says he is going to do something in your life. Verse 3 says there was multitude of people. Verse 6 says Jesus saw him. Jesus must have turned that thing around (the order of the line). Know that the last shall be first and first shall be last. God says if the people who are called by their name, will humble themselves, seek my face, turn from their wicked ways, and pray then he will heal the land. If you turn around, God will turn your situation around. Turnaround from that crazy system and from those crazy people and turn to him and God will move you to the front of the line! We are depending on this and that! Just turn to him! He will give you wholeness, peace of mind, and the ability to go to bed at night. We are after wholeness.
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The 12 Disciples, Bible Study 04/21/10

Posted on April 27, 2010 by growintheword

The 12 Disciples

Synopsis of Bible Study 04/21/10

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

The apostles were the foundation of the Church. The apostles were sent out to establish churches. The apostles were called Disciples while they were working and being trained by God, but they became Apostles after they were sent to do the work that they were trained do. They were to start churches.

Revelation 21:14 says 14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. – The names of the 12 apostles are entrenched in walls of the New Jerusalem.

The 12 Disciples were 12 Jewish men who followed Jesus throughout his 3 yr ministry on earth.

11 of the 12 Disciples were from Galilee, except for one which was from Judea. This one from Judea was named Judas.

Some of the Disciples were married and some were not. Some sample scriptures are: Mark 1:29-31:29And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  30But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 31And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. 1 Corinthians 9:3-6 says 3Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

The 12 Disciples by name

  1. Andrew
  2. Bartholomew (Nathanael)
  3. James (son of Zebedee)
  4. James (the lesser or younger)
  5. John (the son of Thunder, the Revelation)
  6. Judas
  7. Thaddeus (Jude)
  8. Matthew
  9. Peter (Cephas, Rock, Simon)
  10. Phillip
  11. Simon
  12. Thomas (Doubting Thomas) He was a born a twin.

About the Disciples

First we will introduce you to a term called martyrdom. These were people who died for the cause of Jesus. All of the Disciples/Apostles were martyred in one way or another.  

Andrew

  • He was a fisherman by occupation
  • He was the brother of Peter and the son of Jonahs.
  • He lived in Capernaum.
  • He was a disciple of John the Baptist originally. (Mark 1:1 -18).
  • He brought Peter to Jesus
  • He was condemned to die on the cross.
  • Andrew felt so unworthy to be crucified in the same fashion as Jesus, he requested to be crucified with an X-shaped cross.
  • His Symbol: Two crossed fish in the shape of an X or the X shape
  • Personality trait: Enthusiastic about Christ, Inquisitive, resourceful
  • Life lesson: He felt that we should go out and eagerly share the good news about Jesus Christ

Bartholomew (Nathanael)

  • Occupation was uncertain.
  • He was the son of Talmai.
  • Lived in Cannon Galilee.
  • We think he was a Romanian Missionary.
  • Many scholars think he came from royal blood. His name means son of Talmai. 2 Samuel 3:3 3And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; – Talmai was the king of Geshur whose daughter was Maacah which was the wife of David the Mother of Absalom.
  • Nathanael was really Bartholomew’s first name. ( John 1:47 – Jesus referred to him as Nathanael)
  • He died in India where he preached. He died by being fillet alive with knives.
  • His symbol: 3 parallel knives.
  • Personality traits: Skeptic, honest, and faithful. John 1:49: 49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
  • Life’s Lesson: Believers are called to test all things scripture and remain true to its principle.

James (son of Zebedee, son of Thunder, James the Elder or James the Great)

  • His Occupation is a fisherman with his father and brother. Matthew 4:18-22 says 18And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.  22And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
  • He lived in Capernaum.
  • He preached in Judea and Jerusalem. In AD44, he was beheaded by Herod. This task was done in public. Acts 12:1-2: 1Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
  • He was the first of the 12 Disciples to die.
  • His symbol: 3 shells (sign of his pilgrimage by the sea).
  • Personality Trait: Vengeful and fiery, selfish, and conceited. He was committed to Christ and courageous to the end. Acts 12:2: 2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
  • Also part of Jesus’ inner circle (consisting of Peter, James, and John)
  • Life’s Lesson: Stand firm in the face of persecution.

James (the lesser or younger)

  • Uncertain about his occupation.
  • Brother of Jude.
  • This is the James that wrote the Apostle of James.
  • Strong character and committed.
  •  This James died a horrible death. This James died by being sawed alive into pieces.
  • His symbol: A saw.
  • Personality Traits: Strong character, Committed.
  • Life’s Lesson: He believed that all followers of Jesus can accomplish the work of God without being in the limelight.

John (Son of Thunder, The revelator)  

  • He was the son of Zebedee.
  • Brother of James the Great.
  • He was known as the beloved disciple.
  • Occupation: Fisherman
  • He was part of Jesus’ inner circle.
  • He wrote the gospel of John as well as 1, 2, & 3 John. He also wrote Revelation.
  • Asia Minor is where he preached. He was exiled to the aisle. Patmos. He was sent there to die a slow and painful death in exile.
  • He wrote what he saw in a vision after being led by the spirit of the Lord (found in the book of Revelations)
  • He was at the cross with Jesus. ‘
  • He died a natural death. There was an attempt to poison him though.
  • His Symbol: A snake around a cup is his symbol.
  • Personality traits: He was vengeful, fiery, judgmental, selfish, bold, loving, and compassionate after the Pentecost. Acts 4:13. 1 John 4.

Judas

  • He was the treasurer. John 12:5-06: 5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
  • Son of Simon. He lived in Judah.
  • He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver and hanged himself after that. Judas became the traitor.
  • He is hard to understand. We wonder if his betrayal was preordained by God or was Judas a demoniac agent. As a demonic agent, we wonder about the suicide? Can one repent from that? As being preordained by God, did God allow this just to execute the plan.
  • Was a violent Jewish Nationalist. He followed Jesus in hopes of promoting his own dreams. He used his position as treasurer often to negotiate.
  • His symbol: A hangman’s noose or money purse with silver coins falling out.
  • Personality Trait: Greedy, deceitful, treacherous, and remorseful.
  • Life’s lesson: He believed that not all who claim to follow Jesus are faithful to him and his foals.

Thaddeus (Jude)

  • He was the brother of James the younger.
  • We know very little about him.
  • He lived in Galilee. Assyria and Persia is where he preached.
  • He died in Persia.
  • Jerome called him Trinomious. This means a man with 3 names. Mark 3:18:18And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,- Here he is called Thaddaeus. Matthew 10:3: 3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; – Here is called Lebbaeus. Luke 6:16: 16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. – Here he is called Judas.
  • He was characterized as a nationalist.
  • Asked Jesus how he would manifest to the disciples and not the world. He made himself kno n as king rather than servant. – John 14:22-23:22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
  • Jude was known for manifesting gifts of healing.
  • He died at Ararat-He died by arrows.
  • His symbol:  Ship, because he was a missionary thought to be a fisherman.
  • Personality Traits: Inquisitive, Confused
  • Life’s Lessons: Jesus will reveal truths to those who follow him

 

Mathew

  • He was a Tax collector in Galilee. Matt 9:9
  • Lived in Capernaum.
  • He wrote the book of Matthew.
  • He died in Ethiopia
  • Jews hated tax collectors.
  • He was the first one to bring them the gospel in the Hebrew language so that they could understand it.
  • His symbol: 3 money bags (this was to remind us Matthew was a tax collector before being called to be a Disciple)
  • We don’t know how he died. We know he died and was martyred, but we don’t know how. They think he might have been cut open and burned at the stake, but we are not sure.
  • Personality Trait: Hospitable.
  • Life’s Lesson:  Jesus Christ is for everyone even sinners and outcasts.

Peter (Cephas, Rock, Simon)

  • He was as fisherman
  • He was the son of Jonahs from Capernaum.
  • He did evangelistic work among the Jews. He was crucified upside down. He asked to be turned upside down, because he didn’t think he was worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his savior. He was part of inner circle.
  • It is believed that he wrote 1 & 2 Peter.
  • Jesus called him Simon. He was like the chairman of the disciples.
  • His symbol: An upside down Cross. Other symbols for Peter were 2 crossed keys representing him being given the keys to the kingdom. In fact the whole apostolic succession belief is based on Peter. If you look at a Pope’s garment, there is two keys crossed sown on it.
  • Peter was the switch blade carrying disciple.
  • Personality traits: Impulsive yet cowardly, hot tempered yet tenderhearted, insightful yet dense.
  • He was courageous and solid after the Pentecost Experience.
  • Life’s Lesson: He believed that God can forgive our sins and strengthen the faith of those who love him.

Phillip

  • He preached in Perugia. .He died a martyr in a place called Hierapolis.
  • He came from humble beginnings.
  • He was a fisherman.
  • The first 3 gospels record his name. In the gospel of John, Phillip becomes a living personality.
  • Scholars wonder if he was the same Phillip that was ordained as a deacon. Phillip was the one that read to the Enoch and showed him away.
  • He was hung and while doing so, he asked them not to wrap him up in linen and perfumes which was their form of embalming. He said he is not worthy of his body being treated the same way as Jesus’ body (his savior) was.
  • His Symbol: Basket of bread loaves, because he was part of the feeding the multitude.
  • Personality Traits: Practical, helpful, literal and confused. John 14:8

Simon

  • He was called a Canaanite.
  • He lived in Galilee.
  • He died of some form of crucifixion, but not sure what.
  • He was a nationalist very much into the law.
  • He hated people that compromised with Rome.
  • He had lots of faith. He was willing to share with the other disciples.
  • His symbol: Fish laying on bible indicating that he was a fisherman who became a fisherman of men as a preacher.
  • Personality Trait: Patriotic, loyal. Mark 3:18
  • Life’s Lessons: He believed we should sacrifice politics to follow Jesus.

Thomas (Doubting Thomas)

  • He was born a twin.
  • He was also known as Didymus. John 20:24
  • Hey labored in Persia and India.
  • He died in a place called Mount Saint Thomas in India.
  • His Hebrew name was Thomas and his Greek name was Didymus.
  • Sometimes they called him Judas.
  • This Thomas appeared at the raising of Lazarus from the dead.
  • He was in upper room when Jesus appeared with the disciples. Thomas was the one that said he didn’t know the way. He is known as doubting Thomas. He was the one that said he was not going to believe that Christ had risen until he saw the nail prints in his hand.
  • He died in India and with the spears.
  • His Symbol: A group spears, stones and arrows
  • Personality Trait: Inquisitive, doubtful, courageous, faithful.

Other interesting facts

What happened to Mark and Luke? Why weren’t they mentioned? Mark was not a walking disciple of Jesus. He was actually a disciple of Peter. Luke of Antioch was physician and he became a disciple of the Apostle Paul. Luke served the Lord unmarried, without children, and filled with the Holy Ghost. He died at the age 84.

If you walk by our Antioch location, know that the colors represent the tribes of Israel. The tribes are engraved on plaques on the ground under the pillars. Inside the atrium of our Antioch location, the twelve disciples are listed on the ceiling.-+

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He chose me, Sermon 04/18/10

Posted on April 21, 2010 by growintheword

He chose me

Synopsis of Sermon 04/18/10

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

There are moments in all our lives where we begin reflecting over our life itself. It’s in those moments of reflection that we come to places of introspection. We begin to evaluate the games we have played and we realize that God must have more for us. We begin to grow up. When we were as a child, we thought as a child and understood as a child, but when we became men (mature), we put away childish things. In this moment we realized how different we really were. You no longer want to play games. Unfortunately the folk you played games with, didn’t get the memo that you are done playing. What happens is we begin to feel uncomfortable in contexts where we used to be comfortable. We actually become nauseated and agitated by certain realities. You know this is true because God has greatness on our life. God is calling us back to what he has chosen us to do, and the devil is working overtime to try and derail us, because we are aware of what God is going to do in our lives. What God is going to do in your life is not because you are so good or because of your connections. It is because he has chosen you in spite of you. Some of you sense the shifting right now. Don’t whine about the fact that people don’t want to be with you anymore. Know that God has something great for you. There is a call on your life.

There is a revelation in being chosen.  John 15:15 says 15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

      I.            Progressed beyond the peripheral

  1. Many of us have a surface relationship with Jesus. In other words, we simply show up to show up. Our relationship with Jesus has to be an authentic one. John 15:1 says 1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. – Jesus says he wants us to be clear about our connection with him.
    1. Connection – Jesus wants to be connected to you.
    2. Concern – John 15:2 says 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. – God is concerned that we be productive.
    3. Cleansing – John 15:3 says 3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.- God cleanses us.
    4. Commitment – John 15:4 says 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. – God is committed to us.
    5. There is a Consequence of not providing fruit – John 15:5-6 says 5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
    6. God has a covenant with you. John 15:7 says 7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.-do what he says he will do.
    7. Confirmation – We need confirmation of our discipleship. John 15:8 says 8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.- To show people we are connected to God, we should produce fruit.
    8. Relationship-Our relationship with God must be at a place and with such a connection, it is personal.
    9. Personal– Our relationship with God must be hinged on experience based knowledge. We know him based on what he is for us.
    10. Progressive – You can’t be connected to God and not be progressive. Anyone connected to God can’t be trifling. You get agitated with people who are stagnant.
    11. Productive– This means there is fruit in everything you put your hand to. The result of healthy relationship is revelation. Jesus says he is no longer going to call us servants. He is going to call us friends. John 15:15 says 15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ex – Many of us give folk relationship without the relationship being healthy. The problem is we reveal too much, before we see if the relationship can handle it. As a result, then they start treating us different. People should have to qualify for revelation. We must say to our self, a person must qualify to really get to know us.
  2. In Chapter 14 Jesus told the disciples not to let their hear be troubled. In Chapter 15, Jesus told them that he would no longer call them servants. Instead he told them he would call them friends.
  3. We have to get rid of the peripheral and say Lord I want revelation! Whatever God has to take us through, we have to be willing to go though.
  4. How does God prepare us?
    1. We have to have character in temptation. In Matthew 4 Jesus was being tempted, but he knew how to handle it (Garden of Gethsemane)
    2. Consistency in every task- You have to finish what you start. God can’t trust us with revelation, if he can’t trust us to finish the assignment.
    3. Convictions during trials-What do you believe about God when the bottom falls out. What you going through, we can tell that you are with the Lord. There are others that will drop out as soon as trouble comes. We have made up in our mind that all things work together for them that love the Lord and who are called according to his purpose. We refuse to look like what we are going through!

   II.            Purpose has been preordained

John 15:16 says 16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

  1. Many people go through life not knowing what their purpose really is. Many people have no fulfillment because they are not connected with their destiny. God wants us to produce fruit. Remember we didn’t choose him, he chose us. This is nothing new, Jeremiah 1:4-5 says 4Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. – You will never know your purpose by trying to live on the surface. The best indicator you can have to let you know if you are doing what you are supposed to be doing is having peace. We have to wake up every day knowing we are doing what we are supposed to do. God created us to solve a problem and if we don’t know what we are supposed to do, then we are part of that problem. Romans 8:29 says 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. – God knew it; he called me to it, qualified me for it, and then he blessed me in it! He used the bad, the good, and the ugly in us and used it as a thread to draw a greater fabric of your life together. Ex – Bishop explains that we are looking at a grown man (in him) that they said had a learning disorder. When he was little, he said he stayed in trouble in school. He could not sit down and could not be quit. They thought something was wrong with him. One teacher in the 6th grade knew what to do with him. Now this same hyper young man is able to preach 4 – 5 services to you today. God will take all the stuff that makes you who you are and use it. God will take all of you and anoint you. God chooses imperfect people, because he has no perfect people to choose from.
  2. God chose us for his glory.
    1. God affirmed us -Every day we wake up, we know we are validated, because he has his hand on us. That thing he performed in us, he will perform until the day of Jesus Christ.
    2. God wants you to live in Abundance – God don’t want us to live in a state of struggle. We have to know we are above and not the beneath. God wants you to know that you are the head and not the tail! He wants you to know who you are.
    3. Abundance shall abide – John 15:16b says … and that your fruit should remain: …Know that our blessing is not seasonal. It will remain with us. Post this on your refrigerator and on your Facebook status. Your blessing should be recession proof. Psalm 92:14 says 14They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; – The older we get the better we will get!

III.            Pray on the promise

John 15:16c says … that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

  1. When you have a relationship with God, and you have been pre ordained, just pray in the Jesus’ name. Pray in Jesus name or it is like sending a letter without a stamp. In the Greek whatsoever and whosever is the same word. This means that whatever God gives us cannot be separated from who he is. He give joy, because he is joy! He gives peace, because he is peace!
  2. We have to ask it:
    1. Word – We must stay in bounds. We have a right to everything that is in this word.
    2. Will – His will is in his word. If it is in the word, it is in his will.
    3. Work– We ask it, because it in his will, then we get it, and then get out of the way to allow God to work.
  3. After you ask it, know God will manifest it. You got to pray and believe that it is already done. We will give him glory on credit, before it manifests. This is a lay away praise. Just like when we lay something away and put a little money on it from time to time before we get it, we have to do the same with the thing we are waiting on God to manifest for us. We go look at what we are hoping for and then we put a little praise on it from time to time, before God actually manifests it. Just like verse 16c says, whatever you ask the God for, in Jesus name, he will give it to you. Ex – There was a baby girl crying in the kitchen. The Dad asked what she wanted. The little girl continued to cry. Daddy got on one knee to get on the little girls level and asks her the question again. Finally the baby girl says she wants some cake. Dad asked her what he said about her whining. She repeated that he told her to use her words. So the Dad asked what did she want and the baby girl says she wanted some cake. Daddy sliced the cake, put whip cream on top, and then he put some ice-cream on the side. Now notice, she asked for cake and she received cake, ship cream, and ice-cream on the side. The lesson here is if we use our words, God will give to us exceedingly and abundantly above all we ask for. We must use our words.
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