Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.

Again---how does Jesus face major decisions? Prayer- All-night long

- and He spent the whole night in prayer to God." (Lk 6:12+)

In His Upper Room Discourse Jesus reminded the disciples "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you." (John 15:16)

Yes, we are saved from something, but we are also saved FOR something. We are saved to serve His purpose. Peter says "you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)

So we are called FROM darkness to light, FOR the purpose of proclamation of His excellencies!

1. Magnetic attraction to Christ

2. Willing to RISK

Mark 3:16–19 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

1. Simon/ Peter “rock”, strong, bold, impatient

a. Yes, “You are the Christ” ----Then rebuked by Jesus

b. Denys Christ 3x’s…then Death on cross: tradition upside-down

2. James: Sons of Thunder, loud, wanted their way

a. 1st disciples martyred

3. John: took on Mother Mary

a. wrote John, 1,2 3 John and Revelation

b. only disciple die natural causes

4. Andrew; introduced brother Peter- to Jesus, boy with fish, and Greeks

5. Philip: questioned how to feed 5k, and asked, “show us the Father”

6. Bartholomew: at 1st rejected Jesus

7. Matthew (Levi); yep see out to Rome, outcast (Zacchaeus)

8. Thomas: nicknamed Doubter…but I think courageous, asked tough questions, also said let’s follow Jesus to death

9. James, son of Alphaeus: martyred

10. Thaddaeus: martyred

11. Simon the Zealot: overthrow Rome, political, (how get along with Matthew?)

12. Judas Iscariot---only one not from Galilee area

a. treasonous, greedy------yet Christ saw potential

the variety of people Jesus uses----no cookie cutter Christians

Mark 3:14–15 He appointed twelve that they might

1. Be with Him / continually learn

• we think it is to do

• be my witnesses, not do my witnessing

2. Send them out---

1. To Preach…be witnesses

a. not theologian…not rock stare preacher…not holier than thou attitude

b. simply witnesses to what Jesus has done in YOUR life---to the Resurrection

2. Have authority over demons:

- “greater is He in us then he in the world” I John 4:4

Here is how we strive to be a family of Christ

Calvary Reformed Church Membership Covenant

Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized and being in agreement with Calvary Reformed Church’s statements of faith, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Calvary Reformed Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members in the following:

a. By acting in love toward other members

b. By refusing to gossip

c. By praying for and supporting the leaders.

a. By praying for its spiritual growth

b. By inviting the un-churched to attend

c. By warmly welcoming those who visit.

a. By discovering and discerning my spiritual gifts and talents

b. By being equipped to serve others

c. By developing a servant’s heart.

a. By attending faithfully

b. By living a Godly life

c. By giving regularly