The Master’s Plan – Supervision (Mark 6:30; Luke 9:10) Introduction Are we seeing the big picture of the Master’s plan? By itself the example of Jesus praying and selecting the twelve is powerful instruction on prayer and selecting people to work with (Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16). But selection is not, when taken by itself, a...
Category: Evangelism
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The Master’s Plan – Demonstration (John 13:15)
The Master’s Plan – Demonstration (John 13:15) The Pervasive Place of Prayer (Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13) Jesus did not hide the fact that prayer was an indispensable part of His ministry. He advised all men to always be in prayer (Luke 18:1-5). And He prescribed prayer as the only effective counter to the weakness of...
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The Master’s Plan – Impartation (John 3:16; 15:13; 1 John 3:16)
The Master’s Plan – Impartation (John 3:16; 15:13; 1 John 3:16) The Son reveals the Father (John 1:18). Insofar as the disciples look at the Son they behold the Father and become familiar with the Father’s character (John 14:6-9). One aspect of the Father that is disclosed and depicted by the Son is the graciousness of...
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The Master’s Plan – Consecration (Matthew 11:29)
The Master’s Plan – Consecration (Matthew 11:29) Jesus did not shoot from the hip. His goal of reaching the world with enduring help and eternal hope was not based on random acts of kindness or sentimental moods. He had a plan for defeating the devil, dealing with human depravity, and developing His church. At first...
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The Master’s Plan – Association (Mark 3:14; Matthew 28:20)
The Master’s Plan – Association (Mark 3:14) Before meeting Him they were fishermen — men professionally engaged in catching fish. (Why? Perhaps for the halibut.) Jesus’ goal was to make them fishers of men (Mark 1:17; Matthew 4:19; Luke 5:10) — men equipped, empowered, enabled, and trained to catch something immeasurable more important to the...
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The Master’s Plan – Selection (Luke 6:12-16)
The Way of the Master – Selection (Luke 6:12-16) 12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He...
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Called to Conflict – Part 3 of 3 (Acts 16:25-34)
Called to Conflict and Deployed into Difficulty — Part 3 of 3 (Acts 16:25-34) Introduction Sometimes God does not deliver us from difficulty. No, instead of helping us to avoid clear and present dangers He sends us into them. In fact, truth be told, the conflicts and subsequent captivity we find ourselves in are often...
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Giving Up for the Gospel (Acts 16:1-3)
A few years ago my boys President and Chancellor came into my room with earrings. Over the years they have often asked if I am willing to pierce my ears; the answer has always been no. And the reasons have always been the same. However, this time they were able to convince me to don...
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Missions and Irreconcilable Differences (Acts 15:36-41)
Introduction Some days have passed (Μετὰ δέ τινας ἡμέρας) since the conflict concerning circumcision was resolved with a word from Jerusalem (Acts 15:30-31). The contention was settled with a letter from leadership delivered by four men: Barsabas, Silas, Barnabas, and Paul. The former two, Barsabas and Silas, are leading men from among the disciples of...
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The Truth Cannot Be Refuted (1 John 1:5-7)
The Truth Cannot be Refuted (1 John 1:5-7) Apart from the disclosure that is General Revelation (Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:20) and what God is willing to reveal about Himself (Exodus 3:1-3; 33:17-20; 34:5-7), nothing can be known about the Almighty. [Of course there are some who will respond to this proposition with the idea that...
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