INTRODUCTION

1. The Lord Jesus reached out to Multitudes

a) Cities

b) Villages

c) Individuals

2. He invited all to become Disciples

18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter,

and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Matthew 4:18-20

a) He called them to follow Him

b) He would train them to become fishers of men

 

PROBLEMS AMONG THE DISCIPLES

1. The problem of unbelief

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your [e]unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if

you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here

to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:19-21

2. Self-seeking Desires

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?”

She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to

drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

They said to Him, “We are able.”

23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the

baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not

Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.

25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the

Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.

26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:20-28

a) Mother of James and John

b) She asked the Lord Jesus to appoint her sons to high positions in the Lord’s kingdom

c) The remaining Ten Disciples were greatly displeased

d) There was no “one accord”

3. The Answer of the Lord Jesus

a) He was their Example

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

c) The Challenge given

i) Not to be like the rulers of Gentiles

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,

and those who are great exercise authority over them. Matthew 20:25

ii) To be servants (slaves)

26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave Matthew 20:26-27

 

ONE ACCORD

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.

13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and

Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.

14 These all continued with one [accord in prayer ]and supplication,

with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 1:12-14

1. The Eleven Disciples were gathered together

2. The women disciples

3. Mary the mother of the Lord Jesus

4. The brothers of the Lord Jesus

a) They did not believe in the Lord once John 7

b) They were now part of the new-found Church Acts 1:14

5. They were now of one accord

a) No rivalry

b) No misgiving

c) No seeking of personal glory or advancement

 

CONCLUSION

1. The discord of the past, That was no more

2. The accord in the present, This now existed

3. Reflecting the kingdom of God

a) Faith in the Lord

b) Focus on being servants of God

c) Faithfulness to the teachings of the Lord Jesus

d) Fulness of understanding of things pertaining to the kingdom of God