From the call to the choice

More happened before Jesus chose His apostles

Jesus heals the lame man at Bethesda on the Sabbath – John 5:1-47

Disciples criticized for plucking grain on the Sabbath – Matthew 12:1-8

Jesus heals man with withered hand on the Sabbath – Luke 6:6-11

Jesus heals multitudes by the Sea of Galilee –Matthew 12:13-21

Prayer

Choosing the twelve

Spent all night in prayer prior to appointing – Luke 6:12

Appointed while on the mountain

Called His select disciples on the mountain with Him

Appear as a list in:

Matthew 10:2-4

Mark 3:16-19

Luke 6:14-16

Acts 1:13

The apostles

Simon (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) Peter (Acts)

Andrew

James

John

Phillip

Bartholomew

Thomas

Matthew

James, son of Alphaeus

Lebbaeus surnamed Thaddeus (Matthew)

Thaddeus (Mark)

Judas [the brother] of James (Luke and Acts)

Simon the Canaanite (Matthew and Luke) called Zelotes (Luke and Acts)

Judas Iscariot

Why so long?

Before becoming Jesus’ official messengers, ambassadors:

Had to see many wonders

Had to hear many lessons

Had to be oriented in the right direction

Had to hear certain declarations from Jesus

One thing to have inspiration of God’s Word, something else to be reminded of it by God’s Holy Spirit

Up to this point

Following Him

Called to follow Him

Called to be His apostles

Things they had seen and heard

John calling Him the Lamb of God

Jesus turning water into wine

Jesus cleansing the temple

Jesus prophesying to and teaching the Samaritans

Jesus teaching, healing, casting out demons throughout Galilee

Jesus declares that He is seeking sinners, not the righteous

Jesus forgives sin

Jesus heals on the Sabbath

Jesus declares Himself Lord of the Sabbath

Jesus prays all night before a major life event

Apostles appointed and they all know each other well now

The next great lesson

Actually, a series of lessons

Sermon on the Mount, a treatise on:

The progression of faith for one following Jesus

The kind of influence a Christian has on the world

The more perfect interpretation of the Law

The truth about prayer and giving alms

The true security of heaven versus fleeting treasures of earth

Righteous judgment and helping brethren spiritually

How God is good to those who honestly pray

How brethren treat each other

Security of having Jesus’ teaching as your foundation

The follow of life without Him

Schooling the apostles

Beginning of the learning

When first encountering Jesus – Matthew 5:3-6

Began for some from hearing John

Continued from listening to Jesus

What did they see?

Who He approached

Sought those who knew they needed help – Matthew 5:4

Taught those who wanted to hear – Matthew 5:6

How he treated them

No coercion, condemnation – Matthew 5:5

Had compassion, love for them – Luke 9:51-56