12 Disciples Appointed

May 16th
Speaker: Travis Cunningham
Text: Mark 3:13-19  ​13  And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14  And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, 15  and to have authority to cast out the demons. 16  And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), 17  and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, "Sons of Thunder"); 18  and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot; 19  and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him. 

Big idea: Jesus had many people who followed Him throughout His earthly ministry. In fact, in Acts 1 when the first disciples had gathered in the upper room before the day of Pentecost had fully come, it mentions 11 disciples by name, but there were about 120 actually gathered together. But Jesus primarily had 12 disciples that walked closely with Him and that are consistently referenced throughout His ministry and in scripture even though many others were true disciples and followers of Christ. Jesus gives these twelve disciples three appointments or assignments in verses 14-15. These three assignments are important for us to understand and walk in today.  
1.) That they would be with Him
2.) That they would go out and preach 
3.) That they would have authority to cast out demons

Cross References: 
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

​“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. John 15:1-11

Theology & Apologetics:
Preaching and casting out of demons went hand in hand in the ministry of Jesus and with  the ministry of the first disciples. Preaching is an act of authority where we declare something with our voice. When we do so there will be opposition that will arise from either people or from demonic entities. This is true with anything that is done authoritatively. In our time of Covid, if you declare with authority that masks don't work or that masks are necessary and vital; either one of those claims will get some sort of pushback. Notice that Jesus puts being with Him before preaching and casting out of demons. This is the key to the Christian life. Being with Christ, Christ being our life. Secondly, the preaching of the gospel is ahead of the casting out of demons. This is intentional because the preaching of the gospel is what is necessary for salvation; casting out of demons is not always needed and can be done without the person ever coming to faith in Christ. People come to faith through hearing the word of God and allowing the seed of the gospel to grow. But there are times when demonic powers are at work preventing that seed from taking root and they must be dealt with. We as believers that are abiding in and with Christ and walking in obedience to His command to make disciples of every nation, also have authority over demonic spirits that show forth themselves. 

Questions to consider: 

​Have you ever experienced a demon being cast out? 

Has God you ever used you to cast a demon out of someone? 

What does the phrase "being with Jesus" mean to you? What does that look like in your life? 

​Do you find joy being with Jesus and spending time with him? Why or why not?