• 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