twelve chosen;unpardonable sin;kingdom parables;peace, be still

JESUS CHOOSES THE TWELVE APOSTLES;

THE UNPARDONABLE SIN;

KINGDOM PARABLES;

PEACE! BE STILL!

Mark 3:13 – Mark 4:41

(Fun way to memorized the Disciple's names.)

Simon Peter, James and John (the two sons of Zebedee)

Andrew, Phillip, and Bartholomew,

Matthew, Thomas, Brother James (the son of Alphaeus)

Thaddeus, Simon and Judas Iscariot.

(To the tune - "Turkey in the Straw")

BE CAREFUL HOW YOU SPEAK

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

Matthew 12:31,32

Mark 3:28,29

The sternest warning the Lord gave during His earthly ministry was to those who dared to speak evil of the Holy Spirit, counting His work to be the manifestation of the devil. It was bad enough that people would say demeaning, bitter and untruthful things about Jesus. However, He stated that forgiveness would not be withheld from those who treated Him with contempt and mocked His ministry.

But, there would be no forgiveness for those who are corrupt in their religious minds and who despise the very work of God so desperately that they willingly call it the work of Beelzebub (Satan).

Jesus, left no room for argument or religious interpretation of this matter. He spoke with definitive authority, as the Son of God, and made an unequivocal statement. He pointed out the eternal peril of the individual who would be so foolish as to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.

Who can do it? Any person who has had spiritual enlightenment and who at some time was able to discern the genuine works of God.

How is it done? By KNOWLINGLY (deliberately) giving Satan the credit for the spiritual work which is being done by the Holy Spirit.

Who decides if it has been done? God makes that decision.

KINGDOM PARABLES

The parable of the sower.

Wayside (Satan immediately steals the Word.)

Stony ground (Receives with gladness; no root.)

Thorns (Cares of this world.)

Good ground (Hear, apply, multiply.)

The parable of the light and basket.

Hidden; revealed; hear; heed

(The Truth God gives you is not to be hidden. Share it so you can bless others and receive more.)

The parable of the growing seed.

Scatter; rest; ripens; reap

(Plant and let God give the increase. Be ready to harvest.)

The parable of the mustard seed.

Smaller than; greater than

(His Kingdom begins in your heart and multiplies until it covers all areas of your life.)

SAILING – SEASICK – SCARED

Most of the Bible stories (for our example and encouragement) can be re-defined to speak to us in this generation. Not meaning to change the story, but applying it to this generation, how can we absorb the lessons which are so dramatically shown?

The winds and waves represent : troubles; adversities

The frightened inquiry represent : wavering faith; fear

His immediate response shows : compassion; readiness to help

Their fear showed : a lack of faith about Jesus

Their astonishment illustrates : our surprise when Jesus answers prayer