Apostle

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Intro

Apostle technical function - Touches and supports all other gifts

Apostle Kingdom function - Paul's journey, transparent nature, humble nature, servant nature. Tell others you were blind

Dig Deeper - References and resources

In the Bible, an apostle means "one who is sent out" as a messenger, ambassador or delegate. While a disciple is a learner or follower, an apostle is specifically chosen and commissioned to lead and spread the gospel. The term primarily applies to Jesus Christ, the Twelve Apostles, and select early Christian leaders like Paul

Greek word apostolos, which means "one who is sent out" or a "messenger/delegate"

Apostle: Means a sent messenger given official authority to represent and act on behalf of the sender. All apostles were disciples, but not all disciples were designated as apostles

Jesus our Apostle and High Priest: Hebrews 3:1–4 “1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”

The Five Roles

Apostles: Sent messengers or special leaders who plant and oversee churches.

Prophets: Those who share a direct word or truth from God.

Evangelists: Preachers who share the good news to win new believers.

Pastors: Shepherds who care for and protect the local flock.

Teachers: Instructors who explain God's word clearly

Purpose of These Gifts

Equip believers for the work of ministry.

Build up the body of Christ (the church).

Bring unity in the faith and knowledge of God.

Help believers grow so they are not misled by false teachings.

NIV Core Scripture Ephesians 4:8–13 “8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Foundation the apostles and prophets with Christ the Chief Corner Stone Ephesians 2:19–22 “19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Jesus appoints the Twelve and designates them Apostles Luke 6:13–16 “13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

Devoted Believers in fellowship Acts 2:42–47 “42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Apostle Kingdom function - Paul's journey, transparent nature, humble nature, servant nature. Tell others you were blind

Calling of the Apostle Paul

Read Acts 9:1–9 “1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.”

1. Unique people called to unique circles

Paul accounting his call (Testimony) Acts 22:1–9 “1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” 2 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ 8 “ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.

Called to people you will reach: Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

Acts 22:9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. 10 “ ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. 12 “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’”

We are all different parts of the body. We should be aware of our temperament, allowing God to use the beauty in our temperaments like a Peter, that's bold and direct. We should also, too allow God in his heavenly, Holy Spirit to refine the things in us, to bring out the beauty of his grace and his mercy in us. And balance us, but we should never see the gifts and others. And allow ourselves to conform to be like and look like other people

The normal path is great

Some are called to the hillside

Remain hill folk, be peculiar, how God made you, favor is on your oddness

2. Generate up behind the scenes daily

Acts 9:1–22 “1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah (KJV: this is very Christ).”

Question first: Talk to wife only with kids and other relatives what would happen

What about solo conversations? 

Personal prayer and study time are a must with 

2 Corinthians 3:13–18 “13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull (KJV: Blinded), for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate (KJV: as in a glass or mirror) the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory (KJV: from glory to glory), which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Not just before the Lord regularly but Transparently

Ego balance, get that high horse work

But bold enough to say thus sayest the Lord. Man that would be blind like Paul

Pictures smoking, blurred fingers to grad and family

Paul writes 13 of the 27 New Testament books (48%)

Travels to over 50 cities and at least 7 countries to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Categories of Paul's Letters

Paul's letters are typically grouped into four main sections based on who he wrote to and where he was when writing them: 

To Churches (Soteriological and General):

Romans

1 and 2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 and 2 Thessalonians GotQuestions.org

Pastoral Letters (To Individuals Leading Churches):

1 and 2 Timothy

Titus 

Personal Letter:

Philemon 

· Buyers guide

o Start to think about how everything in your life can bring glory to God

o Make your first interest to bring glory to God (example son or church)

o In your marriage, finances, business in retirement, family, car, assets, etc

3. Disciple through ups and downs

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Blinded to help other See: Bar-Jesus (False Prophet) Acts 13:6–11 “6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.”

Name change v.9: (Saul: Asked for; inquired of God, Hebrew; Paul: "small" or "humble", Latin)

Chart of ups and downs: Be ready to suffer for Good name, chart of ups and downs. Enemy kill steal destroy even in good times.

Enemy wants people ion the dark and does not mind if they win because winning in the world and with enemy is still losing : Family member that hit lotto

Be Ready to help others during yours and their ups and downs

Apostles are not to Lord over but to Disciple - spend time with, teach, hold accountable. Not just to religion but to relationship, parents, children, spouse, humility 

Touching all other gifts

Filament

Light Bulb Filaments

Tungsten: Used in old standard bulbs because it handles extreme heat without breaking when electricity passes through it.

LED: Modern "LED filaments" use tiny LED chips arranged in a line to look like an old glowing wire while saving energy. 

A light bulb filament is a thin wire inside an incandescent light bulb that heats up and glows white-hot when electricity passes through it, producing light.

How a Filament Works

Electric Resistance: Electricity flows into the bulb and meets strong resistance inside the thin wire filament.

Extreme Heat: This resistance turns electrical energy into intense heat, reaching temperatures over 2,500° Celsius.

Incandescence: At these high temperatures, the metal glows and emits bright visible light.

1. Unique people called to unique circles

2. Generate up behind the scenes daily 3. Disciple through ups and downs