Called Into His Presence
Called Into His Presence
Text...Matt.10:1; Mark 3:13-19
I. The Call Goes Out {Kal-eh'-o...invitatation}
A. A state of readiness..."WHEN" he had called (v 1)
1. "When" denotes a state of readiness that every believer should be in at all times
a. Mat. 24:44 "be ye also ready"...Mat. 25:10 "they that were ready went in
b. Lk. 14:17 "Come; for all things are now ready"...Lk.22:33 "Lord, I am ready to go with thee"
B. The Master calls his disciples out from among the crowd
1. Called them from their trades as he walked by them
a. Peter & Andrew; James & John; Matthew; Elijah called Elisha as he walked by him
C. In order to be an apostle, one had to first be a disciple
1.no shortcuts, no antidotes...you must learn to serve before you can lead others
D. Obedience to His call brings one into the prescence of the Master - (called unto Him - v 1)
1. One must be able / willing to hear in order to come
a. Mat. 22:3 they were bidden to the wedding and they "refused” to come (rich young ruler, also)
b. "When they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness..." Mk. 4:16
II. In the Presence of the Master
A. Only in His presence can one find strength, power, and ability for service
1. "Then I came to the governors beyond the river and gave them the King's letters. Neh.2:9
a. "Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me."
2. The Prodigal Son (Lk. 15)
a. Let nothing get in his way of getting back to his father's presence
b. "Put a ring on his finger"...symbol of authority/ sonship (the owner's insignia / name engraved)
1. At the marketplace, he had only to show the ring and he had purchasing power (not his own)
2. Mordecai from Ahasuerus; Joseph from Pharaoh...to do as it seemed right unto them
III. Power Obtained From the Presence of God
A. Not just disciples {pupil}, but apostles {sent forth}
1. The disciples were at first learners, then they became teachers
2. "The TRUE Christian is at heart a missionary"
a. They were to go forth preaching in "His" name (the ring - power / authority)
b. David ... Ps. 71:16 "I will go in the strength of the Lord God..."
3. God [is] my strength [and] power: and he maketh my way perfect. 2 Sam.22:33