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TWELVE COMMON MEN

TWELVE COMMON MEN. James The Apostle of Passion. James the Son of Zebedee. Family Relations James the son of Zebedee and brother of John. Mt 27:56; Mk 15:40; Jn 19:25 His mother's name was probably Salome Perhaps the sister of the mother of Jesus

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TWELVE COMMON MEN

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  1. TWELVE COMMON MEN James The Apostle of Passion

  2. James the Son of Zebedee • Family Relations • James the son of Zebedee and brother of John. • Mt 27:56; Mk 15:40; Jn 19:25 • His mother's name was probably Salome • Perhaps the sister of the mother of Jesus • James was a fisherman by trade, and worked along with his father and brother (Mt 4:21 • Partners with Simon and Andrew (Lk 5:10) • Employed hired servants (Mk 1:20), so their business must have been prosperous James – the Apostle of Passion

  3. James the Son of Zebedee • First Call: • The call to James to follow Christ (Mk 1:16-20) was given by Jesus as He was walking by the sea of Galilee • Luke 5:1-11 includes the miraculous draught of fishes, at which James and John also were amazed • Named an Apostle (Mk 3:16-19) • One of only three present at . . . • the raising of Jairus' daughter • the Transfiguration • the private prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane James – the Apostle of Passion

  4. The Sons of Thunder • Fire from Heaven - Lk 9:51-56 • The Samaritans • Mixed blood (Israelite plus peoples brought in by Assyria • Worshipped God at Mt Gerizim with a religion that blended elements of truth with paganism • had their own priesthood and temple (destroyed before Christ) and sacrificial system • Considered mongrel’s by pure-blooded Jews • Pharisees traveling would cross the Jordan twice to avoid Samaria • Jesus going to Jerusalem for Passover • Samaritans had no love for the Jews or their festivities • James and John were outraged at the Samaritan’s treatment of Jesus • Should they do just as Elijah did? (2 Kings 1:1-18) James – the Apostle of Passion

  5. The Sons of Thunder • Jesus rebukes them • They weren’t in control of their passion • Jesus’ mission was different from Elijah’s (Lk 9:55-56) • Elijah was punishing sin • He had previously tried less harsh measures to try and save the people (drought, contest on Mt Carmel) • Jesus came to seek and save the lost • This was not the time nor place for judgment, though that time will come (2 Thes 1:7-9) • Jesus wasn’t condemning their zeal • Zeal is good, theirs was just misdirected • Needed to first give time to teaching and tring to win the lost to Jesus • In Acts 8, Philip, then Peter and John, preached Jesus in Samaria and converted many James – the Apostle of Passion

  6. The Sons of Thunder • So far we have seen James as fervent, passionate, zealous and insensitive • Now we’ll see him as ambitious and overconfident • Greatness in the Kingdom – Mk 10:35-45 • Even got their mother to make this bold request (Mt 20:20-28 • Perhaps this idea had been put in their minds by such statements from Jesus as Mt 19:28-30 • Jesus asks, “Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink? • Jesus had just predicted His death (Mt 20:17-19) • James and John say, “We are able!” • Jesus then predicts that they will suffer as He suffered James – the Apostle of Passion

  7. The Sons of Thunder • But it was not up to Jesus to give the thrones to the right and left (Mt 20:23) • Greatness in the kingdom would not be a matter of favoritism • As Jesus had already taught (Mt 18:1-5) • Their ambition creates conflict among the other Apostles • Still debating it around the table of the Last Supper (Lk 22:24-30) James – the Apostle of Passion

  8. A Cup of Suffering • Acts 12:1-3 • When Herod decided to stop the church he made James and Peter his first targets • James had obviously put his passion to good use at the forefront of the spreading of the Gospel • James is the first martyr from among the Twelve and his is the only death of an Apostle (besides Judas) recorded in the NT • James indeed drank the cup of Christ James – the Apostle of Passion

  9. Character Lessons • James stands as the prototype of zealousness, passion and being on the front lines • Somewhere along the way he had: • tempered his passion with grace • learned to control his anger • bridled his tongue • redirected his zeal • eliminated his thirst for revenge • and set aside his own selfish ambition James – the Apostle of Passion

  10. CONCLUSION • Peter was an impulsive, inquisitive, involved disciple • With training and failures became a great leader • Andrew was a quiet, steady, thoughtful disciple • Brought others to Christ • James was a burning, passionate, enthusiastic disciple with a potential for failure • Once zeal was harnessed and tempered with love and blended with patience, long-suffering and self-control • Then he could serve and sacrifice for God’s glory • God can use all types of disciples as long as we are willing to surrender our will to His James – the Apostle of Passion

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