CHRISTAIN ATTRIBUTES FROM THE INNER CIRCLE
PETER---JAMES---AND JOHN
[23:56] Our Father
[23:56] yes lord
[23:57] we thank you for tonight and the privilege to come to you and study your word
[23:57] we ask now that you anoint our ears so we can hear your thoughts and words
[23:57] yes lord
[23:57] anoint our eyes so we can see what you have to show
[23:58] and open our hearts for your presence to indwell us with Your spirit
[23:58] and your love
[23:58] yes lord
[23:58] we now ask in the name of Jesus to bind every hindering spirit that may try and hide your words [23:59] yes
[23:59] form us this night [23:59] yes lord
[23:59] we ask these things in the name of Jesus [23:59] amen
[23:59] amen
[23:59] Christian Attributes From The Inner Circle [00:00] Peter, James, and John [00:00] Tonight we are going to take a look at three ordinary men
[00:00] who became extraordinary when they came into contact with Jesus
[00:01] These three men were not of a wealthy group [00:01] they were not priests [00:01] they had no fame
[00:01] they were just simple men working at a simple job
[00:02] But from these three men we can learn a lot about our relationship with God
[00:02] and how it should be [00:02] These three lowly fishermen became the inner circle
[00:02] to Jesus
[00:02] they were His core [00:03] although He had many disciples these three held a special place for Him
[00:03] and His ministry on the earth [00:03] it was no turn of fate or luck that brought these three to the Lord
[00:04] Jesus never did anything by circumstance [00:04] He knew these three and He went to them to call them to follow Him
[00:04] Peter--James-- and John [00:04] the inner circle
[00:05] Peter James and john were working one day [00:05] and it was like any other day [00:05] but then the Lord came to them [00:05] let us see
[00:05] kjv Luke 5:9-10
Luke 5:9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: Luke 5:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
[00:06] kjv Matthew 4:15-22 Matthew 4:15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. Matthew 4:22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
[00:08] these three men did not even think [00:08] they acted when the Lord called [00:08] they turned their back on the material things of the world and followed the Lord
[00:09] Just because Jesus said follow me [00:09] here is a truth we can use in our walk with Jesus
[00:09] and like the three of the inner circle we can be beside our Lord
[00:10] do not think of the material things of the world [00:10] for they will block your vision of the Lord [00:10] when you answer the Lord's call on your life [00:10] do not think of the material things for He will provide for you
[00:11] you may have to work at a job [00:11] but remember it is not the center of your life [00:11] work should never interfere with your walk with the Lord
[00:11] Peter –James--and John could have stayed at their boats
[00:12] they were not forced to go [00:12] they left freely
[00:12] and likewise we are not forced to work for the Lord
[00:12] but we must do it freely [00:13] to reach the lost does not mean you have to go far off and live in poverty
[00:13] it means you go where the Lord says and work there for Him
[00:13] whether it is in your church [00:13] in the world
[00:13] in the work place [00:13] or even in the back yard with a neighbor [00:14] or even if you have been called to help on the Internet with a ministry
[00:14] like the inner three we have to not question when called we just have to follow
[00:14] kjv Luke 6:13-14
Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Luke 6:14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
[00:15] here we see the official calling [00:15] in every list of the disciples we find peter james and john at the top
[00:15] when Jesus walked they were the closet to Him [00:16] these three were there when the miracles occurred
[00:16] Jesus always called for His inner three [00:16] for example
[00:16] kjv Luke 8:49-50
Luke 8:49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. [00:17] Here we find Jesus being asked to help a man who had lost his child
[00:17] kjv Luke 8:51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
[00:18] Jesus did not call for all his disciples [00:18] He called for the inner three to go with Him [00:18] Why?
[00:18] Because He wanted these three to witness what happened and in time their seeing would help them later to mature into workers for Christ
[00:19] these three men were also called to see the transfiguration
[00:19] in the garden they were singled out to go with Jesus and pray with him
[00:20] kjv Luke 9:28-29
Luke 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. Luke 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
[00:20] kjv mark 14:32-34 Mark 14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his
disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. Mark 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
Mark 14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. [00:20] what a honor
[00:21] the Creator of all asking three mortal men to tarry with Him and watch
[00:21] man and God together in prayer [00:21] to be chosen by Jesus to pray with Him [00:22] a honor worth more then all the wealth in the world
[00:22] the world can not offer anything that matches this
[00:22] but they fell asleep [00:22] not once but twice [00:23] their spirits were willing but their body was not
[00:23] but the Lord did not get mad at them [00:23] he felt compassion for them [00:23] yes the inner circle has a lot to teach us [00:23] in our walk with God [00:24] 1. We do not have to be perfect to have fellowship with the Lord
[00:24] Peter John and James were by no means perfect [00:25] all three of them if the truth would be known [00:25] were probably a test for Jesus sometimes [00:25] Peter was always being tamed down by the Lord [00:25] He was zealous for Jesus [00:26] but it was not tempered with patience [00:26] why do you think Jesus named James and John the sons of thunder
[00:26] they wanted to destroy a whole group of people [00:27] and Jesus had to calm the down [00:27] peter cut the ear off a priest's guard [00:27] but Jesus made him put the sword down [00:27] peter was even told once by Jesus Satan get behind thee
[00:28] Here we see another point for or walk with God [00:28] If you what to be like the three men of the inner circle were
[00:28] in your walk with God [00:28] then you better be ready to be reprimanded by the Lord
[00:28] then you better be ready to be reprimanded by the Lord
[00:29] for if you do wrong He will let you know [00:29] not out of anger but out of Lord [00:29] Now peter James and john could have gotten their noses out of joint
[00:29] when Jesus tamed them down [00:29] and walked off
[00:29] but they did not
[00:29] they listened and they learned from their mistakes
[00:30] it made them stronger in faith [00:30] it built their character [00:30] it made them leaders for Christ later on' [00:30] If you want to be a leader for Jesus in working for Him
[00:31] then you must be willing to accept His guidance and training in your life
[00:31] this is point two from the inner circle [00:31] why did Jesus like these men so well that He put them at the top of His disciples
[00:32] why were they the inner circle for Him [00:32] simple
[00:32] very simple
[00:32] THEY WERE WORKERS [00:32] they never shirked their work for Him [00:32] they did what was told of them by the Lord Sure they made mistakes
but one who never makes a mistake is never doing anything
Faith with out works is dead it is by your faith that you work for the Lord you are not saved by works but Jesus wants us to be working for Him to save a lost world
point 3.
put your belief into action if you fail or make a mistake go on get back up and try it again for the Lord remember the inner three
peter --james and john were no where near perfect but look at what they did for the lord peter had his faith to waiver when he stepped upon the water
but he had the courage to step out john had camel knees
from praying
He was left on a island
but he did not fail
he went on working for the Lord james although we know little of him showed he was a worker for the Lord and must have been a good one for Herod put him to the sword for his works for the Lord
what is the traits we need to cultivate to be one of the inner circle of workers for the Lord
well
We must be bold like Peter even the shadow of peter could heal a person the man who had failed in fear ended up being a worker of God who knew no fear and we can live that way too if we set our minds to be tenacious for the lord as peter was
We must be spiritually strong also like John Just read his writing and see how he knew the deep side of the Word of God
He was the spiritual part that we must be to be like these three with Jesus in our relationship, we must study the Word
meditate on the word
pray for insight to the Word and upon call be ready to use the Word and explain the word to others
Now ask yourself tonight
and be honest with yourself
Do you want to be close to Jesus in you walk with
Him
do you want to be like the inner circle was to Jesus Do you want to be part of the core for the work of Jesus here on earth
then are you willing to give your all to Him Are you ready to take a chance at failing for Him but going on
Are you bold like peter
are you like john and James humble and workers
are you a son of thunder
ready to strike Satan when he shows himself Can you take the guidance of the Lord even if it is against what you think is ok if you want to watch television to see your favorite show
and the Holy Spirit prompts you to pray or read the Bible
will you follow the Holy Spirit that is what it will take obedience to God's guidance if so then like peter and john you will reach the lost
heal the sick
give your testimony when called for if so then do it
and see what it is like to walk with Jesus as one of His inner core
the inner circle of the Lord From there is the power of revival in your life and in the world
For if you take these as character builders in your life then you will be like
Peter
James
and
John
For from them we find the Christian Attributes From The Inner Circle
Peter----James----& John
God bless you and keep you make His face to shine upon you and give you peace
amen
