Today’s selected reading continues in and concludes the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome. More specifically today’s passage sis found in the sixteenth chapter of this New Testament book. “I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatosever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Green Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Julia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Green Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Statchys my beloved. Salute Apelles approve in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. Salute herodion my kinsman. Gree them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved PErsis, which laboured much in the Lord. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mind. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Herman’s, Patrone’s, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. Sasslute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympus, and all the saints which are with them. Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you” (Romans 16:1-16).

 

            “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen” (Romans 16:17-20).

 

            “Timotheus. My work fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute your. I Teritus, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. Gaius mine host, and of the whole church salute the you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city salute the you, And Quartus a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Romans 16:21-24).

 

            “Now to home that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the propehts, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen” (Romans 16:25-27).

 

            “Written to the Romans for Corinthus, and sent by Phoebe servant of the church at Cenchrea” (Romans 16:27).

 

            When you come to this sixteenth and final chapter found within the epistle written by the apostle Paul which was written unto the saints which were at Rome you will find the apostle providing a tremendous list of names which he deliberately included within this epistle. If you take the time to turn and direct your attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find the apostle Paul concluding this epistle written to the saints which were at Rome with a list of names of individuals who had been instrumental in the ministry and purpose for which the living and eternal God had called him. Perhaps one of the greatest truths that is found in this passage of Scripture is that it reveals that no man or woman who calls on the name of the Lord and believes on Him is able to nor should live on an island. I sit here today thinking about and reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth that with these words the apostle Paul demonstrated that although the Spirit of the Lord had separated him from the brethren which were found at Antioch unto the work whereunto he had been called the apostle Paul did not and could not do anything without those who were willing to come alongside him. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for within Scripture we find and discover that not even the apostle Paul could fulfill that which the living and eternal God had called him to by himself without the help and assistance of others. What’s more is that when we look at and examine the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus we find that not even He as the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God could do that which the eternal Father had called and sent hIm to do.

 

            I sit here today thinking about the public life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ and I can’t help but think about the tremendous truth that although He was indeed the Son of the living God and was the image of the invisible God He could not and did not fulfill that for which the Father had called Him to do alone and by Himself. In fact you will discover that one of the very first things Jesus did after being baptized in the waters of the Jordan River and after He was driven into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted of the Devil was to call those who would walk with and follow Him during those three and a half years of public ministry which He engaged in during His time here upon the earth. You cannot read the gospels without encounter the absolutely incredible truth that Jesus deliberately and intentionally called the disciples unto Himself that they might walk with and follow Him. What’s more is that these disciples and apostles would be chosen by the Lord Jesus according to the will of the Father to bear witness of His works and words while He was still present among them—and not only when and while He was still among them but after He had departed and ascended unto the right hand of the Father. What’s more is the apostles would indeed be those who would pick up and carry the mantle of the Lord Jesus Christ after He ascended unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely truth surrounding the calling of the twelve disciples unto Himself to walk with and follow Him, to bear witness of His words and works and to continue and carry out the works which He had begun after he departed from this world and ascended unto the right hand of the Father.

 

            The more I think about the words which are found here the more I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the calling of the twelve disciples and how they were deliberately and intentionally called to walk with and follow Jesus while He walked upon the earth as the Word made flesh. What’s more is that with this being said you will find Jesus declaring unto the apostle Peter and his brother Andrew that from that time forward they would be fishers of men. While they were at one time merely fishermen who labored and toiled for the fish of the sea they would experience a transition into a place where they would indeed be fishers of men. They would walk with and follow the Lord Jesus whithersoever He went that they would hear and listen to His teaching them—and not only teaching them but also preparing them for that moment when they would be anointed with the Holy Spirit and carry out and continue the work whereunto He had been called and sent by the eternal and living God. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the eternal and living God who deliberately and intentionally chose these men that they might witness and observe the works which were performed and completed by the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God that they themselves might step into that for which they had been called. In fact the New Testament book of Acts describes the acts and works of the apostles—and not only the apostles but also the spiritual body of Christ—after Jesus had ascended unto the right hand of the Father and after the Holy Spirit was first manifested on the day of Pentecost and continued to be released and poured out from that day forwarded.

 

            There is a great need for us to recognize and understand this for if you want to truly grasp the words which the apostle Paul wrote in the sixteenth and final chapter of the epistle written unto the saints which were at Rome you must needs understand that ministry does not take place in a vacuum nor does it take place on an island. Oh although you might very well have been called to walk with and follow the Lord Jesus by yourself you were not called to walk with and follow Him alone by yourself. If you study the four gospels you will find that when Jesus called the disciples to walk with and follow Him He didn’t merely call them to walk with and follow Him alone. When Jesus called the disciples and apostles to walk with and follow Him He called them to walk with and fellowship with each other. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it brings us face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the incredible reality of how we as the saints of God were not only called to walk with and follow the Lord Jesus but we have also been called to walk with and fellowship together with the brethren and believers. There would be those who think and believe they can indeed walk with and follow the Lord Jesus alone and by themselves without and apart from also walking with and fellowshipping together with other saints and believers. The truth of the matter is that this simply is not the case and we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this. It is for this reason I am absolutely convinced that we must needs recognize that we have indeed been called into a place of fellowship with the eternal and living God, with the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father and with the Holy Spirit, however, we have also been called into a place of fellowship together with the saints of God and the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is with this in mind I now invite you to consider the following words which are found in each of the four gospels concerning the Lord personally and deliberately calling the disciples to walk with and follow Him and to walk with and fellowship with each other:

 

            “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. >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. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.; And going on from thence, he saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him” (Matthew 4:17-22).

 

            “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:9-13).

 

           

“Now as he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him” (Mark 1:16-20).

 

“And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:13-17).

 

“And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down,a nd taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night,a nd have taken nothing: neverhtless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they in closed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For He was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 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. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all and followed him” (Luke 5:1-11).

 

            “And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house a; and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:27-32).

 

            “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, behold the Lamb of God! Nad the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted Master,) where dwellest thou? HE saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of JOna: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone” (John 1:35-42).

            “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip9 findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” (John 1:43-51).

 

            It is absolutely necessary that we recognize and understand the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth contained within these passages of Scripture. Within each of these passages of Scripture we find Jesus calling those who would walk with and follow Him. Beginning with the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew and continuing through to the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John we find Jesus calling certain of His disciples to walk with and follow Him. We know that all together Jesus called twelve men to walk with and follow Him, however, we don’t have the account account of how Jesus called all of the disciples to walk with and follow Him. The gospels present us with the incredible truth surrounding the Jesus’ calling the disciples to come after and walk with Him. The disciples whose accounts and stories we have found within the New Testament gospels are Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John, Matthew, Philip and Nathanael. Nowhere in any of the other gospels do we find the account of Jesus calling the other twelve disciples—this despite the fact that we do in fact know that He did indeed call them. By the time we come to the ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew we find all of the twelve disciples having been called by Jesus to come after, to walk with and to follow Him. In fact it is in the ninth chapter of this New Testament gospel where we find Jesus making a passionate plea unto the disciples to pray the Lord of the harvest that He would send forth laborers into the harvest. Jesus would declare that the harvest truly was plentiful but that the laborers were few and would then ask and entreat them to pray the Lord of the harvest that he might send forth laborers into the harvest.

 

            The words which we find in the New Testament gospel narratives must needs be strongly considered and recognized for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding Jesus being sent by the eternal and living God and Father to fulfill that for which He had been called and sent. With this being said, however, it’s important to recognize that while Jesus walked upon the earth He didn’t walk upon the earth isolated and alone without any fellowship. The four gospel narratives bring us face to face with the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding Jesus’ being accompanied by twelve men who were deliberately and intentionally called to walk with and follow Him. Jesus was indeed sent of the Father which was in heaven to fulfill the work and the ministry for which He had been sent, however, Jesus would not spend His time walking upon the earth isolated from those who were before and all around Him. Nowhere in any of the four gospels do you read and find of Jesus ministering unto and among the crowds absent the disciples whom He had deliberately and intentionally called unto Himself. The Lord Jesus Christ had indeed and had in fact called twelve men to walk with and follow Him that they might bear witness and bear record of both His words and His works. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it brings us face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus being accompanied during those three and a half years by twelve men who would indeed be His companions and those who would walk with and follow Him as well as those who would fellowship together with Him. Oh how absolutely wonderful and incredible this truly is when you take the time to think about it for it brings us face to face with the fact that not even Jesus Himself walked upon the earth alone, isolated and separate from fellowship.

 

            If you take the time to read and study the four New Testament gospels you will find the Lord Jesus was continually surrounded by great multitudes of people. Time and time again within and throughout the four gospels you will find great multitudes of men and women coming unto Jesus that they might receive and experience healing and deliverance by the hand of the Lord Jesus. Throughout the four gospels you will find Jesus continually being pressed and approached by those who gathered themselves unto Him that they might hear the words which He would teach and speak unto them. What’s more is there would be countless men and women who would form great crowds who would gather themselves together unto the person and presence of the Lord Jesus that they might experience healing and deliverance within their physical bodies. What we must needs recognize and understand when reading the four New Testament gospel narratives is that the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed spend three and a half years walking among us as the Word which was made flesh, however, his walking among us as the Word made flesh would not be isolated and alone. Oh although there were times when Jesus retreated to a solitary place to pray unto the Father leaving the disciples where they were He would spend a considerable amount of time walking with and fellowshipping together with the disciples whom He had called to walk with and follow Him. The Lord Jesus would indeed separate himself from the crowds and even from the disciples to get alone together with His Father that He might come before Him in prayer. There were times when Jesus needed to detach Himself from the crowds and from the multitudes and from the disciples that He might get alone with the eternal and living God that He might spend time before and with Him in prayer.

 

            The more I think about and consider this the more I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth that although Jesus would at times to detach and separate Himself from the disciples and from the crowds that He might spend time alone with the Father in prayer He would spend a considerable amount of time walking in fellowship together with the disciples whom he had called to walk with and follow Him. Moreover Jesus would spend a considerable amount of time among the crowds and multitudes as He would heal all their sick which were brought unto Him. Not only this but Jesus would indeed spend a considerable amount of time among the crowds and multitudes whom He would deliver all those who were possessed by devils and unclean spirits. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible it truly is for when you read the four gospels you will find Jesus spent a considerable amount of time walking in fellowship together with the disciples whom He had personally called to walk with and follow Him. What’s more is there were even times when as Jesus walked throughout Galilee and even Judaea there would be those who would gather around Him and who would walk with Him. Jesus did in fact call the twelve disciples to walk with and follow Him, however, there were other times when Jesus would travel and journey with more than simply the twelve disciples and when there were great crowds of people who would walk together with Him. One of the greatest examples of this is the case of the woman with the issue of blood who had to press her way through the crowd of people who were walking together with Jesus as he was journeying unto the house of Jairus whose daughter was lying on her bed on the verge of death. There was a great crowd and multitude of people who walked with and followed Jesus as He went and we must assume there were countless times when the Lord Jesus walked throughout Galilee and Judaea with those beyond and outside His disciples alone who walked with and followed Him.

 

            This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that although Jesus was indeed the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God He would not walk alone and by Himself upon the earth. Jesus would not walk throughout Galilee and Judaea alone and by Himself without those who would walk with and follow Him. Nowhere in any of the four gospels will you find Jesus walking alone and by Himself without being accompanied by at least the twelve disciples. What’s more is there were other times when Jesus would take with Him Peter, James and John alone into various places where they would experience and encounter something supernatural. A perfect example of this is when Jesus would take Peter, James and John with Him atop the mountain where He would be transfigured before them. Oh there were indeed and there were in fact times when the Lord Jesus Christ would invite these three disciples together with Him into certain places and certain encounters and there were certain times when Jesus would separate Himself from the disciples and from the multitudes and crowds that he might spend time together with the Father in prayer. With all of this being said we must needs recognize and understand that for the most part Jesus would not and could not do that which the eternal Father had called and ordained Him to be alone and by Himself. Despite the fact that He was the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God He would need those who would walk with and follow Him during those three and a half years. Not only this but there were would be those times when Jesus would invite others to step into the work which He Himself had been called and sent to do. A perfect example of this is found in the ninth chapters of the New Testament gospel narratives written by the apostle Matthew and the beloved physician Luke. Moreover there is another example of this found in the tenth chapters of the New Testament gospel narratives written by the physician Luke and the apostle Matthew. .

 

            Having said all of this I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that is found within these passages of Scripture for within them we find the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the reality that although Jesus was indeed the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God he called and invited others to come alongside Him to engage in the same work and ministry for which He had been called and sent. There is a great need for us as the saints of God to recognize and understand this for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that although Jesus was sent by the eternal and living God to speak those words which proceeded from the Father and although He was sent to work those works which He saw the Father do He would invite the twelve disciples—and not only the twelve disciples but also seventy others who would be sent out and ordained and appointed by the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful reality of those whom Jesus would indeed call unto Himself and then send forth as laborers into the harvest to partner together in the work for which He had been called and sent. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for when we think about the words found within these passages of Scripture we must needs understand that the Lord Jesus would indeed invite others to come alongside Him to partner together in the work of the ministry He Himself had engaged in during those three and a half years which He walked upon the face of the earth. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narratives written by the apostle Matthew and the beloved physician Luke:

 

            “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laboured into his harvest” (Matthew 9:35-38).

            “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; the first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebanese, whose surname was Thaddeus; sSimon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus went forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or Teton ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say not you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matthew 10:1-15).

 

            “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless ad doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentile. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when t hey persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciples is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciples that he be as his master, and the servant as his Lord. If they have called the master of the house of Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what. Ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:16-33).

 

            “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:34-39).

 

           

“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1-6).

 

            “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labour ears are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laboured is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. ND into whatosever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you; and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: not wist handing be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city” (Luke 10:1-12).

 

            The words we find within these passages of Scripture must needs be carefully considered for they call and draw our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the Lord Jesus not only ordaining and appointing the twelve disciples as apostles whom He would send forth but He also ordained and appointed seventy others whom He would send before Him into those cities which He would enter. All together the Lord Jesus would ordain and appoint a total of eighty-two whom he would personally send forth into the harvest that they might heal the sick, cast out devils and unclean spirits, raise the dead and preach the gospel of the kingdom. Before we even come to the New Testament book of Acts we find the Lord Jesus ordaining and sending forth eighty-two before His face into the cities and towns and villages whithersoever He Himself would enter. The Lord Jesus would indeed send these forth as laborers into the harvest that they might teach and preach the word and gospel of the kingdom and demonstrate it through the manifestation of the power of heaven against all sickness, against unclean spirits and even against death itself. Oh this is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that although Jesus was indeed the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God He could not do that which He had been called and sent alone and by Himself. As you read the four gospel narratives you can and will encounter the tremendous truth surrounding the Lord Jesus moving throughout the harvest carrying out and fulfilling that for which He had been called and sent. The Lord Jesus would indeed move throughout the cities, the towns and the villages in Galilee and Judaea teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, however, the Lord Jesus would not move nor would He operate alone.

 

            I continue to be absolutely astonished and captivated by the truth that the Lord Jesus invited the disciples into a place where they would walk with and follow Him but He would also invite them to walk with and fellowship together with themselves. Making the decision to walk with and follow the Lord Jesus wasn’t merely a decision to walk with and follow Him for it was also a decision to walk with and fellowship together with each other. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for the twelve disciples were themselves the first church which would walk with and follow the Lord Jesus and would indeed be the first community of believers. Of course we know and understand from reading the gospels there would be others who would experience this community and fellowship as there would be women who would also walk with and follow the Lord Jesus and would minister unto Him out of their substance. Jesus would not walk throughout Galilee and Judaea alone and isolated teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom but would indeed walk in fellowship and community together with the disciples and those who had agreed to walk with and follow Him as well as walk with and fellowship together with each other. The Lord Jesus would indeed walk with these disciples inviting them to fellowship with Himself and fellowship with the Father, however, there was something else we must needs recognize and understand when reading these words—namely the fellowship He invited them to walk with among themselves.

 

I sit here today writing these words and I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth that while it is indeed true that we have been called to walk with and follow the Lord Jesus we have also been called to walk with and fellowship together with the brethren. This is what is so incredibly powerful about the early church which we read about during the days of the apostles and the early church. What’s more is that I continue to believe that the single greatest miracle which was performed on the day of Pentecost was not speaking with other tongues nor even three thousand souls being added unto the number of those who were in the upper room. There would be those who would think that the greatest miracle performed on the day of Pentecost was indeed the speaking with tongues or the three thousand souls which were added unto the number of those who were present in the upper room. The truth of the matter, however, is that this simply is not the case. I firmly believe the greatest miracle performed on the day of Pentecost was the bringing into fellowship and community of the three thousand souls together with those who were present in the upper room. I am absolutely convinced the greatest work of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost was not causing those in the upper room to speak with other tongues that the wonderful works of God might be proclaimed in and with the tongues of the nations. I believe and am convinced that the single greatest work and miracle which was completed on the day of Pentecost was indeed the uniting of the hearts and minds of all those who would believe on the name of the Lord Jesus and bringing them into community and fellowship together with each other. Pause for a moment and think about what it would and could take for men and women to be brought into community and fellowship together with each other despite their differences, despite their race, despite their gender, despite their personalities and the like.

 

            The more I think about and consider this the more I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding this work which was completed on the day of Pentecost and how it perfectly demonstrates that which we find in the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome. I firmly believe and am a convinced that if you want to truly understand the words which are found in the sixteenth and final chapter of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome you must needs recognize and understand this concept of community—and not only community but also fellowship together with each other. There is absolutely no way of recognizing and understanding the words which are found in this particular passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the community and fellowship we have indeed been called to within our own hearts and lives in this life. We as the saints of God and we as the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ must needs recognize that we have indeed and have in fact been called into fellowship and community together with the saints and the brethren. This is one of the most beautiful realities found in the New Testament book of Acts as not only were Jews brought into fellowship as brethren in the church but Jews and Gentiles could be brought together as brethren in the church. No longer was there any wall or barrier of separation but there was indeed a breaking of the wall of separation that men and women might indeed walk in fellowship and community together with each other. If you want to truly understand the words which are found in the final chapter of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints of Rome you must needs recognize and understand the truth that at the very heart of it is community and fellowship with each other.

 

            Having said this I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the second and fourth chapters of the New Testament book of Acts. I am absolutely convinced that when you come to these two chapters found within this book you can and will be brought face to face with the tremendous reality of community and fellowship between the saints and the brethren. Beginning with the day of Pentecost—and even before the day of Pentecost—we begin seeing this reality of men and women being gathered together in one accord and of one mind. In fact one of the greatest truths found within the New Testament book of Acts is indeed the truly wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the community and fellowship that was indeed found in the New Testament book of Acts among the saints and brethren. You cannot truly understand the words which are found in this New Testament book without and apart from understanding the absolutely wonderful sense of community and fellowship which was present among the saints and brethren. What’s more is that in addition to this we must also recognize the words which are found in the twelfth chapters of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome as well as the words which were found in the twelfth chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Corinth. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of these chapters and passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth and reality surrounding the community and fellowship which we as the saints of God have indeed been called into. There must be absolutely no doubt and mistaking this truth and how absolutely incredible and powerful it truly is within our hearts and lives for it brings us face to face with the community and fellowship we have indeed and have in fact been called in to by the person and presence of the Holy Spirit. It is having said this I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the second and fourth chapters of the New Testament book of Acts as well as the words which are found in the twelfth chapters of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome and the first epistle written unto the Corinthian saints:

 

            “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to call that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:37-40).

 

            “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:41-47).

 

            “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:32-37).

 

            “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:1-8).

 

            “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally las he will” (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

 

            “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honour Ed, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

 

            With all of this in mind I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that is found and contained within the fourth chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Ephesus. In the fourth chapter of this epistle we find additional supporting language concerning the role, the purpose and the function of the spiritual body of Christ which we must needs consider. Having said this I invite you to read the words which the apostle Paul wrote unto these dear saints beginning with the first verse of the fourth chapter of this epistle written unto the saints which were at Ephesus:

 

            “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all loveliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit int eh bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelist; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, f or the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ; from whom the whole body firmly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:1-16).

 

            As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to return to the sixteenth chapter of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome. Within this particular chapter we find the apostle Paul using very specific language to refer to those who partnered together with and came alongside him during his tenure as an apostle and servant of Jesus. You cannot read the sixteenth chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome without understanding those who came alongside and those who partnered together with the apostle Paul during his various missionary journeys. If there is one thing we must needs recognize when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture it’s that the apostle Paul would and could not fulfill that which the living and eternal God called Him to without and apart from those who came alongside and partnered together with him. When you read the words presented in this passage of Scripture you get the sense that the apostle Paul was eternally grateful for those who would come alongside him in fellowship as well as those who would come alongside him in ministry as together they would walk with and follow the Lord Jesus Christ and together would carry out the work which was begun while the Lord was present among us as the Word made flesh. The apostle Paul would use language within this passage of Scripture to describe those who were precious and dear to him and if I’m being honest with you who are reading this I am quite envious of the relationships and fellowship the apostle Paul had. I personally have found in difficult in recent years to give and commit myself to fellowship and community—particularly and especially within the body of Christ. There was a time within my life when I was open to community and fellowship, however, events which took place have had adverse and negative effects where I have been closed off and stand-offish to fully committing myself to community. I have spent a lot of time isolating myself and attempting to do this walk with the Lord Jesus alone knowing full well that it is completely and utterly impossible to do so.

 

            When I write these words I find myself experiencing a tremendous desire within my heart and soul to have a group of men I can call “brothers.” I find myself being drawn to the Marines, the Army, the Navy and even the Air Force and the camaraderie that is present among them. I find myself drawn to a show like Sons of Anarchy and the brotherhood that was present between the various different biker groups. I find myself being envious and jealous when men call each other “brother” knowing full well it is something that I earnestly and eagerly desire within my heart and soul. This might in fact be why when I am speaking with people I don’t know—or even people I do know who I work with—I refer to them as “friends.” Referring to people II know—even people I don’t know—as “friends” or even as “my friend” it is my attempt to confirm relationship to and with that person. Using that language is indeed a way for me to express this concept of brotherhood with those who I have built a relationship with or as a sign of respect unto those whom I do not know. What’s more is that by using this particular phrase it has oftentimes opened the door for additional relationship with such individuals as it builds a sense of trust and mutual respect. I read the words which are found in this passage and read words such as “succourer,” “helpers,” “well beloved,” “kinsmen,” “fellow prisoners,” “beloved in the Lord,” “helper in Christ,””kinsman” and even “the brethren” and “all the saints” and I am brought face to face with the awesome and incredible reality that when it comes to walking with and following Christ—and not merely walking with and following Christ but engaged in ministry—there is a great need for us as the saints of God to be those who would indeed commit ourselves to walking with and fellowshipping together with those who have likeminded faith as we do and those who believe on the Lord Jesus and call upon the name of the Lord even as we do.