OUTLINE:

Glory Be To God
Satan lies to people, both unbelievers and believers. He tempts them into believing that there ought to be something about their natural selves that is worthy of praise. This is the antithesis of Rev 4:11.

The Gospel Lynchpin
We believers never fully depart from the Gospel (as Paul alluded to in Ro 1:16-17), not just because we love it so much (we do), but it represents the theological lynchpin to our faith! God saves us based on the merits of Christ. If Christ is a farce, then so is our faith (1Co 15:14-17).

The Resurrection Hope
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the righteous basis of our salvation, as well as the foundation of our living hope. As sinners, we had no hope beyond the grave. - William MacDonald

F. B. Meyer
Calls the "living hope" the "link between our present and future."

The Gospel Lynchpin
We believers never fully depart from the Gospel (as Paul alluded to in Ro 1:16-17), not just because we love it so much (we do), but it represents the theological lynchpin to our faith! God saves us based on the merits of Christ. If Christ is a farce, then so is our faith (1Co 15:14-17).

Glory Be To God
One of the key lessons in studying out the Apostles is NOT necessarily that God will ALWAYS use unexceptional men, but rather that He can/does use ANY kind of person, regardless of their natural abilities!

Glory Be To God
Synthesize God's will, Jesus' will, and how God raises His children up in righteousness. These things are meant to bring glory to God, Himself. May we never lose this perspective!

God Saves and Is Glorified
God's righteousness is profoundly and indelibly impressed upon His creatures through salvation. Whether we are being saved (imputed R+), or we are evangelizing others (imparted R+), God is glorified. The power of righteousness is exemplified through salvation.

Context Matters
Life has context. The apostles were no different. You are no different. Every believer is called uniquely. The apostles prove this - just look at the differences between the original twelve and Paul.

*** The 12 Apostles (Mt 10:2-4) table ***
*** The 12 Apostles (Mk 3:16-19) table ***
*** The 12 Apostles (Lk 6:13-16) table ***
*** The 12 Apostles (Acts 1:13) table ***
*** The Apostles - Group 1 diagram ***
*** The Apostles - Group 2 diagram ***
*** The Apostles - Group 3 diagram ***

Jesus Prayed Before Choosing the Apostles
Jesus was a human being. As a human being, He had to "increase in wisdom" (Lk 2:40, 52). He often prayed to His Father in Heaven before completing a next step in His ministry, like choosing the first twelve apostles (Lk 6:12-13).

Lk 2:52
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Jesus' Ministry
Prayer was a large part of Jesus' ministry (e.g. Mt 26:42; Lk 6:12; Jn 17). Not only did He pray persistently, but He also instructed His disciples to do the same (e.g. Mt 6:9). An effective ministry cannot exist in the absence of prayer. (e.g., Jer 33:3; Mt 26:41; Mk 11:24; Lk 11:9; Ro 8:26; Php 4:6; 1Th 5:17; 1Ti 2:1-4; Jas 5:16, etc.)

Jesus' Example To the Apostles
Matthew wrote the Gospel after his name, which means that he wrote of Jesus' times of prayer. It is impossible that Matthew wasn't effected by Jesus' constant praying. Jesus was showing His apostles the import of prayer (ala Eph 6:18; Col 4:2-4; 1Th 5:16-18).

Prayer Is Integral
In light of 1Th 5:16-18 (and a multitude of scripture), we must think of prayer as an integral part of the whole. Without prayer, the whole could not exist/function. Rejoicing, praying, and thanksgiving are borne of one root, therefore they increase/exist simultaneously.

1Th 5:16-18
These three incredible blessings (rejoicing, praying, thanksgiving) come in one package.

Perspective
If Jesus prayed often, being perfect, why in the world wouldn't we, His disciples? It seems asinine that any of us would ever NOT make prayer a top, daily priority. Yet, most Christians have their priorities messed up.

Ability To Sin
• God: Non Posse Peccare ("not able to sin")
• Spirit-Filled Humanity: Posse Non Peccare ("able not to sin")
• Human Flesh: Non Posse Non Peccare ("not able not to sin")

Jesus Chose His Apostles
As a function of His praying, Jesus never made a mistake in choosing the apostles. Even Judas Iscariot was a choice He made at the behest of His Father in Heaven.
Jesus Chose YOU!