THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST The Mission Of The Disciples : Fishers of men (Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11 ) “follow me and I will make you fishers of men” “fear not, from henceforth you shall catch men” (Jesus told peter)

Fishers of men (Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11 ) To win back souls for God, was Jesus' primary mission on earth and hence, his need for disciples to help out in this mission. Also the call of the disciples(‘Fishers of men’ or ‘To catch men’), can be seen as a participation of man, in the divine work of redemption.

Fishers of men (Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11 ) ‘But privately, to his own disciples, he explained everything’ (Mark 4:34). This is to emphasize that Jesus' disciples were trained by Jesus himself by teaching and explaining everything to them. This He did, not at once but in stages, as their understanding could carry.

Fishers of men (Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11 ) A significant aspect of this training involved the sending out on trial missions to preach and perform miracles and healing. This mission of winning souls was carried on after Jesus' death. Further still, each of us as disciples, friends, brothers of Jesus, are expected to continue this mission of winning souls with our properly chosen words and good examples.

Fishers of men (Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11 ) Jesus, after His resurrection, appeared to the disciples and gave them the great commission: “Go into the world and make disciples of all nations; teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

The mission of the 12 disciples (Matthew 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9: 1-6) before we begin this chapter of our learning, I would like to draw our attention to Exodus 15: 27. Jesus being the fulfillment of the scriptures, was called to light once more as he drew his apostles, disciples and all seeking salvation closer to the truth, thus preparing them for what is to come, the salvation and the evangelization as God’s children. Jesus had to first, organize and send the 12 disciples on a trial mission to win souls. This He did, with guided instructions, to help maximize the benefits of this mission.

The mission of the 12 disciples (Matthew 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9: 1-6) The instructions were as follows: To restrict their mission to only Jewish territories. To preach about the closeness of God’s kingdom. To heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leprous victims, cast out demons. To work without asking for reward. To carry no belongings with them

The mission of the 12 disciples (Matthew 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9: 1-6) Also, Jesus urged the disciples to salute (greet) the inhabitants of any town or village they entered and pass the night in any house(hold) that accepts them. If received in kindness by a household, they should bless that house. In a case of a hostile reception in a town or village, they should leave there and proceed to another place.

The mission of the 12 disciples (Matthew 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9: 1-6) Jesus asked the 12 disciples to limit their mission to Jewish territories because; The Jews as the chosen people of God, should be the first to receive the gospel. Time was of the essence and Jesus knew that with the people he had, it would be practically impossible to cover all Israel including gentiles (foreigners ) and Samaritans (half Jews).

The mission of the 70 disciples. (Luke 10:1-24) After the mission of the 12, Jesus sent out another batch of 70 according to demands, to other territories that are not of Jewish descent. “The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few” This statement of Jesus, prompted the mission of the 70 disciples.

The mission of the 70 disciples. (Luke 10:1-24) Jesus charged the 70 disciples to pray to God, to send more labourers into His harvest which means, to bring in more kindhearted and generous people that will help carry out the work of spreading the gospel. Jesus also made it clear that He was sending them out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

The mission of the 70 disciples. (Luke 10:1-24) Just like the 12, Jesus gave the70 disciples instructions as follows: To carry no belongings with them. To greet no one on the road (to stress the urgency of their mission). When they had entered a house, to bless it as thus; “Peace be to this house.” if a man of peace were to be in that house, the blessing of peace would stay and if not, the blessing would return to the disciple.

The mission of the 70 disciples. (Luke 10:1-24) Not to move from house to house, but remain in one house eating and drinking what was offered to them. When given a warm reception in a town or village, they should eat whatever that is offered to them and heal the sick amongst them saying: “The kingdom of God has come near you.”

The mission of the 70 disciples. (Luke 10:1-24) On the contrary, they should go outside and say: “Even the dust of your town that cling to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this that the kingdom of God has come near you”

The mission of the 70 disciples. (Luke 10:1-24) Jesus stressed the need for this evangelization and the benefit of either accepting or rejecting it which can be attributed to the use of our own freedom. Jesus made it clear that it would be more tolerable for sodom and gomorrah than any town that rejects His gospel and the work of the disciples.

Assignment In connection with the mission of the seventy (70), state with the precise biblical chapter and verses, the woes Jesus pronounced on the major cities in Galilee where people lacked repentance despite all the great works of Jesus.

The mission of the 70 disciples. (Luke 10:1-24) However, Jesus concluded his instruction to the 70 disciples a statement of affirmation thus: “He who hears you hears me, and he, who rejects you, rejects me, and he , who rejects me, rejects he who sent me.”

PROJECT Make short notes on the difficulties faced on embarking on a christian mission. Show with the aid of a detailed diagram of the map of Nigeria, showing the spread of Christianity between the 14th and 19th century. AND Another showing the spread of Christianity after the 19th century. The diagram MUST be hand drawn.