God's Inner Circle: Chosen for His Purposes

turn your Bibles to John chapter 15 John chapter 15 just a moment ago I had you share your favorite Christmas gift and sometimes that's hard to choose your favorite isn't it but it's nothing wrong with having a favorite uh we all have favorites for example how many have a favorite food raise your hand you got a favorite food that you like to eat all right how many of you have a a a favorite um dessert all right how many you got that just desserts probably more so and then how many have a favorite team like a football team or basketball team or something along that line you got a favorite team and then you might have a how many of you have a favorite spouse now if you did not raise your hand

you're in trouble when you go home all right uh but you know there's nothing wrong with having a favorite in many areas but there are some things that really you shouldn't have favorites in for example if you're a parent you have more than one child you shouldn't have a favorite child now most parents will tell you we probably do but uh don't tell your kids that or if you're a teacher you're not supposed to have your teachers pets your favorite students or if you are a boss at work you're not supposed to have the favorite employees or if you're a pastor you're not supposed to have your favorite church members uh but the reality is we all have our favorites do we not and we have certain

people that uh we gravitate towards certain people that we appreciate more certain people that we turn to more often or whatever else it may be and and that same thing is true with Jesus nowes Jesus had at least 70 disciples that followed him on a regular basis we know that because in Luke chap 10 it says after these things the Lord appointed other 70 also so there was 70 but there was also so it was more than 70 that followed Jesus on a regular basis but we also know that he had specifically 12 Apostles these were 12 that he chose out uh to follow him and and as as his inner circle we might call them his uh posy he might call him his homies might call him his best buds or his uh teachers

pets or whatever else it might be but he had that inner circle of the 12 apostles but then he also had three favorites now you you again like you think of you you don't when the teacher has a favorite student that kind of bothers you doesn't it or if a parent has a favorite child that that doesn't that kind of we don't want to see have favorites in that way but Jesus had three of his deciples that were his favorites we we know that because these were three disciples that were mentioned most often and these three disciples were ones that he took with them with with him when he went on special occasions he would call these three out to go with him as well and that was James and John and Peter

and coincidentally by the way or not these are the only three that are mentioned in Acts after Pentecost all the other 12 Apostles at Pentecost are mentioned but then after that it's James John and Peter the only other disciple mentioned after that point is is uh is Andrew and that was when he was killed and and so you've got these three Apostles that are the only ones mentioned so we we why did he choose these three as his favorites now we've been going through the series about the dirty dozen about talking about the 12 apostles and and so I was looking and saywell why did he choose out these three men as his inner circle why did he choose out thre these three to show favoritism towards

them now it it may be because there was something special about them or it's just because the Lord chose them and and the Lord chooses us even though we don't always uh CH don't always know that look at John chapter 15 and I want you to begin with verse number seven John chapter 15 verse number 7 if ye abide to me and my words abide in you you shall ask what you will and it should be done unto you here is my father glorified that you bear much fruit and you that you shall so shall you be my disciples as the father hath loved me so have I loved you continue you in my love if you keep my Commandments you shall abide in my love even as I have kept my father's Commandments and abide in his love

these things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full this is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you greater love hath no man than this that a man laid down his life for his friends ye are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you henceforth I call you not servants for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth but I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my father I have made known unto you you ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go forth and bring F forth fruit and that your fruit should remain for whatsoever you shall ask of your father in my name he may

give it to you these things I command you that you love one another he says here in verse number 16 you have not chosen me but I have chosen you so why did God choose these 12 men specifically to be his Apostles out of over 70 followers that he had why didn't he choose these three men to be his favorites to be his inner circle and and we don't know why and and and I don't know that the Lord chooses us because we're something special but God chooses us for his Sovereign reasons for whatever reason he does and he chooses us and I'm thankful that he chooses us but as I thought about this this is what I came up with I don't know why God chose James John and Peter to be his inner circle but I

want to be part of God's Inner Circle and so I I wanted to understand well what what was special about these guys what was it that God did with them that made them that part of that inner circle and so there's four different times that God shows out these three men specifically out of all the disciples out of all the apostles he chose the these three men specifically so let's start by looking at Mark 5 Mark 5 and look at verses 21 through 24 Mark 5 beginning with verse number 21 and when Jesus was passed over again by ship onto the other side much people gathered unto him and he was nigh onto the sea and behold there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue jerius by name and when he saw

him he fell at his feet and besought him greatly saying my little daughter lith at the point of death I pray thee come and lay thy hands on her that she may be healed and she shall live and Jesus went with him and much people followed him and thronged him okay so here he's being asked to heal this young daughter and then go down to verse number 35 but the woman fearing and trembling knowing what was done to her came and fell down before him and told him all the truth and and and he said unto her daughter um I'm sorry let's go verse 35 uh verse 35 while he yet spake there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said thy daughter is dead why troubles th the master any

further as soon as Jesus heard that word that was spoken he saith unto the ruler of synagogue Be not Afraid only believe and he suffered no man to follow him save Peter and James and John the brother of James and he come to the house of the ruler synagogue and see the tomal and then that them that wept and wailed greatly and he goes on and heals raises his daughter from the dead so the first thing I see here is Jesus took this Inner Circle and again what I'm what I'm challenging you with to think about tonight is do you want to be part of God's Inner Circle do you want to be one of God's favorites do you be want do you want to be one of those that God chooses specifically now we don't know

why he chose Peter and James and John because the other apostles were just as talented they are they had great personalities they were Godly men uh so I don't believe it was something about them specifically but in choosing these three he he chose to take them into very special situations because it was something he was trying to show them something he was trying to teach them as His Inner Circle and so the first thing he does is he takes them specifically with him when he goes to raise this little girl from the dead now can you imagine being there when Jesus raises somebody from the dead can you imagine the seeing that miracle of God and the power of God to raise the dead you see I believe

if you want to be part of God's Inner Circle if you want to be one of those favorites of God the first thing we have to remembers we need to see the power of God in our life we need to see the power of God in our life now it starts with the power of Salvation in Romans chapter 1 verse number 16 for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to to everyone that believeth to the Jew first and also the Greek you see we start with the power of Salvation if you want to be part of God's Inner Circle you need to see the power of God's salvation in your life do you remember when you got saved in 2 Timothy chap 1 verse 5 Paul said to Timothy when I call to

remem the unfaith faith that is in thee which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and my mother Unice and I persuaded thee also you see he said Timothy do you remember when you saw the power of God to save your soul to give you eternal life to take away your sins do you remember that point when you saw the power of God to save you and I wonder if you look back in your life you have you seen the power of God to raise you from the dead to give you eternal life to give you a home in heaven you see is we need to remember the gospel look at 2 Corinthians chapter 15 2 Corinthians chapter 15 I'm sorry uh Second Corinthians chapter 1 Corinthians chapter 15 I'm going to Second Corinthians where I got

messed up there 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and veres 1-4 it says moreover and I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you which also you've received and wherein you stand by which also you saved you keep in memory what is preached unto you unless you believed in vain for I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and it was buried that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures see that's the power of Salvation it's the power to raise the dead it's the power and victory over sin and you got to start by realizing if you want to be part of God's Inner Circle you need to really truly see the

power of God to save your soul the power of God to give you eternal life the power of God that Jesus died and was buried and rose again that power of God needs to be working in your life so if you're here today and you've never seen the power of God and salvation it starts with trusting him as your savior it starts with that power of God working in your life by putting your trust and faith in him but you know for a lot of us as Christians what we've done is we've forgotten the power of God to save us you know it's been so long ago we forgot how that we were lost and dying and going to hell we forgot how that without Christ we had no hope we forgotten our first love in Revelation 2 and verse4

it says nevertheless I have somewhat against thee because thou Hast left thy First Love and so many of us that that we have been saved and and we've forgotten the power of God to save us we' forgotten that that the power of God to raise raise Jesus from the dead in Hebrews chapter 2 and verse number three is this how should we escape if we neglect so great salvation which the first begin to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed onto Us by them that heard him and if you want to be part of God's Inner Circle you need to see the power of God and the power of God starts with salvation and if you're here and you're not saved then you need to realize that God had the power to raise Jesus Jesus

from the dead and that same power can give you eternal life and forgive your sins and if you're here and you're a Christian do not neglect that power of God do not neglect that salvation that God has given to you don't leave that first love but we also need to see the power of God in Saving others as well in Matthew chapter 28 Matthew chap 28 and: 18-20 Matthew chap 2 8 and beginning with verse number 18 Matthew 28:18 the Bible says and Jesus came and spake un them saying all power is given unto me in heaven and in Earth go ye therefore and teach All Nations baptized in the name of the father and of the Son and the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you and

lo I Am With You Always even unto the end of the world God said I've given you all power is given unto you the word power here means Authority we need to understand the power of God the power that could raise the dead is the same power that can save Souls from hell in Acts chap 1 verse number 8 it says but you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you you shall be Witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaran and onto the other most parts of the earth you see we need to remember that God has given us power in Matthew 28 the authority to go out and preach the gospel in Acts chap 1 ver8 it's the Dumas the power of God that God has given to you and I and if

you're part of God's under Circle you understand that power that we have to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to tell others how to be say and but the problem is so often in our lives we don't realize that that power is gone in Judges chapter 16 verse 21 it says and she said the Philistines be upon thee Samson and he woke out of his sleep and said I will go out as other times before and shake myself and he wished not that the Lord had departed from him you see he didn't realize that that power of God that he had had gone away and so many Christians we have neglected our Salvation we have we have forgotten about the power of God to save us the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead and

because of that we've lost our first love and and we don't realize that we no longer have that power working in our lives now if you're a Christian you have the Holy Spirit living within you and you cannot lose the holy spirit of God but you need to understand that even though you have the spirit of God you still have to have the power of God in Zechariah 4 verse number six is then he answered and spake unto me saying this is the word of the Lord UND deseral saying not by might nor by power but by my spirit sayith the Lord of hosts you see it's the the power of God's spirit working in our lives and I think he took these this inner circle with him to W so they could watch him raise this

little girl from the dead so they can understand that if I want that if I want to be part of God's Inner Circle then I need to realize that it's the power of God working in my life and I need that power of God and it's only that power only comes through the holy spirit in John chap 14 and verses 12 and 13 it says verily verily I say unto you he that believes on me the works that I shall do he that I do he shall he do also and Greater Works than these shall he do because I go unto my father and what you'll ask in my name that will I do that the father may be glorified in the son if you shall ask anything in my name I will do it you see if they could see Jesus raise this little girl from the

dead they could see the great power of God and God said to them listen what I have done you can do even more and and you know there's a there's a saying that goes like this ex expect great things from God and attempt great things for God you see I'm afraid what's happened is we've stopped expecting great things from God and because of that we stopped attempting great things for God and I want want to challenge you today you most of you in this room you are already Disciples of Jesus Christ you're already followers of him because you have the power of God in Salvation you have trusted Jesus Christ as your savior but so often what happens as we go on in our Christian Life we begin to neglect

that great salvation and we begin to forget about the power of God and we stop expecting great things from God and we stopped attempting great things for God and that's what I want to challenge you as we come to the end of 20 24 as we come into the new year 2025 listen ask God to show you his power again and ask God to help you to expect great things from him and ask him to help you to attempt great things for him because you want to be part of that inner circle of God look at Luke chapter 9 Luke chapter 9 and veres 1-6 Luke chapter 9 verse number one it says then he called his 12 disciples together gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases he sent them to preach the

kingdom of God to heal the sick and he said unto them take nothing for your journey neither staves nor script neither bread neither money neither have two coats a piece and whatsoever house you enter into there abide and then depart and whosoever will not receive you when you go out of your city shake off the very um dust from your your feet for a testimony against them and they departed went through the towns preaching the gospel and he in everywhere you see he took those 12 disciples the apostles said I want you to lead the way in Luke 11 he sent out the the the 70 but before he sent them out he says you need to lead the way you need to set the example and and you need to go out not for

your own glory in in in Matthew Chapter 20 The Center Circle James John and Peter they came to Jesus said who's going to rule with you in the Kingdom in fact later on they had their mothers come come to him and ask that because they had forgotten they they started looking at this about their Glory rather than God's glory if you want to be part of God's Inner Circle if you want to be used of God like these three disciples were then you need to remember that it's all about the glory of God it's not your glory but it's God's glory it is giving the glory to God in James chapter 4 verse number 6 it says but he giveth more grace wherefore he saith God resists the proud but giveth Grace unto the

humble humble yourselves therefore in the sight of the Lord he shall lift you up verse number 10 and we need to remember if you want to be part of that inner circle of God then you need to be willing to humble yourself and not not think of it well I get to serve God and I get to be up in front of everybody and I get to do this and I get to do that but it's about humbly serving God it's not about you it's about him and and we need to glorify God for what he has done in 1 Corinthians 10:31 it says whether you eat or drink or whatso you do do all to the glory of God and so this Inner Circle of disciples that God chose these three men that he chose to Signal out he took them with him to when he

healed when he raised this little girl from the dead he didn't take the other 12 he didn't take the other 70 he took these three because I think what he was trying to show them and remind them if you want to be used of God then you need to realize it's all about the power of God it's not about what I can do but it's about what God can do and he said listen if you understand this you can do even greater things than I have done and so if I want to be part of that inner circle of God it needs to start with the power of God but then the second time he took these three with him specifically we find that in Mark chapter 9 Mark chapter 9 and verses 2-9 Mark chapter 9 and beginning with verse number

2 Mark 9 verse number two after 6 days Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John and leadth them up into the high mountain apart by themselves and he was transfigured before them and his rment became shining exceeding white as snow so that no and was as so no as no Fuller on Earth can white them and there there appeared onto them Elias with Moses and they were talking with Jesus and Peter answered and said unto Jesus master it is good for us to be here and let's make three Tabernacles one for thee and one for Moses and one for Elias for he wish not what to say for they were sore afraid and there was a cloud that overshadowed them and a voice came out of the cloud saying this is my

beloved Son hear him and suddenly when they had looked around about they saw no man anymore save Jesus only with themselves as they came down from the mountain he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen till the son of man was risen from the dead Jesus Jesus took him up on the Mount of transfiguration this is where the Shina glory of God came down upon Christ this is where the Moses and Elijah were raised from the dead and brought before them this is where the voice of Heaven God spoke and said this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased what an amazing experience Andrew didn't get to experience that Philip didn't get to experience that none of the 12 besides

these three none of the 70 or more just these three Inner Circle and I believe what Jesus wanted him to see is he wanted him to see his glory look at John chapter 17 John chapter 17 and look at verses 22- 24 John chapter 17 beginning with verse number 22 the glory which thou speaking to his father which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one one even as we are one i in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know that thou has sent me and has loved them as thou Hast loved me father I will that they that they also whom thou Hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou Hast given me for thou lovest me before

the foundation of the world Jesus specifically prayed he said I want them to see the glory of God I want them to see the glory in my life I I want to understand that and folks if if you want to be part of God's Inner Circle if you want to be one of the favorites of God then you need to see the glory of God turn over to Psalms chapter 63 Psalms chapter 63 the psalmist wanted to see the glory of God in Psalms chapter 63 and beginning with verse number one down through verse 5 it says oh God Thou Art my God early will I seek thee my soul thirsteth for thee my flesh longth for thee in a dry and thirsty land where no water is to see thy power and thy Glory so as I've seen thee is in the sanctuary

because thou thy loving kindness is better than life my lips shall praise thee thus will I bless thee while I live I will lift up my hands in thy name my soul shall be satisfies with marrow and fatness and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips just a few moments ago we spent time in worship did you worship god did you truly lift up your voice and praise to his glory did you truly lift up your heart and your soul to God to give Glory unto him folks if you want to be part of God's Inner Circle if you want to be part of the favorites of God then you have to give God glory you have to see the glory of God notice what the psalmist said he said I saw thy glory in the sanctuary you will never

be a part of God's Inner Circle you will never be one of God's favorites if you aren't in church now I have people all the time say well I can be Christian and not go to church and yes you can I can be married and never go home but I don't get the blessings of it and I believe that the Bible will show us that if you want to be part of that inner circle of God if you want to be one of his favorites if you want to truly see God work in your life then it's going to happen in the sanctuary is where you need to be and if you're not going to church then you're not part of that inner circle because that's where we come together to give Glory unto the Lord but it's not only in church that we find

the glory of God but it's also in his word turn over to Second Peter chapter 1 second Peter chapter 1 second Peter chapter 1 beginning with verse number 17 for he received from God the Father honor and Glory when thou when there came such a voice to him from the excellent Glory this is my beloved Son whom I about please now remember Peter was there on the mountain this is what he's referring back to he says he says I was there when the Shina glory of God came came down upon Jesus I was there when the voice of Heaven spoke that my this is my beloved Son I heard the voice of God then look at Verse 18 and this voice which came from heaven we heard when we were with him in the Holy Mount but

then he goes on verse 19 says we have also a more sure word of Prophecy where unto you do well that you take heed as unto a light that shineth in dark place until the day Dawn and the day star arise in your hearts folks we have something that's more better than being on a mountain top and hearing the voice of God we have the very word of God and if you want to be a part of God's Inner Circle if you want to be one of his favorites you need to be in the word of God if you're not in the word of God you're not going to be one of the favorites of God because that's where you're going to see his glory and Peter said listen I was on the Mountaintop what an awesome experience it was but I've got the

word of God that I can open every day and read God's words to me Mark 3: 3 and 4 it says and as he sat upon the Mount of Olives over against the temple Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately tell us when the shall these things be and what shall be a sign when all these things shall be fulfilled these three and Andrew got into this as well but these three came to Christ privately and said listen we want to understand more and folks if all the word of God you get is when you come to church and hear the preaching you're not going to be one of God's Inner Circle you've got to get into the word of God With Private time with the Lord you've got to get with him alone and say God I

want to understand your glory in second Peter chapter 1 again look at verse number three according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that had called us to glory and virtue whereby are given us those exceeding great and precious promises but that that by these you might be partakers of divine nature having escaped the corruption of the world through lust if you want to partake of that divine nature of God that you have as a Christian it's by the the the precious word of God it it's by his word look at verse number nine but he that lackthe things is blind and cannot see a far off and has forgotten he is purged

from his old sins you need the great and precious Promises of God you need to be in the word of God if you want to be one of that inner circle look at second Peter chapter 1 look at verse number 12 wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remance of these things though you know them and be established in the present truth yeah I think it me is as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by putting your remembrance knowing that shortly I must put off my Tabernacle even as our Lord Jesus Christ has showed me moreover I will endeavor that you may be after my decease to have these things always in remembrance for we' have not followed kindly devis fables we made known unto

you the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ where we're e Witnesses of his majesty the thing is folks we have forgotten the glory of God do we come truly to church as we sing those songs and think this is the Christ the son of God who came to die on the cross for me we have forgotten the glory of God and we need to be reminded of that if we want to be part of the Inner Circle in Psalms 108: 1 through3 it says oh God my heart is fixed I will sing and give praise even with my glory awake saltry in heart I myself will awake early I will praise thee Oh Lord among the people I will sing praises unto thee among the Nations and when we're not praising God we're not part of that inner

circle in Isaiah chapter 6 and verse 8 Isaiah said also I heard the voice of the Lord saying whom shall I send and who will go for us then said I here am I send me when Isaiah saw the Holiness of God the glory of God he said God I want to be one of your favorites I want to be part of that inner circle I want to be used of you and so if we want to be part of the inner circle of God we need to remember the power of God expect great things from God attempt great things for God if we want to be part of the Inner Circle we need to remember the glory of God then turn over to Mark chapter 14 Mark chapter 14 and here here's the third occasion where Jesus Took these three men specifically he chose

them out of all the 70 out of all the 12 in Mark chapter 14 and beginning with verse number 32 Mark chapter 14 and beginning with verse number 32 and he came to a place which was named Gethsemane he sayth the disciples sit here while I shall pray and he would and he taketh with him Peter and James and John and began to be sore amazed and be very heavy and saith unto them my soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death Terry you hears wa and watch and went forward a little and fell on the ground and prayed that if if were possible that hour might pass pass from him he said ABA father all things are possible unto thee take away this cup from me nevertheless not what I will but what thou will and he

cometh and find them sleeping and saith unto Peter Simon sayith sleepest thou could not now watch with me one hour watch and pray and Le that lest you enter into temptation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak and again he went away and prayed and spake the same words and we returned he found them asleep again for their eyes were heavy neither was they that what to answer him he cometh the third time and say to them sleep now and take your rest it is enough the hour has come behold the son of man is betrayed under the hands of sinners rise up and let us go Lo he that betrayeth is me is at hand Jesus needed to pray and the 12 went with him but he said you wait here and he took

just three Peter James and John to pray with him folks if you want to be part of God's Inner Circle you need to learn how to pray in Luke 11 disciples came to Jesus said teach us to pray praying doesn't come naturally for any of us praying is something most of us struggle with how many times have you fallen asleep while praying how many times have you got distracted and while praying uh it's it's something that we struggle with J James John and Peter all struggled with it they fell asleep again and again and again at the the time where Jesus needed them the most but what he was showing them is if you want to be one of my favorites if you want to be part of that inner circle you've got to

learn to pray because there's some things that just don't happen without prayer and fasting Matthew chapter 17 they said Lord why couldn't we do that because you don't pray and if you want to see the power of God in 2025 if you want to see God do great things in in and through your life if you want to be a part of that inner circle of God you have got to learn to pray in Philippians chapter 4: 6 and 7 says be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God and the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus go back to John chapter 15 as we close John 15:7 says if

you abide to me and my words abide in you you shall ask what you will and it be done unto you he is my father glorified that you bear much fruit so shall you be my disciples as the father hath loved me so have I loved you continue in my love if you keep my Commandments you shall abide in my love even as I've kept my father's Commandments and abide in his love I want God to choose me now I understand the sovereignty of God and I do not believe he chose Peter James or John because they were something special these were the guys that fell asleep when they were praying these were the guys that that were more concerned about their Glory than God's glory who's going to rule with you in the Kingdom

of Heaven these were guys that over and over again forgot about the power of God Peter walking on the water and then he lost sight of the Lord and started sinking there's nothing special about them but what made them special is God said if you want to be a part of my inner circle if you want to be one of my favorites if you want me to choose you then you need to remember the power of God don't neglect that great salvation don't take it for granted every day you ought to wake up and say the power of God saved my soul from hell you need to remember the power of God as he's worked in your life in the past some of you God has done great things in your life but you've forgotten it you've seen the

miracle of God but you've forgotten it and you've come to a point where you don't expect great things from the Lord and you don't attempt great things for God if you want to be one of those favorites then you need to remember the glory of God it's not about me it's about him need to humble yourself and need to give him the glory in all things if you want to be one of that inner circle you need to learn to pray