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The Twelve Disciples, the First Evangelists by Faith

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(Mark 6:12-13)

They went out and preached that people should repent.
They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

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When Jesus told the gospel in this world, many people followed Jesus.

They heard the news about Jesus and came from different places.

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Among them, there were the 12 disciples whom Jesus chose specially.

Jesus allowed them to tell the words of God.

And Jesus also gave them power to drive away demons.

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These were their names.

Simon, named as Peter, his brother Andrew and James, nicknamed as "Sons of Thunder" and his brother John were the disciples who followed Jesus as brothers.

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Aside from them, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas Iscariot were the 12 disciples of Jesus.

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Today, Jesus gave a special order to the twelve disciples.

"From now on, you will have a special journey to tell the gospel. But do not bring a bag, food or money on the way."

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And Jesus said. "Just wear your sandals and do not bring extra clothes."

The disciples were curious about these words from Jesus.

They were going on a journey but they were told not to bring anything so they were also worried.

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And Jesus also told them how they should live while on the journey.

"In any town, whenever you enter a house, do not complain and stay there until you leave that town."

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Jesus called the disciples and sent them out two by two. And Jesus gave them power to drive out demons.

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Two by two, the disciples went on a journey to tell the gospel.

They did not bring anything. They relied only onto the words of Jesus.
By faith, they went on the journey to tell the gospel.

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The disciples relied on the words of Jesus in every place and they told the gospel by faith.

"Repent and have your sins forgiven."
Then, amazing things started to happen.

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There were some demon-possessed people but when they heard the gospel from the disciples, the demons went out from those people.

Not only that but sick people were completely healed and their health was restored to them.

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And the disciples did not bring anything on the journey but they always got what they needed so the disciples thanked God a lot.

The disciples experienced miracles when they followed the words of Jesus and acted by faith.

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God is very happy when we tell the gospel to others.

And God prepares everything that is needed in telling the gospel.

Like how disciples acted by faith, when we follow God's words and tell the gospel with faith, God will give us everything that is needed.

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The work that we, the believers of Jesus, should do most eagerly is telling the gospel. Some friends are shy to tell the gospel and some think it is difficult to tell the gospel. Some friends are worried that others might ignore them so they are afraid to tell the gospel.

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But if you believe in God's help and tell the gospel, you can experience the same miracles that the disciples experienced in today's story. So, beloved friends worshipping today, don't worry and try your best to tell about the good news of Jesus. Believe that God will help you. When you do, God will surely give you a great reward.