What ever happened to the apostles?

2. What ever happened to the apostles?

3. Let’s learn more about one of the apostle

4. Let’s learn more about one of the apostle • James = Greek form of Jacob “heel grasper; trickster” • See handouts

5. Leonardo da Vinci

6. James the Lesser and da Vinci?

7. Map of the Apostles

8. Discussion Questions • Would it be good for us and for the Church if there were no unanswered questions? Why or why not? • No, we would have no reason to dig deeper into Scripture, no need for faith, cf. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” • What can we learn from the fact that the disciples themselves asked questions to the very end? • So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) • We will not know it all this side of heaven either

9. Discussion Questions • Did the sublime conviction of Paul mean that all of his questions were answered? What is Paul saying about his questions in these passages? • 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:9-12) • 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)

10. Discussion Questions • Did the sublime conviction of Paul mean that all of his questions were answered? What is Paul saying about his questions in these passages? • 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:9-12) • 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9) • No; Paul is saying these questions will not be answered now.

11. Discussion Questions • What comfort is there for us in the realization that among the Twelve there were men of whom we know nothing at all today? • Much like most of Christians, unsung saints are the majority of the Christians of all time • Why does the Bible not answer all of our questions, even about what happened to the apostles? • Bible’s goal is to tell us about our Savior, not answer all our questions cf. John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

12. Discussion Questions • What was the real distinction of James the Lesser, of whom we know only his name? • Another unsung saint, another faithful apostle • How are we like James the Lesser? • Being unsung ourselves, doing our works of love without another watching or noticing except God. • How many people will know what we did or even our names 2000 years from now?!

13. James the Lesser • We praise you, Lord, for Philip, / Blest guide to Greek and Jew, • And for young James the faithful, / Who heard and followed you. • Oh, grant us grace to know you / The victor in the strife, • That we with all your servants / May wear the crown of life. • - CW 552 By All your Saints Still Striving