THE ELEVEN CLUB

SCRIPTURE: “And afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” Mark 16:14,15
1. After Jesus’ resurrection [reported by Mary Magdalene]...
2. As they [the disciples] were reclining...
3. Jesus appeared to the disciples, and reproached them...
4. He reproached them for not believing that He was risen as reported, and for their hardness of heart.
What they knew should’ve supported the expectation of His return, enough to trust, rather than doubt the observation and the report of Mary Magdalene. Mary was the ‘text message’ and they all chose to ‘delete.’ Jesus confronted their thesis, upon which rested their inappropriate feelings, with His own direct appearance. Setting the record straight, He showed them grace, and continued to offer the privilege to get up and go; there’s the gospel to give and a world to reach. [Even an apostle can benefit from correction]. It would seem however that the ‘Eleven Club’ is alive and well, even now. We have the report. We understand ‘Him risen.’ We offer ‘the’ profession of faith. We enjoy oodles of Sunday sermons and Christmas plays and Good Friday services and ‘Easter’ dinner conversations and lectures on apologetics & amp; polemics and Messianic podcasts and gospel music, spirituals, anthems and hymns; but, in many, if not most instances, we, like them, are ‘reclining at the table’ while the commission to “make disciples” bumps against our comfort or discomfort. “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” [Romans 10:17] “...Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” [Mark 16:15] “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God...” [Ephesians 2:8]
The mechanics of the commission are simple and straightforward: Go and sow, and then let go! The transformational testimonies are as diverse as there are people and circumstances. Keep it simple, saints! Go and sow, and then let go...and if so called, then ‘water.’ Reach and stretch. Give God the glory. Someone nearby awaits you. When Joshua assumed leadership for the fate of the Israelites following the death of Moses, we have the mandate much as he to “Only be strong and very courageous, be careful to do according to all ‘the law’ which Moses My servant had commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go...Have I not commanded you Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go [Joshua 1:7, 9].” Joshua was called to set foot to the place he’s been called to, bringing the people. We all have been called to set foot to the plan God has...to place our full weight and being upon it, to trust. “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.” [Joshua 1:3]
[Every plan on which your entirety rests, He has given it to you, just as He set it to promise]. The bounty from our obedience rather than a place, will be the numbering of saved souls, and disciples developed, the restoring of families and neighborhoods, and the dissipation of manifold fears, as faithfulness crops up all around: all to the pleasure of the Lord. Let the church say ‘Amen.’ Our success is in the pleasing of God.
[Deacons, make ready the pool]
PRAYER: Dear Lord, move me like a Joshua with a certain assurance, and quicken my gift like with Mary Magdalene, that the breadth and depth of my sharing will be both confident enough, bold enough, and progressively selfless, to bless Your heart... that I run to be satisfying to You...that with patience I gladly endure. Your perfect will be done I pray. Amen and Amen.
By Bro. Brockington
2. As they [the disciples] were reclining...
3. Jesus appeared to the disciples, and reproached them...
4. He reproached them for not believing that He was risen as reported, and for their hardness of heart.
What they knew should’ve supported the expectation of His return, enough to trust, rather than doubt the observation and the report of Mary Magdalene. Mary was the ‘text message’ and they all chose to ‘delete.’ Jesus confronted their thesis, upon which rested their inappropriate feelings, with His own direct appearance. Setting the record straight, He showed them grace, and continued to offer the privilege to get up and go; there’s the gospel to give and a world to reach. [Even an apostle can benefit from correction]. It would seem however that the ‘Eleven Club’ is alive and well, even now. We have the report. We understand ‘Him risen.’ We offer ‘the’ profession of faith. We enjoy oodles of Sunday sermons and Christmas plays and Good Friday services and ‘Easter’ dinner conversations and lectures on apologetics & amp; polemics and Messianic podcasts and gospel music, spirituals, anthems and hymns; but, in many, if not most instances, we, like them, are ‘reclining at the table’ while the commission to “make disciples” bumps against our comfort or discomfort. “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” [Romans 10:17] “...Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” [Mark 16:15] “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God...” [Ephesians 2:8]
The mechanics of the commission are simple and straightforward: Go and sow, and then let go! The transformational testimonies are as diverse as there are people and circumstances. Keep it simple, saints! Go and sow, and then let go...and if so called, then ‘water.’ Reach and stretch. Give God the glory. Someone nearby awaits you. When Joshua assumed leadership for the fate of the Israelites following the death of Moses, we have the mandate much as he to “Only be strong and very courageous, be careful to do according to all ‘the law’ which Moses My servant had commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go...Have I not commanded you Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go [Joshua 1:7, 9].” Joshua was called to set foot to the place he’s been called to, bringing the people. We all have been called to set foot to the plan God has...to place our full weight and being upon it, to trust. “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.” [Joshua 1:3]
[Every plan on which your entirety rests, He has given it to you, just as He set it to promise]. The bounty from our obedience rather than a place, will be the numbering of saved souls, and disciples developed, the restoring of families and neighborhoods, and the dissipation of manifold fears, as faithfulness crops up all around: all to the pleasure of the Lord. Let the church say ‘Amen.’ Our success is in the pleasing of God.
[Deacons, make ready the pool]
PRAYER: Dear Lord, move me like a Joshua with a certain assurance, and quicken my gift like with Mary Magdalene, that the breadth and depth of my sharing will be both confident enough, bold enough, and progressively selfless, to bless Your heart... that I run to be satisfying to You...that with patience I gladly endure. Your perfect will be done I pray. Amen and Amen.
By Bro. Brockington
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
2 Comments
Amen and Amen!? Thanks my brother for this encouraging and convicting devotional!🙏🙏🙏
Amen🙏🏽 Thank you Bro. Neal for reminding us if our purpose in life for His glory🙏🏽