Rev. Dr. Jamie Russell: The First Gospel Ministers

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Rev. Dr. Jamie Russell: The First Gospel Ministers (Mark 3:13-19)

Rev. Dr. Jamie Russell, senior pastor of Nehemiah Community Church in Houston, Texas and director of the Baptist Student Ministry at Texas Southern University, referred to the challenge of being the first to do something to illustrate the significance of Jesus’ first disciples being the first. Jesus set precedent by calling 12 ordinary men to be his first disciples, which means Jesus will—and still does—use ordinary people. Despite the first disciples being depicted in stained glass, they were not better than we are for doing what Jesus calls us to do.

In calling ordinary people, Jesus issued a challenge to the leaders of his day—and to ours today—that worldly qualifications and credentials may not be adequate for carrying out God’s will. With this word, Pastor Russell cheers his hearers to follow Jesus more confidently, joyfully, hopefully and closely.

This sermon was delivered on May 5, 2019 during the morning worship service at Nehemiah Community Church in Houston.


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