Jesus often uses some of the most unlikely people to accomplish some of the greatest, most remarkable things in his world. Perhaps there is no greater example than his choosing twelve ordinary men (one of them even having to be replaced) to be his appointed and commissioned apostles.
This sermon discusses how such ordinary men went on to accomplish such extraordinary things. The secret to their success is no secret at all: they were called and equipped by Jesus to do the work he assigned them. You, too, Christian, have been assigned work to do in the service of your King Jesus, and he equips you to do it well!
Read the full sermon transcript below!
As we begin, perhaps I need to take a moment to avoid some possible confusion. We are continuing in our series of sermons from the Gospel of Mark and have advanced to this morning’s Scripture passage of Mark 3:13-19. But, because Luke’s version of this same event has some information we want to emphasize, our Scripture reading and sermon text is Luke 6:12-19. That is the sermon text that is printed on the second page of your order of worship, where you are encouraged to follow along as we advance forward.
In our sermon series thus far, as we have moved through the accounts of Jesus’ early ministry, we have seen the beginning of a certain polarization against our Lord, which will eventually culminate in his death. At this juncture in the book, an increasing number of the general population of Israel are very favorable toward Jesus, in fact, very interested in and excited about what he has been saying and doing.
And why not? He does what human power cannot accomplish. By the power of God in himself, he heals the lame and the ill. He casts out demons, proving his power over spiritual forces. He openly demonstrates his power over the forces of nature. He teaches with an authority that none of the Jewish religious leaders possess or convey, because he teaches with power from heaven, the power and authority of God. At this early point in Jesus’s ministry, he is gaining a sizeable number of approving followers.
That is very good, indeed, but another group interested in Jesus has been following him, too. These relatively few but immensely powerful men are not pleased, in fact, very resentful and growing angrier, because this new teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, has appeared on the scene and is very popular. The scribes, the Pharisees, and others, such as Herodians and Sadducees, are all powerful leaders in Israel. And there are few things in this world as dangerous as a person with power who senses that his hold on that power is being threatened and that he might lose it.
The Pharisees have come out to where Jesus was ministering, opposing and trying to trap him. But several times already, their efforts have failed, and they have been humiliated in the eyes of the people. Surely, few things could hurt a proud Pharisee more than public embarrassment. As dangerous as a tyrant afraid of losing his power is a tyrant who has been humiliated and looks foolish. The pride-bruised Pharisees are already plotting how they can eliminate their new arch-nemesis, Jesus of Nazareth.
After this sketch of the work of Jesus and his environment, Luke now reveals to us how, rather than retreating from the threat, Jesus moves forward with his plan. And it is a very definite plan: He has come from heaven to inaugurate the Messianic kingdom of God in his world. He has come to undo the damage caused by man’s fall into sin. He has come to liberate the world from what Paul describes as its groaning in bondage under the presence of evil. He has come to redeem people in this fallen world, reconciling them with God, and ultimately, in time and history, to restore to perfection this sin-polluted world as a new heaven and earth.
So, with the appearance of the Son of God in Israel, heaven has invaded earth, and nothing can stop God’s Son from fulfilling the work his Father gave him to do. But what a mission! Transforming the world! Bringing into existence and then growing throughout history a new order—a new heaven and earth. How will he do it? It requires a lot of very devoted kingdom workers, including all of us here today who are Christ’s redeemed people.
That is our role in God’s world. Bear that in mind as we progress through our sermon this morning. God’s great work of world renewal is being carried out in the world by his power, through Christ’s redeemed and renewed people, as the church carries on its great commission—Christ’s great commission for his church to make the nations of the world Christ’s disciples, and the kingdoms of the world Christ’s Kingdom. That’s it! That is our role in life!
We are all immeasurably and inexpressibly glad to be disciples of Jesus Christ, but someone had to be the first among us. Someone had to be the co-founders of this great entity that fills both earth and heaven, namely, the church. Every building must begin with, be raised and built upon, and then stand on a good foundation. Paul later explained in his epistle to the Ephesians that we, God’s redeemed people, comprising together this great spiritual building that is God’s church, have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone (2:20).
In this morning’s sermon text, we see Jesus doing, as it were, the groundwork, organizing the church and laying its foundation. He selects, calls, and equips the very first official leaders—under himself—of God’s Holy Church in its new covenant administration under Christ her exalted head. Twelve ordinary men whom Christ called to be his apostles.
Organizing an entity so grand and setting it up with new leadership is a task more immense than any mere man can even begin to imagine; in fact, only God can do it. Jesus understood the magnitude of the great decision that lay ahead of him—choosing the first church leaders—and he knew how to access the wisdom and power he needed for that task.
In Jesus’ manner of going about his Father’s business, we see a great example of what is to be our own manner of conducting life: everything Jesus did was in perfect harmony with the will of his Father. That is how Jesus conducted his own life, and we are to do the same: conduct our lives in harmony with the will of God. Therefore, before making such an important decision as choosing and ordaining those most preeminent of all church leaders, Jesus sought his Father’s will in prayer. Notice vv. 12: Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
The men Jesus was about to choose and appoint were going to spearhead the worldwide mission of the church in its thousands of years of spiritual warfare and occupation of the lands. How vastly important and absolutely necessary that the right men be selected. So, Jesus prayed. He went off by himself in the mountains, where he prayed all night long. He prayed sincerely, fervently, persistently, communing with God in prayer. He submitted himself to his Father’s will, depending on his Father’s power supplied by the Holy Spirit.
What a great example for us! What a clear example of the importance of prayer and of the priority of God’s will in all the matters of our own lives. Like Jesus, we need to pray! We need to devote ourselves to intercessory prayer and prayers of petition. We need to seek God’s wisdom and will, like Jesus did. We need to pray for the work of the church in the world, like Jesus did. We need to pray for our own church—its members, leaders, and mission.
The next day, Jesus set aside twelve men—twelve ordinary men—for the special calling of serving him as apostles. The word apostle is the English noun of the Greek verb apostello, which means “to send.” An apostle is a person who has been sent, commissioned. As such, he represents the entity that sends him and is clothed with authority to act on behalf of the sender.
For example, an ambassador is one who represents his country before other countries and their leaders, and is empowered to act on behalf of his country: to sign treaties and so forth. In the same way, a sheriff deputizes others to act on his behalf, enforcing the laws of the county and state. The authority an apostle possesses is derived entirely from the sender, the higher power that sends or commissions him to act on his behalf.
These twelve men, chosen by Christ and endowed with his own authority to act on his behalf, would be his ambassadors, his representatives, his commissioned ones. They would speak and act in Jesus’ name and behalf. They would preach the good news of the kingdom. They would heal the sick and perform miraculous works. They would even write the books of the New Testament. They would do all the work that Jesus conferred upon them and authorized them to do in his name. How is that for some heavy responsibility?
After spending the night in prayer, seeking his Father’s will, Jesus selected the men who are named in vv. 14-16.
Peter and Andrew, his brother, along with the brothers James and John. They were all fishermen, a profession known to attract some rough and rowdy characters.
Philip was a fellow townsman of Peter and Andrew. He knew them, so he might have “hung out” with them. Bartholomew is called Nathanael in John’s Gospel. When Philip first tried to introduce Jesus to Nathanael his cynical reply was, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
Matthew, we have learned about in another sermon. He was formerly called Levi and was a tax collector, a highly lucrative but very despised profession in Israel.
Thomas, we know as the one who later would believe in the resurrection of Jesus only if he could see the proof. He did, and declared to the risen Christ, “My Lord and my God!”
James, the son of Alphaeus, was also known as “James the Less,” possibly due either to his young age or a small stature.
Simon the Zealot. The Zealots were a political, revolutionary organization known for their hatred of the foreign rule of Rome and Roman taxation and for their zeal for Israel’s independence. How interesting that a man who had been part of a resistance movement against Roman taxation was called by Jesus to serve alongside Matthew, a former tax collector on Rome’s behalf! There is a fine lesson for us on how the gracious power of Jesus can reconcile hardened relationships.
Then there was Judas, the son of James, also known as Thaddaeus and Lebbaeus and carefully designated in John’s Gospel as “Judas not Iscariot.” It was this Judas who asked Jesus, “Lord, how is it that you will show yourself to us, and not to the world?” He was probably implying that Jesus should show himself to the world, which, of course, he did.
Last to be named in the list of the 12 is the infamous Judas Iscariot. We know about him, of course; one of the most notorious figures in the history of the world. A pawn of the devil, identified by Luke as Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.
Though the subject will have to be taken up in a later sermon in order to address it more fully, let us simply say, within the contexts of our present time restraints, that: yes, our Sovereign Lord knew fully well the evil that Judas would carry out. It was all part of God’s decree in eternity, for fulfilling his great plan of redemption in time.
When you review this roster of men, you find very interesting things about all of them, but nothing extraordinary about any of them. They were normal citizens, people of their region of the world and time in history. Yet before their lives were over, they would turn the world upside down.
The Bible and extra-biblical church history tell us of some of their exploits. They, and Paul who would follow later, are reported to have taken the gospel and established the church all over the world of their day: Europe, Asia Minor, Asia, India, Africa, Persia, and Babylon and beyond. How did it come to be that 12 common men would accomplish such uncommon things? It certainly was not their academic accolades. They were all smart and able men, but they hadn’t attended the Jewish seminary equivalents (except Paul, who would come later).
It wasn’t their bloodlines and pedigrees: We don’t find any royal titles among them—no princes in their ranks, not even governors. It was not that they possessed great authority. They were not the usual religious leaders such as Pharisees or Sadducees.
What was their secret? How is it that twelve ordinary men accomplished the most extraordinary things in the history of the world, except for the accomplishments of the Son of God? How did they do it? It’s no secret at all: they were called and equipped by God through Jesus Christ. Mark explains in his gospel account of the calling of the apostles: Then [Jesus] appointed twelve, that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.
There is a sense in which the calling and work of these men were very unique. There are also, however, several ways in which their calling and role in life were no different from yours and mine. Philip Ryken makes an excellent point about the uniqueness of these men:
They and they alone were called to represent Jesus Christ as his official messengers. In effect, by ordaining these twelve men, God was establishing a new Israel. And the new covenant church is identified this way in Scripture. Just as the twelve sons of Jacob founded the Old Testament people of God, so the apostles established the foundation for God’s new people in Christ. To this day, the church rests upon their ministry. We are “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,” writes Paul in Ephesians 2:20. The apostle John in the book of Revelation provides a grand description of the holy city of the New Jerusalem: Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
These chosen vessels witnessed the life and ministry of Jesus. They witnessed his atoning, sacrificial death, his triumphant resurrection, and his glorious ascension to heaven, where he assumed his throne of rule and power.
Theirs was the apostolic message of the holy apostolic church, that whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved! Yes, the great mission of the new covenant church was entrusted to these men first, and they fulfilled some works of service that no one else can.
Their ministry cannot be repeated; it cannot be duplicated, but it can be and is being continued. There are some things about their “success”—if we may, ever so carefully, say it in those terms—in which you share. Jesus came to this world as the Redeemer and Savior of God’s people in all ages, both old and new covenant. If you are a born-again believer in Christ, you certainly share in that great blessing of everlasting life.
His coming into the world, dying, and rising again was, as we have noted, the beginning of something grand and new: a new beginning of a new kingdom; new life, healing and restoration; reconciliation between God and man; a new heaven and earth. The apostles were the first new covenant kingdom workers, and you share in that work. We are the heirs who continue that great work which began with them—heirs and co-heirs of God, we are with Jesus.
If you belong to Christ, you also share in the calling of the apostles. Like them, you are a citizen of God’s kingdom because he set his affections upon you and effectually called you to himself, Romans 8:28-30: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Having been called by Christ into his kingdom, you, like the apostles, have been equipped by Christ to serve him in his kingdom. God gives each of us abilities and opportunities to use them in his kingdom every day. Thereby, you do your part…you fill your role…you contribute to your calling to be a kingdom worker.
God’s Word exhorts us (Ephesians 2:10): For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. And in Romans 12:6: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.
You, like the apostles, have been called by Christ into his kingdom, equipped by Christ to serve him in his kingdom, and you, like the apostles, have the example of Christ in doing these things. If you look at the next verses in our sermon text you will find that immediately following Jesus’ selection of the twelve apostles, we find him teaching them by his own example how to carry out the work he ordained them to do (vv. 17-19): 17 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
Jesus called his new servants, then took them down and taught them by example how to use their abilities in serving him, doing the work of his kingdom. He has done the same for you and me and every other disciple. We have Jesus’ example in Scripture as our pattern of life. Thus, the apostle Paul exhorts (1 Corinthians 11:1): “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (Ephesians 5:1): Be imitators of God as dear children. (Hebrews 6:12): Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
One more thing: you, like the apostles, have the power of Christ to ensure that your labors in Christ’s kingdom, inasmuch as they are done in Christ’s way by Christ’s will, cannot fail. Luke explains in v. 19 of our text that as the multitude gathered around Jesus and his new apostles, power went out from him and healed them all.
The sovereign power of Jesus Christ oversees and overrules all things in time-space history…causing each and every event, from the greatest to the least…to serve its place…to fulfill its purpose…to fill its role…throughout the great sweep of time…as all things rush toward their appointed purpose…the glorious return and forever rule of our Great Sovereign King Jesus.
And every work you do for Christ now serves its part in bringing that glorious future. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.