I. God Uses People To Reach The World V. 1a

A. Jesus Called The Disciples

1. The choosing of these men came from Heaven, not Earth

a. Jesus had a specific calling and mission for these men
b. No man or woman can create their own calling from God

i. Some believe that good intentions can substitute for God’s call
ii. Some believe that their personal assets, talents, intellect are enough
iii. Some believe that a logical or noble cause are enough

c. When John the Baptist’s disciple left him to follow Jesus, some were concerned about John losing his following and influence.

i. John 3:27 John answered and said, “A man receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.
ii. Like John, may we be sure of “our calling” as coming from God

2. Jesus called them to Himself

a. Not to an organization or a human spiritual leader. No cult personalities!
b. Not to self rule or self determination
c. Not to a cultural/social movement (His intentions may include this)

3. God calls all Christians to do good works. Works ordained/directed by God
See Ephesians 2:8-10

a. We are His-Christians do not belong to themselves, but to God
See 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
b. Created- to form, shape, to completely change or transform
c. Walk- to make one’s way, progress; to make due use of opportunities, to regulate one’s life, to conduct one’s self. (We follow the Lord’s plan)

B. Discerning God’s Calling

1. Remember that Jesus called them to Himself.
2. Relationship w/Jesus is always more important and precedes service to Jesus
3. Jesus’ direction, choice, equipping & sending determined their calling/lives
4. The disciples were ones who spent time with Jesus. They became apostles
5. Christians often want to first become/do something; they skip over relationship w/Jesus.
6. Christians who are seeking their calling in life need to spend time with Jesus

a. Read the Bible. Understand God’s will, discern His voice, study His ways
b. Pray. Seek God’s direction for your life. Ask, seek, knock, and persevere
c. Fellowship w/other Christians
d. Turn from sin; commit yourself to God

II. God’s Equips People To Reach The World V. 1b

A. Jesus Equips His Servants

1. He gave them power- dunamis Jesus qualified them to serve
2. Luke 9:1 He gave them authority- exousia- delegated authority. Authorized
3. Claiming to have power & authority isn’t proof of it. A “Jesus” life is proof
“The Jackass brays mightily but the forest does not tremble. The Tiger’s paw barely presses the fallen leaf, & all rush for shelter!”

B. Jesus Changes His Servants

Luke 6:13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles

1. They were disciples (students) before they were apostles (sent ones)
2. Apostles- literally, sent ones

a. They went from being disciples (students) to being apostles
b. This loosely applies to every Christian: we are all sent to make disciples
c. In a more strict sense, the early apostles were endued with many miraculous powers, and were responsible for establishing church doctrine
d. In this stricter sense,…no modern day apostles w/the same authority

III. God’s Choices Vs. 2-4

A. The Ones Jesus Chose

1. Simon-Peter-fisherman, impulsive, keen and poor spiritual vision, fearless and fearful, high and low opinion of self, would deny knowing Jesus
2. Andrew-
3. James, son of Zebedee– W/ brother John, known as the Sons of Thunder
4. John, son of Zebedee– Also a volatile temper, but became the apostle of love
5. Philip-
6. Bartholomew/Nathaniel– Skeptical-“can any good thing come from Nazareth”?
7. Thomas- the doubter, a skeptic, questioner, pragmatist, needs to see to believe
8. Matthew/Levi the tax collector- a friend of Rome, hated by his countrymen, living for self, stealing from his people, his friends were the vilest of sinners
9. James, son of Alphaeus– Married to sister of Jesus’ mother. That’s all we know
10. Lebbaeus/Thaddaeus–
11. Simon the Canaanite– political zealot against Rome. Valued freedom above life
12. Judas Iscariot, the betrayer- a thief, materialistic, self-seeking, a traitor

B. The Impact Their Lives Made

Matt. 19:28 “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Ephesians 2:20 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
Revelation 21:14 “The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
Do you ever speak before thinking?
Jesus picked one of those!

Do you always feel your in the shadow of other people?
Jesus can use you!

Do you have an explosive personality?
God can temper it!

Are you skeptical like Nathanael?
He will answer your questions!

Are you a doubter like Thomas?

A rip off artist like Matthew was?

Or, are you one who no one knows like James the less?

Are you a radical political activist?
He can make you radically active for him!

He even gave a Betrayer the chance to work with Him!

Who does God Pick for His Band? “Super Stars”? Hardly!
This gives me hope!
If God could take them, fill them w/His Unction & Power, &use them, then there is hope for me!

Here is a test: “Do you see Goliath too big to kill? Or, too big to miss?
If your answer is too big to miss – You got the job!

Tell the Lord, “I can’t hold much, but I can overflow a lot!”