The Calling Of The Twelve Series

Introduction

The story is told of a group of men who had been sailing in the Atlantic Ocean when they came too close to shore and crashed against the rocks. Out of concern for other sailors in similar conditions, the surviving group determined to build a lighthouse to warn others of the impending dangers ahead. Those who did not see the light were rescued by those who had built and operated the station.

As it happened, those who crashed and were rescued had a common bond, so they began to hang out at the station to share stories and time together. As they worked and drew more people in, the rescue station began to evolve. With so many people there became the greater need of improved facilities. They began installing more comforts to accommodate their gatherings, put together a few fundraisers to pay for improvements, and even inserted plaques around the place to commemorate those who had served so faithfully.

In time speakers were brought in to help people adjust to their new lives in the rescue station. They were taught how to rescue people, the benefits of rescuing people, and of the need to start other rescue stations up and down the coast. The more they met the more they built and added on and got together, but in doing so they spent less time actually rescuing people. “I don’t want to get wet!” “It’s cold out there!” “Can’t we hire someone to come in and watch for people so we can continue our meetings?” (Credit: Kevin Higgins)

Sounds an awful lot like church doesn’t it? In many ways, we’ve become more concerned with comforts, preferences, and programs than the life-saving ministry of the gospel which reaches out and drags people from sin’s destiny. I remember just a year ago, the church wasn’t in the building. We were mobilized because of COVID. Now we slowly drift back to old patterns. Enough.

Today we’re looking at twelve men Jesus called to be his disciples. Twelve ordinary men were called to do extraordinary ministry. Twelve men would never land a job as a pastor of a church. Men who were bombastic, prideful, crass, outcasts, but willing to answer the call, follow the Master, and leave behind their life.

John McArthur wrote his book called 12 Ordinary Men, “If you were going to recruit a team to alter the course of history, how would you begin? Jesus began with a walk by the lake. “Follow Me.” The Master told them. And they did. Thus began His uncommon mission with twelve most common individuals: men who would become Christ’s very first disciples. Have you ever considered who Jesus didn’t choose for His inner circle? He didn’t select a rabbi. He didn’t recruit scholars. He didn’t look within the religious establishment to build His team. Any of these would have given Him an inside track with those in power. Instead, he assembled a ragtag bunch of folks with unimpressive resumes. Jesus wasn’t looking for religious superiority or extraordinary talent. Jesus wanted ordinary people – people with hopes and dreams of their own, but people who were willing to leave their lives behind to follow the Savior. People like you.”

This morning we’re going to take a brief look at these disciples. We could spend weeks coving the life and legacy of these men. I want to provide you a survey of their lives.

1. The Precedence of Prayer

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In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12 ESV)

What keeps you up all night? Sometimes stress over family or your job. What about making a big decision? Most of us would say, ‘let's sleep on it,’ but Jesus spent the whole night praying over who he would choose for his disciples. Have you? From the way we choose pastors to our teachers and helpers, many times we’re happy just to find someone with a pulse and a personality. I know you prayed about calling me as your pastor, but usually selecting a pastor turns into a personality and preaching contest.

Jesus didn’t do any such thing. Listen to me: there was plenty of leadership material and plenty of educated men who knew the Word of God. But when Jesus chose those who would lead in this new endeavor, He chose twelve of the most unlikely and unqualified men. Jesus didn’t conduct a poll. He didn’t make His decision based on who or what was popular or normal. He got away from the crowds and the noise and the busyness and spent a night in prayer. Why? Because God knows what we do not know. God knows who will be faithful. God knows who will take a stand. God sees tomorrow; we cannot – we must put our absolute trust in Him when it comes to choosing those who will lead in our church.