Go! And Follow The Example Of The Apostles - Matthew 10:1-4 Series

Go! And Follow the Example of the Apostles Matthew 10:1-4

Introduction: Who Were These 12 Ordinary Men?

Imagine being chosen for something world-changing… not because of your qualifications, but in spite of them. That’s what happened when Jesus called the twelve apostles. Fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and others — not society’s elite, but those whom Jesus chose to walk with Him, learn from Him, and eventually turn the world upside down.

Matthew 10:1–4 (NLT): “Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. Here are the names of the twelve apostles:

First, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother),

James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother),

Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector),

James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus,

Simon (the zealot),

Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).”

These weren’t superheroes — they were flawed, ordinary men. But Jesus saw beyond their flaws. He called them, empowered them, and sent them. That’s our calling too.

Luke 6:12–13 (NLT): “One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles.”

The word apostolos (?p?st????) means "one who is sent with a message" — a delegate, ambassador, or envoy. These men were sent by Jesus with divine authority, not their own.

Point 1: Chosen by Christ — Not Perfect, But Purposeful

John 15:16 (NLT): “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit…”

Jesus didn’t pick these twelve men by accident. He deliberately called them for purpose. They were chosen, not because of who they were, but because of what Jesus would do through them.

Max Lucado: “God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.”

Church, aren’t you glad God doesn’t wait for you to be perfect before He uses you? He simply says, “Come, follow Me.” He’ll do the rest. If Jesus can use impulsive Peter, doubting Thomas, and even a tax collector like Matthew — He can use you.

Don’t disqualify yourself because of your past. If you belong to Jesus, He has already called you to bear fruit.

Point 2: Apostolic Faithfulness and Human Failure

Let’s briefly look at each of the 12 Apostles and what we know about them — not just who they were, but what happened to them and how their lives speak to our faith today.

1. Simon Peter – the outspoken leader

A fisherman called to be a “fisher of men.” Denied Christ three times, but restored and used powerfully.

Acts 2:14 (NLT): “Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd…”

Church History: Peter was crucified upside-down in Rome, saying he wasn’t worthy to die like Jesus.

Charles Stanley: “Obedience always brings blessing — though not always comfort.”

Peter’s boldness wasn’t about confidence in himself; it was confidence in Jesus. His obedience led to a cross, but his legacy is eternal.

2. Andrew – Peter’s brother, a quiet evangelist

He brought others to Jesus (John 1:41–42). Tradition says he died on an X-shaped cross in Greece.

You don’t need a pulpit to lead others to Christ. Start with the people you know — like Andrew did.

3. James (son of Zebedee) – first apostle martyred

Acts 12:2 (NLT): “He had the apostle James… killed with a sword.”

He gave his life early, showing the cost of discipleship.

4. John – “the beloved disciple”

The only apostle not martyred. Wrote the Gospel of John, 1–3 John, and Revelation.

Revelation 1:9 (NLT): “I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering…”

He was exiled to Patmos, not pampered. Faithfulness led him to solitude, not applause.

Tim Keller: “The gospel is not just the ABC of Christianity, but the A to Z.”

John's long life shows us: gospel living isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon.

5. Philip – the practical questioner

He asked Jesus to “show us the Father.” Jesus replied, “If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father.”

Tradition says he was martyred in Hierapolis (modern-day Turkey).

6. Bartholomew (Nathanael) – the sincere seeker

Jesus said of him: “a man of complete integrity” (John 1:47). Tradition says he was flayed alive.

7. Thomas – the doubter turned missionary

John 20:28 (NLT): “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

Church tradition places him in India, where he was martyred.

R.T. Kendall: “God never turns away an honest doubter.”

Thomas’s doubt didn’t disqualify him — it prepared him for deeper faith.

8. Matthew – the tax collector turned gospel writer

Despised by Jews for working with Rome, but called by Jesus to write His life story. Tradition says he was martyred in Ethiopia.