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.
9. James (son of Alphaeus) – often called James the Less
Little is known, but tradition holds he was crucified in Egypt.
10. Thaddaeus (Jude) – passionate for truth
Tradition says he was clubbed to death for preaching Christ.
11. Simon the Zealot – from radical politics to radical love
Former revolutionary, transformed by Jesus. Martyred in Persia.
12. Judas Iscariot – the betrayer
Sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. His fate reminds us that walking with Jesus isn’t enough — we must love Him.
Matthew 27:5 (NLT): “Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.”
Warning: Proximity to Jesus does not equal salvation. Repentance and faith do.
Point 3: Their Message Was Christ Crucified and Risen
1 Corinthians 15:3–5 (NLT): “Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead…”
This is what the apostles preached. This is what they died for. Not religion. Not power. The risen Christ.
John Piper: “Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savouring God.”
Church, the message of the apostles was not ‘be better people’ — it was ‘be born again’. Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is our only hope.
Point 4: The Apostolic Call Is Also Our Call
We are not apostles in the capital-A sense. But we are sent ones.
And just like the apostles, we are called to:
Preach the gospel.
Live sacrificially.
Love deeply.
Endure suffering faithfully.
Bear lasting fruit.
Romans 10:14–15 (NLT): “How can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?”
Like runners in a relay race, the apostles ran their lap, carrying the light of Christ. One by one, they passed the flame… until now, it’s our turn. You and I carry the same gospel they died for.
Gospel Presentation: Christ Crucified, Christ Risen
Friend, do you know this Jesus? The same Jesus the apostles knew?
He lived a perfect life.
He died in your place for your sin.
He was buried.
He rose again on the third day.
He is alive and calling you to repent and trust in Him.
Acts 4:12 (NLT): “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Invitation to Salvation:
Today, Jesus is calling you. Not because you're perfect. But because He is.
Will you repent of your sin and believe in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?
Pray with me:
“Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust You as my Lord and Saviour. Take my life, and use it for Your glory. Amen.”
Final Challenge and Benediction:
Church, the apostles were ordinary men with extraordinary faith in an extraordinary Saviour. Now, you are called to carry that same message.
Go, and follow their example. Go, and proclaim the risen Christ.
Benediction:
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Holy Spirit fill you with boldness.
May you walk in the footsteps of faithful witnesses.
And may you carry the torch of Christ into a dark world — with courage, love, and unwavering faith.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
