Disciples to Apostles - Matthew 10:1-4

📷Introduction: If you were going to change the world, how would you go about doing it? Perhaps today you would hire some type of consulting firm, maybe run ads on television, put up billboards across the country. Maybe you would post on X. Those are some possibilities, right?

Perhaps you might consider doing what Jesus Christ did. When He began His public ministry the very first thing, He did was call disciples to follow Him. His very first disciples were Andrew, Peter, James, and John. They were not ivy league graduates. No, they were fishermen. Do you think you would have chosen fishermen to change the world? Jesus did, and they did change the world.

Later Jesus would call an additional eight (8) disciples to follow Him. This band of twelve men live on even today. Many parents have named their children after them (Andrew, Peter, James, John, Matthew, Thomas, Philip to name a few), and churches around the world are named after them. And get this, every one of the original twelve died martyrs’ deaths except John, who died of natural causes. They live to change the world, and they died changing the world.

For three years Jesus had His disciples watch Him do ministry. They watched the master teacher, the preacher who amazed his audience, the one who had compassion on the multitude and who healed people of various afflictions. Now Jesus is going to send them out to do ministry. To do what He had been doing. There is a good principle here: Watch me do, and now you go and do it.

How are the twelve sent out to do ministry. Out text reveals the movement for us. Three things are happening in these verses. They are:

1. The twelve disciples are called to Him.

2. The twelve disciples are given spiritual power.

3. The twelve apostles are named.

Now, let’s get into our study and see how Jesus was going to change the world by the twelve men that He had chosen. Think about it, the world was change by twelve men who apprenticed under Jesus Christ.

I. The twelve disciples are called to Him – 10:1a

1aAnd when He had called His twelve disciples to Him,

Jesus called each one of the original twelve disciples. He said to them, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19), and they left it all to follow Him. Jesus told them that he was going to make them become “fishers of men”. How? Here is the key – they were going to WATCH Him, learn as disciples, and then He was going to pass the baton to them.

Right now, I want to focus on the call to follow Jesus Christ, and then talk about the call to come to Him – to hear from Him. We need to first follow Him, and then we need to come to Him and hear from Him (this is the purpose of the Scripture). Today we need to be in the Word, and we must allow the Word into our lives.

The first question that every person must answer is this – Has Jesus called you to follow Him? You know He has if you have received Him into your life to be your Savior and Lord. You have been born again (John 3:3). You can know that you are a disciple of Christ if you have responded to the call of Jesus Christ to follow Him (1 John 5:13).

How will you follow Jesus Christ? I believe that there are three ways in which people follow the Lord today. I see this through observation, just watching those who say they are Christians.

1. There is the hit and miss follower.

They have received Jesus Christ, but their lives are so busy that other things are more important, but when they find time, they show up to church, or they read their Bible, or they stop to pray.

Their mantra is, “I’m busy”. They say, there are so many things to do. I’m always busy. So busy in fact that I need to take some time for myself. And they do, at the neglect of their spiritual walk.

2. There is the spectator follower.

The spectator is present at church but is seated in the balcony section watching Christianity unfold below them like a football game. They belong to Jesus but have no skin in the game. They like what they see, but they don’t jump in and participate.

They stand when others stand, sit when other sit, bow their heads when the preacher prays, but other than that, they do a lot of sitting and lots of watching.

3. There is the surrendered follower.

The surrendered follower has put everything on the line to follow Jesus. They have given him their heart, soul, mind, and strength with nothing held back. They understand that they are under new management, and that they don’t belong to themselves anymore. Jesus has their everything!

Now, which of these three types of followers defines your present walk with Jesus Christ? Hit and miss disciple, spectator disciple, or all-in disciple? Where do you believe God wants you? I believe that He wants you all in. Here is what Jesus said,

25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:25–27)

You need to count the cost and make the decision to be an all-in disciple. Jesus had twelve disciples, and all were in, but one. We will look at him a little later.

Matthew 10:1 is about the twelve disciples being called to come to Him – they are being summoned into His presence. (there is another lesson for us – come into His presence often). Jesus is about to share some words with them that they needed to hear, take in and think on. What Jesus was about to give them would radically change their daily lives, and the world around them.

I have read that “the language Matthew uses of “summoning” might be compared to a military commander calling soldiers to gather to give them orders.” (David Platt).

II. The twelve disciples are given spiritual power – 10:1b

1b He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

Jesus gave them power. The word “power” can also be translated, “authority”. In the same way that we have seen the authority of Jesus Christ over sickness, disease, and even death (Matthew 8-9), so now he empowers His disciples. This power would become their credentials.

Pastor David Guzik writes, “the same principle holds true today: whom God calls, God equips. The equipping may not be completely evident before the ministry begins, but it will be evident along the way.”

In our text we see three areas where Jesus Christ gave authority to his disciples. They are:

1. Over unclean spirits (to cast them out).

2. To heal all kinds of sickness.

3. To heal all kinds of disease.

Warren Wiersbe writes, “The apostles heal the sick (“all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease”), cleansed the lepers, casts out demons, and even raised the dead. These four ministries paralleled the miracles that Jesus performed in Matthew 8-9. The apostles definitely represented the king and extended His work.”

Question: Do we as disciples have this same power? Have you ever asked yourself why we don’t see this type of authority happening around us today here in the United States of America? Why is it that we hear about these things in third-world countries from missionaries, but we are not witnessing them here in our modern culture? Is it a faith issue? I don’t think so.

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

2 Timothy 2:15

First, I do want to remind us that these words were directed to the original twelve (12) disciples – they are listed by name here in our text. Keep in mind that Jesus Christ was still among them. Second, the Church had not yet been born. The Church wasn’t born until Acts 2, on the Day of Pentecost. Supernatural signs helped in the process of establishing the Church. Third, the whole reason Jesus gave this power (authority) to His disciples was too authentic that they were His disciples, and that their message also came from God.

Do Christians today have the same power and authority over demons, sickness, and disease? I would say, yes! But I would also add, not to the same degree. And by that, I mean, how many of you are seeing leprosy, blindness, paralysis, fevers, and the dead being raised on a regular basis?

How is God at work today? You have got to hear this. He is at work through His Church (His people). God works His greatest works today through God’s people engaging this lost world. Now, with that all said, I want to remind us that we still have His authority (His power).

When the 120 disciples were told to gather in the Upper Room in Jerusalem and to wait for the Promise from the Father, Jesus said these words to them,

Acts 1:8 - 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Disciples of Jesus Christ today have POWER to be witnesses. You might say, “I can’t speak to people.” Jesus says, “But you shall receive power…” We witness outside of our own limited human capability.

Christianity cannot be lived apart from the Holy Spirit. He is the Christian’s POWER source! Are you plugged into Him? The Bible tells us that…

· We are to be led by the Spirit.

· We are to be filled with the Spirit.

· We are to walk in the Spirit.

The original twelve disciples had power to do signs and wonders, and those of us today have the Holy Spirit, and I remind you what Paul wrote in Romans 8:11,

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you. He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

The Spirit quickened us to new life (Ephesians 2:1,5), and it is the Spirit that empowers us to share that life with others.

Who were the original twelve men that Jesus Christ chose? Let’s find out together.

III. The twelve apostles are listed by name – 10:2-4

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

I want you to notice in verse 2, that the “disciples” of verse 1 are now called “apostles”. There is a title change. The word “disciple” means “pupil, student, or learner”, whereas the word “apostle” means “one sent”. Shortly Jesus is going to send His apostles out to do the work that He had been training them to do. They had watched Him, and now they are going to go and do.

The list of the Apostles

1. Simon – who is called Peter.

2. Andrew – His (Peter’s) brother.

3. James – the son of Zebedee.

4. John – James’ brother, also the son of Zebedee.

5. Philip –

6. Bartholomew – also called Nathaniel.

7. Thomas – called a twin.

8. Matthew – the tax collector (also called Levi).

9. James – the son of Alphaeus.

10. Lebbaeus – whose surname was Thaddaeus.

11. Simon – the Canaanite.

12. Judas Iscariot – the betrayer.

What were the qualifications for being an apostle?

1. They were to have witnessed Christ’s resurrection – 1 Corinthians 9:1

2. They had to have been with Him during His earthly ministry – Acts 1:21-22

3. They had to have been chosen by Him – Ephesians 4:11

4. They had to have been the ones to lay the foundation for the church – Ephesians 2:20

Question: Do we have apostles today? We have people who are “sent out”, but we do not have apostles in the truest sense of the word. Beware of those today who call themselves apostles and claim apostolic authority.

Can you identify with any of the original? Allow me to share some information about them that might help you to relate to them. These were real men, with everyday issues. They were common men. None of them were noblemen. None were highly educated. None of them were wealthy. Four of them were fishermen, one was a national patriot, and one of them was a tax-collector. We don’t know a lot about the rest of them. They are the original twelve.

Insight into the lives of the Twelve Apostles

Let’s walk through the names of the twelve apostles and get to know something about them. First, it is important for us to notice that they are listed in pairs (six-pairs, or couplets). It is believed that they are listed the way that Jesus will send them out on mission. Second, in every passage where the apostles are mentioned, Peter is listed first (Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13).

1. Peter was a leader, but he was also impetuses and quick to speak. Ever been there as a person? Peter was the type of person who opened mouth and inserted foot. Peter, James, and John became pillar of the early church. We see much of them in the early pages of the Book of Acts. The name Peter means, rock, or stone. He was the first to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 16:15-16). Peter wrote two books of the New Testament.

2. Andrew was Peter’s brother, and he was the one who brought Peter to Jesus (John 1:40-42). Andrew was a soul-winner. His name means, manly.

3. James – was quick tempered. He was the first to die a martyr’s death as an Apostle (Acts 12:2).

4. John – was also quick tempered. Jesus called James and John, “sons of thunder”. They wanted Jesus to call lightening down upon people who rejected Him. John became known as the disciple who Jesus loved. He wrote five books of the New Testament. The Gospel that bears his name. First, Second, and Third John, and the book of Revelation.

5. Philip – Jesus found Philip (John 1:43). He too was a soul-winner. He called Nathanael to follow Jesus. However, he also failed when he didn’t realize Jesus’ power over a few fish and bread (John. 6:5-6). His name means, lover of horses.

6. Bartholomew – Identified as Nathanael. Jesus said of him, “A man in whom there is no guile” (John 1:45-49; 21:2). Nothing devious (no deceit) found in this man.

7. Thomas was unwilling to accept the resurrection until he saw the risen Lord. He had to see to believe. Some translations use the words, double-minded. He is often called, doubting Thomas. Thomas is also called, Didymus (meaning the twin).

8. Matthew had his sin follow him (tax collector). His profession was associated with sinners. He hosted a party for sinners, so that they could discover Jesus. Matthew penned the Gospel of Matthew.

9. James the son of Alphaeus – He was called, little, or James the less. Perhaps he was short, or perhaps this was to distinguish him from the other James.

10. Lebbaeus – also called Thaddaeus. He is also known as Judas, son of James (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13).

11. Simon the Cananite – Simon the Zealot.

Chuck Smith wrote, “"Simon the Canaanite", that word translated Canaanite is actually Canaanin. We are told in Luke’s gospel that he was Simon the Zelotes (Luke 6:15).

Now Josephus tells us that the Zelotes were the extreme patriots. These were men who valued freedom above life itself. These were men who were willing to sacrifice their own lives, or even see their own families martyred, in order that they might be free. They preferred freedom to life. They were willing to do whatever is necessary to obtain freedom. They were the ones who rebelled constantly against the Roman government. Simon the Zelotes.”

12. Judas Iscariot has his whole name used to distinguish him from any other person with that name. He was a betrayer, and he did the ultimate betrayal of Jesus Christ to the chief priests.

I have read that his name “May mean a member of the tribe of Issachar, or an inhabitant of Kerioth (Joshua 15:25; Amos 2:2), or one who carried the purse, or one who was strangled. The only disciple that was not a Galilean.” (Liberty Bible Commentary).

Judas Iscariot was a thief (John 12:4-6), a betrayer (Luke 22:1-6), and the one who went out and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5).

Judas Iscariot was replaced by Matthias in Acts 1:21-26.

So, there we have twelve names that changed the world as we know it.

Conclusion: What are the take home truths from these first four verses? They are:

1. You can’t be a disciple without a call from Jesus Christ. Have you been born again (John 3:3).

2. Be quick to come into Jesus’ presence. Receive your marching orders from Him.

3. Today Scripture tells us how to do ministry. You won’t know how to live if you are not reading your Bible.

4. You and I have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.

5. Disciple means “learner”, and Apostle means “sent one”. There is a message here for all of us – learn and then go and do.

6. God uses the personalities of his followers – every apostle was different from the others. The same is true today. Thank God for all the various personalities surrounding us in the Church. Embrace the difference!

7. Choose a character trait that you would like to emulate from the apostles? (Soul-winner, truthful, zealot).

8. What is one negative character trait you would like to avoid from the apostles? (Quick to speak, doubter, betrayer).