3:16 Ordinary Men

Ordinary Men

What does it take to be a disciple of Christ? Do any of us have the proper schooling? The proper skills? Are any of us perfectly suited to be a disciple? Many of us would believe we are not, but the Lord Jesus chose or appointment broken people just like us to be His disciples.

Let’s take a look at the 12 that Christ appointed and see what their qualifications were.

Mark 3:16

Mark 3:16–19 NIV

16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

For our first four of the twelve appointed we see that they were all fishermen.

Matthew 4:18–22 NIV

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-

Matthew mentions Zebedee to show the two sons will leave their father and the family business to immediately follow Christ.

When it comes to Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas and James scripture gives little information about the profession of these men.

Matthew worked as a tax collector for the Roman government. He would have acquired some education and reputation to achieve this job. His job provided him with considerable wealth.

Do you like tax collectors? They were not going to win a popularity contest in Jesus’ time either.

Jesus didn’t call someone who had great influence but one that would have been hated and called a sinner.

Looking at these men so far…what is your excuse for not following Christ when you are called?

Simon was known as the Zealot. Zealots engaged in politics and anarchy, attempting to overthrow the Roman government. He may have been a politician or a revolutionary.

Would Simon have carried much weight with the Roman government or those in high political or power positions? No.

That leaves us with Judas. Judas would eventually betray Christ. Judas served as the treasurer in Jesus' band, and identifies him as a thief and an embezzler. The Bible doesn’t tell us what he did prior to becoming an apostle. Each of the Gospels identify him as the one who betrayed Jesus.

The twelve disciples were ordinary men whom God used in an extraordinary manner. Among the twelve were fishermen, a tax collector, and a revolutionary. The Gospels record the constant failings, struggles, and doubts of these twelve men who followed Christ. After witnessing Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven, the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples into powerful men of God who we see in Acts, turned the world upside down. The twelve had “been with Jesus” and may the same be said of us!

According the Great Commission () we as disciples are called to make disciples.

Devoted Men

Acts 2:42 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

In this verse the believers are said to have “devoted themselves” to four practices in their new life together.

The teaching of the apostles. Just as the apostles had been instructed by Jesus, so they passed along that instruction to the new Christians.

Fellowship. They did life together.

Breaking of bread. Having meals together and participating in the Lord’s Supper.

Prayer. Not only formal prayers in the temple but also prayer together in their private house worship.

Are you devoted? If not, now is the time!

How are you devoted? How are you serving? Christ did not call or appoint you to just take up a seat in the pew!

Repent and be baptised!

Call deacons to serve the Lord’s Supper.

Scripture in says we must partake of communion in a worthy manner (to be right with God).

repent

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 NIV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:23

partake of bread together

1 Corinthians 11:25–26 NIV

25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:

the representation of the blood of Christ that washes away our sins - lets partake together

Pray

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