Chosen for a Purpose
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Luke 6:12-16
The selection of the twelve apostles was a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry.
It is remarkable to consider whom He chose—not the elite, the scholars, or the religious leaders of the day, but fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary men with flaws and weaknesses.
Yet, these twelve would become the foundation of the church.
Through them, the gospel would be preached to the ends of the earth, and the world would be forever changed.
But before Jesus called them, He spent an entire night in prayer, demonstrating the importance of seeking God before making major decisions.
God chooses whom He wills, consider the story of D.L. Moody, an uneducated shoe salesman, and yet God used him to shake two continents for Christ.
A defining moment in his life was when he heard a preacher say, "The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to Him."
Moody responded, "By God’s grace, I will be that man!"
The apostles were called to a similar consecration, and through their obedience, the world was changed forever.
Just as Jesus chose twelve ordinary men for an extraordinary task, He still calls people today to follow Him and serve in His work.
The question is: are we willing to answer the call?
The calling of the apostles teaches us three important lessons:
(1) The necessity of prayer before making important decisions,
(2) The unexpected nature of those whom God chooses, and
(3) The purpose for which God calls His servants.
Let’s consider these truths as we examine Jesus' calling of the Twelve in Luke 6:12-16.
I. The Priority of Prayer Before the Calling
I. The Priority of Prayer Before the Calling
12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Jesus, though fully God, was also fully man, and He depended on communion with the Father in all aspects of His ministry.
Before selecting the twelve apostles, He spent an entire night in prayer, showing us the vital role of prayer in decision-making.
This moment in Jesus' ministry reveals three critical aspects of prayer:
A. The Devotion of Christ's Prayer
A. The Devotion of Christ's Prayer
Prayer was not an afterthought for Jesus—it was His priority.
He often withdrew from the crowds to spend time alone with the Father (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16).
In this passage, He prayed all night before making a decision that would shape the course of history.
If the sinless Son of God saw the necessity of seeking the Father’s guidance, how much more should we?
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Martin Luther, was a great leader of the Protestant Reformation, and he understood the necessity of prayer.
He once said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”
That seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it?
Our natural response to a busy day is to cut things out, to find ways to be more efficient.
But Luther knew that prayer wasn’t an interruption to his work—it was the source of his strength.
If Luther, a man who shaped church history, prioritized prayer in this way, how much more should we?
If Jesus, the Son of God, saw the need to pray before making major decisions, how can we afford not to?
B. The Dependence on God’s Will
B. The Dependence on God’s Will
Jesus did not make decisions based on human reasoning or external appearances.
He sought the Father's will above all.
This is a vital lesson for us today.
Before making significant life choices—whether regarding marriage, career, ministry, or other commitments—we must learn from Jesus’ example and seek the Lord's guidance through prayer.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.
Before Hudson Taylor became one of the greatest missionaries to China, he spent years praying about God’s will for his life.
He wasn’t a wealthy man, nor was he particularly influential.
But he believed that “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”
Taylor didn’t rush into missions with a half-formed plan.
He bathed the decision in prayer.
As a result, his life impacted millions for Christ, and the China Inland Mission was born.
The question is—do we trust God enough to wait on Him?
Are we depending on His wisdom or our own?
Before making major decisions, do we pause to seek His guidance, or do we push forward with our own understanding?
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
God's will is always best, and when we surrender our plans to Him, He leads us in the right direction.
Many make the mistake of acting first and praying later, but Jesus teaches us that prayer must precede decision-making.
C. The Duration of His Prayer
C. The Duration of His Prayer
The fact that Jesus prayed all night underscores the seriousness of this decision.
This was not a casual or hurried prayer but deep, focused communion with the Father.
There are moments in life that require extended prayer, times when we must wrestle with God in prayer before making a move.
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
17 Pray without ceasing.
We live in a fast-paced world where decisions are often made in haste, but God's work must be bathed in prayer.
If Jesus spent the night in prayer before choosing the apostles, should we not also spend significant time in prayer before making life-altering choices?
George Washington, during the Revolutionary War, was often found on his knees in prayer.
His dependence upon God in critical moments shaped the course of our nations history.
He recognized that wisdom and strength come from the Lord.
One of the most famous images of George Washington is a painting of him kneeling in the snow at Valley Forge.
His troops were cold, starving, and on the brink of defeat.
But instead of relying solely on his military strategies, he sought the wisdom of Almighty God.
He understood that no victory was worth winning without God’s guidance.
If one of the greatest military leaders in history knew that prayer was essential before a battle, how much more should we make it a priority before the decisions that shape our lives?
If the first president of the United States knew the value of prayer, how much more should we as believers seek God before making important decisions?
I recently saw a video of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson talking about how he and some of the other leaders in congress gather regularly around a table and pray together for God’s leadership.
That gave me great hope in the direction we are going.
What major decisions are you facing today?
Have you spent time in earnest prayer about them?
Have you sought the Lord's wisdom and waited for His direction, or are you rushing ahead with your own plans?
Jesus' example calls us to seek God first and trust Him with the results.
II. The People Chosen for the Calling
II. The People Chosen for the Calling
13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
A. An Unexpected Selection
A. An Unexpected Selection
These were not religious scholars or influential leaders but common men.
God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
William Carey, the father of modern missions, was nothing more than a simple shoemaker.
When he felt called to preach the gospel in India, many religious leaders told him to sit down and be quiet.
They didn’t believe that someone like him—a poor, uneducated man—could be used by God.
But Carey refused to be discouraged.
He once declared, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”
He went on to translate the Bible into multiple languages and laid the foundation for missions as we know it today.
God didn’t choose a wealthy theologian; He chose a humble servant.
Just like the apostles, Carey was an ordinary man who answered an extraordinary call.
B. A United Group with Diverse Backgrounds
B. A United Group with Diverse Backgrounds
Peter, Andrew, James, John – Fishermen, hardworking but impulsive.
Matthew (Levi) – A tax collector, despised by Jews for working with Rome.
Simon the Zealot – A political activist, opposite in ideology to Matthew.
Judas Iscariot – The betrayer, a sobering reminder that proximity to Christ does not guarantee faithfulness.
One of the greatest examples of unity despite differences is the relationship between John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield.
These three men were all passionate preachers of the gospel, but they had significant theological differences—so much so that they often debated each other!
And yet, despite those disagreements, they maintained a deep respect for one another.
Near the end of his life, Whitefield was asked if he thought he would see John Wesley in heaven.
His response? “I fear not, for he will be so near the throne of God, and I at such a distance, that I shall hardly get a sight of him.”
The apostles were different men with different temperaments, but Jesus used them together for His glory.
The same is true today—God calls people with different backgrounds, personalities, and skills, but we are united in our purpose.
C. A Unique Purpose for Each Disciple
C. A Unique Purpose for Each Disciple
Though different, each one had a role in God’s plan.
Some (Peter, James, John) became key leaders; others worked behind the scenes, yet all were essential.
God still calls ordinary people to serve in His church today.
He uses people from all backgrounds, abilities, and personalities to accomplish His work.
Do not think you are unqualified to serve the Lord?
God delights in using the weak to display His strength.
The church functions best when each member embraces their role, whether it be teaching, singing, ushering, witnessing, or simply encouraging others.
Be faithful in your calling, no matter how big or small it may seem. God’s plan includes you!
A symphony orchestra is made up of many different instruments—violins, trumpets, flutes, drums.
Each has a different sound, a different function.
Some play melody, others harmony, and some keep the rhythm.
Alone, they may not seem significant, but together, they create something beautiful.
That’s how God’s work functions.
You may not be called to preach like Peter, but you might be an encourager like Barnabas.
You may not be a public speaker, but your service behind the scenes is just as vital.
The church is strongest when every member embraces their God-given role.
God places different people in His work, but when surrendered to Him, they fulfill His divine melody.
III. The Purpose Behind Their Calling
III. The Purpose Behind Their Calling
16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
A. Called to Be With Him
A. Called to Be With Him
Before sending them out to do His work, Jesus first called the apostles to Himself.
The foundation of any ministry is not activity but a relationship with Christ.
Many people want to serve but neglect personal communion with Jesus.
14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Charles Spurgeon once said, “If I have any message to give from my own bed of sickness, it would be this—if you do not know Christ intimately, pressing into Him daily, all your service will be empty.”
How easy it is to get caught up in doing things for God and forget to simply be with Him.
Before the apostles were sent out, they were first called to be with Him.
The same is true for us—service is good, but without a relationship with Christ, it becomes lifeless.
The first responsibility of every believer is to walk with the Lord daily in prayer and in His Word.
Before focusing on what you can do for God, prioritize your time spent with Him.
Service without devotion leads to burnout.
B. Commissioned to Serve
B. Commissioned to Serve
Jesus did not call these men to a position of honor, but to a mission of sacrifice.
Their purpose was to preach the gospel, minister to people, and carry forth the message of salvation.
C.T. Studd was a famous English cricketer who had everything—wealth, fame, and success.
But he gave it all up to become a missionary.
He once wrote, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Studd could have remained comfortable in his earthly success, but he knew there was a higher calling.
Just as Jesus sent out the twelve, He sends us out to serve.
The question is: Are we willing to leave behind worldly distractions and obey His command?
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
True discipleship is not just about knowledge but action—putting faith into practice.
Every Christian has a mission.
God does not call us to be spectators but active participants in His work.
Whether through witnessing, discipling, or acts of service, we are to be laborers in the harvest.
C. Consequences of Rejecting the Calling
C. Consequences of Rejecting the Calling
Among the twelve, one name stands out—Judas Iscariot.
Though chosen, he never truly followed Christ in his heart.
His life is a tragic reminder that being near Jesus is not the same as belonging to Him.
70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
In Acts 24, Paul stood before Felix, the Roman governor, and preached about righteousness and judgment.
The Bible says Felix trembled.
He was convicted!
But instead of repenting, he said, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”
But that season never came.
Felix was close to salvation, just as Judas was close to Jesus, but he rejected the call.
It’s a tragic reminder—proximity to the truth does not equal transformation.
Judas was close to Jesus but loved money more (Matthew 26:14-16).
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
It is possible to be in church, serve in ministry, and yet never truly surrender to Christ.
Examine your heart: are you merely near Jesus, or do you truly follow Him?
Charles Spurgeon once said, "The greatest tragedy is not the man who fails, but the man who succeeds in the things that do not matter."
Judas pursued worldly gain and lost his soul.
What are you pursuing today?
Are you investing your life in things that matter for eternity?
Conclusion
Conclusion
The calling of the twelve teaches us three vital lessons:
Seek God’s wisdom in major decisions.
Recognize that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.
Prioritize a relationship with Christ above all else.
Imagine the impact if each of us fully surrendered to God’s calling, just as these disciples (except Judas) did.
Jim Elliot, a missionary to Ecuador, gave his life bringing the gospel to an unreached people group.
Before his death, he wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
What are you holding onto that keeps you from fully following Christ?
Are you willing to surrender your plans, your ambitions, your fears, and simply say, “Lord, here am I, send me”?
The early church was built on their obedience—what could God do with a fully committed life today?
A missionary once said, "If God calls you to be a missionary, don’t stoop to be a king."
The highest calling is not earthly success but fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.
Are you listening for God’s call?
Have you surrendered your life to His purpose?
Perhaps today, He is calling you to deeper devotion, service, or salvation.
Don’t delay—respond to His call today!
