The Twelve: The Apostle of Small Things

The Twelve: The Apostle of Small Things
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

Society produces individuals who, due to their extraordinary accomplishments, the rest of the world find admirable. This admiration causes us ordinary people to give them the most clicks, likes, and follows, further increasing their popularity. While God can work through these famous individuals, he often works through ordinary, even unimpressive, people. God can use imperfect individuals who recognize their need for a perfect God and choose to follow and serve Him. Join us as we discover more about the twelve disciples and how God used these ordinary men to change the world.

May 12: The Apostle with a Foot-Shaped Mouth

May 19: The Apostle of Small Things

May 26: The Apostle of Passion

June 2: The Apostle of Love

June 9: The Bean Counter

June 16: The Faithful One

June 23: The Tax Collector and the Twin

June 30: The Less, The Zealot and Three Names

July 7: The Traitor

IMPACT Church 101 E. First Ave. Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-3887 [email protected]

The Twelve: The Apostle of Small Things

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 

⁴¹ Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). ⁴² Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). John 1:40-42

1. Andrew had the character to minister in the . (Matthew 17:1)

⁶ Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 

⁷ Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:6-7

²⁷ Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

²⁸ God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 

²⁹ As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Notes:

2. Andrew was the first missionary to the . (John 1:41)

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” John 13:34

Notes:

3. Andrew was the first missionary to . (John 12:20-22)

⁸“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Notes:

4. Andrew saw the value in the gifts. (John 6:8-9)

¹ While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 

² Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

³ “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 

⁴ For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Luke 21:1-4

Notes:

5. Andrew saw the of his ministry. (Acts 2:41)

⁵ After all, who is Apollos?  Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 

⁶ I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 

⁷ It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 

⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 

⁹ For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Notes:

Challenge: How are you being faithful with the little things that God can use to make a big impact?

Answer:

It’s your sins that have cut you off from . Isaiah 59:2a

For everyone has sinned; fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

If you openly declare that Jesus is and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

All Bible verses are from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.