HOFC Sermon Archive: Gospel of Mark Part 18: Jesus Appoints the Apostles

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction

2. John the Baptist

3. The Baptism of Jesus

4. Temptation of Jesus

5. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus I

6. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus II

7. The First Disciples

8. A Teacher with Authority

9. At the Home of Simon and Andrew

10. Jesus Cleanses Leper

11. Jesus Heals the Paralytic

12. Jesus and the Tax Collector

13. Jesus Questioned About Fasting

14. Of Wine and Wineskins

15. Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath & Resurrection Sunday 2025

16. Hard Hearts and Hard Thoughts

17. Three Responses to Jesus

18. Jesus Appoints the Apostles

Today is Sunday. May 18^th, 2025

INTRODUCTION

Last week, we had our Mother’s Day sermon about the High Calling of a Godly Woman. In the weeks before, the Gospel of Mark revealed about people with hardened hearts and hardened minds, which prevent people from a relationship with the Lord, and the three responses people have when presented with Jesus (the committed, the curious, and the condemned).

This week, we return to our series in the Gospel of Mark with Jesus appointing the twelve apostles.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Mark 3:13-19

“And He *went up on the mountain and *summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve ((whom He also named apostles) to be with Him and to send them out to preach, 15 and to have authority to cast out the demons. 16 And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), 17 and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”); 18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.”

Appointing and training apostles was essential to the ministry of Jesus and the foundation of the church that the Lord was building.

I know it has become fashionable for some to call themselves apostles today. However, that title and calling have specific scriptural requirements which none of us meet today. We are disciples. This is what Jesus said in Matthew 28 in the Great Commission.

When replacing Judas, Peter states that the replacement apostle must have been:

“...with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us... and must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” – Acts 1:21-22

Who, today, having given themselves the title of apostle, accompanied Jesus during His ministry over 2,000 years ago while He was living among the disciples? Who, today, was an eyewitness to His resurrection?

Luke 6:13 tells us that man does not appoint apostles, but an apostle is a direct calling and appointment by Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself called and named the apostles.

In Galatians 1:1 Paul emphasizes he was an apostle not by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father. This criterion includes Paul, who saw Christ post-resurrection (Acts 9) and was called directly.

2 Corinthians 12:12 – “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.” These signs authenticated their divine commission.

This does not mean that, as disciples, we cannot pray for God to do mighty works, but the signs and wonders of the apostles were instantaneous and miraculous to authenticate their divine commission.

Why? Because they were building the foundation of the church and were therefore granted the position of apostle.

Why are there no apostles today?

Firstly, because they do not meet the biblical requirements of being with the Lord the whole time Jesus lived among the disciples, being eyewitnesses to His death and resurrection, being called directly by Jesus, and being appointed apostles.

Secondly, the explicit purpose and commission of the apostle was to have the authority in the church to build the foundational teachings through recording the eyewitness accounts in scripture.

Apostles had unique authority in doctrine and the foundation of the church:

Ephesians 2:20 – The church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.”

There is no longer a need for apostles, because the foundation has been laid.

In Matthew 28, Jesus says, “go and make disciples…” not apostles.

We have the foundational teachings written by the eyewitnesses to the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus in the word of God.

I. WITNESSES FOR THE RESURRECTION

a. They were chosen to be eyewitnesses to Jesus’ Resurrection

i. Jesus had shown Himself alive through various proofs, Acts 1:1-3

ii. Jesus commissioned them to testify concerning Him, Acts 1:8

iii. Peter explained that the apostles were to be eyewitnesses for the resurrection, Acts 1:21-22

iv. Thus they testified again and again Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15; Acts 4:33; Acts 5:30-32; Acts 10:39-41; Acts 13:29-31

b. They would give a solid foundation for the faith.

i. John 17:20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;”

1. Jesus expects us to believe in Him through their word.

ii. Apart from the gospels and epistles, we know little of Jesus.

iii. But their eyewitness accounts tell us about His life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection.

iv. The manner in which they lived their lives unto death gives credibility to their testimony.

1. They suffered greatly for their faith 1 Corinthians 4:9-12; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

2. Secular history records all but John suffered the death of martyr

3. Many today who claim Christ barely allow themselves to suffer slight inconveniences, let alone trials and tribulations.

v. This is why so many are immature in their faith.

1. The book of James explains that we need trials and tribulations while adhering to our faith to be spiritually mature.

2. Most don’t allow themselves that treasure.

The apostles served the critical role of providing reliable eyewitness testimony that Jesus arose from the dead, giving us a solid foundation for the faith. They also served as ambassadors for Christ.

II. AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

a. Representatives with a message

i. They were sent out to preach the gospel to everyone, Mark 16:15-16

ii. They were given the ministry of “reconciliation” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

iii. Proclaiming that message as ambassadors of Christ 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

iv. Even when they were bound and in prison, Ephesians 6:19-20

b. Retelling the story of Salvation

i. Pleading with all to be reconciled with God 2 Corinthians 5:20

ii. Pleading that others NOT receive the grace of God in vain 2 Cortinthians 6:1

iii. Warning of the danger of refusing Christ and His message Hebrews 12:25-29

iv. And warning that God will be executing vengeance on those who do not belong to Him and “to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

As Ambassadors for Christ, the apostles revealed the good news of Salvation to the world. Who in this world has accepted their message in faithful obedience? They were also teachers for the disciples.

III. TEACHERS FOR THE DISCIPLES

a. Continuing the works begun by Jesus

i. John 16:12 Jesus did not reveal “all things” during His earthly ministry.

ii. In John 16:13-14 we read that the Holy Spirit would reveal all the truth to the apostles.

iii. The Holy Spirit would remind them of the things Jesus said John 14:25-26

iv. Teaching all things that pertain to life and godliness 2 Peter 1:3

b. Becoming the authority for THE CHURCH

i. Acts 2:42 tells us of continuing steadfastly in their doctrine

ii. To receive their words as the word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

1. Ahhh…now we see why so many want to be apostles

2. Power, authority among the people…the same old story

3. This is why some teach the false doctrine of apostolic succession, to give authenticity to their power and authority as one speaking for God.

a. In some cases, they even give themselves titles.

4. Such as

a. Successor of the prince of apostles

b. Supreme pontiff of the universal church

c. Holy father

d. The supreme pastor

iii. Pope Innocent III said, “the pope holds the place of the true God on earth.”

iv. Unfortunately for them, and others who try to lay claim to apostleship, given themselves lofty titles, the apostles Jesus chose and appointed are the only ones who have authority over the church.

Who has authority in the church today if there are no apostles? The Word of God.

Ephesians 2:20 – The church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.”

Not the doctrines of man, not the traditions taught by denominational theology, not the church leaders, not by man given titles, but the word of God.

Jesus continues instructing His Church through His apostles as we continue steadfastly in their teachings. That is, if we are steadfastly continuing in the teachings from the written word of God, which are the apostles’ eyewitness accounts.

IV. FOUNDATION FOR THE CHURCH

a. Together with Christ

i. The church is built upon Christ, the Cornerstone! Acts 4:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:11

ii. The apostles and prophets are part of that foundation (Ephesians 2:19-22)

iii. Their names are even depicted as written on the foundation for the New Jerusalem, which is the Lamb’s Bride (the church) in Revelation 21:9-10, 14

1. How many foundational stones are there in the biblical description? TWELVE…one for each apostle.

b. They serve as the basis of

i. Our FAITH through eyewitness testimony (2 Peter 1:16-18)

ii. Our DOCTRINE through their teaching (Acts 2:42)

iii. Our HOPE through their message (Ephesians 3:5-6)

CONCLUSION

The world owes a great debt to the apostles of Jesus Christ without whom we would know little of Jesus of Nazareth. Without the recordings of eyewitness accounts of the death and resurrection of Jesus in the written word of God by the apostles, we would have little reason to believe in Him.

As disciples of Christ, let us be sure to give the honor and respect that is due to the true apostles by continuing steadfastly in their doctrines, and respecting the authority in the church given to them by Jesus Christ Himself!

Hebrews 2:1-4

“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every trespass and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? That salvation, first spoken by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various works of power and by the distribution of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.”

The moment we begin to drift away from the apostles of Jesus Christ, we begin to drift away from the great salvation made possible by Him

Requirement Biblical Basis

Eyewitness of the resurrected Jesus Acts 1:21–22; 1 Corinthians 9:1

Direct appointment by Jesus Luke 6:13; Galatians 1:1; Acts 9

Signs and wonders as confirmation 2 Corinthians 12:12; Acts 2:43

Foundational role in church/teaching Ephesians 2:20; Acts 2:42

Spiritual leadership and authority 1 Thessalonians 2:6; 2 Corinthians 10–13

NEXT WEEK: “Part 19: The Family of Jesus”

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