JESUS PREPARED THEM BEFORE HE SENT THEM
“Called First, Prepared Next, Sent Finally”
Main Text: Mark 3:13–15 (KJV)
“And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:”
Central Thought
Jesus did not merely call His disciples; He prepared them for what He called them to do.
INTRODUCTION — THE CALL IS NOT THE SAME AS THE PREPARATION
There is a difference between being called and being prepared.
You can be called today and still need preparation for tomorrow.
A young person may be accepted into medical school, but that does not mean you want them performing surgery tomorrow morning!
They have been accepted.
They have potential.
They have entered the process.
But they still need to be prepared.
They need classrooms.
They need books.
They need instructors.
They need laboratories.
They need clinical experience.
They need correction.
They need supervised practice.
Why?
Because calling gives you an assignment, but preparation equips you to carry it.
When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, and the others, He did not immediately say:
“Now go change the world.”
He spent approximately three years preparing them.
Think about who Jesus chose.
They were not perfect men.
Peter was impulsive.
Thomas struggled with doubt.
James and John could be ambitious and hot-tempered.
Matthew had been a tax collector.
Simon the Zealot came from a radically different political background.
And Judas would ultimately betray Him.
Yet Jesus looked at these imperfect men and saw what they could become after spending time in His hands.
That's preparation!
Jesus took ordinary people and prepared them to do extraordinary things.
And here's the message for the church:
God doesn't call us because we're already finished. He calls us and then begins preparing us for what He knows we can become.
1. JESUS PREPARED THEM BY CALLING THEM AWAY FROM THEIR OLD LIVES
Matthew 4:18–20 (KJV)
“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”
Look carefully at Jesus' words:
“Follow Me, and I will MAKE you…”
He didn't say:
“You're already ready.”
He said:
“I will make you.”
Peter knew how to catch fish.
Jesus was going to teach him how to catch people.
Preparation required leaving something behind.
Sometimes God cannot prepare us for the new while we insist on holding onto the old.
Illustration
When a person enters military training, they don't dictate the schedule. They enter a new discipline because they're being prepared for an assignment greater than themselves.
Preaching Thought
“Jesus doesn't only call us FROM something; He calls us TO something—and then He makes us ready for it.”
2. JESUS PREPARED THEM BY LETTING THEM BE WITH HIM
This may be one of the most important points.
Mark 3:14 (KJV)
“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,”
Notice the order.
WITH HIM — before SENT BY HIM.
Before they preached Jesus, they had to know Jesus.
Before they represented Him, they had to spend time with Him.
They watched Him pray.
They watched Him heal.
They watched Him forgive.
They watched Him handle opposition.
They watched Him deal with sinners.
They watched Him respond to criticism.
They watched Him show compassion.
Jesus wasn't merely giving lectures.
His life was their classroom.
Application
We cannot properly work for Jesus if we refuse to spend time with Jesus.
Prayer prepares us.
Worship prepares us.
The Word prepares us.
His presence prepares us.
Preaching Line
“Before Jesus put something in their hands, He put something in their hearts.”
3. JESUS PREPARED THEM THROUGH HIS WORD
Matthew 5:1–2 (KJV)
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,”
Jesus was constantly teaching His disciples.
He taught them about:
Faith.
Prayer.
Forgiveness.
Humility.
Money.
Marriage.
Serving.
The Kingdom.
The Holy Spirit.
His death and resurrection.
And His return.
They couldn't properly represent a Kingdom they didn't understand.
Illustration
Before someone represents a company, they receive training. The company doesn't want the employee giving customers whatever answer comes to mind.
Likewise, we represent Christ.
We must know His Word.
Application
Zeal without knowledge can hurt people.
Good intentions aren't enough.
Prepared disciples are students of the Word.
4. JESUS PREPARED THEM BY GIVING THEM HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Jesus didn't keep the disciples in the classroom forever.
Eventually He sent them out.
Luke 9:1–2 (KJV)
“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”
This was preparation through participation.
Jesus allowed them to practice what they had been learning.
That's discipleship.
Watch Me.
Learn from Me.
Now you do it.
Then come back and we'll talk about what happened.
Illustration
You cannot learn to swim only by reading a book about swimming.
Eventually somebody has to get into the water.
There comes a point when preparation requires participation.
5. JESUS PREPARED THEM THROUGH THEIR FAILURES
This is important because the disciples did not get everything right.
Peter tried to walk on water and began sinking.
The disciples argued about who was greatest.
They failed to cast a demon out of a boy.
James and John wanted positions of honor.
Peter rebuked Jesus.
And eventually Peter denied Jesus three times.
Yet Jesus continued working with them.
Luke 22:31–32 (KJV)
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
Jesus knew Peter would fail.
But He also knew Peter's failure did not have to be final.
Notice:
“When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
Jesus saw Peter's future beyond Peter's failure.
Preaching Line
“Sometimes God uses what embarrassed you yesterday to prepare you to strengthen somebody tomorrow.”
Failure becomes preparation when we repent, learn, and allow Christ to restore us.
6. JESUS PREPARED THEM TO BECOME SERVANTS
The disciples had to learn that Kingdom greatness was different from worldly greatness.
Mark 10:43–45 (KJV)
“But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Jesus even washed their feet.
Why?
Because He was preparing leaders who needed to understand:
Leadership is not about being served.
Leadership is about serving.
Jesus had to prepare their character before entrusting them with His church.
Application
Talent may open a door.
Giftedness may attract attention.
But character determines whether you can remain where your gift takes you.
7. JESUS PREPARED THEM FOR LIFE WITHOUT HIS PHYSICAL PRESENCE
The disciples had become accustomed to Jesus being physically present.
But Jesus knew Calvary was coming.
He knew He would rise again.
He knew He would ascend.
So He prepared them for the Holy Spirit.
John 14:16–18 (KJV)
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
Jesus was preparing them for transition.
Things were about to change.
They would no longer physically walk beside Jesus through Galilee.
But they would not be abandoned.
The Holy Spirit would dwell within them.
