Follow Me: How God Uses Ordinary (and Imperfect) People
Originally shared by Jason Bergeron at Gospel Light Church on October 12, 2025.
About This Message
When I first started preparing for this message, I wasn’t sure what direction God would lead me. My first thought was to share a little bit about the disciples and who they were before they followed Jesus, but as I studied and prayed, the Lord began steering my heart in a slightly different direction.
Over time, it became clear that God wanted me to talk about who He chooses to use.
Scripture shows again and again that God doesn’t look for the polished, the powerful, or the perfect; He calls the humble, the broken, and the willing.
That truth resonated deeply with me. Like many of the people in the Bible, I’ve often felt unworthy or uncertain why God would use me at all. But 1 Corinthians 1 reminded me that this is exactly God’s way: He takes what the world calls “nothing” and uses it to show His strength.
This message is less about me and more about the grace of a God who calls the unqualified, equips the willing, and turns weakness into strength.
Most of us have moments where we wonder if God can really use someone like us. Maybe our past feels too messy, our faith too weak, or our skills too ordinary. But if we look closely at Scripture, we see a consistent pattern: God often chooses the least likely people to accomplish His greatest work.
The Apostle Paul captured this truth in 1 Corinthians 1:26–29 (KJV):
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 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; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth, a young group of believers in a wealthy, proud, and morally corrupt city. Much like a modern-day New York or Las Vegas, Corinth was obsessed with status, intellect, and image. The believers there struggled to stay humble and distinct from worldly culture, and Paul reminded them that God doesn’t build His kingdom using power or prestige. He builds it through people who are willing, humble, and faithful.
If you’ve ever felt disqualified from being used by God, take heart—you’re exactly the kind of person God loves to use.
God’s Way Is Not the World’s Way
Paul reminds us that God “chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”
He doesn’t rely on the powerful or influential to accomplish His will. Instead, He uses people the world often overlooks to show that His power, not ours, changes lives.
God flips the world’s logic upside down. The world says, “Be strong, be impressive, and be self-sufficient.”
God says, “Be humble, be faithful, and trust Me.”
The result? No one can boast in their own strength—only in the grace and power of God.
Three Examples of God Using the Unlikely
1. Peter: The Impulsive Fisherman
When we meet Peter, he’s a fisherman, not a scholar or leader. He’s rough around the edges, passionate, and quick to act. And just as quick to stumble.
He walked on water but sank when fear took over (Matthew 14:28–30).
He tried to correct Jesus and got one of the strongest rebukes in Scripture:
“Get thee behind me, Satan.” (Matthew 16:23)
He blurted out nonsense during the Transfiguration, and God Himself interrupted him from a cloud saying,
“This is my beloved Son… hear ye him.” (Matthew 17:4–5)
When soldiers arrested Jesus, Peter drew a sword and cut off a man’s ear (John 18:10).
And even after boldly declaring loyalty, he denied Jesus three times before dawn (Matthew 26:70–74).
After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter still carried guilt and shame. Feeling unworthy, he said, “I’m going fishing” (John 21:3)—returning to the life he had before Jesus called him.
But Jesus met him there on the shore, restored him, and called him again:
“Do you love Me? … Feed My sheep.” (John 21:15–17)
Peter had denied Jesus three times—and three times Jesus reaffirmed him. That moment changed Peter forever.
Despite his flaws, Peter became one of the greatest leaders of the early Church:
He preached at Pentecost, and 3,000 people were saved (Acts 2).
He helped spread the Gospel to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles (Acts 2, 8, and 10).
He wrote two books of the New Testament—1 and 2 Peter—that continue to encourage believers today.
Peter was impulsive, emotional, and imperfect—but he was also willing and faithful. God used him powerfully.
2. Matthew: The Hated Tax Collector
Before following Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector in Capernaum (Matthew 9:9). In that time, tax collectors were despised by their fellow Jews because they worked for Rome—the occupying enemy—and enriched themselves by overcharging their own people.
To his community, Matthew was a traitor. A sellout. A thief.
And yet, that’s who Jesus called.
“As Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9)
Matthew didn’t argue or delay. He simply got up and followed. Soon after, Matthew hosted a banquet for Jesus, inviting many tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees were outraged:
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9:11)
Jesus’ response revealed His mission:
“They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9:12–13)
Jesus met Matthew exactly where he was and used his background to reach others like him.
The same man once driven by greed became the author of the Gospel of Matthew—the longest and most teaching-filled Gospel in the Bible.
Matthew’s story proves that no one is too far gone for God to redeem and use.
3. Thomas: The Honest Doubter
Thomas is remembered for his doubt, but his story is one of faith restored.
When Jesus planned to return to Judea—a dangerous move—Thomas said,
“Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16)
He was loyal, even if pessimistic.
Later, when Jesus spoke of going to prepare a place, Thomas said,
“Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5)
That question led to one of Jesus’ most profound statements:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
After the resurrection, Thomas famously said,
“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25)
When Jesus appeared again, He didn’t scold Thomas. He said,
“Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands… and be not faithless, but believing.” (John 20:27)
Thomas immediately declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)
Jesus replied,
“Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
Thomas’ doubt became the doorway to one of the greatest affirmations of faith in Scripture—and a blessing for every believer who has faith without sight.
What It Means for Us
The stories of Peter, Matthew, and Thomas remind us that God isn’t looking for perfection—He’s looking for willingness.
If you’ve failed, God can still use you.
If you feel ordinary, that’s exactly who God delights to use.
If you wrestle with doubt, anger, or a broken past—take heart. You’re in good company.
Every believer has a circle of influence and a story that God can use to reach others. Sometimes the very things that once made you feel disqualified are the tools God will use to draw others to Him.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry with a command we call The Great Commission:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:19–20)
That command wasn’t just for pastors or missionaries. It’s for every follower of Jesus—ordinary people like fishermen, teachers, parents, students, mechanics, and retirees.
God Is Still Working
The same Jesus who said, “Follow me,” to Peter, Matthew, and Thomas still calls people today.
Don’t disqualify yourself from God’s work, He already qualified you when He saved you.
Paul said it best in Philippians 1:6 (KJV):
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
God began a good work in you when you were saved, and He’s not done yet.
You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to follow Him.
