Encountering Christ - Calling Of The Disciples

Title: “Encounters with Christ – The Disciples Are Called” Script: Mt. 4:18-25

Type: Series Where: GNBC 1-29-23

Intro: Today examine passage calling of first disciples. “Call” is an important concept for Christians. Christians are people called by God. The church is technically “The called out ones.” Most Christians aren’t really aware of what they have been called from or called to. What we are called from and called to: I. Called from labor to rest (Matt. 11:28) II. Called from death to life (1 John 3:14) III. Called from bondage to liberty (Gal 5:13) IV. Called out of darkness into light (1 Pet. 2:9) V. Called from bondage to peace (1 Cor. 7:15 VI. Called to the fellowship of His Son (1 Cor. 1:9) What we are made by obeying the call: I. We are made sons of God (John 1:12) II. We are made the children of God (Gal. 3:26) III. We are made the servants of God (Matt. 25:21) IV. We are made God’s saints (Col. 1:1) V. We are made God’s witnesses (I Thess. 2:10) VI. We are made workers together... Important truths to realize! (Sermon Central, 4-17-2006).

Prop: Today we’ll learn 3 Important Lessons Related to Christ’s Calling the Disciples.

BG: 1. Several “callings” of the disciples in the Gospels. It seems that shortly after our Lord’s baptism by John two of his disciples (one of whom we know was Andrew144 – Jn. 1:40) left John to follow Jesus. These two followed Jesus that day (verse 39). Andrew then recruited his brother Peter.

2. This is the second call upon the disciples. 3. It’s a wonder to consider Christ doesn’t call perfect men! He calls men like Andrew, Peter, James, John, imperfect men. Just like each one of us today. 3. Takes place in the North of the Nation. Near “Sea of Galilee”.

Prop: Examining Mt. 4 we’ll show us 3 Important Lessons Related to Christ’s Calling the Disciples.

I. Jesus Calls People to Make a Choice to Follow Him. vv. 18-22

A. Christ Begins Calling His Disciples.

1. Jesus Begins Assembling the Men who will form His Ministry Team.

a. Jesus was a rabbi and, in fact, the most important teacher and disciple-maker in history. Wherever He walked, His students would follow. Here, we are at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, He chooses particular individuals to be His disciples. They didn’t file an application to get into the School of Jesus. Jesus selected His disciples. He went to prospective disciples where they were and gave this simple command: "Follow me." The command was literal—He called them to drop their present duties. They had to leave their work, their families, and their friends to follow Jesus.

b. “Follow Me…” – Two simple words that have changed the lives of countless millions of people over 2 millennia! And those two words are still going forth today! Who or what are you following friend? Follow Christ! He is extending a real and personal call to you today through the preaching of His Word! Will you respond? Each one of those 4 men had a decision to make. Follow Christ or not follow Christ. Wasn’t convenient. Never is. But is life changing!

2. Jesus Extends a Call to the men.

a. V. 19 – Read. I love this verse. Jesus calls the men exactly where they are in life. The fishermen were fishing. Casting their nets in the water. The other set of brothers were with their father, mending their nets. They weren’t in synagogue or at the temple. It wasn’t some holy day or high feast. It was normal, every day life. It was the work place. Christian, you and I need to be intentional about sharing Christ in the work place! Need to ask God what individual it is in your workplace that God wants to use you to show the love of Jesus Christ. Illust – About 39 yrs ago, a man started sharing Christ with a German immigrant at the furniture shop in Amana. That immigrant wasn’t very receptive at first! But praise God, continued! In time that man and wife would come to Christ. In time led 33 teams to Russia/Ukraine, took 1500 people on those teams! Recruited young people on 10 campuses to go into missions. Set up 3 sawmills in Russia for churches to build with. 12 church and Bible Colleges. Smuggled Bibles into East Germany! (Ask Martin and Judy to stand up!) (No reason you can’t be used like that as well! It’s not the man it’s the Master!)

b. V. 19 – This verse pictures an immediate detachment from the present sphere of the four men’s interest and of attachment to Jesus as their leader. And I will make you fishers of men; emphasizes the change in their character necessary for success in this new kind of fishing venture. Luke 5:10 brings out the change in the nature of the work(?p? t?? ???).