Introduction

Good morning, beloved congregation. It is a joy to gather with you today, not in our own strength or wisdom, but in the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a blessing to delve into God's Word together, to seek His face and to learn from His teachings. We are not here by accident, but by divine appointment. We are not here to simply go through the motions, but to encounter the living God in a fresh and transformative way.

As we prepare to turn to Mark 1:14-20, I am reminded of the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon who once said, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." Today, we are not merely visiting the Bible, we are seeking to live in it, to let it shape our thoughts, our words, and our actions.

Discerning the Divine Call

In the passage we've read, we see Jesus entering Galilee and proclaiming the good news of God. He declares that the time has come and the kingdom of God is near. This is the divine call that Jesus is issuing. He's not just making an announcement; He's extending an invitation. He's inviting people to turn from their sins, to believe in the good news, and to enter the kingdom of God. This is the divine call that we all need to discern.

Personal and specific: Jesus doesn't just issue this divine call in a general way. He also issues it in a very personal and specific way. He walks up to Simon and Andrew, who are busy with their work as fishermen, and says to them, "Come, follow me." He's not just inviting them to believe in the good news; He's inviting them to follow Him, to become His disciples, to join Him in His mission. This is the divine call that we all need to respond to.

But how do we discern this divine call? How do we know when Jesus is calling us, and what He's calling us to do? There are several things we can learn from this passage.

First: We can see that the divine call often comes in the midst of our ordinary lives. Simon and Andrew were just going about their regular work as fishermen when Jesus called them. They weren't doing anything special or extraordinary. They were just doing what they always did. But that's when Jesus showed up and called them. So, we need to be attentive to the divine call in the midst of our ordinary lives. We need to be open to the possibility that Jesus might show up and call us when we least expect it.

Second: We can see that the divine call often involves a radical reorientation of our lives. Simon and Andrew had to leave their nets behind in order to follow Jesus. They had to leave behind their old way of life, their old priorities and commitments, in order to embrace a new way of life, a new set of priorities and commitments. So, we need to be ready to reorient our lives in response to the divine call. We need to be willing to let go of our old ways and embrace the new ways that Jesus is calling us to.

Third: We can see that the divine call often involves a sense of urgency. Jesus doesn't just invite Simon and Andrew to follow Him; He commands them to do so. And He expects them to do so immediately, without delay. So, we need to respond to the divine call with a sense of urgency. We need to recognize that the time is now, that the kingdom of God is near, and that we need to respond to Jesus' call without delay.

Fourth: We can see that the divine call often involves a call to join in Jesus' mission. Jesus doesn't just call Simon and Andrew to believe in Him; He calls them to join Him in His mission of fishing for people. So, we need to understand that the divine call is not just a call to belief, but a call to action. We need to be ready to join in Jesus' mission, to become fishers of men, to participate in the work of the kingdom of God.

Dealing with Distractions

As we continue to reflect on this passage, we find ourselves standing on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, watching as these fishermen leave their nets behind ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO