How Do We Succeed?

Learning from Jesus

Mark 1:14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

1) What can we learn from this?

1. Jesus needed people to help Him accomplish His goals.

2. The more that are willing to get involved the easier it is for everyone.

Mark 2:1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

2) What can we learn from this?

1. How many people do you know who do not believe they can live for Jesus?

2. It is your faith and prayers that will enable this person to one day look up and trust Jesus.

3. Can you remember when you didn’t believe you were capable of living for Jesus?

Mark 2:13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. 15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and ’sinners’?" 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

3) What can we learn from this?

1. Too many of today’s Churches have adopted this pharisaic view.

2. We will never bring others to Jesus if we are too good to associate with them.

3. Jesus shows us a real important truth here. The best way to get to know people is where they live and where you live. Inviting them to dinners or outing in our groups. Just being ourselves.

4. People are not brought to Jesus on Sunday mornings; they are shown the way in the normal routines of our life.

Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve-- designating them apostles --that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John; 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

4) What can we learn from this?

1. Was there anything unique about these men?

2. Do you think they had doubts about their abilities?

3. Were they perfect? Judas!

What have we learned?

1. Jesus needs us to do our part so He can do His. The more the merrier.

2. Our faith is necessary to bring others to Jesus.

3. If we are to win them, it will be done through fellowship and get-togethers.

a. Men’s & Women’s Mtgs.

b. Senior’s Outings

c. Take a Sunday school class to them; Or small group study.

d. You and a brother or sister take a sister and invite a friend

to shop or whatever.

Remember something very important. Don’t be the minority.