Introduction

Good morning, my friends! It's a joy to see each and every one of you here today. We're gathered here not just as a congregation, but as a family, bound together by our shared faith and love for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let's start off by reading our Scripture passage for today, straight from the book of Matthew, chapter 4, verses 18 to 20. It reads:

"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed him."

Isn't that something? Just think about it for a moment. These were ordinary men, doing ordinary things, and yet when Jesus called, they didn't hesitate. They left their nets - their livelihoods, their normal - and followed Him.

This reminds me of a quote from the respected Christian author, Philip Yancey. He once wrote, "Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse." These men didn't know what lay ahead of them, they didn't know the grand plan, but they had faith. They believed in Jesus, and that was enough for them to leave everything behind and follow Him.

Today, we're going to chat about three main points drawn from this Scripture passage. First, we'll talk about 'The Call' - Jesus' invitation to Peter and Andrew. Second, we'll look at 'The Answer' - their immediate response to His call. And finally, we'll discuss what it means for us to be 'Open to the Call' - how we can learn from Peter and Andrew's example and respond to Jesus' call in our own lives.

But before we get into that, let's bow our heads and pray together, shall we?

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for Your love and Your mercy. We thank You for Your Word which guides us and inspires us. As we reflect on the Scripture today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to understand Your message. Help us to be like Peter and Andrew, ready to answer Your call and follow You, no matter what. We ask this in Jesus' name, amen.

Alright, let's get into it, shall we?

The Call

Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers. Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were fishermen, casting their nets into the sea. It was their livelihood, it was what they knew. But Jesus had a different plan for them. He said to them, "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people."

The immediacy of the call: Jesus didn't schedule a meeting, He didn't send a letter of invitation. He simply saw them, called them, and they followed. It's a powerful reminder that Jesus' call on our lives can come at any time, in any place. We don't have to be in a certain location, or a certain state of mind. We just have to be ready to hear His voice and respond.

The nature of the call: Jesus didn't just call them to follow Him, He called them to a specific task. "I will send you out to fish for people." This wasn't a vague, undefined call. It was specific, it was purposeful. It was a call to action. Jesus was inviting them to join Him in His mission, to be part of His work in the world. That's something we need to remember. When Jesus calls us, He's not just calling us to follow Him. He's calling us to join Him, to be part of His mission. He's calling us to action. To be His hands and feet in the world, to share His love and His message with those around us.

The response to the call: Peter and Andrew didn't hesitate. They didn't ask for time to think it over. They didn't ask for a sign. They simply left their nets and followed Him. That's a powerful example of faith and obedience. They heard the call, and they responded. Immediately.

A challenge for us: How often do we hear the call of Jesus, but hesitate? How often do we ask for more time, more signs, more confirmation? Peter and Andrew remind us that when Jesus calls, the appropriate response is immediate obedience. To leave our nets, whatever they may be, and follow Him.

The cost of the call: Peter and Andrew left their nets. They left their livelihood, their security, their comfort. They left everything they knew to follow Jesus. That's a reminder that following Jesus comes with a cost. It's not always easy, it's not always comfortable. But it's always worth it.

The Answer

As we turn our attention to Peter and Andrew's response to Jesus' call, we see a remarkable demonstration of faith and obedience ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO