"They Were Willing To Walk Away"

“They were willing to walk away” Mark 1:14-20

1. Why did Jesus call these Disciples? Mark 1:14-20

• I think he called them because They were willing to walk away:

• 17"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18At once they left their nets and followed him. Simeon and Andrew

• They were willing to walk away from Compromise (they left personal pleasure and comfort: they left and an easy life, they left no conflict, They left getting along with everyone)

• They were willing to walk away from Security they were more than likely wealthy business men ,Vs 19 he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

• They were even willing to walk away from their families if necessary 20 James and John left their father Zebedee in the boat

2. They were willing to walk away from the religion of the day Judaism and become followers of the Way

• Paul was always searching for those of the Way Acts 9:2 Acts 19:23 23About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way, Acts 22:4 Paul says, ". 4I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison Acts 24: 22 22Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "

• Jesus compelled his followers to follow the way : John 14:6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

• Isaiah even prophesized about the Way :8And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.A

3. Jesus called these disciples because they were willing to walk and live as a Servant The disciples walked away from a life of Pleasures and walked in a way of suffering servants.

• John died of extreme old age in Ephesus. Judas Iscariot, after betraying his Lord, hanged himself.

• Peter was crucified; head downward, during the persecution of Nero.

• Andrew died on a cross at Patrae, in Achaia, a Grecian Colony.

• James, was thrown from a pinnacle of the Temple, and then beaten to death with a club.

• Bartholomew was flayed alive in Albanapolis, Armenia.

• James, the elder son of Zebedee, was beheaded at Jerusalem.

• Thomas, the doubter, was run through the body with a lance at Coromandel, in the east Indies.

• Philip was hanged against a pillar at Heropolis (Abyssinia).

• Thaddeus was shot to death with arrows.

• Simon died on a cross in Persia (now Iran.) "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:12-13).

4. They were willing to leave it all behind and Follow

• They were willing to give up themselves God wants all of you He does not want a part but all Remember the rich young ruler what must I do to inherit eternal life Matthew 19:21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Leave it all behind

5. I think Jesus called these disciples because they were willing to walk away from compromise, security, walked away from religion, they were willing to walk away from lives of pleasures and live as a Suffering Servant, They were willing to leave it all behind. consider the song by Casting Crowns,

• You can spend your whole life, Chasin what's missing, but you’re still empty, Jesus calls us come to the well those who thirst will thirst no more,

• bring him your heart no matter how broken you can feel the change when you come to the well,

When you come to the well Your joy's gonna flow, Like a stream in the desert, Cuz you came to the well

• And all who thirst will thirst no more, And all who search will find what their souls long for, The world will try, but it can never fill, So leave it all behind, and come to the well. When we went to Washington D.C. my heart had been empty but there I found fullness again.