Devoted

Lead Off Question

Have you ever been late to something?

Illustration

The time I ran late to my CHMN 201 exam.

I was late because it wasn’t my priority.

I wasn’t ready because it wasn’t my priority.

I failed that class because it wasn’t my priority.

Transition

Tonight many of us have a desire to be fruitful and growing followers of Jesus, but if we are not devoted to it, we will move forward in our spiritual journey. In fact, if we are not devoting ourselves to Christ-centered living, at best we are stagnant, and at worse we are falling away from God.

Bottom Line

What are your mandatory processes?

___________________________

Context

Tonight we are starting in Matthew 4, the beginning of Jesus’ ministry on earth. Jesus’ ministry came after the 40 days and nights in the wilderness with Satan. Jesus decided in the middle of his temptations that he was devoted to the Kingdom of God. Matthew 4 documents the early days of Jesus’ calling of his disciples and performing of many miracles.

Bible Verse

Matthew 4:18–25 NLT

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.

Matthew 4:19–20 NLT

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Passage Emphasis

v. 19 - ‘Come, follow me’

This was a pivotal moment in the lives of these men. In Old Testament schools students would study and memorize the Bible. Once they graduated from secondary school, they could only pursue higher level education if the Rabbi said the words, “Lech acharai” to them which means literally ‘imitate me, follow me’.

v. 20 - ‘and they left their nets at once and followed him.’

Peter and Andrew were so serious about following Jesus, they left their careers behind.

Devotion to Jesus means following Him.

Breakdown

Jesus has called each one of us. We have been called with the same intent as he called these fisherman. We have been called to follow, or better yet, imitate Christ.

Bottom Line

Christ-centered lives are devoted to Christ.

___________________________

Bible Verse

Matthew 4:23–25 NLT

Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.

Passage Emphasis

v. 24 - ‘news about him spread as far as Syria’

Syria is the equivalency of LA - NY twice. The message was moving far distances because people were sharing it.

v. 25 - ‘large crowds followed him’

These crowds following Jesus were because of the amazement at what he was accomplishing. These crowds were sacrificing their time and energy to follow the ministry of Jesus around.

The Gospel was spreading because people were sharing what was happening.

Breakdown

God has done amazing things in our lives. Yet we have not gone out sharing what he has done. We wonder why christianity is shrinking and it’s because we have stopped sharing. We have forgotten the amazing things God has done for us, and have lost the excitement of the life that he purchased for us. We have become dulled by culture and trends that we are intimidated and resistant to sharing the Good News. We have so many things that we consider mandatory parts of our lives, yet Christ is no longer on that list.

Bottom Line

Christ-centered lives are devoted to Christ.

___________________________

Bible Verse

1 Corinthians 11:1 NLT

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Passage Emphasis

v. 1 - ‘just as I imitate Christ’

Paul understood, the call to follow was a call to imitation not intimidation. To imitate means to mirror.

We are called to be mirrors of Christ.

Breakdown

Mirrors are exact matches. They reflect. Does this need more explanation. Simon says, right. What about, Jesus says. We are mirrors of him.

We have made oursevles mirrors of popularity, culture, friend groups, and comfort. Break the habits and replace them with Christ-centered lives!

Bottom Line

Christ-centered lives are devoted to Christ.

___________________________

Application

Head

Devote your mind to seeking and pursuing things that reinforce the significance of Christ being at the center of your life.

Heart

Devote your heart to valuing the gift of life. The life that Christ gave to us should still be as exciting and amazing as it was the day you received the gift.

Hands

Devote your hands to spreading and sharing the Good News of what God has done! As it spread 5,000miles rapidly, so it could spread through Hurricane rapidly, but someone has to start sharing!

SMALL GROUP CONTENT