Disciples of Jesus are Available and Teachable based on Matthew 4:18-20 and 5:1-2 (2)

I. Selecting things is something we do regularly.

II. Review of last week: What is a disciple of Jesus?

III. Who does Jesus select to be His disciples and apostles? Read Matthew 10:2-4 “The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”

IV. Why does Jesus select twelve?

V. Why does Jesus select twelve apostles?

VI. None of the twelve apostles were outstanding members of society.

VII. These men were from the region of Galilee like Little Rock, Iowa.

VIII. Disciples are available. Read Matthew 4:18-20 and John 15:16. Matthew 4:18-20 informs us, “18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” In those days a disciple would choose his teacher. Instead, Jesus, the teacher, chose his students. John 15:16 gives us the words of Jesus about His students, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.”

IX. Jesus says, “Follow Me.”

X. The truth is God uses the ordinary people of this world to do extra-ordinary things.

XI. Disciples are available, but disciples are teachable, too. Read Matthew 5:1-2. Matthew 5:1-2 tells us, “Seeing the crowds, (Jesus) went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them.”

XII. Quote from Wilbur Rees. A Christian author named Wilbur Rees writes, “I would like to buy $3 worth of Jesus, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of Jesus, please.”

XIII. Trying vs. training.

XIV. Repent, ask for forgiveness, and pray that God would move you to be more available and teachable disciples of Jesus.