Power in the Pulpit | Matthew 4:12–25

Introduction: There is a movie that I bet very few of you have seen. It’s called Napoleon Dynamite. It’s the dumbest movie ever created. It has no plot. It’s just a bunch of random scenes that you watch until all the sudden they’re trying to get Napoleon’s friend Pedro elected to student council president. In tonight’s text we are looking at three different stories. And it will be easy to think they are just three random scenes in the life of Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. But that would be a mistake. These stories serve a purpose of shows us what our lives could look like and what the future will look like. We see this in the start of Jesus ministry, his call to the first disciples, and his preview of the Kingdom

Matthew 4:12-17.

Verse 12

Explain what John’s role was and how that started Jesus’ ministry

Verse 13

Capernum bigger and more strategic.

How it was full of Genitles

Verses 14-16

Explain where these place was and why it was significant.

Verse 17

What is the Kingdom and why did Jesus preach it.

Transition: So we see that Jesus ministry begins with him proclaiming the kingdom. Next we will see him to put together his team. He will start picking who he is going to invest in.

Matthew 4:18-22.

Verse 18

Fishermen as a vocation

Verse 19

Fishers of men. What does that mean

Verse 20

Followed Him

Verse 21-22

They left everything behind to follow Jesus.

Transition: So Jesus has begun his ministry. He’s put together his team. What comes next. Well, Matthew gets a little bit more specific.

Matthew 4:23-25.

Verse 23

What is a synagogue

What is Jesus doing

Verses 24-25

Previewing the Kingdom

Conclusion: I told you in the beginning that this isn’t just a bunch of random stories. It is actually telling us a lot about who Jesus is and what his purpose was on earth. His purpose on earth was to bring in the Kingdom to those who would believe in Him. We see he came as the light to the gentiles and the promised messiah. We see he called his followers to be fishers of men. We also see that he gave a preview of what was to come. But this only comes to those that believe in Him and accept the call to follow Him. I want to ask you tonight if you are ready to receive the hope of God’s Kingdom. If you are here tonight and not a follower of Christ, are you ready to receive God’s Kingdom? I want to ask everyone to close their eyes right now. If you are here tonight and you are ready to talk more about what it would mean to give your life to Christ can you please just look up at me real quick. Make sure you get my attention. Let’s pray.