GOSPEL OF MATTHEW - CALLED TO FOLLOW

CALLED TO FOLLOW - MATTHEW 4:12-25

We are walking through Matthew and if you remember chapters 1 and 2 – it is the identification and manifestation of the Messiah. Chapters 3 and 4 are the preparation of the Messiah to do His Ministry.

Last week we saw the preparation in how Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted but was not tempted by the Spirit but was tempted by satan. We also know that satan can only do what is allowed by God and that God always provides a way of escape. And we closed by looking at how to take those thoughts captive and have Victory of Temptation by following the 4 R’s – recognize, ruin, replace and rejoice. Today we look at the launching of His ministry and preparing us for an in-depth look at chapters 5, 6, 7 – the Sermon on the Mount.

How many of you have played follow the leader as a kid – what's the rule – you must do as the leader does – today Jesus calls us to follow Him – He is the leader so if we choose to follow Him it is a lifelong game of follow the leader that has eternal consequences.

As we begin – let us pray!

Sermon Title: The Call to Follow Jesus

Scripture Text: Matthew 4:12-25 – Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 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. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

1. The Light in the Darkness: Jesus Fulfills the Prophecy (Matthew 4:12-17)

Key Idea: Jesus begins His public ministry in Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that a great light would shine in the region. His message is clear: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

Jesus leaves His hometown – leaves family – and goes to Capernaum a larger sea to start His ministry and most of ministry is going to take place up here in Northern Israel.

People were living in darkness – spiritual blindness living not only in sin but the religious leaders were more concerned about their own holiness and maintaining power than leading people back to God

Throughout the Bible God is shown as light – Jesus says He Himself if the Light of the World –

Light dispels darkness and darkness has no power over light

Light exposes – Light Reveals

Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 9:2 – "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."

Prophecy says these people living in northern Israel will see a great light

Remember that Matthew’s audience is fellow Hebrews, fellow Jews so his purpose is to show how Jesus fulfilled Scripture and prophecy.

Chapter 1 contains 2 references to Prophecy and Scripture

Chapter 2 contains 2 references to Prophecy and Scripture

Chapter 3 contains 1 reference and now in chapter 4 we see another

As He begins His ministry – it echoes John’s call to baptism – Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Not only that but the King of Heaven is now here!

Remember the visual – if you see darkness ahead of you – turn around to face the light – that is literally what the word repent means. If shadows go before you – the light is behind you.

Application Questions:

1. What is God asking you to sacrifice to follow Him? To do the ministry only you can do?

2. In what ways has Jesus brought light into the dark areas of your life?

3. How can you reflect His light to others in your community?

2. The Call to Discipleship: Following Jesus Requires Surrender (Matthew 4:18-22)

Key Idea: Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to leave their fishing nets and follow Him. Their immediate response demonstrates the willingness to leave behind comfort and security for a higher purpose.

His call on our life – come and follow me!

His invitation to be His follower – His disciple –

discipleship is unconditional – no negotiation – its difficult

John 6:66-69 – After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Supporting Scripture: Luke 9:23 – "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

Follow me – means Follow Jesus as

· Your teacher

· Your Lord

· Your Example

Trusting Him – Moving with Him – Learning from Him

Deny self – deny the way we want to do things – deny our desires, agendas and wants and follow Him and do it His Way and do it according to His Will

Salvation is simple but not easy –

Their decision was immediate and complete obedience

We are called – are we willing to follow in complete, thorough obedience – dying to self and allowing His Will to be our directive? Because of our sinful nature its impossible, we fall short – but that doesn’t mean we should give up and not try – it is something we should aim for always striving to be better than we were yesterday.

I will make you fishers of men – must go to the men – cannot stay where you are – cannot go to the water and hope the fish just come to shore

No one has an excuse – you don’t have to have all the answers look at the red letters – I’ll make you fishers of men!”

Application Questions:

1. What have you been doing your way that God is asking you to follow His?

2. What is God calling you to leave behind in order to follow Him more fully?

3. When was the last time you shared your relationship with Christ with someone who did not have a relationship?

4. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone to pursue God’s purpose for your life?

3. The Ministry of the Kingdom: Proclaiming and Healing (Matthew 4:23-25)

Key Idea: Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. His ministry brought hope and restoration to all who came to Him.

Teaching – Preaching – Healing –

Teaching – imparting knowledge and instruction; explanation and explication (analysis) of biblical truth

Preaching – exhortation, proclamation and moving people towards a decision or response to biblical truth

Healing – while we may not be able to physically heal – we can morally, spiritually and emotionally heal people

We are called to make disciples and disciple making includes all three – teaching preaching healing

Jesus continued –

Matthew 9:35 – "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness."

We are to follow Him and His example

Application Questions:

1. How can you share the good news of the kingdom with those around you?

2. In what ways can you minister to others through acts of compassion and service?

Conclusion and Call to Action

Key Takeaway: Jesus calls us to repent, follow Him, and actively participate in His ministry of proclaiming the good news and serving others. His light transforms our lives and compels us to shine it into the world.

Closing Scripture: Matthew 5:16 – "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Challenge: This week, reflect on your own discipleship journey. Identify one step you can take to deepen your surrender, share the gospel, or show compassion to someone in need.

Richard Stearns, author of The Hole in Our Gospel, was CEO of multiple large companies. He felt God calling him to serve others and left to become the leader of World Vision. As he explained in an interview with NPR, he felt that leaving his position and joining World Vision “was an opportunity not just to talk the talk but to walk the walk.” Jesus calls us to follow him and following him means being a servant of all. The first place to start is with our local church and finding ways to be involved in serving others in our communities. Matthew 28 Jesus said Go, Richard Stearns went – If you are truly following Jesus – where is He saying for you to GO and be a servant to someone in our community?

(Let Us Pray! – Maybe just leave with this thought)