The Call of the Kingdom

The First thing Jesus does is to find followers to make them leaders

The Call of the Kingdom is to follow Jesus

“[Repentance] is the turning of the whole person from sin to God in obedience to the message of the kingdom. This entails recognition of need, sorrow for sin, a decision to turn from sin to God, and a subsequent obedient lifestyle”

~David L. Turner,

Turning all of me to all of Him

Matthew 4:12–25 ESV

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 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.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 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. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 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. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 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. 24 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. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

The Call to Jesus Supersedes Vocation

2. The Call to Jesus Supersedes Family

The Call to Jesus Demands Obedience

Matthew 5. Calling Four Fishermen (4:18–22)

All such stories emphasize that God’s call demands a decisive break with business as usual

Whatever else it means, kingdom living always means following Jesus

Word (5:3-7:27) and Deed (8:1-9:34)

Will You obey the call of God on your life to ethical obedience?

For Simon(Peter), Andrew, James, and John, the call to follow Christ literally meant giving up their livelihood to become homeless followers of Jesus. What do you hesitate to give up to follow Jesus?

Have you ever observed “Kingdom Timing” in your life? What is an example?