The God revealed through Jesus- Week 2

The Messiah Among Us: Embracing the Kingdom of Heaven

Bible Passage: Matthew 4:17–25, Hebrews 1:1–3

Big Idea: Following Jesus as the promised Messiah leads us into a transformative relationship with God, empowering us to impact the world with His love and truth.

BIG Question: Let me ask you a question: Have you ever been apart of something special?

Think about it real fast!!

A team, a friend group, a BMX competition? Something that you were part of something that made you feel good and like you had a purpose here on earth? something you got an award for?

Introduction: Last Wednesday set the tone in this current series we are in.

we talked about what our definition of Jesus is and if our definition is fake truth then we need to rethink what our life in Jesus really looks like. ..

Illustration: Picture this: You're at a big ice cream shop, and there are a hundred flavors to choose from. It's overwhelming, right?

But then, someone tells you to try the special flavor of the day, and it turns out to be the best you've ever tasted!

Jesus, our Messiah, is like that special flavor. He invites us to try Him out amid the chaos of life. His promise is that once we experience His love, we might start telling others, "You have to try this!"

As we dive into this story I want you to think about one thing: what matters most to you?

1. Shift: From Old Ways to New

Matthew 4:17–20

Scripture:

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 18 As he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter), and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Notes: Jesus’ proclamation that “the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matt 4:17) establishes the a foundation for everything that follows after this.

Jesus is not talking about possessiveness he is talk about obedience here.

This makes his immediate call to Peter and Andrew deeply significant—their response demonstrates what putting your yes on the table looks like in action.

The phrase “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people” operates on two levels:

On the surface, it’s a vocational metaphor: just as these men had spent their lives casting nets to catch fish, they would now engage in the work of drawing people into God’s kingdom.

But more day to day: it shows that disciples must surrender anything that might obstruct Jesus’ leadership in their lives. Peter and Andrew left all to follow him because they wanted Jesus to rule their hearts.

The immediacy of their response—they “immediately left their nets and followed him” (Matt 4:17–20)—It wasn't impulsive, the call Jesus had was so important that the wanted to be apart of it...

2. Spread: Healing and Hope

Matthew 4:21–25

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, preparing their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 Now Jesus began to go all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 Then the news about him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And he healed them. 25 Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

Jesus came for much more than something simple. He came to heal the sick and give hope to those like us who were once crushed in spirit.

He came to bring order to what was in disorder...

Most importunately he came to bring God’s glory down to earth by defeating satan and his powers by dying on the cross for us.

As you notice James and john abandon their boat and their father to follow Jesus...What I want you to see her eis the urgency that they had and that we are supposed to have when following Christ.

We are to be serious about Jesus and trust him with an everlasting trust...

Jesus calling the disciples the way he does is making a statement...you must proritize the kingdom of God over everything!!!

It has often been said that “God’s commandments are God’s enablements.” Once God has called and commissioned us, all we have to do is obey Him by faith, and He will do the rest.

-Warren W. Wiersbe