Sermon Tone Analysis

Hudson - all he wants is donuts on Saturday.

I can’t live up to his expectation.

Will you spend your life giving Jesus what He wants?

If He is the King, He has every right to expect you to give Him what He desires.

Will you?

In Mark 1:14-20, at the outset of Mark’s Gospel we see what our King wants from us.

As we study this passage: many of us are going to be convicted.

We’re going to see that we have not been giving Jesus what He wants.

But, there’s hope.

Today can be a new start.

Today you can begin to live out the purpose that God has for you.

Today you can know that the Spirit of God will empower you to live out His will.

Three desires that Jesus has for your life.

1. Jesus desires for you to leave everything behind.

vs. 14-15 - John the Baptist arrested - John’s work of preparation done.

A new day is here!

Jesus’ ministry now begins - begins with a simple message: The Kingdom of God is here.

Repent and believe.

Same message as John - turn from the old and experience the new - not the reign of ritualistic religion over your life, but the reign of God.

Know Him as your King.

Jesus begins ministry around Sea of Galilee

According to John’s (the Apostle) Gospel, John the Baptist had two disciples that began to follow Jesus.

One was Andrew.

He had a brother named Simon (Peter).

In John’s Gospel, “We have found the Messiah!

(John 1:41)

Walking along, Jesus sees Andrew and Simon.

According to John’s Gospel, Andrew has already followed.

He’d probably told Simon Peter all about Jesus.

When Jesus calls, they leave their occupations to follow.

These aren’t poor men who were scrounging to make a living.

Successful small-business owners.

James and John even had hired help.

(vs.

20)

James and John had probably heard of Jesus as well.

Jesus calls them.

They leave their father (family).

So much significance in these short verses.

First, a picture of God’s grace.

Jesus chooses these followers.

He comes to them.

Think of Jesus as a first-century rabbi - a teacher.

In those days, children would go to school, they would learn to read, and they would memorize Scripture.

Most would finish around 13, and learn a trade.

Some would continue to learn the teachings of the Rabbis while learning a trade.

The most elite students would seek permission to study under a well-known rabbi - to follow a rabbi - to live with a rabbi - with the intention of becoming a teacher himself with his own followers.

These four men do not seek permission to follow Jesus, Jesus seeks them: - successful men maybe, but not elite students.

Peter can’t keep his mouth shut.

James and John would argue about who is the greatest.

They’re arrogant.

In spite of their faults, Jesus chose them.

You’re story is the same.

You were chosen by Christ.

He came after you not because of who you are, but of who He is.

Second, a picture of transformation.

Notice what they left - their occupations - and their families.

Didn’t abandon.

They would go back to fishing and back to families - but two things changed: identity and priorities.

Many of us find out identity in career and family.

Get guys together, we ask, “What do you do?” (Michael Jordan) Or, we live vicariously through our children.

We idolize our spouse, etc.

We build our identity on family and career instead of building our identity on Christ.

When you really embrace Jesus, your identity and priorities change.

You’re no longer defined by career and family.

You’re defined by Jesus.

And since you find meaning and purpose in Him, He becomes your priority.

You live for His will.

How do you know if you’ve left everything behind to follow Jesus?

If your priorities and identity have changed?

You don’t use Him - He’s not your celestial Santa Claus or Genie in a Bottle - Instead you worship Him.

You don’t ignore Him - How many of us ignore Him?

At least, throughout the week?

You don’t bargain with Him - I’ll follow you if… I’ll be at church if… I’ll finally if… (9/11, etc.)

2. Jesus desires for you to commit to discipleship.

Notice what Jesus says in verse 17, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” (Watching Luke play basketball - No guarantee he’ll become a great basketball player - especially if he takes after his father.

BUT, there is a guarantee that he will become used by Jesus if he follows him.)

Becoming who Christ wants you to be doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a journey, and these men, along with others would go on a journey with Jesus to become who He wanted them to be: men who would be foundational in establishing the church.

It wouldn’t be an easy journey.

There would be highs - they would see miracles, hear the teachings, etc.

There would be lows - they would see suffering.

They would see their Master rejected and crucified.

They would all fail.

The would fail to understand the mission of Jesus.

They would argue, they would fight, and at the crucifixion, they would flee.

But, in the midst of the highs and lows, Jesus was doing a work - molding them into His image, preparing them to become missionaries who would reach the world.

You’re on a journey as well.

Where are you on the journey?

Sure, there are highs and lows, but are you seeing consistent growth in your walk with the Lord?

Disciple’s wheel - Where are you?

Some of you are stuck.

What if you got unstuck in 2018?

The goal is to become a spiritual parent - to become someone who invests in the lives of others and helps them become fully surrendered followers of Jesus.

How do you get unstuck?

How do you see sustained spiritual growth in your life? 3 ways:

Habits - prayer, Bible study, confession, giving, church attendance, sharing your faith, etc.

These things don’t grow you in and of themselves, but they do put you in a position to experience growth.

How are your habits?

Community - Your most significant growth will always happen in community.

“I’ll just watch the live-stream.”

Not enough.