The immediacy of the gospel

The immediacy of the gospel

, 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.

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.

There is an immediacy to the gospel of Jesus Christ, that requires a response from each and everyone of us. The gospel of Jesus Christ confronts us first of all to understand the immediacy of our current condition, if we are not saved then we are currently under the coming wrath of an Holy God. A God who has created us and demands our obedience and overt worship and praise. A God who holds us accountable to His ways, His wishes, and His will. A God that calls us to a relationship with Him and His Son, Christ Jesus. The gospel of Jesus Christ shows its immediacy in the fact that this call of relationship for Mankind is a universal call for all but only effective to those who respond to His gracious invitation. It’s universal, because all mankind has sinned and fallen short to the glory of God. We have all rejected Him, all resisted and fought against Him, all refused to hear His voice, and all have hid from His judgement. And because of this we have all been charge as guilty before an Holy God. And those of us that have already answer the call are charge to become fishers of men.

The gospel of Jesus Christ recognizes this guilt and God has an immediate cure for our troubling and tragic sin problem; it’s that we accept His Son, Christ Jesus in faith as our Savior and Lord, for all of those that will call on the name of the Lord Christ Jesus will be saved.

The gospel of Jesus Christ requires such a response and it must resulted in complete commitment. Complete commitment to the boundaries of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This commitment must be a willing and voluntary surrender which accepts the accountable that we have to God the Father, by faith in God the Son, and driven and powered by God the Holy Spirit.

So there it is the gospel of Jesus Christ, deals with God, Mankind, Christ, and Response and it is a gospel that must be pursed in the immediacy of the moment.

Jesus said, ‘ We must work the works of him, who sent me, while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

Let us pray...

The immediacy of the call

The immediacy of the charge

The immediacy of the commitment

The immediacy of the call

What was the call?

, 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."

I think this call is clearly and convincing implied in the words, Follow me!

What does it mean to truly follow Christ? In the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), Jesus issues the command to "follow me" repeatedly (e.g., ; , ; ; ).

In many cases, Jesus was calling the twelve men who would become His disciples.

But other times, He was speaking to anyone who wanted what He had to offer. But at all times the call, was give in the immediacy of the moment whether speaking to those directly in front of Him or those who would come to Him by the hearing of the gospel.

, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” , And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." The fact that Jesus is bringing a “sword”, the sword of the truth of His Word and turning family members against each other can seem a little harsh after words like "whosoever believes on Him shall not perish.” But Jesus never softened the truth, and the truth is that following Him leads to difficult choices. Sometimes it means not turning back to a lifestyle or a desires that still seems very appealing. Sometimes it means turning your back on relationships and really confronting relatives with the truth of the Word of God. When Jesus’ teaching went from the Beatitudes to the coming cross, many who had followed him turned away. Even the disciples decided that following Jesus was too difficult the night He was arrested. Every one of them deserted Him in the garden of Gethsemane. On that night, following Christ meant possible arrest and execution. Rather than risk his own life, Peter denied that he even knew Jesus three times. So, to true believers, to follow Christ means He has become everything to us and to live is Christ and to die is gain.

In , Jesus clearly states what it means to follow Him. He said, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." The fact that Jesus is bringing a “sword”, the sword of the truth of His Word and turning family members against each other can seem a little harsh after words like "whosoever believes on Him shall not perish.” But Jesus never softened the truth, and the truth is that following Him leads to difficult choices. Sometimes it means not turning back to a lifestyle or a desires that still seems very appealing. Sometimes it means turning your back on relationships and really confronting relatives with the truth of the Word of God. When Jesus’ teaching went from the Beatitudes to the coming cross, many who had followed him turned away. Even the disciples decided that following Jesus was too difficult the night He was arrested. Every one of them deserted Him in the garden of Gethsemane. On that night, following Christ meant possible arrest and execution. Rather than risk his own life, Peter denied that he even knew Jesus three times. So, to true believers, to follow Christ means He has become everything to us and to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Everyone follows something: friends, popular culture, family, selfish desires, or God. We can only follow one thing at a time. God states we are to have no other gods before Him, , You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord you God, an a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me.” To truly follow Christ means we do not follow anything else. Jesus said in

, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." There is no such thing as a "halfway disciple."

As the disciples demonstrated through the fragility of their lives that, no one can follow Christ through their own by the strength or willpower. The Pharisees were good examples of those who were trying to obey God in their own strength. Their self-effort led only to arrogance and distortion of the whole purpose of God's Law. Jesus gave His disciples the secret to faithfully following Him, but they did not recognize it at the time. He said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing" (). And "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them” (verse 65). The disciples had walked with Jesus for three years, learning, observing, and participating in His miracles. Yet, even they could not follow Him faithfully in their own strength. They needed a Helper. And we need the same helper and well, God the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised many times that, once He had ascended to the Father, He would send a "Helper" to them—the Holy Spirit , “ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” , “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

In fact, He told them that it was for their good that He was going away so that the Holy Spirit could come . The Holy Spirit indwells the heart of every believer, if you have Jesus you have the Holy Spirit. , “32 And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

So if you are baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, or just in the name of Jesus. You are baptize in the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit where your power comes from, don’t try to serve Christ and follow Him in your own strength. (; ; ; ). Jesus warned His followers that they were not to begin testifying of Him "until you have been clothed with power from on high" (; ). When the Holy Spirit came upon those first believers at Pentecost, they suddenly had all the power they needed to follow Christ, even to the death, if needed (; ; ). Following Jesus means striving to be like Him. He always obeyed His Father, so that's what we must strive to do, just like Jesus we must say, it is he who sent me who is always with me. And He has not left we alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him. To truly follow Christ means to make Him the Boss. That's what it means to make Jesus Lord of our lives , “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” Then our every decision and dream is filtered through His Word with the goal of glorifying Him in everything . We are not saved by the things we do for Christ,

Elder Kelley told you last week, -9, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. But by what God has done for us. Because of His grace, we want to please Him in everything. All this is accomplished as we allow the Holy Spirit to have complete control of every area of our lives.

Christ explains the Scriptures (), empowers us with spiritual gifts (), comforts us (), and guides us (). To follow Christ means we apply the truths we learn from His Word and live as if Jesus walked beside us in person. Peter and Andrew saw the immediacy in the call of the gospel and responded to the charge and so must we.

But, pastor what was the charge

What was the charge?

"Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Become fishers of men!

Do you have eternal life?"

"What does it mean to be 'fishers of men'?" The phrase “fishers of men” was spoken by Jesus when He was calling two of His disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew, to follow Him.

The idea behind fishing is to know the fish you are looking for and attract them so you can make the catch. To catch a fish we must know what equipment to use, the habitat and depth of the water we are fishing in, as well as the kind of bait the fish will go after. After we understand everything we need for real fishing, then how do we relate that to being fishers of men? God asks us to make disciples of all nations. Just as we need equipment to be fishermen, we need equipment to be fishers of men. Putting on the armor of God is one way to be ready at all times with everything we need.

, “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,’

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,’

Especially important in this expedition are the shield of faith with which we ward off the opposition from demonic forces who don’t want to see men saved by the gospel of Christ (v. 16) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (v. 17). Without these two pieces of spiritual equipment, we will find fishing for men’s souls impossible. Not only must we have the armor of God as our equipment, but we must also know the fish we are trying to catch. Knowing and understanding the lost condition of the people around us will help us to understand that, no matter how good we are at fishing, we will never “catch” the fish on our own. No reasoned argument will convert the soul of a darkened mind, because “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (). But God can and frequently does penetrate the darkness with the glorious gospel, and He uses us to do it.

He knows which “fish” are His; therefore, we are to seek His wisdom and His guidance on all our fishing expeditions. My friends this makes Prayer is essential. You have in your hand today, a 30 day prayer guide and journal. It a prayer guide that give you 30 pray you can pray for the one that you are leading to Christ and its a journal so that you might write about your progress. Lastly we must offer the only effective net— which is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

To those who are perishing, the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us, it is the power of God (). The gospel message has the power to change lives, shine light into darkness, and deliver evil men from hell. There is power in no other name, no other message and no other “net” that can catch the fish of God.

says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentiles. This was Jesus’ message to Peter and Andrew—follow Me, learn of Me, know and understand My mission and My message. Only then will you be able to be fishers of men, that was His one and only charge.

What was the commitment?

, 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.”

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.”

They were to leave their boats! Now that’s commitment, to leave you only source of supply and then to rely on the Savior as your source of supply, that’s commitment.

What does the Bible say about commitment? There are numerous references in the Bible addressing the Christian’s commitment in various aspects of life: to our families, neighbors, employers, the church, our health, and in all things we do and say, , Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,

6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.

But the Bible also teaches that the chief commitment of our lives is to God Himself. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment” (). Jesus is telling us that every fiber of our being, every facet of our lives must be committed to loving and serving God. This means that we must hold nothing back from Him because God holds nothing back from us. , What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Furthermore, Jesus tells us that our commitment to Him must supersede our commitment to even our families: “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be my disciple” (). Such commitment means our family relationships may be severed. It means our commitment to Christ demands, if given an “either/or” situation, we turn away from them and continue on with Jesus (). The bottom line is that those who cannot make that kind of commitment cannot be His disciple. Jesus is warning us in advance concerning the cost of commitment. The reason for such commitment and loyalty is that the trials we will have to endure will be quite demanding; our allegiance to Him at times may be arduous. Jesus alerted His disciples: “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (). The apostle Paul echoed His warning: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (). What does it mean when the Bible says in,

, "Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Jesus has made it plain the cost of discipleship: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (). In essence, the true cost of commitment to Christ is one’s total self-denial, cross-bearing, and the continual following of Him. These imperatives picture for us sacrifice, selflessness, and service. A cross epitomized ultimate punishment and humiliation (). More than that, it fully demonstrated the love of God ()—selfless and sacrificial in the giving of His life for the world (). Paul followed the Lord’s example of commitment in sacrifice and service. Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (). Total commitment to God means that Jesus is our sole authority, our guiding light, and our unerring compass. Being committed to Christ means being fruitful; it means being a servant. Our axiom is simple and succinct: “For me to live is Christ” ().

Well pastor, what’s the paid off if I immediately, answer the call of the gospel of Christ Jesus, accept the immediate charge of the gospel of Christ Jesus and acknowledged the immediate commitment that the gospel of Christ Jesus requires?

Then, my friend you will be saved and receive eternal life.

The Bible presents a clear path to eternal life. First, we must recognize that there is a God and we have sinned against God: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (). We have all done things that are displeasing to God, which makes us deserving of punishment.Second, we must realize the all humanity has sinned. And since all our sins are ultimately against an eternal God, only an eternal punishment is sufficient. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (). Thirdly, however, we must receive Jesus Christ, the sinless (), eternal Son of God became a man (,) and died to pay our penalty. "God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (). Jesus Christ died on the cross (), taking the punishment that we deserve (). Three days later He rose from the dead (), proving His victory over sin and death. "In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (). And we must respond, by faith, we must change our mindset regarding Christ - who He is, what He did, and why - for salvation (). If we place our faith in Him, trusting His death on the cross to pay for our sins, we will be forgiven and receive the promise of eternal life in heaven. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" (). "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (). Faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross is the only true path to eternal life! "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast". So we are ending just where we started today, understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ, as. God, Mankind, Christ and Response. If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. "God, I know that I have sinned against you and deserve punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life! Amen!"