Calling the Disciples- Calling You

Mark 1:16-21

Mark 1:16–21 LEB

16 And as he was passing by along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of people.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, and they were in the boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went away after him. 21 And they went into Capernaum and immediately on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue.

I remember a day when one of my friends was being thrown out of her house by her father. He was chucking things out the window. She called because she need a ride, needed help gathering up her stuff, needed protection, not that I could do much to her father but witnesses are always nice.

I dropped the phone and took off. I was in a hurry. It was urgent and I was going to be their. I didn’t wait to finish what I was doing or to change into nicer close. I just got up and went.

Have you ever been in a hurry like that? have you ever felt that since of urgency? That Hospital call. The Screams of labor. The friend in need.

Today we are talking about an urgent matter

Pray

Jesus was passing by the Sea of Galilee. The See that is only eight miles wide and thirteen miles long. It is abundant in fish, even today.

As He walks by he sees Simon and Andrew. Both might have been disciples of John the Baptist.

Jesus sees them and gives them a strong demand. Similar to a military order.

Follow me!!!

One mightier than John is claiming your allegiance. I will make you fishers of men. Jesus is calling them to help in the task of capturing men out of the powers of evil and judgment. So they may rejoice in the good news

The primary task of the Jewish rabbi (teacher) was to study and meditate upon the laws of Moses. Afterwards, they were to raise up disciples in order to pass on their learning.

Jesus does more than that, he is calling them to participate with him in leading men into God’s Kingdom.

Immediate Response

The respond was immediately. Not ok, next time I see you. Not next week. Not let me check my calendar.

Immediately

They immediately get up and accept the invitation to learn his way and to heed his teaching.

There is a strong since of urgency in this passage. Immediately, he called and they left everything behind and went.

Ever been in such a hurry that you left everything behind you just left? Urgency that was felt

Rise up and Go. Follow me, and they did. Not just follow but participate in the task. Leading people to Christ and in time raising up their own disciples

Not just following, Participation

Follow me

Sacrifice involved

It was so urgent that John and James left their father with the hired servants. Which illustrates that there is a personal sacrifice involved

You might be called to give up. Comfort, Material. Family. Old dreams.

He will put a new dream in your heart. He will put the desire in your soul

Next Steps

As Jesus called them. He too is calling you. He is calling you to get up and follow him

Call to salvation

Acceptance of him

Acceptance of his ways

Acceptance of his teaching

Call to go and participate in the task with him

What an honor it is to be able to participate with him

Not just watch from a distance as he works, but get in there learning and raising up

Too many have accepted but are sitting on the sidelines. no fun just sitting and watching. Want to be out their playing. Life is no good to just sit and watch

That is why Christianity is considered boring Just sitting on the bench is boring

He has called us to participation

He is calling you with urgency

The time is now

not next year

not next week

not when I get around to it

Now

Immediately they got up and followed

Immediately they put down their nets

immediately they took up their cross and followed him

Even leaving behind things that they loved

why

because they are called

You are called

Haven’t accepted call to salvation

you are called

called to stand up. join with him in growing the kingdom of God, making disciples

Will you stand up

will you answer the call Will you sit on the sidelines and let you call pass you by

Pray