My Profile Only Has 12 Followers
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Introduction
Introduction
Last week, John the Baptist baptizes Jesus
Immediately goes into the wilderness for 40 days
Goes to His hometown (Nazareth)
Opens the scroll in the synagogue
1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
People flip and try to kill Him
He returns to Galilee
He heals, casts demons and preaches for awhile
He heals, casts demons and preaches for awhile
People are being baptized
Look at the timeline
YouVersion: My Profile Only Has 12 Followers
Jesus Calls Andrew and Simon Peter
Jesus Calls Andrew and Simon Peter
Jesus’ calls His first disciples in a way you might not think...
John the B had his own disciples
John the b is testifying about Jesus when this happens
Andrew and another disciple
Disciples of John the Baptist
And fishermen
35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
jn 1:35-
When Jesus returns, John says
They’re not Jesus’ disciples yet, they’re curious about this guy John’s been talking about
Kevin and Nick following Aaron Barrett
You can only follow someone so long before they confront you
38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
John 1:38-
This interaction is one that all new followers go through
Jesus asks, what are you seeking?
If He is what you’re looking for, He says, Come and you will see
Before they became disciples, Andrew and this other guy are talking with Jesus
Whatever Jesus said made it clear that John was right!
This IS the Son of God! The Messiah!
So Andrew bolts down to meet up with his brother named Simon
He’s probably screaming, “Simon! We’ve found the Messiah!”
So Simon and Andrew head back to Jesus
Interesting fact about Andrew:
Every time he is mentioned in the Book of John, he is bringing someone to Jesus...
Now, Simon and Jesus stand face to face the first time and this happens:
They stand face to face the first time and this happens
jn 1:
42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
The name “Peter” also means “Rock”
From here out, I’ll refer to him as Peter...
I’m not sure how Peter felt about this
Maybe he believed, maybe not...
But he hadn’t felt the full weight yet
But he was interested, and he was about to get the shock of his life
One day, Jesus is teaching near the sea of Galilee
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.
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.
mk 1:18
18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
At this point, all they left were their nets
How many people do you know that have done that...
They know about Jesus
They’re curious, but not ready to jump in yet
Let’s see some more details...
I don’t think Peter was quite sure about Jesus at this point
How many of us have been there before!
Let’s go back to Peter now
Something is about to happen to wake him up
One day, Jesus is teaching near the sea of Galilee
Jesus thing sounds good, but I don’t know...
The crowds get big and push in on them
Jesus climbs in Peter’s boat and teaches from there
4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
lk 5:4
I think Peter is struggling with doubt here...
He’s in that place many of us get into
This Jesus thing sounds great, but I just don’t know
I can’t quite get over that little bit of doubt
When Jesus says to cast, Peter says “All right, if you say so”
We were here all night and there wasn’t anything out here
lk 5:6
6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
Oh my gosh!
Sometimes we’re not ready for THAT much blessing!
I know I’ve had times where my blessings have felt like so much...
I’m like, “Take them back, Lord! I can’t even handle it!”
So much fish, their nets are breaking, and they call over their buddies to help
Then both of their boats start sinking!
Now watch Peter’s reaction to this:
8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
The amount of fish they had was enough to push Peter over that edge
He’s finally ready to admit this is the guy
When it clicks that this is the Messiah, he sees his own sin
This is a common reaction
Here is Isaiah’s reaction:
5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
When faced with God, we start to see ourselves for who we really are, don’t we?
Now let’s look at who his partners are:
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
luke 5:9
Jesus has just connected with James and John (maybe first time maybe not)
These are the co-workers of Peter and Andrew
John is also… the author of John!
Not John the Baptist, John the Apostle
That’s all it took, and Jesus had them hooked
Get it? Fishermen? Hooked? Nevermind
Matthew’s version takes it from there...
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.
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.
mat 4:19-
mat 4:19
After Jesus says I’ll make you fishers of men, he catches back up with James and John
So Jesu
Notice what they were doing… mending their nets
Probably because of that giant catch Luke just mentioned!
And they’re probably saying, “Dude, did you see that?!”
When Jesus catches back up with them on the shore He says, “Follow Me!”
They’re like, “Bye dad! Good luck fishing!”
Luke then says, “They left everything”
Their whole lives are just uprooted just like that
Now that John is on the scene, let’s switch to his gospel to read about the next guys
jn 1:43
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Philip’s call was simple - no fluff - Follow me
F
Philip’s reaction is similar to Andrew
He runs off to tell someone else
I think this tells us a lot about the guy he goes for
He finds the Messiah, and Nathanael is the first person he thinks of
Nathanael is probably also Bartholomew (Bartholomew means “Son of Tolmai”)
Jesus was “Yeshua Bar Yosef” (Or Jesus Son of Joseph)
Peter is referred to a “Simon Bar Jonah” (Or Simon Son of John)
He was Nathanael Bar Tomai - Or Nathanael Bartholomew
Ever see “Space Balls?”
What’s your name? Barf!
You full name? Barfolomew...
Anyway, Philip tells Nathanael the news
The Messiah is here!
It’s Jesus of Nazareth!
Here’s his reaction:
john 1:46
46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Pause for a second...
Think of the people Jesus has just selected
He is calling
He didn’t go to Rome to select the kings or the emperor
He didn’t go to the temple to recruit the priests...
He went to the Sea of Galilee to get some fishermen...
These are low-class, blue-collar, brutish roughnecks
Peter cuts off a guys ear...
James and John are called “Boanerges”
Means “Sons of Thunder”
The Son of God doesn’t give nicknames like that unless they’ve earned them
Peter -
Rebukes Jesus fo wanting to go to the cross
Cuts an ear off the guard
Denies Him 3 times
James and John -
Jesus calls them “Sons of Thunder”
Jesus doesn’t give nicknames like that to softies
When Jesus tells them He is going to die, they ask to sit next to Him in glory
I have less than a week to live
When you die, can I have your car?!
Nathanael -
When he hears that the Messiah is from Nazareth he says, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
Can anything good come out of East Peoria?
Can anything good come out of Pekin?
I’m sure when I got hired many of you thought, “Can anything good come out of California?”
Ever had In-N-Out?
Talk about a negative way to start the conversation
Philip, staying patient, says, “Come and see”
Nathanael would soon overcome his prejudice
john 1:47
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Even though Nathanael is crude and biased, Jesus saw through that
Even though Nathanael is crude and biased, Jesus saw through that
He sees through that in us too
I’m so grateful God sees through our bitterness and grumpiness...
Pastor’s often take Mondays off
Jay Walden used to say, “Lord hold my tongue, it’s Monday”
Monday’s were hard, but I know Jay’s heart
He is a good man who loves Jesus
Jesus knows that too, so He looks past the surfacey mistakes
He says, “An Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”
Quite a compliment!
Also, probably the reason Philip thought of him first
Although rough around the edges, he loves God and want to follow
There are people like that in this room!
Don’t think that ruggedness means you can’t follow Jesus
There’s a line in a Todd Agnew song called “My Jesus”
Powerful song about Jesus versus what we make Him to be
He says, “My Jesus would never be accepted in my church
The Blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpet...”
And Jesus says, I know you, Nathanael
I saw you, back when there’s no way I could have seen you
That’s enough for Nathanael!
Watch his response:
49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Jesus says, “Man, I’m just getting started!”
And He was!
Before we get to next week’s lesson, some things are going to go by
Next Events
Next Events
After this, Jesus will head to Cana
comes the first Passover
He will perform His first sign, turning water into wine at a wedding
Then He instantly heals Peter’s mother-in-law
(Some think that’s a miracle, others think it’s a curse…)
After the first Passover goes by...
…He meets the woman at the well
And He tells her all the secrets no one knows
Later, He will heal a centurions servant
Then we get to next week...
No doubt, what the disciples see back in Galilee will blow their minds!
Disciples
Disciples
But for now, I want to get back to these men
By now we should see a theme...
Jesus walks up to these guys He probably doesn’t know very well
He keeps saying these types of phrases, and they’re important
These phrases, are what makes them His DISCIPLES
Andrew and Peter:
19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
James and John:
20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Philip:
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”
In 2 weeks Jesus will finish with Matthew
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.
9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
Notice what James and John left behind
They left their boat and their father...
Reality is there are two parts to this
What did Peter and Andrew leave? Just their nets...
One, if we follow we do what Jesus says
Two, we have to leave some things behind from our old life
What did Peter and Andrew leave? Just their nets...
Peter left his boat
Perhaps they’re still waiting to see about this Jesus
Andrew left his nets
James left his dad
Perhaps they’re still watching, still curious, maybe apprehensive
Peter will help you see why I think that in a minute
John left his catch
2. Jesus has just added James and John
Matthew left his tax booth
What are the things in your life you don’t want to let go of?
These are co-workers of Peter and Andrew
Really stop and think about that...
The woman at the well will leave her pitcher of water
John is also… the author of John!
Is it addiction? Is it guilt? Is it money? Is it your country? Your family?
For the disciples, they had to give up their lives
Not just their comforts and lifestyle, but their lives...
Not John the Baptist, John the Apostle
What happened to these 12 men?
Books:
Mistakes:
Accomplishments:
Death:
Simon or Peter
Simon or Peter
Something is about to happen to wake him up
Author of 1 Peter, 2 Peter
Passionate follower
Denied Jesus 3 times and sank on the waves
Would end up being one Jesus’ closest disciples
Accomplishments: Crucified upside down
One day, Jesus is teaching near the sea of Galilee
Crucified upside down in Rome, didn’t deserve the same as Christ
Quote:
Good:
Death: He was crucified in Rome upside down, didn’t deserve the same as Christ
Didn’t deserve the same as Christ
The crowds get big and push in on them
Andrew
Andrew
Books:
Mistake:
Called the first disciple of Christ
Brought the gospel to the Scythians, North to Romanians, South to Ethiopians
Crucified on an “X” shaped cross
Death: Crucified
Quote: “Oh, cross most welcome and longed for! With a willing mind, joyfully and desirously, I come to you, being a scholar of Him which did hang on you, because I have always been your lover and yearn to embrace you.”
“Oh, cross most welcome and longed for! With a willing mind, joyfully and desirously, I come to you, being a scholar of Him which did hang on you, because I have always been your lover and yearn to embrace you.”
James the Greater
James the Greater
Books:
One of the “Sons of Thunder”
Accomplishments:
Only disciple martyred in Scripture
Quote:
Good: Wrote the Book of James
Beheaded
Only disciple martyred in Scripture
1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.
1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword,
Quote:
John
John
John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation
The other “Son of Thunder”
Known as the disciple that Jesus loved
Exiled to Patmos, an island prison work camp
Quote:
Wrote the gospel of John, the epistles of John (1,2,3) and Revelation
Exiled to Patmos, an island prison work camp
Philip
Philip
Books:
Was slow to believe Jesus
Accomplishments:
When he did, he was dedicated
Death: Stoned and hanged in Hierapolis
Quote:
Stoned and crucified in Hierapolis
Eventually stoned and hanged in Hierapolis
Nathanael or Bartholomew
Nathanael or Bartholomew
Books:
Mistake:
Traveled to India and translated the book of Matthew
Skinned Alive and beheaded in Armenia
Quote:
Then went to Armenia
He was
Matthew, or Levi
Matthew, or Levi
Books: Matthew
Mistake: A hated tax-collector
Accomplishments: Brought the gospel to Ethiopia and Egypt
Death: King Hircanus had him killed with a spear
Quote:
King Hircanus had him killed with a spear
Thomas, or Didymus
Thomas, or Didymus
Known for doubting Christ’s resurrection
Mistakes: Doubting Christ’s resurrection
But he started the church in India
Possibly run through by a spear
Quote:
James the Lesser
James the Lesser
Good:
Death:
His brother James has an epistle himsel
He didn’t go to Rome to select the kings or the emperor
He didn’t go to the temple to recruit the priests...
He went to the Sea of Galilee to get some fishermen
These are low-class, blue-collar, brutish roughnecks
James and John are called “Boanerges”
Means “Sons of Thunder”
The Son of God doesn’t give nicknames like that unless they’ve earned them
Let’s look at eh
Books:
Doubting Christ’s resurrection
May be Jesus’ brother
But probably Matthew’s brother
Crucified in Sinai or stoned in Jerusalem
:
Judas, Jude, Thaddeus or Lebbaeus
Judas, Jude, Thaddeus or Lebbaeus
Wrote Jude
Possibly the half-brother of Jesus
Mistake:
Evangelized in Edessa
Clubbed to death
Death: Clubbed to death
Simon the Zealot
Simon the Zealot
Quote:
Only mentioned as a disciple once
Evangelized in Egypt and met up with Jude in Persia
Possibly sawn in half in Persia
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot
Books: None
Betrayed Jesus
Suicidal hanging
Death: Suicidal hanging
Challenge
Challenge
Challenge
Challenge
All of these men
So when are you starting your ministry?
Jesus was focused
He looked for guys that were going to be focused too
Or would betray Him...
But that’s not the point
What do these guys have in common?
They were regular people
Tired of a mundane life
Were ready to put God first
And dropped everything to do so
When they did, God did amazing things through them
He made them radical world changers
God is ready to do that same thing with you today
What are you waiting for?
You want an invitation? How about right now!
I am so sick of boring, routine Christianity
You know, its easy, comfortable, convenient...
Because a boring useless life has nothing to do with God
I am so sick of boring, routine Christianity
You know, its easy, comfortable, convenient...
Does that sound anything like Jesus to you?
Are you ready for that?
I hope so!
If not, it’s time to wake up...
Jesus is saying to you, get up and follow ME...
Let’s pray