The Message of Jesus Pt. 2: Follow Me

Announcements:

LAST WEEK OF YOUTH W/ OTTS…WILL CONTINUE NEXT WEEK @ 7

ROE V. WADE OVERTURNED.

Be a BEREAN. FACT CHECK.

JESUS was NOT JUST A MAN…GOD FROM ETERNITY PAST, ALWAYS DIVINE.

THE SPIRIT WAS AN ENDORSEMENT OR CONFIRMATION, JESUS WAS NEVER NOT “FILLED” WITH THE SPIRIT.

WE’LL NEVER BE EXACTLY LIKE JESUS. HE’S GOD, THE MESSIAH. WE ARE NOT.

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CONCLUDING from last week with WHAT JESUS PROCLAIMED on the earth...

LAST WEEK: the KINGDOM of GOD is NEAR, REPENT and BELIEVE...

The CLASH of KINGDOMS…my own kingdom in this life vs. God’s kingdom. My way, or His way.

THIS WEEK: focus in on discipleship, FOLLOWING JESUS.

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Mark 1:16–20 (ESV)

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

JESUS was WILLING to CALL the COMMON PEOPLE.

NOT PROFESSIONALS, RELIGIOUS PEOPLE, NO ONE SPECIAL

17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

JESUS MESSAGE = “Follow me” .....COMMAND, NOT SUGGESTION.

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR....REPENT (TURN) & FOLLOW JESUS.

GO A DIFFERENT WAY.

****JESUS ISN’T A HITCH-HIKER, YOU DON’T PICK HIM UP ON YOUR WAY

FISHERMEN TO FISHERS OF MEN.

19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.

20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Q- ANYONE NOTICE WHAT THE DISCIPLES’ RESPONSE WAS TO THE CALL??

IMMEDIATELY LEFT FORMER LIFE BEHIND, FOLLOWED JESUS.

DIDN’T DELAY…DIDN’T SAY “BUT LET ME FIRST”

LEAVING LUCRATIVE BUSINESS- JOHN & JAMES’ FATHER HAD SERVANTS

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The CALL to FOLLOW NEVER STOPPED:

JESUS’ FINAL SAYING TO PETER (John 21:19b, 22)

Twice he said “Follow Me”

COMMAND CONTINUES EVEN W/ JESUS IN HEAVEN.

BIG IDEA: The call of Jesus Christ is to follow him, to turn from our sinful ways, and to commit our lives to his service, for he is worth everything.

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Matthew 13:44–48 (ESV)

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,

46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

MOST IMPORTANT PURSUIT...

IF I HAVE JESUS & NOTHING.....i HAVE EVERYTHING.

Craig Blomberg says, “[Disciples] must always abandon anything that would stand in the way of wholehearted allegiance to Christ and the priorities of the kingdom”

THE SACRIFICE IS WORTH EVERYTHING.

FOCUS ON PRIORITIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD...

Q- WHERE ARE YOUR PRIORITIES? WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

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NOT always EASY....

WE’RE MOVING to OBEY GOD’S CALL.

It would be EASIER to STAY.

BUT JESUS & HIS KINGDOM = EVERYTHING

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Just as he called the disciples alongside the Sea of Galilee, he calls us today by his Spirit to turn from sin, to devote our lives to him, and go out and make a difference in the world by sharing the good news with others and to follow him.