“Beginnings”
Pastor David Moore
Theme: To love God and love others is only possible when we understand that our spiritual relationship begins because He loved us first. “The Calling.”
Old Testament reading: 1 Kings 19:19-21
So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?” He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.
New Testament reading: Matthew 4:12-22
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made His home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned.”
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As He walked 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 fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. As He went from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.
Two events happen in Israel in Matthew 4:
1. John baptizes in the Jordan River
2. Jesus begins His ministry
Jesus calls His disciples.
If the disciples needed to be introduced to Jesus, why wouldn’t our friends? The disciples had time to get to hear Jesus, yet to think about what He said. Jesus was calling the disciples to a ministry to change lives. ~D. Moore
Jesus wants our lives to count, help others, make a difference in this world. Jesus wants to give us purpose and focus. That will happen by following Him. ~D. Moore
With our call, what does that mean? It is to live with Jesus, just like the disciples did. ~D. Moore
Romans 12:1-2: I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Luke 18:28: Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.”
Mark 1:17: And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”
“Christian discipleship is based upon a life of faithful surrender in which we learn to let go of control.” ~Tripp Prince
The Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
This week: Think about the fact that Jesus has invited you to become a disciple, as well as doing our part in introducing people in our lives to become disciples of Jesus.
God bless, have a good week!