FOLLOW ME
Christians are to be
disciples—disciples are followers. Are
you? Am I?
Matthew 4:18-22
Calling by Jesus
1) Follow me—Disciples are
called to know and follow Jesus—obedience—His life pattern—our life pattern—His
beliefs-our beliefs—His mission our mission
2) I will make you—Disciples
are called to be changed.
a. Transformed—to look like Jesus. Do you look like Jesus?
Beliefs, actions?
b. Who does the changing?
God, Jesus, Holy Spirit—He does, we cooperate.
3) Fishers of men—fishers
of people
a. Jesus’ purpose—restore people to God’s image
Establish
relationship with every person
Disciples
live God’s purpose—are you a disciple?
How is all this done? Need three connections in order to do
this—to be Christ’s disciple—to live this out:
1) Connect to God
a. Know Jesus—Savior; Know Jesus—Lord. Who’s in charge of your life? Follow me!
b. How do you know Jesus?
i.
More than just church
attendance
ii.
Daily feeding—reading Word for
yourself, especially Gospels—who of you have read through the Gospels by
yourself
iii.
Daily prayer—talk to Him after
He has talked to you through the Word.
iv.
Connecting to God? Are you?
2) Connect to others—“Follow
me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
a. To be a fisher you have to be with fish—go where the fish
are—lake doesn’t come to MY house.
Church is not the Lake.
b. Spending time with people—unbelievers
c. Jesus spent time with “sinners, tax collectors”—connected
with people who needed a doctor.
d. Connecting with others is part of following Jesus and part
of letting Him make us fishers.
e. Matthew 9:36 Heart
of Jesus for people—prayer—then going.
3) Connect to Jesus’ purpose—Fishers of men
a. Lk 19:10 “Son of man
came … seek and save that which was lost.”
b. Matt 28;18-20 “Make
disciples, baptize, teach them to obey Jesus’ teachings.”
c. Matt 9:36 ff.
“Harassed and helpless—sheep w/o shepherd.” They need a Shepherd.
Connecting with God is not enough.
Connecting with others is not
enough—especially if connecting with others means only connecting with church
people.
Connecting with God’s purpose is
not enough.
If you don’t regularly connect with
God, you won’t connect with others or with His purpose.
If you don’t regularly connect with
following people—won’t connect with His purpose and stay true to His
purpose. Need
encouragement—support—accountability—challenge.
If you don’t regularly connect with
unbelieving people—fish—you won’t achieve His purpose.
If you don’t seek His purpose then
are we really disciples—followers—learners?
“Follow me and I will make you
fishers of people.”
Disciples:
1) Know and obey Jesus
2) Allow Jesus to change their lives
3) Obey Jesus mission
Disciples:
1)
Connect with God regularly
2)
Connect with others inside and outside the body of Christ
3)
Connect with God’s purpose—to seek and save
Are you a disciple?
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