Leaving and Loving (Matthew 4:12-22)

When Jesus called his disciples, they left immediately, and they left their attachment to their businesses and families. When we hear Jesus' call to follow, what will we leave behind in order to follow him in love and obedience?

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Sermon notes:

What makes a good Christian?

• The checklist approach (do this; do that).
  
  
• Observing the church structure (many Christians = show up to meetings and support the programs).
  
  
• But Jesus had a more radical idea.
  
  

Jesus simply called us to follow him.

• He preached a simple message of repentance (change; 17).
  
  
• He simply called people to follow him (19, 21).
  
  
• In his call was a challenge to follow and an invitation to participate in sharing the message (19).
  
  

The disciples left things behind so they could follow.

• Their commitment was total--they left things behind to follow.
  
  
• They left immediately (20, 22).
  
  
• They left their businesses (boats and nets; 20, 22).
  
  
• They left their families (22).
  
  

They followed Jesus in his mission--to draw others to Jesus (“fish for men”).

• When Jesus called, he didn’t simply challenge them to leave and follow; he also invited them to join him in his mission by “fishing for men.”
  
  
• They were to draw others to him.
  
  

What will you leave behind to join the mission?

• What will you leave behind?
  
  
• Career (ambition)? Family (fighting)? Pride? Idolatry?
  
  
• Will you lay it all down and let it all go to follow him as he leads?
  
  
• Will you join his mission?
  
  
• Who might you influence for Jesus?
  
  
• How might you draw others to him?
  
  

What if we began looking less at commitments to a structure or a checklist and began to think and pray radically about following Jesus? What might that look like? What would change in your life? What are you scared of? Follow him into his mission.