Matthew 4:18-22 // As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
- Jesus doesn’t call the qualified.
- He qualifies the called.
Luke 9:23 NLT // Then he [Jesus] said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
- Crowds are fans of Jesus, not followers.
- If means this is your choice.
- Any of you includes you.
- Follower means to come after.
- Turn means to reject and to deny utterly.
- Bond Servant.
Luke 14:26 // If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.
Galatians 2:20 ESV // I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 5:24 ESV // And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV // Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
- Daily is a commitment.
- Where do I need to die to selfishness in order to follow Jesus?
