January 10 2016 Jesus Looks For Disciples

JESUS LOOKS FOR DISCIPLES

Matthew 4:18-22

The choice of Jesus. (V.18)

• He saw two brothers.

Three reasons why you are important to God:

1. Because of who we are.
2. Because of what we cost.
3. Because of what we can become.

Man surveys the crowd and values it by:

• We look at each other with the eyes of what they were.
• We see people for what they are today.
• The call of Jesus (V. 19)
  "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men."

The significance of a call depends upon:

• It has to do with who calls.
• It has to do with what they say.
• Where I am at in my own life.
  Our life, once stretched, never regains its original dimension.

The challenge of Jesus (V. 19)
"I will make you..."

What made the challenge irresistible?

• Jesus took responsibility for their success.
• Jesus gave them hope.
• Jesus gave them vision.

The concerns of Jesus.

• Relationships.
• Growth.
• Fruitfulness.
• Obedience.
  (V. 20) Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

LOOK THEM OVER
“Lord, as you “Look Me Over,” it’s unbelievable that you would choose me to help build your Kingdom.  I accept the challenge to follow you into the exciting journey of ministry.  I admit that I’m a little fearful and have areas in my life that you must change before you can use me.  Nevertheless, today I make myself available to you.”
Love, _____________________________________

Areas of my life that need to be changed:

January 3 2016 Winning Through Encouragement

Winning Through Encouragement

Introduction:

• Assets make things possible.
• People make things happen.

It is important that people believe in their leader, but it is more important that the leader believes in the people.

Principles Jesus Models About Encouragement

1. Focus on the person’s potential not their past.

John 1:40-42 – The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him “We have found the Messiah.”  Then he brought Simon to Jesus who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John.  You will be called Cephas.” (Which, being translated is Peter.)

2. Develop a relationship with people before you ask anything of them.

Matthew 4:18-20 – As Jesus was walking beside the sea He saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, and they left the boat and their father and followed him.

3. Be ready to help people when they stretch.

Matthew 14:28 – “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,”  He said.

4. Give people recognition and responsibility.

Matthew 16:16 – Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.  On this Rock I will build my Church.”

5. Never give up on people.

Matthew 16:23 – The Lord tells Peter, “Out of my sight, Satan!  You are a stumbling block.”

Though you cannot go back and make a brand new start, my friend, you can start from now and make a brand new end!

6. Pray for others.

Luke 22:31-32 – “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

January 12 2014 The Great Invitation

The Great Invitation 

Matthew 4:18-22

To experience real fellowship with Christ, we must leave our position of distance and come into the circle of intimacy and service with the Master.

Four Lessons to Learn

1. Invitation To Intimacy.

Matthew 4:19 – Come, follow Me.

Matthew 4:18 – Jesus saw two brothers.

Genesis 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

2. Invitation To Intervention.

Matthew 4:19 – I will make you.

Matthew 16:18 – I will build My church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.

2 Peter 3:18 – Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:25 – Let us not give up meeting together as some in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.

3. Invitation To Investment

Matthew 4:20 & 22 – At once they left their nets. They left their boat and their father and followed Him.

Moses: He counted it greater honor to follow God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season and to enrich himself with all the riches of Egypt.

4. Invitation To Increase.

Verse 19 – I will make you fishers of men.

October 3 2010 The Great Invitation

The Great Invitation

(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 make you fishers of men." 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.)

Four Lessons To Learn

1. Intimacy

(Verse 19 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said)

2. Intervention

(Verse 19 - "and I will make you")

(Matthew 16:18 - "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.")

(Philippians 1:6 - being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.)

3. Investment

(Verse 20 - At once they left their nets and followed him.)

(Verse 22 - and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.)

4. Increase

(Verse 19 - "and I will make you fishers of men.")