Matthew 4:18-22 Luke 5:1-11 John 1:35-51

Matthew 4:18-22  The Calling of the First Disciples  18As 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. 19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed him. 21Going 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, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

What is a disciple?  Based off of verse 19 its somebody who follows Jesus  By Def: 1) Someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another  Doctrine: educated word for a system of beliefs or just belief.

A thought, actually 3?  Are you a disciple? Verse 19 Follower  Do You make disciples? Matthew 28:19 says to make them.  Do you enjoy being a disciple?

The Life of A Disciple  Peter the first called was executed by the Roman emperor Nero. Prior to death was in prison (solitary confinement for 9 months) and watched his wife be executed. (McBirnie)  Reason for execution was spreading a doctrine of Jesus Christ, which is the fundamental definition of a Disciple.  Andrew his brother, the 2 nd called disciple  Crucified in the St. Andrews Cross Position (cross with X) in Scotland. Reasoning teaching Jesus doctrine, which is the fundamental definition of a disciple.

The other 10, and others.  James- beheaded by kind herrod (acts 12:1-2)  John- Banished to an island of patmos and  Phillip- Martyred in Hieropolis.  Nathanel- skinned alive then beheaded  Thomas- speared to death in Madros  Matthew- different traditions place his missionary work and possible martyrdom in Ethiopia or Persia.

more  James (less)- martyrdom in Egypt.  Jude- killed with simon the zelot in Persia  Simon the Zelot- crucified or hacked to death  Matthias- replaced Judas, martyred  Judas- Suicide (in hell)  Paul (apostle)- he was beheaded at a place now called Tre Fontane in Rome, and that the church of St. Paul stands over his grave.  Steven- Stoned to death

God wants Disciples, don’t have many Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. (matt 9:37) Jesus said people will know who his disciples are by the way they love one another.

The Bottom Line  God’s disciples have at one time or another a desire for him, a fire for him. (Hebrews 12:29)  Jesus never preached a “become a Christian message” he preached “TURN” and “Follow Me” he didn’t say make a Christian but it was “Make Disciples”  Jesus and his disciples (minus Judas) never backed to from telling anyone, anything. (that is the hardest thing)

Christian Life does not feel like service when you are in Love.

Sources  NIV Study Bible  NIV Bible Commentary   The Search For The Twelve Apostles, William McBirnie, PH.D  Living Courageously, Francis Chan (itunes)  Dr. Danny Forshee (acts messages) (itunes)   LES%20FATE.htm#andrew LES%20FATE.htm#andrew