Matthew 1-4 8. Calling Followers 1. The Messiah King Introducing Jesus 2. Overcomer of fear 3. Recognising Jesus 4. Repentance 5. Baptism Matthew 1-4 6. Temptation 7. Kingdom of Heaven 8. Calling Followers

Matthew 4 18   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. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 3 1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

Matthew 3 16   As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 4 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil

What is following Jesus? Matthew 4 18   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. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 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, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. What is following Jesus?

What is following Jesus? Matthew 4 18   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. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 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, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. What is following Jesus? Why follow Jesus?

What is following Jesus? Matthew 4 18   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. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 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, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. What is following Jesus? Why follow Jesus? What is fishing for people?

What is following Jesus? Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. What is following Jesus? Jesus doesn’t want fans. He wants followers. Jesus wants people who will do more than simply sit in a pew and clap and cheer. He wants people who will take up a cross daily, the cross of service and love. John Ortberg,

What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Love Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Love Forgiveness Not judging Mercy Giving

What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Loving Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Loving Obeying his words Forgiving Accepting Caring Giving

What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Costly Forgiveness Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Sacrificial Love What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Costly Forgiveness Obeying his words Shocking Association Copying his lifestyle Generous Mercy Wholehearted Giving

What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Forgiving the lost Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Loving the hurting What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Forgiving the lost Obeying his words Copying his lifestyle Accepting the outcast Serving his mission Saving the sinners Rescuing the poor

What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Obeying his words Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Obeying his words To the hurting Copying his lifestyle To our enemies Serving his mission To the lost Going where he goes To the sinners To the poor

What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Save the sinner Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Heal the hurting What is following Jesus? Learning his teaching Save the sinner Obeying his words Copying his lifestyle Teach the hungry Serving his mission Going where he goes Love the unlovely Fulfilling his actions Helping the poor

Call of Jesus irresistible Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Why follow Jesus? Call of Jesus irresistible

Call of Jesus irresistible Accepting Character of Jesus wonderful Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Loving Why follow Jesus? Forgiving Call of Jesus irresistible Accepting Character of Jesus wonderful Caring Giving

Call of Jesus irresistible Save the sinner Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Heal the hurting Why follow Jesus? Call of Jesus irresistible Save the sinner Character of Jesus wonderful Teach the hungry Purpose of Jesus gives meaning Love the unlovely Helping the poor

What is fishing for people? Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. What is fishing for people? Intentionally catching people for Jesus ... Desire for people to be saved Actions that attract Words that call

Career respectability? Matthew 4 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21... Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. What do we need to leave? Financial ambition? Relationship dreams? Career respectability? Easy life?

Saviour God I choose to follow you I will love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength; Embolden me to go the people around me Empower me to love my neighbours Equip me to make disciples Inspire me to obey you And be with us, I pray. For your glory Amen

Almighty and gracious God, because of your great mercy to us We offer our bodies as living sacrifices to you, That we may be holy And pleasing to you, For this is true worship. Help us not to conform to the pattern of this world But transform us By the renewing of our minds, Enabling us to know and follow Your good, pleasing and perfect will Now and always. Amen. Adapted from Romans 12v1-2