Close encounters with the real Jesus The first disciples

Overview Series introduction Andrew, Simon, James and John Philip and Nathaniel Matthew (Levi) Compare and contrast So what?

So what’s this series all about? People who met Jesus in the flesh –See the real Jesus Many false ideas about who Jesus was –See how He related to others How did he speak to and deal with them What does this have to say to us today? –How does Jesus relate to people today –How should we relate to others? Why start here?

The Bible passages Matthew 4: Simon & Andrew, James & John Matthew 9:9-13 – Matthew (Levi) Matthew 10:2-4 – Appointing the 12 Mark 1:14-20 – Simon & Andrew, James & John Mark 2:13-17 – Matthew (Levi) Mark – Appointing of the 12 Luke 5:1-11- Peter and Andrew, James and John Luke 5:27-31 – Matthew (Levi) Luke 6: – The appointing of the 12 John 1:35-42 – Simon and Andrew, James & John John 1:43-51 – Philip and Nathaniel

Andrew and Simon, James and John A growing interest and knowledge A growing relationship A revelation given to John Andrew shares his discovery with Simon –Simon meets Jesus and is given new name A sign of Jesus power –Peter’s humble obedience –Peter’s realisation of his sinfulness –Receiving grace and a calling

Matthew (Levi) Teaching the masses Reaching out to the lost Levi wants his friends to meet Jesus –Holds a banquet and invites all his friends The indignant reactions of the religious people Jesus perspective on his ministry

Philip and Nathaniel Philip shared his discovery with Nathaniel Nathaniel’s scepticism and Philip’s answer Jesus knows all things Jesus meets Nathaniel where he is Nathaniel recognised that Jesus was no ordinary man

Compare and contrast These were ordinary people A mixture of godly and ungodly A willingness to “come and see” Saw that Jesus was no ordinary man A passion to share what they had found They were willing to obey and follow

So what? Are we willing to take the time to investigate, explore and learn? Are we willing to let the relationship grow or do we want all the answers now? Are we willing to ask God to show us the truth or do we simply demand the proof that we want? Are we cautious but open? Are we willing to give up all to follow Christ? Are we sharing what we find even if we don’t have all the answers? Is God powerfully at work amongst us? Are we willing to reach out to everyone? Where do we exhibit wrong attitudes?