Jesus calls his first disciples after his baptism in Judea. He encounters Andrew and Peter and calls them to "come and see" where he was staying. Later in Galilee, Jesus gives Andrew, Peter, James, and John a deeper calling to follow him and promises to make them "fishers of men." Luke notes that Jesus gave Peter special attention during this second calling in Galilee.
John's gospel was written around 90AD. He assumes his readers know the basic facts of Jesus life. His purpose is to highlight that Jesus was and is the Son of God and that belief in Him will give eternal life.
Matthew: The King and His Kingdom_Mt 1.18 25Stephen Palm
“The virgin birth of Christ is a key doctrine; for if Jesus Christ is not God come in sinless human flesh, then we have no Savior. Jesus had to be.” This quote from Pastor/Bible teacher Warren W. Wiersbe strikes at the very core of the Christian faith. Sceptics throughout the ages have questioned the miraculous conception and virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Their unbelief and criticism should not make us doubt. The testimony of Mary is that Jesus was miraculously conceived. So, let us be strengthened because we serve the God of miracles who spoke creation into existence (Gen. 1:1) and sent the Holy Spirit to come upon Mary along with the power of the Most High to overshadow her (Lk. 1:35). In order that she would bear a son and call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). The greatest gift this Christmas season is that God has come in the flesh (Jn. 1:14).
This is a slideshow of some of the prophecy illustrations from our website - http://SanctuaryofYeshua.wordpress.com.
You can go there to learn more about the Bible prophecies of Daniel and Revelation and about the Sanctuary, or Tabernacle. The fact that the Bible prophecies have been so accurately fulfilled by history shows that the prophecies which apply to the future will also be very exactly fulfilled. You will find much more about this o the website, as well as an illustrated timeline of all the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation so you can see visually how and when they were/are going to be fulfilled.
John's gospel was written around 90AD. He assumes his readers know the basic facts of Jesus life. His purpose is to highlight that Jesus was and is the Son of God and that belief in Him will give eternal life.
Matthew: The King and His Kingdom_Mt 1.18 25Stephen Palm
“The virgin birth of Christ is a key doctrine; for if Jesus Christ is not God come in sinless human flesh, then we have no Savior. Jesus had to be.” This quote from Pastor/Bible teacher Warren W. Wiersbe strikes at the very core of the Christian faith. Sceptics throughout the ages have questioned the miraculous conception and virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Their unbelief and criticism should not make us doubt. The testimony of Mary is that Jesus was miraculously conceived. So, let us be strengthened because we serve the God of miracles who spoke creation into existence (Gen. 1:1) and sent the Holy Spirit to come upon Mary along with the power of the Most High to overshadow her (Lk. 1:35). In order that she would bear a son and call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). The greatest gift this Christmas season is that God has come in the flesh (Jn. 1:14).
This is a slideshow of some of the prophecy illustrations from our website - http://SanctuaryofYeshua.wordpress.com.
You can go there to learn more about the Bible prophecies of Daniel and Revelation and about the Sanctuary, or Tabernacle. The fact that the Bible prophecies have been so accurately fulfilled by history shows that the prophecies which apply to the future will also be very exactly fulfilled. You will find much more about this o the website, as well as an illustrated timeline of all the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation so you can see visually how and when they were/are going to be fulfilled.
Everyone in this chapter sins. Isaac is physically blind, but worse he is blind to the will of God. Esau has sold his birthright and seeks revenge when his brother steals the blessing. Rebekah, knowing the God has decreed Jacob to be blessed, uses her own cunning to accomplish God's purpose. Jacob, is willingly and knowingly complicit in expediting his mother's scheme, supplanting his brother and grasping his father's blessing. Yet, in spite of all this, God's sovereign purpose is fulfilled. Man's sin neither thwarts nor obviates divine providence!
An introduction to a teaching series on the Bible Book of Revelation. Notes are mostly adapted from Gorden Ferguson’s Revelation Series, “Death before Denial”
New Testament Survey no.8: John - Book of Revelation Clive Ashby
As part of the Course on the New Testament, Session 8 provides an overview of the writing of John in the Revelation he received of the End Times. (This is part of the New Testament Survey Course taught at Harare Theological College - 2016)
Mark's gospel was written under the shadow of persecution. It is filled with action and only a small amount of teaching. It shows Jesus suffered and was victorious.
Among the many chapters in the Bible Genesis 22 stands out among the most significant, personal and poignant. As a vivid picture of substitutionary atonement, the event of Abraham's offering his son, portends the Father's offering of His Son, Jesus, on the cross.
Zacchaeus, a tax collector meets Jesus, (Luke 19:1-10). This is a story not short on important lessons!!
Listen at - http://w65stchurchofchrist.org/coc/
This study endeavors to cover the receding of the waters, the landing and location of the ark, the significant dates associated with the flood, and the function and meaning of the raven and the dove. All of these subjects and more are examined.
Everyone in this chapter sins. Isaac is physically blind, but worse he is blind to the will of God. Esau has sold his birthright and seeks revenge when his brother steals the blessing. Rebekah, knowing the God has decreed Jacob to be blessed, uses her own cunning to accomplish God's purpose. Jacob, is willingly and knowingly complicit in expediting his mother's scheme, supplanting his brother and grasping his father's blessing. Yet, in spite of all this, God's sovereign purpose is fulfilled. Man's sin neither thwarts nor obviates divine providence!
An introduction to a teaching series on the Bible Book of Revelation. Notes are mostly adapted from Gorden Ferguson’s Revelation Series, “Death before Denial”
New Testament Survey no.8: John - Book of Revelation Clive Ashby
As part of the Course on the New Testament, Session 8 provides an overview of the writing of John in the Revelation he received of the End Times. (This is part of the New Testament Survey Course taught at Harare Theological College - 2016)
Mark's gospel was written under the shadow of persecution. It is filled with action and only a small amount of teaching. It shows Jesus suffered and was victorious.
Among the many chapters in the Bible Genesis 22 stands out among the most significant, personal and poignant. As a vivid picture of substitutionary atonement, the event of Abraham's offering his son, portends the Father's offering of His Son, Jesus, on the cross.
Zacchaeus, a tax collector meets Jesus, (Luke 19:1-10). This is a story not short on important lessons!!
Listen at - http://w65stchurchofchrist.org/coc/
This study endeavors to cover the receding of the waters, the landing and location of the ark, the significant dates associated with the flood, and the function and meaning of the raven and the dove. All of these subjects and more are examined.
From the opening verse we immediately see Mark's goal of presenting Jesus as a divine being through the witness of His teaching and miracles. (Mark 1:1-45)
Andrew is only mentioned 12 times in the Bible. 4 of these are simply his name appearing in a list of the apostles. However, Andrew is a second-string apostle who does many things first. He teaches us important lessons about the three things Jesus most wants us to do.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ changed the lives of those who believed on Him. To those who hurt, who sorrow, who fear and to those who doubt the fact of Jesus' resurrection irrevocably, eternally changed them. He still changes lives today. He can change yours also.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
The Prophecy of Enoch in Jude 14-16_.pptxStephen Palm
In Jude 14-16 Jude cites one of the most cryptic characters in the Book of Genesis, Enoch, the man who never died! Jude quotes Enoch, but the words are not found in Genesis nor anywhere else in the Bible. Jude is actually quoting from a pseudepigraphical book named 1 Enoch. In this sermon we will take a close look at Enoch, consider the way that biblical authors at times cited non-biblical books as illustrations and how Jude applied these words to the false teachers of our day.
Jude: The Acts of the Apostates: Waterless Clouds (vv.8-13).pptxStephen Palm
Jude continues to paint a portrait of false teachers by piling up Old Testament examples of rebels who rejected God-given authority. This week we will consider the bad example of Satan and three men he worked through: Cain, Balaam and Korah. These examples continue to help us identify what false teachers are like and how to quickly identify them.
Jude: The Acts of the Apostate: High Handed Sins (vv.5-7).pptxStephen Palm
One of the key characteristics of Jude as an author is that he frequently alludes to or directly quotes Old Testament texts. He assumes knowledge of these great stories of the Hebrew Scriptures and without some solid understanding of the Books of Moses, in particular, Jude is almost indecipherable.
In this sermon, we will use a category of sin described in the Book of Numbers, the High-Handed Sin, as a way of organizing Jude 5-7. The High-Handed sin is the sin of the apostate, those who raise their fists against God. Jude, who loves triads, will share three "high-handed sins" committed by unruly mobs. Each of these OT stories are intended to demonstrate the true severity and danger posed by false teachers. In the process of considering these background texts to Jude's words we will grapple with some of the most confusing and even unnerving texts of scripture. Prepare for a wild ride!
Jude: The Acts of the Apostates (Jude vv.1-4).pptxStephen Palm
In this sermon Pastor Ryan Shannon introduces a new sermon series on the Book of Jude entitled, "The Acts of the Apostates". Apostates are the earliest "deconversion" stories of the New Testament. These are false teachers who rejected a truth that they once felt some affinity towards. They preached another gospel and posed a great danger to the early church. Like the first century, the 21st century church faces this same real risk. False teachers are often attractive, charismatic and incredibly positive in their message. But they reject the hard teachings of Jesus and offer a message that offers affirmation without correction. There is nothing sadder than someone who believes a lie and stakes their eternal destiny on that lie that our sin is something God winks at. In this series we will learn the importance of discernment coupled with a bold commitment to stand up, stand out and stand firm for the gospel.
This sermon will explore the broad topic of bioethics from a Christian perspective. The sermon is organized around three points borrowed from bioethicist Dr. Nigel Cameron and Charles Colson: Taking Life, Making Life and Faking Life. We will observe how current innovations offer great hope for healing major diseases but also pose the risk of creating dystopic nightmare scenarios. We will see what God's Word has to say on these relevant topics.
This is the concluding message in the series Trivial Pursuits and the fifth message of "Meaningful Pursuits." This message considers the pursuit of obedience. Shockingly, the words "obey" and "obedience" are not found in all of Ecclesiastes. However, the concept appears in a variety of expressions such as Pleasing God, Doing good, Walking in the "Sight of the Eyes" and Keeping the Commandments. We will explore each of these key phrases and the texts in which they appear, and we will explore what "keeping the commandments" means for the New Covenant believer. We will also explore the "God-rail" of judgment and what the believer in Jesus can expect on the "Day of Judgment."
Meaningful Pursuits_The Fear of God.pptxStephen Palm
In Proverbs Solomon says that "The Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom." The idea of fearing God is peppered throughout Ecclesiastes. It is found in some texts that we have explored in this series and some that we have not. In this message we will bring five key texts concerning the Fear of God that identify five key reasons why we are wise to Fear Him. We will also investigate the Hebrew word that lies behind this concept of fear in order to gain a more accurate view of this important biblical concept.
This sermon is part of the Easter Apocalypse series in which we are looking forward to the Book of Revelations for a sense of the sequel to the Easter story, Jesus in Heaven and King of kings and Lord of lords. In this message we will contrast Jesus' "veiled glory" during His earthly ministry including his post-resurrection appearances and Jesus' full display of his glory in John's vision in Revelation chapter 1.
Today we launch our Easter series entitled "Easter Apocalypse". This Palm Sunday we are going to study a moment from the Book of Revelation where a great multitude, much larger than the crowd in Jerusalem, will worship Jesus, waving palm branches. This amazing moment is found in the seventh chapter of the Book of Revelation. We will look at the entire chapter with a special focus on the middle of the chapter where this scene plays out in heaven.
Ecclesiastes 4: The Pursuit of Companionship.pptxStephen Palm
In Ecclesiastes 4 we find another meaningful pursuit sandwiched between two meaningless pursuits, as is Solomon's style. The Meaningful Pursuit is the pursuit of companionship. This passage contains the great statement that a cord of three strands is not easily torn apart. We will explore the primary meaning in context and then explore an additional meaning that the n+1 formula in this text suggests, that the plus one is also a reference to God. He is the one who truly provides enduring strength to our human relationships, whether we are looking at a marriage or a friendship. Excluding God leaves us "under the sun" and fending for ourselves.
The Pursuit of God's Timetable_Ecclesiastes 3.pptxStephen Palm
This week marks the shift from Trivial Pursuits to Meaningful Pursuits. This week we will look at Pursuing God's Timetable, embracing God's understanding of time and eternity. However, we will see that the jaded side of Solomon continues to intersperse rain clouds of doubt and cynicism. He bears the spiritual and emotional scars of a man who spent too much time in Trivial and sinful pursuits.
Culture Clash_Reasserting the Gospel to a culture that wants to reshape its m...Stephen Palm
This sermon is entitled Reasserting the Gospel to a culture that wants to reshape its message. In this sermon we will look at some key aspects of the gospel which clash with our culture, 5 common distortions of the gospel and finally 3 biblical examples of how to contextualize the gospel without compromising or confusing its message.
The Pursuit of Self Sufficiency_Ecclesiastes 9:11-12.pptxStephen Palm
In Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 Solomon bemoans how random chance falls upon mankind. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race. The smartest person doesn't always get the scholarship; life doesn't operate purely on the basis of fairness. The "under the sun" solution is self-reliance. In this sermon Mike Bealer demonstrates that the mathematics hard-baked into the universe suggest that God does not operate randomly. He creates a purposeful universe and one of His purposes is that we will rely upon Him rather than rely upon ourselves and our meager understanding of God's purpose and plan.
In this service, we will celebrate a child dedication. Then we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together, and finally believers baptism by immersion. Each section will include a brief devotional focusing on the scriptures that inform and inspire these practices of the Christian faith.
Trivial Pursuits - The Pursuit of Riches_Contentment.pptxStephen Palm
This sermon is a tag team preaching. Pastor Steve Palm will begin with the bad news concerning the "Trivial Pursuit of Riches" in Ecclesiastes 5:8-17. We will look at several active "taxes" that siphon wealth: the Corruption Tax, the Consumption Tax and the Calamity Tax. Those who love money struggle to have enough. Cole will preach on the flip side of the coin in Ecclesiastes 5:18-20. The answer to the love of money is not more money and things. The true answer is contentment.
The Pursuit of Worldly Pleasure_Ecclesiastes 2.pptxStephen Palm
In Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 Solomon is convinced that he can run a dangerous experiment, safe-guarded by his great wisdom. The experiment is to explore every conceivable pleasure taken to inconceivable extremes and yet be unscathed. However, the experiment goes badly and leaves him jaded and empty. In the last three verses he finally allows a little of God's light to shine through. In this sermon we will contrast Solomon's life of empty pursuits with Jesus' balance life. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and set us an example of how to live beyond the "daily grind."
The Pursuit of Worldly Wisdom_Ecclesiastes 1:1-18.pptxStephen Palm
The book of Ecclesiastes is one of the least taught least preached and least read books in the Bible. However, it has one of the most relevant messages for our day. It is a rich tapestry of opposing threads, horizontal threads of an "under the sun" perspective that is worldly-wise and vertical threads of an "under God's Heaven" perspective that reflects the wisdom of God. Which perspective you embrace will determine whether life is a chore or a blessing. Man's wisdom leads to meaninglessness. God's wisdom leads to significance and true joy.
Culture Clash_Antisemitism and the Abrahamic Covenant.pptxStephen Palm
Antisemitism has spiked by 400% in the United States since the beginning of the Hamas/Israel War. However, antisemitism, the hatred and persecution of Jews, has been spiking since 2017. Antisemitism has been described as a "light sleeper" that has awakened yet again. In this sermon, we will look at two definitions of antisemitism, explore the history of antisemitism including the history of Christian antisemitism and then explore what God has to say by examining the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12, 15 and 17 and other prophetic texts. Pastor Steve will assert that the Abrahamic Covenant is an essential lens through which Bible-believers view history and current events. We will also learn what a "trope" is and then explore several insidious antisemitic tropes which are the fuel on the fire of antisemitism.
Christmas List - Jesus: Prioritizing Mission over Everything Else.pptxStephen Palm
4. Jesus: Prioritizing Mission over Everything Else. (Dec. 23 & 24) John 1:1-18
John’s gospel begins at an earlier point than the other gospels. Mark begins at Jesus’ baptism and adds nothing to the Christmas story. Matthew and Luke begin with the circumstances of Jesus’ humble birth. But John begins in Heaven with the story of the pre-incarnate Son of God. Heaven’s Prince was a partner with His Father in the work of Creation; “without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3). He was worshipped by angels and shared in the same divine essence possessed by the Father and the Holy Spirit. As the ancient creed says, “He was God of God, Light of light, true God of True God”. In order to accomplish His Father’s Redemptive Mission, to redeem mankind, he voluntarily chose to forego the heavenly privileges of his throne at His Father’s side, and came to earth, was confined to the womb of a young Jewish girl and then was born and placed in a feeding trough, likely in a cave used for birthing lambs. We know so little about Mary, Joseph and the Wise Men whom we have been studying. We are left with the challenge of piecing their lives together. But we have four gospels that describe the miraculous life of Jesus. We see through their four accounts a common picture of a man who consistently prioritized God’s Mission over everything else, culminating in His crucifixion and death. His was a hard life lived perfectly. The challenge before us is whether we will choose to accept His Great Co-Mission, to join Him in prioritizing serving God over security, reputation, comfort, and everything else this world esteems that God sees as less than?
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLDLearnyoga
Hanuman Stories: Timeless Teachings for Today’s World" delves into the inspiring tales of Hanuman, highlighting lessons of devotion, strength, and selfless service that resonate in modern life. These stories illustrate how Hanuman's unwavering faith and courage can guide us through challenges and foster resilience. Through these timeless narratives, readers can find profound wisdom to apply in their daily lives.
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
6. John 1
35 The next day again John was
standing with two of his
disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus
as he walked by and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God!”37 The
two disciples heard him say this,
and they followed Jesus.
7. 38 Jesus turned and saw them
following and said to them, “What
are you seeking?” And they said to
him, “Rabbi” (which means
Teacher), “where are you staying?”
8. 39 He said to them, “Come and you
will see.” So they came and saw
where he was staying, and they
stayed with him that day, for it was
about the tenth hour.
9. 40 One of the two who heard John
speak and followed Jesus was
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He
first found his own brother Simon
and said to him, “We have
found the Messiah” (which means
Christ).
10. 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus
looked at him and said, “You are
Simon the son of John. You shall be
called Cephas” (which means Peter).
John 1
11. Jesus first encounters Andrew,
another disciple of John and Peter
immediately after Jesus’ baptism in
Judea.
Jesus’
Baptism
Jesus first calls Andrew and Peter,
then Philip and Nathanael
Jesus’
Temptation
40 Days
13. Second Point
Jesus’ second calling of the
same men was a call to
deeper commitment – a call
to fish for men.
14. Matthew and Mark show us that
Jesus has a second encounter
with his disciples in Galilee.
Jesus’
Baptism
Jesus first calls Andrew and Peter,
then Philip and Nathanael
Jesus’
Temptation
40 Days
Re-calling
of the
fishermen
15. Mark 1
14 Now after John was arrested,
Jesus came into Galilee,
proclaiming the gospel of God,
16. 15 and saying, “The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God
is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.”
17. 16 Passing alongside the Sea of
Galilee, he saw Simon and
Andrew the brother of Simon
casting a net into the sea, for
they were fishermen.
18. 17 And Jesus said to
them, “Follow me, and I will
make you become fishers of
men.”
19. 18 And immediately they left their
nets and followed him. 19 And
going on a little farther, he saw
James the son of Zebedee and
John his brother, who were in
their boat mending the nets.
20. Mark 1
20 And immediately he called
them, and they left their father
Zebedee in the boat with the
hired servants and followed him.
21. Luke shows us that Jesus gave
Peter special attention.
Jesus’
Baptism
Jesus first calls Andrew and Peter,
then Philip and Nathanael
Jesus’
Temptation
40 Days
Re-calling
of the
fishermen
Peter and the
miraculous
catch
During this series, as we’ve been keeping one eye on the first 100 days of President Trump’s administration. As we’ve done this, we’ve seen that there are some unmistakable parallels between a President’s first 100 days and the first 100 Days of Jesus’ earthly ministry. There are certain leadership principles that all movements have in common during their earliest days.
One of the first challenges of a new presidential administration is putting a national leadership team together. An important part of this is the President’s cabinet. During the transition between presidencies, the President-elect recruits his team. Certain team members require no additional process. The Vice President is not confirmed by the Senate. He has already been confirmed by the electorate in the election. The Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor also require no confirmation. However, the rest of the cabinet requires confirmation. As you can see, only two have been confirmed so far. Why did the founding fathers introduce this confirmation process with all its hearings and process? I think that they acknowledged the falleness of mankind. If Jesus picks the team, there is no need for such measures. But since we are a nation of sinners led by sinners, a certain process is needed.
Over the next few weeks we will see further confirmations and perhaps one or two rejections. At the end of the day the President will have a team. Most if not all will be his first choices. All will ultimately make or break his presidency. A team is that important.
Today we will look at Jesus’ Cabinet… his team. However, they will look very unlike President Trump’s team. They will have far fewer obvious qualifications as leaders. Not as educated. Not as experienced in leadership. But the Son of God has a discernment beyond that of any great human leader. He can see qualities beyond the obvious, and the team He selected did more than define His earthly ministry… they changed the world forever.
You may have noticed that I took two of these messages out of sequence. There was a very good reason for this. Last week I was way too sick to sort out the sequence of events in Jesus’ calling of His first disciples. The 4 gospels each describe different aspects of Jesus’ first encounters. The accounts are not contradictory, but they do require some effort to seam them together. My goal today is for us to figure out this sequence and then answer a more important set of questions. What kind of men did Jesus call? Why did he call those kind of men? And as we look at all of this, to understand how God calls us, why he calls us and what he calls us to.
I would like for us to see was that the call of Jesus’ first disciples was not a single call, but a series of callings. It is not a single incident. It does not take place in one place. In order to make sense of this, we will need to build a timeline of sorts by looking at each of the gospels
John’s gospel will give us the first part of the story of the call of Peter and Andrew. Jesus’ first encounter with his earliest disciples immediately follows His baptism.
35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).
42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
Jesus first encounters Andrew, another disciple of John and Peter immediately after Jesus’ baptism in Judea. The red line on the chart signifies Judea. Whereas Matthew’s gospel gave us the impression that Jesus immediately was driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, John reveals that there was a small gap of time between Jesus’ baptism in Judea and his temptation in the wilderness. Matthew does not use the word immediately before describing Jesus’ temptation, so this is not inconsistent. During this brief time, Andrew, and an unnamed disciple of John are following Jesus. Andrew fetches Peter and brings him to Jesus. John’s gospel goes on to describe the calling of Philip and Nathanael the next day. But then there is a gap. Jesus disappears for 40 days. During that time Andrew and Peter clearly return to their fishing. They are not ignorant of Jesus. They have spent time with him and are clearly pondering his call. They probably don’t know where He is and may be perplexed as to his sudden disappearance.
I think that this gap probably worked to their advantage. It takes time to come to terms with who Jesus claims to be.
Many of us in the room are believers in Jesus. I think that we forget how hard it was for us to put the pieces all together. Once you understand something it becomes simple to you. I remember I had a study partner for Organic Chemistry. Her name was Vivian Tengzelius. It’s amazing that I can remember that name after 37 years, but you don’t easily forget a name like Vivian Tengzelius. Vivian was really smart. She was getting straight A’s in organic. I was not. I remember how I was so confused in class that I didn’t know how to ask a question. Have you ever felt like that? So I began studying with Vivian. And when I got stuck she’d say, “you just do this and this and this and you get that. See… It’s easy!” It was easy. And I was too embarrassed to admit that I didn’t get it.
I think that after we’ve been a Christ-follower for a long time we forget what a struggle it is to cross the line of faith. It’s like organic chemistry. You need to learn a whole new vocabulary like redemption and sanctification. And you have to come to terms with big issues like the problem of evil… why does God allow evil to exist? Why is there a Hell and a devil? Couldn’t God create a better world than a world where children are born deformed? If you’re still struggling through those questions, I’m so glad you’re here. I hope we never make you feel like you are asking dumb questions. I hope we never just say, you just do this and this and this and you’re saved. Any question that leads you closer to Jesus is a great question. And we believers need to remember how hard it was for us to first understand Jesus’ gospel. Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness were a tough time for Him, but they were an important opportunity for His earliest disciples to begin to put the pieces together.
Now, let’s consider what Matthew and Mark have to add to our understanding of this calling of the disciples. This leads to my second point:
Second Point
Jesus’ second calling of the same men was a call to deeper commitment.
Let’s go back to our timeline.
Now we are in Galilee. Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee and Peter and the others were in the boats fishing or washing nets. In essence it is a recalling of the disciples. We see this calling of the same men in Matthew and Mark’s gospels. Both are very similar, so let’s look at just one… Mark’s account.
Mark 1
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Before we move forward, let’s pause and take note of the important details that Mark is providing. Mark makes it clear that this is a later incident than the calling that Jesus gave to Peter, Andrew, Philip and Nathanael in John 1. These events take place at a later time… after John the Baptist was arrested. And they take place in a different location… in Galilee.
Galilee was not a small backwater region. According to the ancient Jewish historian Josephus, Galilee was an area of about 60 by 30 miles and had 204 villages, with none less than 15,000 people. This means there were more than 3 million people in the extended region. So, the average town was almost 3 times the size of Geneseo.
Let’s continue.
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
Let’s pause for a moment.
The language of this text makes it clear that these men are not innately fishers of men. Jesus says that “he will make them to become” fishers of men. This does not suggest an instantaneous transformation, but rather a gradual process of training.
I think that there is an important application for us here. Just as we are not born fishers of men, we are not reborn as fishers of men. It’s not like you get saved and boom, you are an effective witness. There is an equipping process that we must pursue if we are to become effective witnesses and disciplemakers. For the more mature, there is a call to be like Jesus in pursuing others to follow. And for the less mature, there is a call to seek this out… understanding that we are to seek first God’s kingdom. We are not to sit around waiting for a disciplemaker to show up, but should seek out someone to help us grow. Let’s continue.
18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.
20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
You’ll notice as we were reading this text, I singled out one word… immediately. Mark’s gospel has been called the Gospel of Immediacy. This is Mark’s favorite word. He uses the word “immediately” 11 times in this chapter alone and 41 times in his gospel. Mark wants us to appreciate that Jesus is God’s servant. That he immediately embraced his mission and began to fulfill it. As amazed as we have been with the flurry of activity during President Trump’s first week, Mark especially shows us that Jesus began strong and was relentless in His pursuit of God’s calling.
However, given Mark’s penchant for brevity, we could come to a point of confusion. How is it that Jesus calls and these men just come? It almost seems cultic to us. This stranger calls them and they abandon their business and their father and just follow. We see this in the cults. We see how a charismatic leader gains quick influence and immediately creates a wedge between the new convert and their family. I read this verse and I could easily feel bad for Zebedee. One minute he’s fishing with his sons. He’s secure. As he ages, he knows that his boys are well trained. The business will continue. He and his wife will be taken care of when he can no longer handle the riggers of fishing. And then Jesus sweeps in, puts a wedge between father and sons and off they go. But remember, these men have previously encountered Jesus. They have already been called. For some brief period of time, they followed Jesus. And then he was driven into the wilderness. During that time they have had time to consider Jesus’ claims and even to communicate his calling to their father… which may, in part, explain his lack of response. He is at the very least resigned to their departure. Next weekI will make the case that Zebedee was actually thrilled.
Now, I believe that it is apparent that there is another calling, a re-recall of Peter described in Luke’s gospel. Rather than reading yet another gospel account, Let’s look at the events of Luke 5 by going to the moves.
Show Video.
There is so much that I love about this video. I love the way that Jesus climbs into the boat with Peter, and how Peter says, “What are you doing… you can’t just come into my boat.” It’s great theater, but probably the biggest error in the video because it assumes that Jesus is a total stranger. Peter is known to Jesus. He has been called and he has been called again. And yet, Jesus is still calling Peter. He performs a miracle that is clearly intended to help Peter fully embrace this call. What is making it so hard? Why does Peter need so much attention? I came across an interesting article in Sower magazine that does a great job explaining what is happening here. John Schoenheit writes:
The final time Jesus called Peter and the other fishermen is recorded in Luke 5:1-11. This record is significantly different from the records in Matthew 4:18-22 and Mark 1:16-20. In Matthew and Mark, Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee and Peter and the others were in the boats fishing or washing nets. In Luke, Jesus was teaching the people and the boats were empty, while the fishermen were washing their nets from the previous night’s work. This time Jesus got into the boat with Peter, and James and John were close by, likely in another boat so they could help with the nets. This time, in Luke 5, Jesus calls the apostles from fishing to being full-time disciples. He said, “From now on you will be catching people.” Jesus’ words, “From now on” are important—they mark the start of the apostles’ full-time discipleship. So it was at this time the apostles left the fishing for fish to others and followed Jesus on a full-time basis.
Remember, I said that Jesus did not call them once, but that there were a series of callings. This is so incredibly important for us to understand. Jesus didn’t just call you… he is calling you. He is calling you to surrender more and more of yourself. He is calling you to be more than a convert with fire insurance. He is calling you to be a disciple who is fired up with commitment. He wants you to take further steps into deeper waters with Him. For some it may mean full-time vocational ministry. For some it will not. But for all it will mean that Jesus is your first priority and your highest commitment. That is what a disciple is… a fully devoted follower of Jesus.
In this series, we have been building a checklist of simple steps that we can take, based upon Jesus’ first 100 days of ministry, that will help us make the first 100 days of 2017 truly amazing. I’d like to add two more action steps this week.
Pursue Jesus’ call. We saw that Jesus called his first disciples several times. He called them to come and see…. To get to know Him by spending time with Him. He called them again. This time it was a call to full discipleship… to follow Him completely. Everyone I know can trace a series of steps forward. Identify one sin that you cling to. Or one discipline that you shrink back from. Or one thing you need to release in order to embrace Jesus’ call more fully.