Are you following Jesus? #2

Jesus made the first call to follow Him here:



Matthew 4:18-22



Jesus Calls the First Disciples

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.



Now let us think about who he called for a moment. Fisherman. Average men. Nothing in their background makes them of any exceeding value for Jesus to call them. They weren't high on the totem pole of society in this day. They were not even educated well. So what does this tell us? Jesus can use anybody for His purposes, that includes me and you!



Let's look at part of the calling Jesus said to these men today. "Follow Me". Let's look at the Me part first as it is the most important. The Me is Jesus. Name above all names:



Philippians 2:8-11



8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.



Obviously this not just anybody. This is Jesus, who would die for all mankind. God gave Him the name above any name! Everyone should bow and one day will and also confess who Jesus is....Lord!



Me is also Savior:



Luke 2:11

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.The One and only One who can save us from our sin and the wrath of God.



Me is also Messiah:



John 1:41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). Messiah means the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people. Thankfully Jesus delivered not only the Jews but also the gentiles which are you and me!



Me was fully human:



John 1:14

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.



The Word is Jesus and he dwelt among man here on the earth.



Me was also fully God:



John 10:30

30 I and the Father are one.”



Obviously if Jesus and the Father are One then His is God! That's why we also call Jesus Immanuel which means God with us!



Matthew 1:23

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).



Me is also King and Lord:



1 Timothy 6:14-15

14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,



Me is also Righteous Judge:



2 Timothy 4:8

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.



Me is also filled with the Spirit and pleasing to the Father:



Matthew 3:13-17

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”



Me is also the new Adam which means He is the perfect man:



1 Corinthians 15:45

Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.



Me is also the great light:



Matthew 4:16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”



There are more descriptions I could give of this ME(Jesus) but what we have seen from the bible is sufficient to get the point of this.....Isn't Jesus worth more than:



*casual church attendance????

*casual association like he is just an old friend????



When Jesus calls us to follow HIM, He is worth:



*TOTAL abandonment

*Supreme adoration

*Everything in our life will change as we give our life to HIM! Think about it!!



So how much is ME(Jesus) worth to you? Think of the description given of Jesus and who He is, then decide what is He worth?



A casual ho-hum relationship or a give it everything you got relationship?



Sadly many who call themselves Christians choose the ho-hum casual and this is very dangerous and we seen yesterday because Jesus will say depart from ME....I never knew you!



Monday we will look at what the word "follow" means.



Tom