READ Scripture- This is the Word of God
Point 1: Peter and Andrew vv18-20A. Sea of Galilee: Nine surrounding cities – Crowded with fisherman
B. The Brothers
a. Peter: becomes the leading disciple
b. Andrew: was a disciple of John the Immerser (Jn 1:34-41)
C. What were Jesus’ first words to these men?
a. “Follow Me” – Jesus would command His disciples to do many other things, but the first command He gave them was “Follow Me” or “Come after Me.”
1. It was typical tradition and etiquette for a disciple to walk behind his rabbi.
2. Usually one became a disciple by making a request to the rabbi.
3. Jesus is no typical rabbi. He not only invites them to be His disciples, but actually demands them to follow after Him.
b. “I will make you fishers of men” – Jesus did not command them to be fishers of men, but promised to make them fishers of men. He will do the same for us.
(OT roots SEE Jer 16:14-16)
Qualities of good fishermen can make good evangelists:
1. Fishermen need to be patient
2. Fishermen must have perseverance
3. Fishermen must have good instincts/discernment – Location and Timing
4. Fishermen must be tough – There is considerable danger from storms/mishaps
D. "They immediately left their nets": Jesus Above Work (SEE 19:27-30)
E. "Followed Him"
a. Followed is a key word for Matthew, and often implies discipleship
b. Disciple: follower of a master, intimate companion, learning/promoting an ideology
c. Matthew uses the term to refer to the 12 apostles, to a member of a larger group, or usually to a unspecified number of followers
Point 2: James and John vv21-22A. The call of the next set of brothers closely echoes the first.
B. The Brothers
a. Both become part of the inner circle along with Peter
b. These two were called the “sons of thunder” and were caught up in the argument of who would be the greatest of the disciples, yet both went on to do marvelous things.
C. “At once” in V20 and “immediately” in V22 both translate the same Greek word
D. Immediately they left the boat and their father: Jesus Above Family
a. SEE Luke 14:26
b. This is a Hebrew idiom for preference. We must prefer Jesus above all, even family.
c. Not only did they leave their father, but Matthew adds that they left their boat.
Point 3: Jesus went throughout Galilee vv23-25A. The list found in vv23-25 is somewhat of a summary of the early works of Jesus in Galilee.
a. This list is surely not exhaustive. It is only an overview of all Jesus did.
b. Jesus was teaching, preaching, and healing which drew great crowds.
c. Jesus’ fame was growing all over the area and even stretching to other areas.
B. Preaching to open air crowds and making guest appearances in local Synagogues
a. Instead of only giving us a one-liner, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Matthew now tells us that Jesus proclaimed the “good news of the kingdom.”
b. Good News = “Gospel”
C. “News” about Jesus spread or His “fame” spread all over Syria, not merely Galilee.
a. Syria would have been north of Jesus since He was in Galilee. This area included at the very least a larger region than Galilee and may have included a very large region.
b. Many people with various illnesses were brought to Jesus for healing.
1. Many of the problems we face are gratuitous b/c we live in a fallen world.
2. Jesus has the power to overcome any illness. The text does not say that Jesus healed every individual person, but He did cure every kind of problem.
3. The kingdom of heaven is about restoration. Jesus inaugurates the presence of the kingdom with overwhelming power over a fallen and depressed world.
4. I believe there is still healing today.
A text that I never got to in the book of James was 5:14-15. It talks about prayer and healing by saying, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” As citizens of God’s kingdom we can still access this healing power, but we should not be arrogant or greedy. Matthew 6:8 says, “For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” God knows what type of healing we need before we even ask. We may feel that we need a certain type of healing or more than one healing in our life, but God knows what we most need. We may need to be healed physically, but maybe more than that we need to be healed emotionally or maybe our attitude needs to be healed or a relationship or maybe we even need healing in our spiritual life. Go to God and let Him heal you in whatever way He sees fit. He knows what we need.
D. Matthew lists several categories of problems that Jesus cures.
a. “all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people”
b. “sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics”
E. Great multitudes followed Jesus
a. from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan
1. Galilee, Decapolis, and beyond the Jordan were mostly made up of Gentiles
2. Jerusalem and Judea were predominately made up of Jews
b. His fame had spread
1. From the onset, both Jews and Gentiles were following Jesus
2. People were hearing and seeing Jesus’ good works and glorifying the Father
c. Matthew sets us up for the Sermon on the Mount
Conclusion:
Jesus’ miracle working attracted crowds, but they will need to be instructed on what true discipleship involves. It is not enough to merely “follow” Jesus without solid allegiance or full attentiveness. Following Him requires both and it also involves a clinging to Him- every word, every deed. He will make us fishers of men if we do not grieve His Holy Spirit. Every good thing comes from above and everything God requires of us He gives to us if we will actively put our faith in Him.
I also want to leave you with this word-
1. We are the Body of Christ, correct?
2. The text says that Jesus went about all Galilee preaching, teaching, and healing.
Are we doing these things?
3. The text says that His fame went out.
Does His fame go out from this place?
a. from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan
1. Galilee, Decapolis, and beyond the Jordan were mostly made up of Gentiles
2. Jerusalem and Judea were predominately made up of Jews
b. His fame had spread
1. From the onset, both Jews and Gentiles were following Jesus
2. People were hearing and seeing Jesus’ good works and glorifying the Father
c. Matthew sets us up for the Sermon on the Mount
Conclusion:
Jesus’ miracle working attracted crowds, but they will need to be instructed on what true discipleship involves. It is not enough to merely “follow” Jesus without solid allegiance or full attentiveness. Following Him requires both and it also involves a clinging to Him- every word, every deed. He will make us fishers of men if we do not grieve His Holy Spirit. Every good thing comes from above and everything God requires of us He gives to us if we will actively put our faith in Him.
I also want to leave you with this word-
1. We are the Body of Christ, correct?
2. The text says that Jesus went about all Galilee preaching, teaching, and healing.
Are we doing these things?
3. The text says that His fame went out.
Does His fame go out from this place?
We need to be people who truly, actively, and fervently FOLLOW AFTER JESUS!
We need to be people who consistently SERVE as the Body of Christ-
preaching, teaching, healing!
We need to be people who passionately and joyously SPREAD the FAME of JESUS!
We need to be people who consistently SERVE as the Body of Christ-
preaching, teaching, healing!
We need to be people who passionately and joyously SPREAD the FAME of JESUS!