Matthew 4: 18 - 22
Introduction:
The church is not only a fellowship of believers, but also an organization that provides an outlet and a channel of service for all who believe.
Your church affords you joyous tasks that will make your life count for good, and will cause your heart to be filled with happiness. Today, we just don’t think of what the church is, or what it does for us, turn the picture around and look at it anther way. What can you do through your church?
Our passage today shows that Christ calls ordinary people who will simply make themselves available to Him.
1.The first men called (v. 18 – 20)
a. Were brothers who worked together
b. Were industrious workers
c. Were called to follow Jesus – at once
d. Were called to another work
e. Were responsive
2. The second men called (v.21 -22)
a. Were obedient sons working with their father-closely knit
b. Were industrious, frugal
c. Were simply called
d. Were responsive: left their livelihood and family
A. The men called by Christ were brothers who worked together.
The fact that they were working together says at least three things to us today:
a. They had good parents who has taught them to love and care for one another
b. They came from a closely knit family, a family that worked together
c. They followed and obeyed the teaching of their parents and maintained a brotherly spirit throughout life
There is one essential thing for serving Christ that must be stressed among us:
Cooperation-a nature and willingness to serve together.
"Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts. 11: 25 – 26)
"But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state." (Phil 2:19-20)
B. The men called by Christ were industrious workers.
Note how Peter and Andrew were busy at work when Christ called them. This is a second essential for serving Christ that must be stressed; energy, industry, a willingness to work and to work hard. When Christ calls a person, the person is working, not sitting. God does not choose the lazy and inactive, but the energetic and industrious. Too many believers are sitting and are inactive. Therefore, they miss out on the higher calling of God. But, let us read the following passages:
"So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him." (1 Kings 19:19)
"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the lord is not in vain" (1 Cor 15:58)
"He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come." (Luke 19: 12 – 13)
C. The men called by Christ were called to follow Him, and they were to immediately follow Him.
The point is this; the disciple is called to follow Christ personally, to attach himself to Christ before he does anything else, Personal discipleship, that is, personal attachment, is essential. A person must first learn Christ before he can serve Christ.
D. The men called by Christ were called to another work.
This was a call to a different kind of employment, to another work and profession. It was a drastic, traumatic change. Note several facts:
a. The call to a personal relationship had already been issued. John tells us this (Jn 1:35 – 42). A personal relationship must always be stressed before service.
b. This call, the call to “fish for men.” Was a call to service? It was a call to care for men, to help and minister to them. No greater call can come to a man, for helping another human being is the greatest act in all of life. Imagine a person who gives himself to nothing but ministering and helping people. What greater calls there? (see. Mt. 20:26; Mk 10:43; Lk. 9:48) the same thought by Jesus.
c. The call was to immediate and total detachment from all else and to immediate attachment to Jesus and His mission.
E. The men called by Christ were responsive.
They responded immediately.
The call of God is critical and demands a decision
a. It is immediate-right now! A person is to get up now, not tomorrow (see Lk. 9:57-62).
b. It is unequivocal. It demands a positive response-immediately. How tragic that many are called, but few are chosen. But you, be among the chosen.The second part of this teaching focus on our direct service to Christ and His church. What then can you do to be said that you are serving Christ?
Please note the implication of all this:
1. No one can serve Christ without first having been saved by Christ (Saved to Serve)
2. Service to Christ is paramount by those genuinely saved
3. Christian life is about service
- for others to be saved
- for others to be discipled
- for others to be encouraged
4. Servant-leaders are always needed (in Christ’s church) today.
I. You can Co-operate with other Christians in Christian work and Fellowship ( 1 Cor. 3:9)
(1) Necessity for co-operation (Psalm 133:1)
(2) Disunity the devil’s scheme ( 1 Cor 12: 14 – 31)
(3) How Baptist work together (Eph. 1:4-6
II. You can give that His work may Grow ( 1 Cor 16:2)
(1) Giving is God’s plan ( 2 Cor 9:7)
(2) The Bible teaches tithing (Mal. 8:10)
(3) The Baptist Cooperative program ( 1 Cor 3:9a)
III. You can witness that others may be Won ( Luke 24:46-48)
(1) Sharing our Christian faith (Prov. 11:30)
(2) The joy of witnessing (Acts 1:8)
IV. You can teach that others may be Transformed ( John 6:45)
(1) The glory of teaching (Matt. 28: 19 – 29)
(2) Teaching is Christlike (Mark 10:1)
(3) The Bible the textbook (Psalm 119:105)
V. You can sacrifice that Christ may be Served (Acts 20:35)
(1) Sacrifice required (Luke 5:11)
(2) Separation from worldliness ( Rom 12: 1 – 2; 2 Cor 6:17)