Jan. 27, 2008

You Are Called to Follow

by Rev. Dr. Jim Carlson

Matthew 4:12-23

• Opening Illustration

• This passage gives us an image of what we do as a church.

• Beginning of Jesus’ ministry – announcing the kingdom, challenging people to prepare.

• These days people scoff at prophets of doom. In those days it was expected. Jewish people had been talking about it for centuries.

• Ministry starts in territory God gave to Abraham. Jesus goes to Capernaum. Slides of Capernaum.

• Zubulon and Naphtali were some of the first areas taken by Assyrians – mostly inhabited by gentiles.

• Jesus is taking it back by announcing God’s rule there.

• Matthew describes Jesus’ ministry as an echo of Isaiah’s oracle in Isaiah 9.

• Jesus needs help announcing the kingdom. Sees two pairs of brothers fishing with nets.

• Jesus tells them if they follow him he will have them fishing for people.

• Analogy must be clarified. Fishing involves deceiving animals, removing them from the habitat and killing them for food.

• Jesus is using their family business to help them envision his plans.

• With the fishermen in tow he goes to all the synagogues in Galilee and tells anyone who will listen that God’s reign has come.

• He heals all the sick and disabled. He instantly becomes famous – has lots of crowds follow him from the entire region.

• Main point of passage: Jesus calls people who will help him spread the word that the Kingdom is happening.

• That is still being announced today. Message that God’s favor is shining like a light on this world. Church participates in shining the light.

• Passage teaches us a couple things about fishing for people – luring them into the kingdom.

• First, God has chosen to announce the kingdom through people.

o Some literature describes angels trumpeting the message around the world

o Jesus goes to a place known for being inhabited by gentiles and recruits help in getting the word out.

o God wants to use us to spread the word. God will not do it without us. We are called to assist God.

• Second, God meets us where we’re at in calling us. Jesus didn’t choose these guys because they were the most righteous people he could find.

o We are not called because of our righteousness. We are called as a way of God showing us grace.

o Once we are called, we realize we have to live a life of righteousness.

• Third, Our calling is to lure people in, the way fishers lure fish into their nets.

• We’re not hunting people – we’re attracting them with something good. Disciples helped people come to Jesus for healing.

• Church needs to work at bringing a hurting world in for healing. That’s one way in which we accomplish “Thy Kingdom Come”.

• Final Illustration – Frank worked on Thursday mornings to keep the church building functioning for healing.

Conclusion – Jesus is still calling us to fish for people.

Some of us are still in our boats.

Frank’s life reminds us that we don’t know how much time we have to go fishing.

We’re not dying off. We cannot lose hope. We still have lots of fishing to do here at First Baptist Church