What constitutes a call to follow Jesus ?

·        His blood sacrifice, “for us”

·             Being a “sinner”

·            Labor and heavy laden with our burdens

·                   As we “thirst” for Him

What does it mean to follow Jesus ?

·       Selflessness

·                 Jesus as “Chief Love” and primary goal

·                  Abandon all other goals as “first”

·                 Focus our “gifts” on Jesus’ Goals

How does fishing for men relate to following after Christ ?

·       Disciples fished with “light” at “night”

·                We fish with the “Light of Jesus Christ” in a

              world of darkness

·                 The brighter the light the more fish are

              attracted

·                   The brighter the Light of Jesus Christ shines

              in our life the more people are attracted and

              want to “come near” that light

 How can we apply this analogy to fishing for people ?

·        Jesus said “You are the light of the world”

·       His plan is for others to see His light in our

              lives

What is our light ?

·    T  ·       The bright presence of the Lord in our lives

                          II Cor 4:6-7

·       ·       We have reflected light (The Moon)

               Moses’ face soon faded

·     The Moon reflects the Sun but fades in the day

·       ·     We grow to have direct light (The Sun)

               Matt. 5:14

·       ·     Our light must be set on a hill for all to see

Why should we “fish with light” rather than lures ?

·                ·       The Light of Jesus attracts people

·       ·      A lure is a trick and a deceit

·       ·      To deceive is the method of the Enemy, Satan

·       ·      Deceit produces harshness and bitterness

·       ·      We are to be marked by methods as “children of

                       light”

Why did Jesus and Elijah require their followers to be with them until the end of their ministries ?

·                  ·      Elijah wanted to transfer his “mantle” to

                     Elisha. He could not have done so unless

                     Elisha was with him at the end to transfer it

                    directly to him along with its powers.

·       ·     Jesus had power he wanted to transfer to His

                     disciples. They would do “greater works”.

                     They would not receive it unless they stayed

                     with Him until the “end”. He “breathed on

                     them” and said “receive ye the Holy Ghost”.

                    John 20:22

How can we follow Jesus now that He is in heaven ?

·               ·      The indwelling Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus

                     Christ Colossians 1:27 “Christ in you the

                     hope of Glory”

·       ·      “……I will not leave you comfortless, I will

                      come to you” John 14:16-18

·       ·      “…..walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill

                       the lust of the flesh…..”  Galatians 5:16-17

What does Jesus require of those who follow Him ?

·               ·    Total restructuring of our priorities

·       ·  Kingdom business before our business

·       ·  His plans before our plans

·       ·  Bring others into the Kingdom before planning

                      our pleasures and entertainment

·       ·  Setting aside any expectations or pre-conditions

Why did Jesus call His followers to be fishers of men rather than founders of churches ?

·                  · Followers of Christ have the first responsibility to

                   “make disciples”

·       · Jesus Christ has the first responsibility to “build

                    my Church”

·       ·  Jesus knew of mans propensity to “build” instead

                    of fish. Matt 17:4

·       ·  Making the building ahead of “making disciples”

                    creates a divisiveness that is the forerunner of

                    a “denominational spirit”.

Meekness is yielding our rights to God so He can demonstrate His peace and power through us.

Meekness is exchanging the burdens of my life, which are hard and heavy, for the yoke of Christ, which is easy and light.

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and by burden is light.”  Matt. 11:28-30