The Day that Changed Everything

Matthew 4:18-22 (NLT)

A Message by | Mick Veach | lead pastor| first aired on 04.12.20

Introduction

Read Scripture

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. —Matthew (NLT)

1. Today around the world, billions are celebrating one event

   A. Jesus Christ from Nazareth rose from the dead over 2,000 years ago.
   B. Each year, arguments occur about this event

2. The Resurrection has brought us to a conclusion that

   A. GONE are our past sins
   B. GONE is the shame of our past
   C. GONE are the chains that held me down
   D. It is DONE, it is finished, victory is ours

3. Taking Jesus’ teachings literally is seen today as childish
   
   
4. We believe that He did rise from the dead and no one else has ever done this—conquered death and thus has given Him authority over all our lives
   
   
5. Theories that try to dispute the resurrection
   

   A. Muslims declare it was merely a man that looked like Jesus who was crucified that day. Muhammad created this theory six centuries after the crucifixion occurred
   
   B. Jesus was on the cross but did not die, He went unconscious, but everyone thought He was dead
   

   1. Six trials, no sleep, brutal scourging, thorns thrust into his head, nails into his hands and feet, a spear and several hours on the cross
   2. He just fainted, wrapped in grave clothes, put into a tomb with a stone and guard

   3. Regained consciousness, nudged the stone away, hopped past the solders, coolly went His way

   C. Wrong Tomb Theory

   1. Women, in their grief, went to the wrong tomb
   2. Roman authorities would have produced a body to stop this theory, that is why they had a guard

   D. Disciples created the resurrection story-stole the body

   Timid Galilean men who scattered the night prior, maneuvered a guard away from the tomb

   E. Disciples were delusional

   1. Resurrection was virtually inconceivable in both the Greco-Roman and Jewish thought
   2. Hundreds saw Him, ate and talked with Him
   3. Why would anyone die for lie?

6. He must have ROSE from the dead, therefore we must obey His Word and respond to His most pressing command

   A. Come and FOLLOW ME because GONE is your past sin
   B. His call is to all of us—He is initiating with us now
   C. What does it look like?

   1. Changes everything in our life
   2. We go in 100%

Three Aspects about God’s Call to US

I. God’s

A. Come and follow Me (19)
B. Jesus is calling them (21)
C. God has always been calling us

1. He initiates with us constantly
2. Are you listening?

D. How does God communicate His Call to us?

1. People
2. Bible & prayer, confession of sin (Psalm 51)
3. Worship
4. Circumstances—God is using our current situation to teach us, He is speaking

E. Long before He called these fishermen, He was calling

1. Abram—you will be a nation—his excuse, I am too old
2. Moses—you will be a deliverer, his excuse, I stutter in speech
3. Jonah—proclaimer, they will never listen
4. Jeremiah—weeping prophet, I’m too young
5. Isaiah—truth teller, I am unclean

F. The fishermen responded without an excuse

1. At once they left …(20)
2. Immediately they left … (22)
3. He called them fishermen, not professionals

G. We must immediately respond to His call

H. God’s call is the same to all of us—come and follow me

I. You may say that you are too muddy, but my response: He is able to take care of our dirt

1. You may feel He would never call you—You are wrong
2. Remember GONE is your shame

Key point—He is Risen and He is calling us to follow Him with our entire life

II. God’s

A. He wants to take you where you will change the world

B. I will make you fisher of men (19)

1. God did not just save them, but also wanted to change them
2. Jesus in the boat with Peter, let’s go change the world

C. The reality is that when we begin to follow Him, regardless of how difficult it is, we will find our purpose

D. John 10:10 is realized after we decide to follow Him

E. God’s purpose is seen in the Bible

1. Abraham—His faith is built, a child in old age
2. Moses—greatest leader ever—was a murderer
3. Jeremiah—youthful leader, in your mom’s womb, I called you
4. Isaiah—reformed speaker—unclean lips

F. Jonah is a story about how God can see His purpose accomplished, even in disobedience

G. Remember GONE is hopelessness and no life with no purpose

Key Point: He is risen, so it is possible to know today that He has a purpose for your life

III. God’s Call will

A. Twelve men who were afraid and selfish—sound like us?

1. Died martyr deaths
2. Proclaimed the truth to the ends of the earth

B. How did this change everything in the Bible?

1. Abraham—a nation was birthed—the blessing
2. Moses—A nation was delivered
3. Jeremiah—people repented
4. Isaiah—Many responded to his message
5. Jonah—Nineveh was saved from judgment

C. God wants to change the world through you
How do you get there?

1. I John 1:9—Confess
2. Acts 3:19—Repent
3. John 3:16—Believe
4. John 1:12—Receive

D. Remember GONE is the fear of the future

Key Point: He is risen so life can become meaningful and you will understand clearly the “why” of life

Call to Action

1. Obey His call—even the small stuff
2. Begin serving Him in all areas of your life
3. Ask to join Him in changing the world today

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