John 1:39-50, Matthew 4:18-19, Luke 5:27-28
Every Christian can compare fellowship with and following Jesus by noting these truths.
John 1 35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
1). Fellowship Starts with
Their preacher points Him out. While they were literally following after him, there no strings attached, just curiosity, wanting to get to know Him, know more about him. The Lamb of God becomes Master.
a. They
Acts 10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
b. They took the
John 1 39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. 43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
2). Fellowship Continues with
And He was inviting. “Come and see”. After staying with Him for the day, they knew He was the Messiah. Andrew invited Peter (v41). Jesus names Him (v42). Jesus “decides to” go to Galilee and invites Philip (v43), “follow me”. Philip invites Nathanael (v45). Nathanael initially doubts, the famous “can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (v46). Jesus convinces him (v47-50). He’s the Son of God, the King.
a. They
b. Jesus was naming, not
c. Jesus was
d. All Nathanaels need
e. All Nathanaels could be one step away from
Matthew 4 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
3). Followship Is the Next
Peter and Andrew were in the midst of casting their nets, when He called them to do the same for followers in the world.
a. Jesus starts with us where we
b. Jesus builds on what we are, using what we are and what we
Matthew 4 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Luke 5 27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. 28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
4). Followship Is
All of these men literally left their chosen professions, with the fishermen leaving family businesses, to pursue a higher calling. Matthew, he left all before ever rising up.
a. Out with the old
b. In with the