Don't delay your responses to God!

Rev Enoch Thompson | JANUARY 18, 2023 | MATTHEW 4:18-22

KEY VERSE: Matthew 4:20 (NIV)

At once they left their nets and followed him.

MESSAGE:

Our text for today narrates the call into discipleship of two pairs of brothers, Peter and Andrew, and then James and John. They were all fishermen, and busy about their business. It seems here that the Lord appeared to them as a complete stranger, but the Gospel John fills in the gap by telling us that they had had some contact with the Lord through the ministry of John the Baptist: see John 1:40-42

⁴⁰Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). ⁴²And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter). NIV

Our focus for today, however, is the prompt manner in which they responded to the call of the Master (vv. 20, 22). Afterall they were minding their business which brought them food and wealth. Following an itinerant preacher, even if He had been introduced by another preacher, calls for a lot of determination. But we note that in both instances, they responded immediately, leaving everything behind.

The Lord Jesus Christ still makes calls to us and on us, in our time and circumstances. For all humans, His first call is that to faith in Him as the one and only Saviour. He claims that no one can get to God the Father except through Him. To those who have accepted His offer of salvation and passed the first post, He calls us to a deeper and closer walk with Him, to obedience to His teaching, and claims upon our lives, upon our time, talents and treasures. And it would do us much good to respond promptly and excitedly.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Ask Jesus to come into your life if you have not done so already. If you are already a believer, take the next step of seeking to know Him better and committing to serve Him more, promptly and faithfully.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that you came to earth freely and died for me willingly. Please help me to love you fully, to follow you nearly, and to obey you promptly. For your dear Name’s sake. Amen.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!