LEFT BEHIND | THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

“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 4:18-22 NLT 

Confession: Holy Spirit teach me. Change me. Transform me. Disciple me. And Bless me. 

Premise 

Your next level is highly dependent upon your ability to leave behind what is temporary to chase who is necessary. To follow implies that something if not many things have to be left behind. 

1. Never forget that God NOTICED you while you were DOING you. The invitation for you to follow God was induced and delivered by way of His sovereignty and love. He saw you, you didn’t see Him. 

“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.” 

Matthew 4:18 NLT 

2. The Call to Follow to Jesus is deeper than going to church or changing a few friends. It is a life change that shifts everything including what you do where you do it, and how it gets done! 

“Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”” Matthew 4:19 NLT 

3. God is looking an immediate response, not a hesitant delay. God wants your yes NOW, not just tomorrow. Why? Because everyday requires a fresh YES! 

“And they left their nets at once and followed him.” 

Matthew 4:20 NLT 

4. Leaving the Familiar may hurt right now but it won’t last forever. Jesus wants your FULL attention. We don’t dictate what he ask of us, we surrender we he desires from us.

“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 4:21-22 NLT