WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:20.679 Well, good morning. It is a real pleasure, I must say, for myself and Lee to be here. 00:00:21.900 --> 00:00:27.760 I don't think I agreed to a speaking engagement as quickly as I have this one. 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:30.420 You know, Cork has been very good to me. 00:00:30.520 --> 00:00:36.380 As we just spoke about there, NBC has been a real personal joy for me. 00:00:36.719 --> 00:00:39.780 And I'd like to thank whoever was involved for that. 00:00:41.579 --> 00:00:44.120 So thank you for the invite. Thank you very much for the invite. 00:00:44.219 --> 00:00:48.160 I'd also like to take the opportunity just to thank you for your prayers. 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:50.540 I know you've been praying for us down at Hurlis. 00:00:50.640 --> 00:00:53.719 You know our situation down there, so really appreciate that. 00:00:54.359 --> 00:00:55.939 And your practical help as well. 00:00:55.939 --> 00:00:58.820 Thank you for lending us Ralph one Sunday. 00:00:58.919 --> 00:01:00.339 It was great to have Ralph down. 00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:04.120 We're still suffering from theological indigestion after him. 00:01:04.859 --> 00:01:07.120 But that's actually a good thing, Ralph. 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:09.340 That's a good thing. That's a good thing. 00:01:11.400 --> 00:01:15.000 Turn with me, please, this morning to Mark chapter 1. 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:17.159 Mark chapter 1. 00:01:17.219 --> 00:01:21.359 We're going to be reading from verse 16 to 20. 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:22.359 Mark chapter 1. 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:28.620 This is the episode of the four fishermen being called as disciples. 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:30.900 So Mark chapter 1. 00:01:31.739 --> 00:01:36.099 And we're going to read from verse 16 to 20. 00:01:36.239 --> 00:01:39.519 Mark 1, 16 to 20. 00:01:39.519 --> 00:01:50.560 And as he, Jesus, walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 00:01:51.179 --> 00:01:55.659 Then Jesus said to them, follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men. 00:01:56.219 --> 00:01:58.560 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:06.600 And when he had gone a little farther from there, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who also were in the boat, mending their nets. 00:02:07.020 --> 00:02:14.780 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and went after him. 00:02:14.900 --> 00:02:15.680 Let's just pray. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:21.259 Our Father, we just thank you for this gathering. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:26.240 Father, we are coming here before your word, under the sound of your word. 00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:32.600 And I would just ask that it would be your voice and your voice alone that would be heard. 00:02:32.740 --> 00:02:44.640 We pray that Christ would be exalted, that we would be edified, that you would be glorified by the things that are said here this morning. 00:02:44.740 --> 00:02:52.460 So Father, we just pray and ask you for your grace and for your spirit just to move upon the preached word. 00:02:52.460 --> 00:02:55.820 And Father, we ask all this in Christ's name. 00:02:56.180 --> 00:02:56.460 Amen. 00:02:57.379 --> 00:02:57.719 Amen. 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:02.939 Currently there is a new space race underway. 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:12.060 The first space race was between the USSR and the USA, which began when the USSR got their first satellite into orbit, Sputnik. 00:03:12.540 --> 00:03:14.600 Not sure if you're old enough to remember that. 00:03:15.159 --> 00:03:16.659 That was 1957. 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:25.859 That space race came to an end when the Americans landed on the moon, July 20th, my birthday, 1969. 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:30.780 But the second space race is well and truly underway. 00:03:31.300 --> 00:03:40.819 There are at least two private billionaires, as well as a private company and NASA, trying to get to and colonize Mars. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:43.099 Stuff of science fiction, but it's happening. 00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:47.019 They want to build their own galactic kingdom, if you will. 00:03:47.460 --> 00:03:51.180 Now they have the means and they have the know-how, they have the rockets, the plan, 00:03:51.379 --> 00:03:57.060 but that may not be the most problematic aspect of their interplanetary voyage 00:03:57.060 --> 00:04:02.759 because you cannot start a colony on another planet without people. 00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:06.579 In fact, there's very little you can do without people. 00:04:06.580 --> 00:04:14.600 And so a major factor in their plan is trying to convince individuals to take up the road, 00:04:14.700 --> 00:04:19.560 to abandon everything that they know and venture out into the stars, 00:04:19.879 --> 00:04:23.800 a one-way ticket from which there is no coming back. 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:29.160 Mars One is the name of one of these particular projects. 00:04:29.160 --> 00:04:33.380 They put out a call to anybody who wants to go to Mars. 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:41.360 And they received over 200,000 applicants to go on a one-way trip to Mars. 00:04:41.420 --> 00:04:41.800 One way. 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:43.940 Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? 00:04:43.940 --> 00:04:44.640 200,000. 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:49.160 But the population of Earth is 7.6 billion people. 00:04:49.900 --> 00:04:53.860 So that works out at 0.002% of people who are willing to make the move. 00:04:54.200 --> 00:04:56.480 And they've narrowed that down now to 100 people. 00:04:56.620 --> 00:05:00.160 So it's 0.00001%. 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:04.360 So it's not a case of why so many, but why so few? 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:06.800 Well, in order to get them to go, 00:05:07.200 --> 00:05:11.879 everything that they know and love has to be left behind. 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:13.480 And that's not easy. 00:05:13.960 --> 00:05:15.600 As bad as life is, 00:05:16.120 --> 00:05:18.680 and I don't care how much debt you've racked up, 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:21.100 going to another planet seems pretty extreme. 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:24.420 So it needs to be sold to them. 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:28.620 They need to want it more than anything else that they currently have. 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:32.720 The gravity of one world has to be stronger than the other. 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:36.120 The pull of one world has to be stronger than the other. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:39.920 The desire to do this has to be greater than the desire to do that. 00:05:40.300 --> 00:05:44.560 The desire to leave has to be greater than the desire to stay. 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:47.560 One of those little children that I was just telling you about 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:50.879 is a little flame-haired lunatic. 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:55.699 A little three-year-old boy who locked himself into a car recently with the keys. 00:05:56.620 --> 00:05:59.680 And, you know, you come along and you wave everything you have 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:02.879 in order to persuade him to leave one world into another. 00:06:02.980 --> 00:06:05.360 And you get your Lego and you get your toys and you get your sweets. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:08.079 Trying to convince him to leave one world. 00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:10.500 A dangerous world for a safer one. 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:13.199 You see it in the business sector as well. 00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:14.420 They call it headhunting. 00:06:15.099 --> 00:06:19.519 A company sees an individual that they think would be a valuable asset 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:21.639 and they try to woo that person. 00:06:22.219 --> 00:06:25.360 So they come and they approach that person with everything they have 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:26.819 trying to win them over. 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:28.879 It never happened to me, but I hear it happens. 00:06:29.899 --> 00:06:34.000 And so they approach the individual with an offer that they can't refuse. 00:06:34.139 --> 00:06:37.019 They're offered extra money, time off, better work conditions, 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:39.579 company car, dental plan, whatever it takes 00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:45.019 in order to win them over to their world and to come and to work for them. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:49.519 In our text here this morning, there's a certain similarity 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:52.199 with what Jesus is doing here. 00:06:52.839 --> 00:06:54.339 He is headhunting. 00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:58.519 Gathering people to come and work for him. 00:06:58.599 --> 00:06:59.719 To join his firm. 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:02.199 To be part of his kingdom. 00:07:02.860 --> 00:07:06.139 Just for context, earlier in the chapter, verse 15, 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:09.899 we read that after his temptation in the wilderness, 00:07:10.419 --> 00:07:15.259 Christ emerges from the wilderness with a profound message. 00:07:15.399 --> 00:07:16.379 Verse 15, he says, 00:07:16.719 --> 00:07:17.839 The time has come. 00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:21.060 The kingdom of God has come near. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:24.680 Repent and believe the gospel. 00:07:25.719 --> 00:07:27.959 Repent and believe the good news. 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:29.399 The kingdom of God has come. 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:32.219 And so Jesus wants to populate that kingdom. 00:07:32.220 --> 00:07:38.120 To colonize the earth, if you will, with people who have come to faith in him. 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:41.260 People who believe the good news. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:44.980 So as Jesus walks along the Sea of Galilee, 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:50.520 he calls these four men to literally leave one world and go to another. 00:07:51.260 --> 00:07:54.500 They're to leave a temporal world for an eternal world. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:58.160 A world of darkness for a world of light. 00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:04.740 A world where they work for themselves for a world where they will work for God. 00:08:04.840 --> 00:08:08.780 A world from which there is no coming back. 00:08:09.840 --> 00:08:13.320 The question comes for us. 00:08:14.200 --> 00:08:18.860 In which of these worlds this morning do you reside? 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:22.300 In which of these worlds are you in? 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:28.460 You are either a follower of Christ, walking on the sand, following in his very footsteps, 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:30.680 or you're still on the boat. 00:08:30.780 --> 00:08:35.279 You're either a citizen of the kingdom of God, or a citizen of the kingdom of darkness, 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:36.139 the kingdom of hell. 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:37.340 Jesus said, 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:39.820 Who is not with me is against me, 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:44.019 and he who does not gather with me scatters. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:45.440 Matthew 12, 30. 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:49.480 You are either a follower of Jesus Christ, or not. 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:52.279 You're either in the boat, or you're on the beach. 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:53.820 Which is it? 00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:59.000 Now in business, when they headhunt, when they're trying to recruit someone, 00:08:59.159 --> 00:09:00.440 it's what's called the four Ps. 00:09:00.800 --> 00:09:01.659 There's the pitch. 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:03.740 We want you to come work for us. 00:09:04.139 --> 00:09:05.100 There's the perk. 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:06.740 Here's what we will give you. 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:07.639 Extra money, time off. 00:09:07.700 --> 00:09:08.639 There's the pondering. 00:09:09.060 --> 00:09:11.840 That time when the individual weighs up. 00:09:11.920 --> 00:09:13.180 Will or I won't I move? 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:14.920 And then there's the pounce. 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:16.360 The decision is made. 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:17.899 I'll take the job. 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:21.419 And we're going to look at the four of these briefly here this morning. 00:09:22.679 --> 00:09:25.879 Here the pitch is simply two simple words. 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:27.860 Follow me. 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:31.779 Not the greatest pitch in the world, 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:33.600 but let's think about it for a moment. 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:34.199 Follow me. 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:39.899 What does it mean that Jesus Christ has come into the world 00:09:39.899 --> 00:09:44.439 and calls men and women and children to follow him? 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:45.360 What does that mean? 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:49.560 Three quick implications of that statement. 00:09:49.820 --> 00:09:54.460 Firstly, it means that by nature, naturally, you are not following him. 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:57.740 All we, like sheep, have gone astray. 00:09:58.180 --> 00:10:03.240 There's not one person here who has not fallen short of the glory of God. 00:10:04.060 --> 00:10:05.600 We do not follow him naturally. 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:07.300 You are following something else. 00:10:07.340 --> 00:10:09.980 And there's many things in the world to follow. 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:12.720 Many things vying for your attention. 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:14.540 But they all boil down to one thing. 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:19.120 If you are not following Christ, then you are following yourself. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:25.620 Your own sinful heart, your own sinful inclinations give you direction. 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:29.620 Your own moral compass tells you what way to go. 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:34.860 But you need to understand that the compass that we are born with is broken. 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:36.820 It's been broken since the Garden of Eden. 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:41.179 I'm sure you've all seen that movie, The Pirates of the Caribbean. 00:10:41.899 --> 00:10:45.639 In that movie, Captain Jack Sparrow has a compass. 00:10:45.940 --> 00:10:47.480 And it's no ordinary compass. 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:49.360 It's broken. 00:10:50.539 --> 00:10:51.879 It goes after. 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:53.060 It doesn't point directly north. 00:10:53.059 --> 00:10:58.099 It just points towards what the owner of the compass most wants. 00:10:58.239 --> 00:10:59.419 We have our heading. 00:10:59.819 --> 00:11:03.219 It's always towards what he most wants. 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:08.459 If you're not following Christ, then you have a compass just like that one. 00:11:09.319 --> 00:11:11.739 One that follows your desires. 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:13.599 One that drives you to what you want. 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:15.679 But the problem is the heart. 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:17.559 The Bible says it's deceitful. 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:21.339 Above all things and desperately wicked. 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:23.120 Who can know it? 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:25.019 Jeremiah 79. 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:26.820 That's your heart. 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:27.740 Desperately wicked. 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:32.660 It will inevitably lead you in the wrong direction. 00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:37.139 That which you most want will always be that which is sinful. 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:40.300 That is why so many are lost in sin. 00:11:40.680 --> 00:11:44.460 And that is why you need to follow Christ. 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:46.379 John 8.12. 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:47.820 Jesus said, I am the light of the world. 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:53.480 He who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:11:53.640 --> 00:11:57.440 Abided by our own inclinations, we walk in darkness. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:12:01.000 And so Christ comes and says, follow me. 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:07.360 Secondly, if someone says, follow me, what does that tell you about that person? 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:11.600 If someone says, follow me, what does that tell you about that person? 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:14.860 What would you say of someone who sees you in great difficulty? 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:18.100 And they come to you and they say, follow me. 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:22.720 Those kids that were trapped in that cave in Thailand. 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:28.420 The little soccer team trapped in the darkness of a cold, wet cave. 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:32.759 And you can imagine the emotion and the physical trauma that they endured. 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:35.500 Can you imagine being in that situation? 00:12:36.040 --> 00:12:41.440 And then that first diver emerges up out of the water and eventually says, follow me. 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:45.040 What does that tell you about the rescuer? 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:47.459 What tells you that they care for you? 00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:51.159 They want to help you, to save you, to lead you to safety. 00:12:51.599 --> 00:12:52.779 They know what you need. 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:54.259 They know where you need to go. 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:55.719 They know what you need to do. 00:12:56.439 --> 00:12:58.939 They know that you're in terrible danger. 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:02.899 And perhaps more danger than you even know yourself. 00:13:04.579 --> 00:13:07.620 Friends, those who are not following Christ 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:13.639 are in the greatest danger known to mankind. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:18.439 They are in the danger of eternal darkness. 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:22.139 They are in the danger of eternal torment. 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:25.899 They are in the danger of eternal hell. 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:32.539 That is the reality of those not following Christ. 00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:36.259 Here this morning, Jesus says, follow me. 00:13:36.819 --> 00:13:39.299 Because he was sent to save you. 00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:43.959 And if you're following Jesus, then you know that you're going in the right direction. 00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:46.579 I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:48.519 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:54.799 Because Christ, with him, you are being led by the one who loves you more than any. 00:13:54.879 --> 00:14:01.059 And the one who came specifically, the one who came exclusively to save you. 00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:08.019 He is the only one who can lead you out of a kingdom of darkness and into a kingdom of light. 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:11.419 Who else would you want to follow? 00:14:12.199 --> 00:14:14.839 Which leads us to our third implication of those two words. 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:15.339 Follow me. 00:14:15.939 --> 00:14:19.139 Note that to follow Christ is to follow a person. 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.860 It's not to follow a religion. 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:24.240 I just spoke to a man out in the van outside. 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:26.379 He said he has his religion. 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:28.480 It's not to follow a religion. 00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:30.439 It's not to follow a church. 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:31.980 It's not to follow a way of life. 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.980 It's not to follow a society. 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:38.480 It's not some abstract, imaginable, wishy-washy, intangible thing. 00:14:38.899 --> 00:14:40.939 It is to follow a person. 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:42.279 It is relational. 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.740 It is a relationship. 00:14:45.439 --> 00:14:48.639 It's often practiced within the confines of a church. 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:53.340 It is demonstrated and seen by the way you live your life. 00:14:53.819 --> 00:14:56.039 It's seen in the society around you, perhaps. 00:14:56.480 --> 00:15:00.799 There's a sure hope, but only because you follow a person. 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:06.259 So many people have messed up lives because of their allegiance to churches, 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:08.039 the ways of life and societies. 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:11.720 But it is a person that needs to be followed. 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:12.559 But who? 00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:15.539 Who is this person? 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:17.259 We don't trust people, do we? 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:19.080 People hurt us. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:20.840 People mistreat us. 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.580 Who is the one? 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:24.059 Who will not lead me astray? 00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:25.059 Who won't hurt me? 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:27.259 Who won't demand too much from me? 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:28.279 Who can help me? 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:32.360 Who can actually help me with my greatest burden? 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:34.100 Who can help me with my sin? 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:35.039 Who? 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:38.939 Who can save me from my life of sin? 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:42.320 Who can save me from the guilt of my sin? 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:46.260 Who can save me from the consequences of my sin? 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.020 Who? 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:51.240 Jesus said, follow me. 00:15:52.560 --> 00:15:53.540 That's a pitch. 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:56.760 It's a pretty good pitch when you think about it. 00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:58.700 The call of God in the flesh. 00:15:58.800 --> 00:16:03.440 Jesus is calling you to join him, to leave the world behind, to begin again. 00:16:03.440 --> 00:16:07.520 With a new heart that no longer goes astray. 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:11.320 Begin to weigh up that particular pitch. 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.860 Now the perk. 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.760 What are the benefits? 00:16:15.520 --> 00:16:19.720 The benefits we heard from Mary were beautiful and profound benefits. 00:16:19.900 --> 00:16:22.160 What's on offer here? 00:16:22.300 --> 00:16:25.220 What awaits the one who is a follower of Christ? 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:26.340 Look at verse 17. 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:31.360 Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:37.639 We see from verse 16 that Jesus saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea. 00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:39.240 For they were fishermen. 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:41.759 That was their current job description. 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:42.860 They were fishermen. 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.960 A humble occupation. 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:47.000 Paul speaking to the Corinthians said, 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:55.620 For your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:58.360 But those of a humble situation. 00:16:58.360 --> 00:17:03.259 Jesus, we see, he's not out like the business headhunters. 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:09.000 He's not looking for the best of the best, but the worst of the worst. 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:10.500 Matthew 9.13, 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:14.779 For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, he said. 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:18.299 Who do we see Jesus evangelizing in the Gospels? 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:19.779 Is he looking for kings and queens? 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.259 No. 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:23.039 What do the religious teachers accuse him of? 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.799 In Luke 7.34, they said, 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:36.259 Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners, tax collectors, thieves, prostitutes, drunks, the worst of the worst. 00:17:36.379 --> 00:17:39.359 These are the ones to whom Jesus came and said, 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:40.759 Follow me. 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:45.539 Are you an ordinary man here this morning? 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:49.099 Are you an ordinary woman here this morning? 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.539 Any kings? 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.140 Any queens? 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:58.339 Jesus calls ordinary people, ordinary jobs, leading ordinary humble lives. 00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.920 Moses was keeping sheep. 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:01.819 Gideon was threshing wheat. 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:03.379 Elisha was plowing. 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:06.160 Maybe you're here this morning and you're thinking to yourself, 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:09.240 There's nothing special about me. 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:10.460 Well, you know what? 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.120 You're right. 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:19.920 There is nothing special about you in worldly eyes. 00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:21.420 Nothing at all. 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:25.559 But to the eyes of Jesus Christ, 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:29.279 who has looked at you since before time began. 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:33.940 A day comes when you're walking along a beach or you're on a street or you're sitting in a church 00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:37.319 and he speaks to you through his word and he says, 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:38.740 Follow me. 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:44.700 It turns out that there is something special about you in his eyes. 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:47.279 1 Peter 2.9, 00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:51.099 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:54.000 You are his own special people. 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:58.980 He has chosen you, calls you, wants you to be part of his kingdom, 00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:04.420 to work in his kingdom, to play a part in the expansion of his kingdom. 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:08.820 Not a galactic kingdom, but an eternal kingdom. 00:19:09.320 --> 00:19:12.180 One that will glorify his holy name. 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:14.300 A kingdom with no end. 00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:16.980 Is that an offer you can refuse? 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:21.079 So Jesus comes to these two ordinary men and he says, 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:25.939 If you follow me, you will no longer be fishermen, but fishers of men. 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:30.919 You will no longer just catch fish, but something much more precious. 00:19:30.919 --> 00:19:32.919 Your life is about to change. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.519 Much more precious. 00:19:35.179 --> 00:19:35.839 You'll catch men. 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:39.279 You will no longer cast a net, but the word of God. 00:19:39.339 --> 00:19:42.259 You will no longer fill your boat, but the halls of heaven. 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:47.379 You will no longer pull fish from the darkness of the water, but men from the darkness of sin. 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:52.419 You'll no longer live for yourself, but live for God. 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:55.039 Which would you choose? 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:58.960 In which world would you rather serve? 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:04.360 Would you be able to leave your old life behind? 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:06.420 Your old job? 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:11.880 And when you think about it, what were these men really been asked to leave behind? 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:15.519 Jesus said, follow me and I will make you become fishers of men. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:18.340 Do you know what they are actually been asked to leave behind? 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.259 Everything. 00:20:21.300 --> 00:20:21.740 Everything. 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.460 They were fishermen. 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:26.400 This was their livelihood. 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.980 This was the source of their income. 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:33.759 And their sustenance, their very lives, depended upon that boat, upon that net, 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:36.600 upon their diligence and skill as fishermen, 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:39.000 and they have been asked to leave it all behind. 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:43.620 Now, I'm not trying to convince anyone to leave your job. 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:46.180 You still have to provide, of course, 1 Timothy 5.8. 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:50.120 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:53.019 he has denied the faith and is worse than non-believers. 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:58.459 So this is not about leaving your job and going off to North Korea while your husband or wife picks up the pieces. 00:20:58.460 --> 00:21:02.299 Even these men will be seen fishing later on. 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:04.460 We're not talking about leaving your job. 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:15.740 But the challenge here is to consider, what is it in your life that prevents you from following Christ fully and completely? 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:18.539 And becoming all that he has. 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:20.519 And becoming all that he's called you to be. 00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:24.279 Fulfilling the purpose for which he's created you and made you. 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:27.400 We could speculate about a hundred things. 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.940 Maybe it's your job. 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:31.779 Maybe you work every hour of overtime you can get. 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.620 Maybe it's your comforts. 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:36.660 Maybe you're afraid you'll have to do something if you were to follow Christ fully. 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:37.920 Maybe it's your fears. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.819 What will people think? 00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:40.720 What will people think? 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.600 Maybe it's your hobbies. 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:45.220 How much time does Jesus actually want from us? 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:47.039 Maybe it's the me time. 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:48.480 We don't want it to become him time. 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:51.759 Or maybe you're still in the boat. 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:56.519 And the only thing keeping you there is because you love your sin. 00:21:58.120 --> 00:22:02.799 Christian, only God knows if you are spending time or wasting time. 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:04.940 Only he knows what we do with our time. 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.480 But he does know. 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.660 In verse 16 you'll read, 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:10.320 And as he walked by the Sea of Galilee, 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:16.220 He saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, casting Annette into the sea. 00:22:16.300 --> 00:22:18.580 Jesus saw what they were doing. 00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:23.420 Never forget that he can see what you in Caragallion as a church are doing. 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:26.519 He can see what we in Thurlis are doing. 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:29.900 He can see what you as an individual are doing. 00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:34.440 And he knows if it's good for your neighbor or not. 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:36.460 He knows if it's good for your kids or not. 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.740 Your wife or not. 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.799 Your husband or not. 00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:40.220 The church or not. 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:42.039 His kingdom or not. 00:22:43.820 --> 00:22:46.779 Perhaps just like these men, there's something he would rather you were doing. 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:51.480 Perhaps he would have you fishing on streets rather than shores. 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:56.279 The perk here is that if we are following Christ, 00:22:57.160 --> 00:23:01.200 then we are doing something of eternal value. 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:06.880 Our actions, if we are following Christ, have eternal consequence. 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:09.559 They have an eternal resonance. 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:15.079 Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men. 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:17.779 So far we've seen the pitch. 00:23:17.939 --> 00:23:18.879 Follow me, the perk. 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.919 You'll be fishers of men. 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.559 Now the pondering. 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:25.799 That time when people consider what has been put before them, 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.699 before they pounce. 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.179 Look at verse 18. 00:23:29.179 --> 00:23:34.480 How did these men respond to what had been just said to them? 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:41.539 They immediately, or at once, left their nets and followed him. 00:23:42.679 --> 00:23:44.599 Do you know what's missing here? 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:52.220 These men don't seem to spend too much time thinking about what's been offered to them. 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:55.079 You don't see them negotiating with Jesus. 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.539 A fisher of many. 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:57.819 What is that? 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:59.480 Is that like a five day week? 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:01.059 Do we finish early on Friday? 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:03.359 You know, I need to go home and talk to my wife. 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.879 Is there a dental plan with this? 00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:07.519 You don't see them negotiating with Christ. 00:24:08.179 --> 00:24:08.539 No. 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:08.619 No. 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:15.099 They immediately, they at once, left their nets and followed him. 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:19.839 Now I don't think that they made this decision off the cuff. 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:23.319 This wasn't some spontaneous leap of faith. 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:26.339 They didn't just take one look at Jesus and say, oh great. 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:27.599 Let's go. 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:37.799 If you read the Gospel of John tonight, chapter 1, 35 to 42, you will see that Andrew was already a disciple of John the Baptist. 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:41.839 He had already been introduced to Jesus by John. 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:45.019 He had already spoken to his brother Simon. 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:48.039 He had already introduced Simon to Jesus. 00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:55.980 They had already spent a whole lot of time pondering the person of Christ. 00:24:56.379 --> 00:25:00.039 In fact, so have you. 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:05.799 The fact that you're here. 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:08.259 The fact that you're here this morning. 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:13.299 It seems obvious that you've been thinking about the person of Jesus Christ. 00:25:13.639 --> 00:25:17.440 He has been on your mind to some extent. 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:20.059 Maybe only in the last 24 hours. 00:25:20.899 --> 00:25:26.799 But he's been on your mind and you have been thinking about the person of Jesus Christ. 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:31.680 But a day comes, friend, when a decision needs to be made. 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:33.899 A day comes when Jesus speaks to you. 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:35.240 To your heart. 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:39.319 Today is the day of salvation we'll read in Scripture. 00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:40.500 Today is the day. 00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:42.740 Follow me, he said today. 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:48.379 Haven't you spent enough time pondering the person of Christ? 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:52.899 Haven't you spent enough time watching the people of Christ? 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:55.659 The man outside in the van said to me that he's been watching you. 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:57.560 That you've been very good to him. 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:59.259 That you're praying for him. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:02.920 He's been pondering the people of Christ. 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:07.340 Haven't you spent enough time juggling your opinions? 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:11.320 Wavering about the person of Jesus Christ? 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:14.160 Is it time to drop what you're doing? 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.779 To commit yourself? 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:17.060 To follow? 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:19.680 To answer that call? 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.920 To follow me? 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:26.620 And you who call yourself a follower. 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:31.320 There's many things and many people who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ. 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:33.779 You know there's one word here that really bothers me. 00:26:34.560 --> 00:26:36.100 And I guess I wanted to bother you too. 00:26:36.320 --> 00:26:37.039 So sorry about that. 00:26:37.820 --> 00:26:40.120 In verse 17, Jesus said to them, 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:45.700 Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men. 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:47.440 Or in your NIV it says, 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:50.200 Follow me and I will send you. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.059 Tell me, Christian. 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.640 Here's a question for us to ask. 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:57.860 Has Christ made you a fisher of men? 00:26:57.920 --> 00:27:00.080 Has he sent you out yet? 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:02.380 Or are you still pondering? 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:06.480 I said earlier that you're either in the boat or on the beach. 00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:10.100 But there are some who have got out of the boat. 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:11.620 But they're still holding on to it. 00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:14.419 But they've one foot in the water and one foot on the beach. 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:17.979 They haven't quite dropped the net or got out of the boat yet. 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.439 I'll follow you, Lord. 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:22.059 But I just want to bring everything with me. 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:23.179 Can I bring my net? 00:27:23.679 --> 00:27:25.959 It might slope me down, but I need it. 00:27:26.439 --> 00:27:28.159 Because to be honest, I'm not sure. 00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:30.519 I'm not sure I fully trust you. 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:35.739 Is your Christian walk full of things that you won't let go of? 00:27:35.739 --> 00:27:39.159 Things that trip you up and entangle you, hold you back. 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:44.140 Does that describe you here this morning? 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:48.340 Mars won that company I spoke about earlier. 00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:53.779 They put out that call for everybody to apply if they wanted to go to Mars. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:58.300 And the applications were open to anybody, anybody at all, 00:27:58.860 --> 00:28:00.620 who was over the age of 18. 00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:03.960 And on their website, it says this, and I quote, 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:08.519 the reason they did that, because the organization believes its greatest need 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:12.059 is not to find the smartest or most skilled people, 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:17.059 but rather the people most dedicated to the cause. 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:21.860 Are you dedicated to the cause of Christ? 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:24.240 Or are you still pondering? 00:28:25.360 --> 00:28:27.539 Are you still pondering the person of Christ? 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:29.319 Is he making you? 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:31.039 Is he molding you? 00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:35.000 Is he sending you, even now, to be a fisher of men? 00:28:35.639 --> 00:28:38.359 Or are we holding onto the boat, 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:42.200 staring down at our nets while people all around us drown? 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:48.920 Perhaps we need a reminder of what awaits those who are drowning in sin. 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:51.639 You know, it's interesting, but in the Old Testament, 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:54.720 there's numerous accounts of God fishing. 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:56.899 Numerous accounts of God fishing. 00:28:56.900 --> 00:29:00.220 But it's always in judgment. 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:04.440 Jeremiah 16, 16, you'll read this, 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:07.580 Behold, I will send for many fishermen, says the Lord, 00:29:07.780 --> 00:29:09.259 and they shall fish them. 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:09.759 Why? 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:12.460 Their iniquity is not hidden from my eyes. 00:29:13.040 --> 00:29:17.240 And first, I will repay double their iniquity and their sin. 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:19.259 Ezekiel 38, 4, 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:23.100 I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws. 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.600 Amos 4, 2, 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:29.299 Behold, the days shall come upon you when he will take you away with fish hooks. 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.259 Why? 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:32.799 Every time it's for judgment. 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:36.539 God talks about sticking hooks in people's mouths, 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:39.159 drawing them out for judgment. 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:49.019 And that day is coming when friends, family, enemies, strangers, all will stand before God and be judged. 00:29:49.019 --> 00:30:03.339 But before that, in his grace, in his mercy, and in his love, he is sending men, he is sending women, children even, 00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:16.459 to cast the net of the gospel, to save people from drowning in the water of sin and the consequences of an eternity lost in darkness. 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:21.940 Which one are you this morning? 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:24.960 Are you the one drowning in sin? 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:28.460 Or are you the one holding a net that can save them? 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:32.279 You both have something to do. 00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:33.920 Will you follow Christ? 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:36.240 Will you fish for Christ? 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:39.160 What will you do? 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:44.559 During the spate of storms earlier in the year, you probably saw the footage. 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:48.279 There was a woman up in Dublin. 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:55.559 And she went out onto the pier during the storm and she jumped in to go for a swim. 00:30:57.620 --> 00:31:03.140 And 20 minutes later, there was footage of a guy standing there with one of those life rings. 00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:06.060 Getting ready to throw it in. 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:07.580 Risking his own life. 00:31:08.300 --> 00:31:09.980 Aiming it at this poor woman. 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:13.780 But can you imagine he didn't throw it in? 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.620 Sort of a race. 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:19.740 Can you imagine he didn't throw it in? 00:31:20.840 --> 00:31:21.740 Madness, you'd say. 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.440 Madness. 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:28.840 If you imagine he stood there thinking about whether he would or not. 00:31:29.320 --> 00:31:29.759 Pondering. 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:31.160 Madness. 00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:33.380 But can you imagine he did? 00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.960 He runs there. 00:31:36.060 --> 00:31:37.120 He grabs that ring. 00:31:37.320 --> 00:31:38.580 He risks his life. 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.519 He throws it in. 00:31:40.040 --> 00:31:41.759 And the lady just looks at it. 00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:44.980 She refuses to take hold of it. 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.740 Madness. 00:31:47.820 --> 00:31:50.720 Neither of these people had time to delay. 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:54.620 Neither of them had time to ponder too long. 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:58.659 Unbeliever, are you ready to take hold of that which can save you? 00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:03.119 Are you ready to take hold of the person of Christ? 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:07.099 Believer, are you ready to cast the net of the gospel? 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:13.839 Look, as we close, a final brief point of what these next two men did. 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:15.719 The final pounce, if you will. 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.779 Look at verse 19. 00:32:17.579 --> 00:32:18.379 Very briefly. 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:21.740 When he, Jesus, had gone a little farther from there, 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:24.699 he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, 00:32:25.199 --> 00:32:27.579 who also were in the boat mending their nets. 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:29.099 And immediately he called them, 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:33.240 and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:35.480 and went after him. 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:39.519 You know, I pictured these two men as they sat in the boat, 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.599 fixing their net. 00:32:40.679 --> 00:32:42.279 It was all tangled and torn. 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:45.220 You know, and it reminded me that life is hard. 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:48.500 Things that we need break down all the time. 00:32:48.679 --> 00:32:50.359 Our very lives can be like that. 00:32:50.439 --> 00:32:52.220 On the way down, driving down here, 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:55.159 Lee described everything wrong with everything in our house. 00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.740 The car broke down last week. 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.960 The microwave is not working. 00:32:58.400 --> 00:33:00.880 Dishwasher has been lying idle for six months now. 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:03.140 The water softener is going on me. 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:05.500 Mechanically, things break down. 00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:07.559 Physically, we break down. 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:09.099 Emotionally, we break down. 00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:11.160 But spiritually, we're broken. 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:13.099 We're just broken. 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.980 Lives are like that. 00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:16.980 Tangled and torn. 00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:17.640 Frustrated. 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:18.839 Broken. 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:20.359 Wrangled and messed up. 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:23.720 But then this person comes one day. 00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:26.259 This person comes. 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:29.319 And his name is Jesus Christ. 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.759 And he grabs your attention. 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:34.640 And he says, follow me. 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:38.960 And these two men in this boat, James and John, 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:42.359 you can just picture them looking down at their broken nets 00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:44.299 and then to the person of Jesus Christ. 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:47.220 How do you compare the two? 00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:51.799 What contrast can you give me that would compare the two? 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:54.139 Is this dirt versus gold? 00:33:54.419 --> 00:33:55.779 Doesn't quite cut it. 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:58.700 Is this light versus darkness? 00:33:59.220 --> 00:34:00.059 Slightly closer. 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:03.139 What contrast can you give me? 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.659 Think of that lady drowning. 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:07.039 What was her choice? 00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:09.440 What did she have to weigh up? 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:12.059 What was before her? 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:13.840 Do you know what it was? 00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:17.380 It was life or death. 00:34:18.160 --> 00:34:21.200 It was salvation or damnation. 00:34:22.160 --> 00:34:23.600 Do you think she looked around her 00:34:23.600 --> 00:34:26.360 as the waves crashed over her head? 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:28.600 Do you think she had second thoughts 00:34:28.600 --> 00:34:30.940 about grabbing hold of that which could save her? 00:34:31.620 --> 00:34:34.700 Do you think she thought about waiting for someone else to come along 00:34:34.700 --> 00:34:36.079 to throw another ring? 00:34:36.160 --> 00:34:36.920 She didn't like orange. 00:34:37.019 --> 00:34:37.960 She wanted a red one. 00:34:38.620 --> 00:34:39.680 Well, she didn't know that guy. 00:34:39.720 --> 00:34:41.660 I'm going to wait for someone I know to throw this in. 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:44.019 That's what's before us today. 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:46.719 Life or death. 00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:50.460 Salvation or damnation. 00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:55.039 Can you take hold of Him who would save you? 00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:57.219 There's a hymn we sing in Tarlas. 00:34:57.299 --> 00:34:58.879 I'm sure you know it here. 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.559 I was sinking deep in sin. 00:35:01.299 --> 00:35:02.839 Sinking to rise no more. 00:35:03.799 --> 00:35:05.259 Overwhelmed by guilt within. 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:07.779 Mercy I did implore. 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:12.340 Then the master of the sea heard my despairing cry. 00:35:13.060 --> 00:35:16.140 Christ, my Savior, lifted me. 00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:19.160 Now safe am I. 00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:23.320 Do you understand what Jesus has done for you? 00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:27.600 Do you understand what He needed to do for us, to save us? 00:35:28.060 --> 00:35:30.720 Do you know what He had to leave behind? 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:34.679 Simon and Andrew were told they left their nets. 00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:39.619 James and John were told they left their father, Zebedee, 00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:42.399 in the boat with the hired servants. 00:35:42.839 --> 00:35:45.039 Some are called to make bigger sacrifices, 00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:47.119 to leave something more precious. 00:35:47.439 --> 00:35:50.039 But can you think here this morning of someone 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:53.099 who also left their father? 00:35:53.099 --> 00:35:57.619 And they left an innumerable multitude of servants. 00:35:58.139 --> 00:36:01.679 One who left, as it were, one world for another. 00:36:02.299 --> 00:36:04.500 One who left every single thing behind, 00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:06.579 including his very life. 00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:08.579 Jesus. 00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:11.239 Christ. 00:36:12.159 --> 00:36:13.299 Whatever we give up, 00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:17.440 He has given up infinitely more for you. 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:22.700 He came into another world. 00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:24.460 He was rejected. 00:36:25.119 --> 00:36:26.619 He was despised. 00:36:26.980 --> 00:36:29.220 He was nailed to a cross. 00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:31.019 And the heart that you have 00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:33.840 that led you into all manner of sin, 00:36:34.679 --> 00:36:37.200 that single lie would have kept you out of heaven. 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:40.099 The lies and the theft and the blasphemy. 00:36:40.639 --> 00:36:41.760 God, on the cross, 00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:45.260 treated Jesus as if that was your heart, 00:36:45.320 --> 00:36:46.900 as if your heart was His heart. 00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:49.099 God poured down His wrath, 00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:50.500 His justice. 00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:53.099 Jesus took the sin upon Himself 00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:55.680 because a good and holy, just God 00:36:55.680 --> 00:36:57.440 cannot just ignore it. 00:36:58.380 --> 00:37:01.980 Christ took the punishment that you deserved. 00:37:02.119 --> 00:37:04.680 God put the hook in His mouth, 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:06.480 the whip on His back, 00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:08.440 the nails in His hands, 00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:09.700 the thorns in His head, 00:37:10.119 --> 00:37:11.920 the spear into His side. 00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:15.860 Jesus paid your fine full and completely. 00:37:15.860 --> 00:37:19.840 Jesus Christ made the way for you 00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:23.099 to enter the kingdom of God, 00:37:23.200 --> 00:37:25.559 to break free from the pull of sin 00:37:25.559 --> 00:37:29.099 and the atmosphere of death that surrounds you. 00:37:29.180 --> 00:37:29.900 He came saying, 00:37:30.039 --> 00:37:30.900 the time is fulfilled. 00:37:31.440 --> 00:37:33.280 The kingdom of God is at hand. 00:37:33.740 --> 00:37:36.640 Repent and believe the gospel. 00:37:37.380 --> 00:37:39.320 Follow me, He said. 00:37:39.680 --> 00:37:40.579 Follow me. 00:37:40.579 --> 00:37:43.059 The response from Simon and Andrew, 00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:45.420 they left their nets 00:37:45.420 --> 00:37:47.139 and followed Him. 00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:48.360 They repented. 00:37:49.259 --> 00:37:50.420 They believed. 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:53.219 The response from James and John in verse 20, 00:37:53.319 --> 00:37:54.219 they left their father 00:37:54.219 --> 00:37:55.539 and went after Him. 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:56.179 They repented. 00:37:56.319 --> 00:37:57.059 They believed. 00:37:57.460 --> 00:37:59.719 They came to a place of full and complete 00:37:59.719 --> 00:38:02.380 trust in Jesus Christ. 00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:03.440 To follow Christ. 00:38:03.780 --> 00:38:06.640 To follow Christ is to repent. 00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:09.180 It is to turn from your sin. 00:38:09.280 --> 00:38:10.240 It is to believe, 00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:11.599 to place your trust in Him 00:38:11.599 --> 00:38:13.760 and Him alone. 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.579 Not your goodness. 00:38:15.320 --> 00:38:16.200 Not your church. 00:38:16.720 --> 00:38:17.039 Nothing. 00:38:17.200 --> 00:38:17.740 Only Him. 00:38:17.800 --> 00:38:19.500 It is to follow Him. 00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:22.860 How will you respond today 00:38:22.860 --> 00:38:24.300 to what's been offered, 00:38:24.420 --> 00:38:26.760 to what's been commanded of you? 00:38:27.380 --> 00:38:28.360 Will this be the day 00:38:28.360 --> 00:38:31.260 that you can leave it all behind? 00:38:31.500 --> 00:38:32.180 Will this be the day 00:38:32.180 --> 00:38:34.520 that you become a fisher of men? 00:38:35.200 --> 00:38:36.220 Will this be the day 00:38:36.220 --> 00:38:38.120 that you finally let go of the boat? 00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:39.740 Will this be the day 00:38:39.740 --> 00:38:41.440 that you begin to follow Christ? 00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:43.600 Will this be the day 00:38:43.600 --> 00:38:45.720 that you come to Christ 00:38:45.720 --> 00:38:48.440 as a sinner realizing 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:51.460 that He is your only sure hope 00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:54.420 and you come to Him on your knees 00:38:54.420 --> 00:38:56.360 sorry for your sin 00:38:56.360 --> 00:38:58.800 sorry for using His name 00:38:58.800 --> 00:38:59.860 as a curse word 00:38:59.860 --> 00:39:02.000 that you come to Him in repentance 00:39:02.000 --> 00:39:04.720 trusting in what He did 00:39:04.720 --> 00:39:06.320 on the cross for you. 00:39:07.079 --> 00:39:07.900 For you. 00:39:08.200 --> 00:39:09.500 And He gives you that gift 00:39:09.500 --> 00:39:10.920 of forgiveness. 00:39:11.980 --> 00:39:12.680 Eternal life. 00:39:12.760 --> 00:39:13.880 All those things Mary 00:39:13.880 --> 00:39:15.960 spoke about earlier on. 00:39:16.340 --> 00:39:16.860 Regeneration. 00:39:18.140 --> 00:39:18.660 Adoption. 00:39:19.340 --> 00:39:20.680 To be called a child of God. 00:39:20.740 --> 00:39:21.559 What a wonderful thing. 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:24.180 We've seen the pitch. 00:39:24.420 --> 00:39:24.960 Follow me. 00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:26.720 You've seen the perk. 00:39:27.159 --> 00:39:28.480 You can be a fisher of men 00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:29.659 and what you do 00:39:29.659 --> 00:39:30.780 will have eternal consequence. 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:33.220 We've seen the pondering. 00:39:33.900 --> 00:39:34.480 Don't delay. 00:39:35.240 --> 00:39:36.179 You've seen the pounce. 00:39:36.820 --> 00:39:37.260 Repent. 00:39:37.780 --> 00:39:38.679 Turn from your sin. 00:39:38.820 --> 00:39:40.780 Believe in the person of Christ. 00:39:40.900 --> 00:39:41.720 Will this be the day 00:39:41.720 --> 00:39:43.019 that the gravity of one world 00:39:43.019 --> 00:39:43.599 is stronger 00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:45.480 than the other? 00:39:46.280 --> 00:39:47.880 Will you answer the call of God? 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:50.360 Leave your nets 00:39:50.360 --> 00:39:51.559 and follow Him. 00:39:53.500 --> 00:39:55.480 Father, we thank You 00:39:55.480 --> 00:39:56.320 for Your Word. 00:39:57.880 --> 00:39:58.880 Father, we thank You 00:39:58.880 --> 00:40:00.860 for those two simple words of Christ 00:40:00.860 --> 00:40:03.260 just to follow Him. 00:40:04.019 --> 00:40:05.860 To turn our eyes. 00:40:06.559 --> 00:40:07.900 To turn our minds. 00:40:08.900 --> 00:40:10.500 To turn our souls 00:40:10.500 --> 00:40:11.900 at the only one 00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:13.800 who can save us 00:40:13.800 --> 00:40:14.900 from a lost eternity. 00:40:14.900 --> 00:40:17.180 Father, we pray 00:40:17.180 --> 00:40:18.139 that You would just 00:40:18.139 --> 00:40:19.240 continue to speak 00:40:19.240 --> 00:40:21.059 to our hearts 00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:22.480 as we continue with You 00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:23.059 this morning. 00:40:23.740 --> 00:40:24.780 And in Jesus' name 00:40:24.780 --> 00:40:25.300 we pray. 00:40:25.680 --> 00:40:25.980 Amen. 00:40:25.980 --> 00:40:26.099 Amen. 00:40:26.099 --> 00:40:39.059 Thank you, Trevor. 00:40:39.440 --> 00:40:40.460 We're going to sing 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:41.480 and increase