L E S S O N
O N E
A Lesson on Beginning
“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. 20 And they straightway
left their nets, and followed him.” (Matthew 4:18–20)
INTRODUCTION:
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast
created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
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“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man
beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth
his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But
whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being
not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his
deed.” (James 1:22–25)
A. The of the call
B. The of personal ties
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of
peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live
unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
(2 Corinthians 5:15)
“And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that
hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or
children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive
an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and
mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to
come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29–30)
B. The of the call
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(Luke 19:10)
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye
should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that
whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
(John 15:16)
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me
in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
(Matthew 28:18–20)
2. THE “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his
wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)
“And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss
my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him,
Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 21 And he returned back from
him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the
instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he
arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.” (1 Kings 19:20–21)
“Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one
thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” (Luke 18:22)
A. The of earthly pursuits
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your
treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21)
“And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto
him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I
pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke
of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And
another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.”
(Luke 14:18–20)
3. THE “And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” (Matthew 4:20)
A. Following requires .
“But without faith it is impossible to please him:…” (Hebrews 11:6)
B. Following replaces .
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
“And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no
faith?” (Mark 4:40)
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word,
in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”
(Psalm 56:3–4)
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear
hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
CONCLUSION: