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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 21 : The Calling of Disciples I

Text: Matthew 4:18-22
22 May 2022

INTRODUCTION

1. The word “Disciples” is an old word

2. It was used in the book of Isaiah

11 For the LORD spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying:
12 “Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,’
Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy,
Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.

13 The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow;
Let Him be your fear,
And let Him be your dread.

14 He will be as a sanctuary,
But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense
To both the houses of Israel,
As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

15 And many among them shall stumble;
They shall fall and be broken,
Be snared and taken.”

16 Bind up the testimony,
Seal the law among my disciples.

17 And I will wait on the LORD,
Who hides His face from the house of Jacob;
And I will hope in Him.

18 Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me!
We are for signs and wonders in Israel
From the LORD of hosts,
Who dwells in Mount Zion.

Isaiah 8:11-18

THE BOOK OF ISAIAH

1. It was a book well-cited by the Gospel writers

2. This book contained the most references to the Messiah and His ministry

THE LIFE OF ISAIAH

1. In some ways, his life prefigured the ministry of the Lord Jesus

2. In the passage (Isaiah 8:11-18) the following features may be noted:

a) The LORD led Isaiah by a strong hand Isaiah 8:11a
b) He must not walk in the way of the people Isaiah 8:11b
c) He must not be afraid of opponents Isaiah 8:12-15
d) Isaiah had disciples whom he taught Isaiah 8:16

THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS

1. The LORD’s leading

2. He walked, led by the Spirit

3. He was not afraid of opponents

4. He had disciples too

THE CALLING OF DISCIPLES

1. He called fishermen to be His Disciples

a) Humble profession
b) Not scholars
c) What could they ever become?

2. The Lord Jesus said

a) He asked them to follow Him
b) He would make them fishers of men Matthew 4:19

3. What lay behind the Lord’s plan to call people to be His disciples?

 

THE CONCEPT OF THE NEW COVENANT

31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—
32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD.
33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
34 No more shall every man teach his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Jeremiah 31:31-34

1. The LORD promised to give a New Covenant

2. In this New Covenant God will do the following things:

a) All sins would be forgiven
b) He will put His law into the minds of believers
c) He will write upon their hearts
d) All will be capable of knowing the LORD
i) From the least of them
ii) To the greatest of them

3. The Lord Jesus would be that Covenant

“I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles,”

Isaiah 42:6

4. The Discipleship program of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) It would be a fulfilment of Prophecy
b) The least of the believers can know God and His word (laws)
c) The Lord will transform their lives wonderfully

CONCLUSION

1. Many like to be Christians

2. But few want to be Disciples

3. Many think that Discipleship is too hard

4. The example of how humble fishermen

a) Became Disciples
b) Some became Apostles
c) Through Discipleship
This must inspire us to consider being Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ!

5. Jeremiah 31:31-34 can come alive for us