1. There were multitudes that followed the Lord Jesus Christ
a) Great multitudes followed Jesus (Matthew 4:25a)
b) Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, beyond the Jordan (Matthew 5:25b)
2. Some reasons why people followed Him:
a) To be healed (Matthew 4:23-24)
b) To have the problem of being demonized dealt with (Matthew 4:23-24)
c) To see and hear a famous Person (Matthew 4:24)
3. General observations
Things missing:
a) No Commitment
b) No Conviction
c) No Cost
d) No Contribution to ministry
4. Departing from Jesus
a) Vast multitudes followed Jesus
b) The Lord fed 5000 men (not counting the women and children)
c) They wanted to make Jesus their King
d) Jesus spoke to them about Himself as the Bread of life
e) They rejected His teachings
f) They left Him (John 6:66)
5. General Observations about Multitudes
Multitudes do not generally follow through or stand out. They follow until they cannot get what they want. They quit following!
THE DISCIPLES
1. Calling of Jesus (Luke 5:1-11; Matthew 4:18-22)
a) To follow Him
b) To become fishers of men
c) He offered the following:
i) His friendship
ii) His fellowship
iii) His mentorship
iv) His love
2. Challenges:
a) To deal with personal sin problems
b) To confess sins
c) To find a personal faith that is genuine
d) To forsake all just to follow Jesus
WHAT WAS LACKING IN THE DISCIPLES?
1. A deep knowledge
a) General knowledge of Jesus was there
i) The lamb of God
ii) The power of God in Jesus
iii) The ministry of Jesus (Teaching, preaching, healing)
b) Features of a general knowledge
i) No depth
ii) No mastery
iii) Obvious limitations related to vague or general knowledge
2. A great faith
a) Knowledge and faith are related
b) Experience and faith related too
c) A great faith would be needed to follow Jesus and to serve Him effectively
3. Strength of character
a) This would be needed
b) This has to be cultivated
c) It will come through testing in life
4. Skills for ministry
These would be wonderful to have:
a) Speaking
b) Teaching
c) Ministering
d) Counseling
THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS
1. Why are they so important?
a) They are grace and truth (John 1:17)
a) The words of Jesus are spirit and they are life (John 6:63)
c) They are words of eternal life (John 6:68)
d) They have the power to make one free (John 8:32)
2. They powerfully and effectively correct wrong teachings
a) You have heard that it was said to those of old (Matthew 5:21, 27 etc.)
b) But I say to you (Matthew 5:22, 28 etc.)
3. They offer the following:
a) Deep insights
b) They bring light, dispelling darkness
c) They bring hope, casting away despair
d) They offer eternal life to those who feel they have come to a dead end
e) They bring strength to fainting heart
f) They revive the heart and soul
WHAT IS NEEDED TO BE A TRUE DISCIPLE?
1. A love for deep knowledge
2. A desire to grow a strong faith
3. A growing relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ
4. A heart of compassion to reach out to people who do not know the Lord
5. A spirit of determination to follow through
6. A humble heart that is able to receive correction
7. A faith that will be able to remain firm and strong even if there is suffering