Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The study of the Concept of Discipleship

a) It is exciting

b) It is enlightening

c) It is encouraging

2. There are:

a) Challenges to understand

b) Challenges to apply

DISCIPLESHIP FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE DISCIPLES

1. Four Disciples were named

a) Simon Peter

b) Andrew

c) James

d) John Matthew 4:18-22

2. Who were they?

a) The Gospel of John gives us important information

b) John 1 needs to be read with Matthew 4:18-22

DISCIPLES OF JOHN THE BAPTISER

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’
31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”
32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.
33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.
36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”
They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).
40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).
42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

John 1:29-42

1. The Four Fishermen

a) They had heard about the Lord Jesus from John the Baptiser

b) They had heard the following truths about the Lord Jesus Christ

c) They were disciples of John the Baptiser

2. Knowledge of the Lord Jesus

a) He is the Lamb of God

b) He takes away the sin of the world

c) The Spirit had descended on the Lord Jesus Christ

3. They had already met the Lord Jesus

a) They had spoken to the Lord

b) They addressed Him as “Rabbi” (Teacher)

c) He had shown deep insights

i) He met Simon

ii) He called him “Peter”

THE CALLING OF THE LORD JESUS

1. A Call has to be given

2. One cannot call oneself into the ministry

3. The Teacher needs to invite His Disciples

4. He must be able to teach His Disciples well

5. The word given

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”

Matthew 4:19

WHY WOULD THEY LEAVE EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW THE LORD JESUS?

1. There was Knowledge of the Lord Jesus

2. There was a basic relationship with Him

3. There was Faith in the Lord Jesus

4. It was a great honour

a) To be called

b) To be chosen

c) To follow the Lord

d) To be instructed

e) To be equipped

f) To become fishers of men

CONCLUSION

1. Good to check

a) Our Knowledge of the Lord

b) Our Faith

c) Our Relationship with Him

2. The Call

a) To follow the Lord

It is good and valid today

b) To become fishers of men

This is an important skill to learn

c) Few know how to be fishers of men today!