Following God's Call

Following God's Call (Matthew 4:19-20)
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Matthew 4:19-20, “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”

On January 22, 1886, Evangelist Dwight L. Moody addressed his church members in Chicago saying: "I tell you what, and what I have on my heart I believe we have got to have gap-men, men to stand between the laity and the ministers; men who are trained to do city mission work. Take men that have the gifts and train them for the work of reaching the people." This formal meeting, held at Farwell Hall, resulted in the group founding the Chicago Evangelization Society, which was later renamed the Moody Bible Institute. During that same year, Moody was in New York City when he met William Evans. Evans was a 16 year old boy working as a typesetter. Moody was impressed with Evans and told him to pack his trunk and head for "my school in Chicago." Evans was on his way within days, becoming Moody's first graduate. William Evans held various Presbyterian pastorates, and, after several years, became Director of the Bible Course at Moody Bible Institute. He then served for three years as dean of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA). He was also a respected Christian author and leader. And it all started when he had the courage to leave everything and to follow Jesus.

Jesus saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew, throwing their net into the water (Matthew 4:18). They had already met Jesus in Judea the day after His baptism (John 1:35-42). Simon and Andrew, who were called by Christ, were brothers who worked together. The fact that they were working together says at least three things: they had good parents who had taught them to love and care for one another; they came from a closely knit family, a family that worked together; and they followed and obeyed the teaching of their parents while maintaining a brotherly spirit throughout life. There is one essential thing for serving Christ that must be stressed among God's people - cooperation, a nature and willingness to serve together (I Corinthians 12:12-31; Acts 11:25-26; Philippians 2:19-20). Jesus invited them to follow Him, and Simon and Andrew left their nets to follow Jesus. Their lives change forever. In Jesus' day, disciples would literally, and physically, follow their masters or teachers to learn from them and imitate them. Today, we follow Jesus through Bible study and church attendance. Discipleship can be summed up in one word: follow.

What does it take to follow Jesus? It is called discipleship. Discipleship is the personal pursuit of Jesus that is created in the heart of a believer to believe like Him and to live like Him. Christ is not interested in cheap invitations. Too often the call to discipleship is to receive the great benefits and advantages offered by God. They involve an unbelievable cost, the supreme sacrifice. A person must pay the ultimate price. There is a distinction between being a believer and a disciple. All disciples are believers, but not all believers, by any means, are disciples. To bear one’s cross was a symbol of trouble, trials, affliction, persecution, and shame. It was a symbol of crucifixion. The greater truth Jesus illustrated is that discipleship and serving Him involve not only coming after Him (as the multitude with Him were presently doing), but sacrifice, trouble, persecution, and possibly death. It’s not easy to serve Him as a faithful disciple. As it was then, it is true today.

There was no delay in obeying Christ's calling. This verse is an example for us that this is the only way to respond to Divine commands. It is interesting that Jesus’ first and last statement to Peter was “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19; John 21:22). “God’s call is for you to be His loyal friend, for whatever purpose He has for your life.” – Oswald Chambers

What does it take to follow Jesus? Everything. To live your life, you have to lose it. What is my level of commitment to Jesus Christ? As I look at the description of a true disciple above, what do I need to grow in? How will I do that? Whatever the price is to follow Christ, it is more than compensated for by the rewards of following Him. I must testify that every time the LORD has called me to follow His leading in His work, I have followed. He has never failed in giving peace and provision. I must say that I have seen already in my lifetime, much fruit from the laboring in Tennessee, Arkansas, New York, Mississippi, Georgia, Belize, and now Florida and abroad.

Question to Consider:
Is God leading you to do something for Him in your life?
Is He directing you to serve Him through your church?

Points to Ponder:
Don’t silence Him through doubt, delay, or disobedience, but follow His direction.
Remember to always be sensitive to the Lord’s direction.

PRAYER: Father, I want to be a true, totally committed Christ follower. Enable me by Your Spirit to passionately, deeply, and completely follow You. Make me into the disciple You want me to be. In Jesus name AMEN!

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