THE LIGHT DAWNS Matthew 4:12-25 10/10/10

Jesus' ministry lasted about three years. A year of relative obscurity A year of popularity A year of increasing rejection Matthew focuses on the last two years. He largely omits the first year of Jesus’ ministry. cf John 1-4 The initial calling of the disciples (John 1:35-50) The wedding at Cana (turning water to wine) Jesus’ first cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem His ministry to Nicodemus His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar Jesus’ ministry and rejection at Nazareth Matthew begins with Jesus’ move from Nazareth to Capernaum. 1. Jesus Brought Spiritual Light To Darkened Galilee. 4:12- 17 12-13 Two things lead Jesus to move to Capernaum. 1. The arrest and imprisonment of John the Baptist v. 12 2. His rejection by the people of His home town of Nazareth. Cf Luke 4:16-30 Capernaum became Jesus' base of operations during his ministry in Galilee. MAPS AND PICTURES 14-16 Jesus is the light promised by Isaiah (9:1-2). The region of Zebulun and Naphtali had experienced Gentile conquest and turmoil throughout history. The Jewish inhabitants longed for liberation from Gentile rule. In Isaiah 9:1-6 they are promised ultimate freedom through the coming of the Messiah. Cf v. 6 They are now presented with the promised Light Their ultimate deliverance will come when He returns to rule and reign. 17 Jesus, like John the Baptist, comes calling on people to repent. 2. Jesus Calls Upon His Followers To Be Fishers Of Men. 4:18-22 In the gospels we see that Jesus made five calls upon the lives of those who followed Him. a. Come and see. cf John 1:35-51 Right after His baptism Jesus called several of the disciples to come and observe Him. To see that He really was who He claimed to be. This was a time for them to learn about Jesus and to learn from Him. The disciples became followers of Jesus though they apparently continued in the fishing business. b. Abide in Me. John 15:4 John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. c. Follow me and I will make you fishers of men Matthew 4:18-22

2 This call comes a year after He first called them to come and see. Jesus wants them to be more than mere spectators. To be a fisher of men requires: Commitment and training Risking rejection This required that they set aside their plans and rely upon Him. Jesus calls them to abandon their jobs and accompany him full-time. Here they relinquish their livelihood to join Jesus in His mission. Not every Christian is called into fulltime ministry, but Jesus has given every Christian the responsibility to be fishers of men To be equipped to share the gospel with others d. Called Apostles Luke 6:12-16 cf Matthew 10:1-4 Jesus appointed twelve of His followers to positions of leadership and authority. Though there no longer apostles, God still calls people to positions of leadership and authority in His church. The leaders of the church today are called elders (overseers). 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1 cf Hebrews 13:17 This is an important and sacred responsibility. e. Make disciples. Matthew 28:18-20 Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you . . .”

3 To make disciples means to teach and equip new Christians to be faithful followers and servants of Christ Like Jesus, we to first have them observe us. Tell them what and why Show them how Do it with them Let them do it alone and evaluate Deploy them to train others 3. Jesus’ Minister Included Teaching, Preaching, And Miracles. 4:23-25 Jesus' ministry included: Teaching His disciples Proclaiming truth to those unfamiliar with the message Healing diseases and afflictions Jesus was preaching both in the synagogues and outside Jesus ministry was reaching Jews and Gentiles alike. Syria was a Gentile region north of Galilee, between Damascus and the Mediterranean Sea. Decapolis is the Roman and generally Gentile district to the south and east of the Sea of Galilee. Beyond the Jordan commonly referred to the region of Perea, or more generally the territory east of the Jordan River. The great crowds that followed Jesus responded in some sense to his teaching and healing ministry but most had not yet become his disciples. Where Are You? 1. Do you need to come and see? cf John 1:35-51 To examine the claims of Christ 4 To see if He really was who He claimed to be To come to the place where you receive Him as your Lord and Savior and respond in baptism 2. Are you growing and abiding in Him? John 15:4 This isn’t just for new Christians. We always need to consistently spend time in the scriptures We always need to stay close to Christ in prayer 3. Is it time for you to follow Him and become fishers of men? This requires more than simply being a spectator. This requires commitment and training. This requires risking rejection. 4. Do you need to step up and be a leader? 5. Are you making disciples? Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Evangelizing, baptizing, teaching and equipping other Christians to be faithful followers and servants of Christ Like Jesus, we need to spend time with them and let them observe us. Tell them what and why Show them how Do it with them Let them do it alone and evaluate Deploy them to train others WHERE ARE YOU? 5