First Baptist Church Litchfield
march 3, 2024

      • Psalm 28:6–7ESV

  • Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (Ode To Joy)
  • Build Your Kingdom Here

      • Ephesians 6:10–17ESV

  • Let Your Kingdom Come

      • Revelation 5:9–13ESV

  • Is He Worthy
  • Surrender

  • Jesus is calling you!

    As the morning dawned, the sky transitioned from dark black to purple, pink and finally blue. The men in the boats were accustomed to watching the sunrise as they were fishermen. Fishing was their occupation and they would fish during the night when the fish were active. Once they had caught the fish, they would clean their catch, repair their nets and sell the fish to merchants in the market. Their business was quite profitable as some of their catch would be salted and transported all the way to Rome. They even hoped that one day Caesar himself would enjoy the fish caught from the Sea of Galilee. As they finished their work for the night and prepared to rest for a few hours before returning to their boats for another day's work, a man they all knew walked by the shore. Though he spoke only a few words, those words would forever change the course of their lives.
    It is possible that the following scene occurred on the Sea of Galilee one morning when Jesus passed by the boats where Peter, John, Andrew, and James were working. His call to these four men changed their lives forever! This is because Jesus was just beginning His public ministry and one of His first actions was to select 12 men to assist Him in His work. He was busy calling ordinary men to do the work of God.
    Jesus is still calling people! He calls men women and children to come to Him for salvation and also for service. My friend, He is calling! I wonder if the Lord is calling you for something this morning. If so, what does his call look like?
    At this point in the Book of Matthew, we find ourselves at the beginning of Jesus’ Galilean Ministry. In verses 12-16, Jesus announces his kingdom with a call to repent and believe, for the kingdom of God is at hand. In verses 17-22, he calls his first disciples and lays the foundation for the creation of the new Israel. Finally, in verses 23-25, Jesus travels through Galilee, teaching and healing the sick.
    There are a few reasons why Jesus began his ministry in Galilee. Firstly, John the Baptist was arrested for confronting Herod Antipas's immoral marriage to his brother's wife. When Jesus heard of this, he traveled towards John and Herod by crossing the Jordan. At the time, some Pharisees were worried about Jesus's safety since Herod was looking for ways to kill him (Luke 13:31-33). Nevertheless, Jesus called Herod a "fox" and continued his ministry. The only reason why Jesus would go to Jerusalem was to die on the cross when the time had come, and not a moment before. Jesus was fearless and committed to fulfilling His Father's will.
    Jesus established his ministry headquarters in Capernaum, a Jewish community slightly larger than Litchfield with around 10,000 residents. The town was located two miles west of the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized, and was situated close to the trade route between Damascus and Ptolemais. Capernaum had a thriving fishing industry that was heavily taxed by Rome. For Matthew, the move to Capernaum was significant because it fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy (Matthew 4:14 ) (Isaiah 9:1).
    Isaiah 9:1 CSB
    1 Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.
    Capernaum was the traditional territory of Naphtali and Nazareth was in Zebulon. The phrase “Galilee of the nations is important.” For Matthew it signifies that the mission that begins in Capernaum will extend beyond Israel an to the Gentiles. This is a foreshadowing of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus begins his ministry with the Gentiles in mind, and he ends his ministry with a call to reach the Gentiles. Advancing Gods’ kingdom is not limited to a select group of people, but is to be fulfilled by reaching the entire world. Why the world?
    Verse 16 says,, the people are in darkness. That is, they lack the knowledge of God. The light is the light of Christ. So Jesus begins advancing his kingdom by bringing light to the darkness. By doing so, he shows us three characteristics to His call:

    Jesus calls you to repent and believe, follow him, and joyfully advance His kingdom.

    ​

    Jesus calls you to repent and believe (Matthew 4:17)

    In Matthew 3:2, John the Baptist called people to repentance, and Jesus' call to repentance is the same. The word "repentance" means "to change one's way" or "to be converted." This call to action is often translated as "repent of your sins and turn to God," "turn back to God," "change your hearts and lives," "turn to God and change the way you think and act," or "turn away from your sins." Essentially, this verb means to change one's way of life as a result of a complete change in thought and attitude towards sin and righteousness. To put it simply, we must leave the road of sin and take the exit of repentance, cross the bridge of confession, and enter the onramp of grace and forgiveness.‌
    Danial Doriani emphasizes that repentance is a transformational process that begins with feeling a deep sorrow for one's sins, leading to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, and ultimately resulting in a change of life that reflects one's allegiance to Him. Repentance can be likened to a spiritual awakening, where a sinner turns to God or a Christian who has strayed from the faith returns to their first love. Whether it is turning away from a life of sin or coming back to God, repentance is an act of seeking God's mercy through His faithful Son, Jesus Christ.
    Repentance is much more than just deciding to do better. It involves a complete and profound transformation of your mind, heart, and will. It means changing your perspective of God, from seeing Him as your adversary to recognizing His beauty and worthiness of your worship and obedience.
    Repentance is a necessary transformation to enter the kingdom of God, and it is demanded by Jesus. He calls you to turn away from anything that offends or hinders your relationship with the Father. Jesus' demand for repentance is so drastic that he even says things like:
    Matthew 5:29–30 ESV
    29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
    Clearly, Jesus is using exaggeration to emphasize his message, which is to do everything in your power to eliminate anything that displeases God or prevents you from having a closer relationship with Him. Why does Jesus employ such strong language when urging you to repent and abandon sin? There are two reasons.

    Sin is an assault on God

    In his book, What Jesus demands from the World,” John Piper asks, “What is Jesus’ view of sin?” Its an assault on God. Jesus describes the son’s sin like this: “He squandered his property in reckless living … [and] devoured [it] with prostitutes” (Luke 15:13, 30). But when the prodigal repents he says, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Luke 15:21).
    “Therefore, throwing your life away on reckless living and prostitutes is not just humanly hurtful; it is an offense against heaven—that is, against God. That’s the essential nature of sin. It’s an assault on God.” Piper, John. 2006. What Jesus Demands from the World. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

    Sin is an eternal debt

    Sin is not only a wrongdoing but also a debt to God's honor and holiness. When Jesus taught us to pray to the Father, He said to ask for forgiveness of our debts, just as we forgive those who owe us (Luke 11:4). Piper note, our forgiven sins are compared to the debts that people owe us. Sin dishonors God and puts us in debt to restore the divine honor that we have defamed. However, we are not capable of restoring that debt. We need someone to pay the ransom that we owe, to pay the debt. The first step in clearing our debt is repentance.
    Because Jesus sees sin as an assault against God and an eternal debt to God’s holy honor, he demands repentance. He demands repentance from everyone, Jew and Gentile; for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Jesus told a group of people who were startled by the murder of innocent people by Pilate and who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them, that unless they repent, they will likewise perish (Luke 13:5). Worldly innocent people die all the time. Just because they lived “moral lives” according to the world does not mean they were right with God.
    The church must proclaim the message of repentance with the same urgency to the same audience as Jesus did, as he demands repentance from all fallen image-bearers.
    It is important that we do not settle for just telling people that God loves them and has a wonderful plan for their lives. We cannot present Jesus as a mere psychologist, financial planner, wise grandpa, or life coach. Instead, we must share the truth with our neighbors who are sinners and embrace a lifestyle that is contrary to God's teachings. We need to warn them that unless they repent, they will face God's judgment in hell. This message may be offensive to some, but it is crucial to share the gospel and let people know that the only way to enter God's kingdom is through repentance. Jesus himself warned us that being his disciple comes with a cost, and that if people hated him, they will hate us too.
    Furthermore, we cannot limit the message to only those “progressive liberals” who have no moral boundaries and want to destroy the fabric of American society. We must also call our card-carrying flag waving constitutional loving conservative neighbors who are trusting in the good old fashion make America great again morality to make them right with God. The point is that there are both American liberals and conservatives in hell because they refused to repent and believe. Believe in what? Believe that you are one breath away every day from perishing in the wrath of God. Believe that God sent Jesus to die in your place as your substitute (John 10:11). Believe that Jesus’s death on the cross is sufficient to atone for all of your sins. Believe that God raised him from the dead accepting his sacrifice, and that he sits now alive at the right hand of the Father interceding for you.
    John Piper is helpful once again. He says,
    “Believing in Jesus means more than knowing true things about Jesus. It means trusting him as a living person for who he really is. This is why Jesus spoke of simply believing in him. “Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1; cf. Matt. 18:6). Believing in Jesus is more than believing about Jesus. We trust him.” Piper, John. 2006. What Jesus Demands from the World. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
    Once you’ve heeded the call to repent, Jesus calls you to bear the fruit of repentance and follow Him.

    Jesus calls you to follow Him (Matthew 4:18-22)

    In verses 18-22, Jesus calls his first disciples, Peter and Andrew. As Jesus had already been preaching repentance and the coming kingdom, it is likely that they had heard of him. These brothers were not learned theologians or of the Levitical priesthood, but rather blue-collar Jewish fishermen. Fishing was their livelihood for their family, which depended on the sea and the fish market. Their vocation was their life, as it's how they paid their taxes, sacrifices, and fed their children. Therefore, it was not something they gave up on a whim.
    Jesus sees them mending their nets and calls them to a new vocation, a new life. Instead of catching fish, they will catch men for the kingdom of God.
    Further along, Jesus sees James and John, two more brothers who were fishermen, just like Peter and Andrew, mending their nets with their father. Jesus makes the same call to them; "Follow me." When Jesus calls you to be his disciple, he expects you to respond. But how are you supposed to respond to Jesus? What does it look like to follow Him?

    To follow Jesus is to abandon everything for his kingdom.

    It is essential to understand that when we respond to the call of repentance, we must also abandon our previous way of life. Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be his disciples, and he did not allow them to live a life with one foot in the world and one in the kingdom of God. He asked them to leave behind everything, including their comfortable living, vocation, and marriage, and embrace a life of uncertainty in following him.
    My plan was to become an ambassador for the United States. I wanted to graduate with a Political Science degree, attend law school, or work with a Congressman or Senator to work my way up the political system. He called me to give up my dreams and my plans in exchange for his dreams and his plans. Jesus called me to be his disciple, he asked me to be an ambassador for his kingdom preach the message of repentance and follow him. Similarly, Peter, Andrew, James, and John had to abandon their fishing business and embrace Jesus’ call to be fishers of men.
    Perhaps Jesus is not calling you to change your vocation, but he may be calling you to give up your rights and your dreams for his plans for your life. You may need to rethink your priorities and what you spend your time, money, or even retirement on. Following Jesus means embracing uncertainty and discomfort, but it is necessary to advance his kingdom joyfully.

    To follow Jesus is to have a single-minded, heart-united, loyal love for Jesus.

    It is unclear what Zebedee, the father of James and John, thought when he heard Jesus calling his sons to follow him as there is no record of his support for Jesus' ministry. When Jesus called James and John, he expected them to be fully committed to him, even more so than to their earthly family. This meant that they were to prioritize their loyalty to their heavenly family over their blood relatives.
    Jesus says,
    Matthew 10:37–39 ESV
    37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
    Jesus, a few verses later, says, count the cost before you follow me. Jesus demands a single minded, heart united loyal love for Him that supersedes all of your relationships and vocational aspirations. Leave everything behind and follow me. Do as I have done for you!
    Jesus made a great sacrifice to save your soul. He left his home in heaven and took on human form. He lived a life of poverty and endured the shame and pain of the cross. He died a death that he did not deserve and felt the anger of his father. All of this was done to give you the chance to have eternal life. Jesus has a great love for his father and for the chosen ones, and he expects the same devotion from you.
    It's important to notice how the two sets of brothers responded when Jesus called them. They didn't hesitate, but immediately left their boats and followed him. If Jesus calls you, it's important to answer his call without hesitation. Leave behind everything that may distract you and follow Him. Don't try to balance the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God, as it's impossible to have both. Trying to do so will only lead to your downfall. Many people claim to be Christians but still try to maintain a friendship with the world. This is not possible, as being friends with the world means being an enemy of God. Some of your misery right now Christian is you do not have a single-minded heart united loyal love for Jesus. You are hesitating to respond to his call. Drop your nets. Leave your boats Follow Him.
    J.C. Ryle sums it ups nicely,
    As the soldier follows his general, as the servant follows his master, as the scholar follows his teacher, as the sheep follows its shepherd, just so ought the professing Christian to follow Christ.
    J. C. Ryle
    Heed the call to repent and believe. Keep with the fruits of repentance and follow Jesus with a single-minded heart united loyal love. Finally, heed the call to joyfully advance his kingdom by making much of Jesus.

    Jesus calls you to joyfully advance His kingdom (Matthew 4:23-25)

    The kingdom of God is advanced in the hearts of people. There will be a time when Jesus comes back and has a full geographical reign of the earth. Peter Gentry wisely noted that int eh begining God created the earth and then people for it. In the New covenant, God is creating a people first, and then he will restore the earth for them.
    Being that the kingdom of God is advancing in the heart of men, women, and children, there are three components to Jesus ministry; teaching, preaching, and healing.
    Matthew 4:23 ESV
    23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
    Jesus spent time teaching the scriptures in the synagogue, which was a building where the local Jewish community gathered for worship and study. Rabbis would read the Torah and the Prophets and offer a sermon. Jesus announced the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2 in a synagogue in Nazareth, emphasizing that he is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the awaited Messiah.
    Jesus expanded his teaching beyond the Jews by preaching the good news of the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. The good news is that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the son of God who came to establish his reign on earth. He validated his claims by performing miracles, healing the sick, and casting out demons.
    Jesus healed every disease, showing that there was no ailment out of his control. Every cell, virus, bacteria, and cancer obeyed his commands. Every demon submitted to him. People who came to Jesus got to experience a taste of what life is like in his kingdom. However, we live in the already not yet, meaning that the kingdom has come with Jesus' arrival on earth, but it is still not fully established.
    Jesus ascended into heaven and poured out his Spirit on his people to empower them to continue advancing his kingdom until he returns. We are to teach the scriptures, preach the good news, and heal the broken. That is what it means to joyfully advance his kingdom. There will be a day when Jesus returns, defeating sin, death, and Satan once and for all, and restoring all of heaven and earth. He will reign physically, geographically, and spiritually as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
    When Jesus returns, evil will be defeated, the earth will be restored, and God will claim victory. Your response to Jesus' return depends on your relationship with him. It will either be the greatest calamity in all of human history or the fulfillment of the Blessed Hope. Faith in Christ makes the difference. Jesus calls us to put all of ourselves into the offering plate, to heed his command to repent, to follow him with a single-minded, heart-united, loyal love that expresses joyful obedience in advancing his kingdom by proclaiming a message of repentance of sin and faith in Christ. Next week we will begin to see how-to live-in God’s kingdom now, in the already not yet. The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ ethics for living in a hostile world as we wait for his return.
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    (1) Evans, Tony. 2009. Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.

      • Matthew 4:12–25ESV

      • Matthew 4:12–25ESV

      • Isaiah 9:1ESV

      • Matthew 5:29–30ESV

      • John 14:1ESV

      • Matthew 18:6ESV

      • Matthew 10:37–39ESV

      • Matthew 4:23ESV

  • All Glory Be To Christ
First Baptist Church Litchfield
pastorjason.fbcl@gmail.com
217-324-4232
http://www.firstbaptistlitchfield.org/
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