Matthew 4:18-22 - Rediscovering Biblical Discipleship Part 1

Matthew 4:18-22 - Rediscovering Biblical Discipleship Part 1Series: Disciple Makers Preacher: Simon LawrensonSunday MorningDate: 30th December 2024Passage: Matthew 4:18-22-------------------This sermon is the first in a series looking at the topic of discipleship. Simon begins his sermon by sharing the two questions that have driven their ministry for 21 years: What would happen if God’s Word became central and authoritative in believers’ lives, and what if God’s Spirit radically transformed them for His mission? He introduces the church’s vision statement, “Every person developing a living faith in Christ,” which will be explored over the next six weeks.Using Matthew 4:18-22 as a foundation, Simon describes Jesus calling His first disciples and explains the significance of the command “Follow me.” He then outlines three types of disciples found in the New Testament: seekers (the crowds following Jesus), believers (those embracing some of Jesus’ teachings), and transformers (committed followers actively shaped by Jesus and inviting others to meet Him).Simon challenges the common misconception that there are different levels of Christianity, asserting that true Christians are true disciples. He quotes Acts 11:26 to support this claim, emphasizing that “disciples” and “Christians” refer to the same group of people. The sermon then addresses the concerning trend in Western Christianity of being content with church attendance without transformation.The first essential component of Biblical discipleship, according to Simon, is leaving what is behind. He examines Matthew 4:20, where the disciples immediately left their nets to follow Jesus, as an example of repentance. Simon explains that repentance involves abandoning old customs, ways of thinking, and allegiances to embrace the kingdom of heaven.Throughout the sermon, Simon provides numerous Biblical references to illustrate the radical nature of discipleship, including Matthew 5:3, 13:44-46, 19:27-29, Luke 9:23-25, and 9:57-60. He emphasizes that Jesus calls disciples to reorient their lives, bringing family, relationships, career, and possessions under God’s authority.Simon challenges the cultural emphasis on self-promotion and self-preservation, contrasting it with Jesus’ call to “deny himself” (Luke 9:23). He encourages listeners to consider what it means to leave behind all they know, including their focus on self, to follow Jesus as true disciples.The sermon concludes with a powerful quote from C.S. Lewis about repentance and a thought-provoking question for the congregation: If someone new came to their church, what would they observe about each individual that would indicate they are part of a community of disciples? Simon’s message serves as a call to action, urging believers to move beyond surface-level faith to become transformative disciples of Jesus Christ.