Follow MeFollow Meand I will make and I will make you fishers of you fishers of

men.men.

Matthew 4:19Matthew 4:19

To Follow…To Follow… Set aside our own goals to embrace the Set aside our own goals to embrace the

purposes for which God created us.purposes for which God created us.

PurposePurposes: s:

To know HimTo know HimTo make disciples of To make disciples of others by teaching them others by teaching them all of His commandmentsall of His commandments

ResultResults:s:

Take on His brightnessTake on His brightnessBe a fisher of Be a fisher of menmen

Study Question…Study Question…

Why did Jesus require His Why did Jesus require His disciples to be with Him to disciples to be with Him to

the end of His ministry while the end of His ministry while Moses and Paul taught their Moses and Paul taught their

followers by writings that followers by writings that they received through the they received through the

Holy Spirit?Holy Spirit?

The Call to The Call to FollowFollowTo Who?To Who?

““He is the atoning sacrifice for our He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the for the sins of the whole worldwhole world.“ .“ (1 John 2:2) (1 John 2:2) ““For I have not come to call the For I have not come to call the righteous, but righteous, but sinnerssinners." (Matt. ." (Matt. 9:13)9:13)““Come to me, all you who are Come to me, all you who are weary and burdenedweary and burdened, and I will , and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28)give you rest." (Matt. 11:28)

Song: Call to Song: Call to FollowFollowYou have given us the call to follow, You have given us the call to follow, day by day with standards not our own. day by day with standards not our own. No one can serve two masters, so with No one can serve two masters, so with undivided hearts we choose to follow undivided hearts we choose to follow You alone.You alone.Break the fear of man within our Break the fear of man within our hearts. Send Your fire and make us set hearts. Send Your fire and make us set apart. Tear down the idols and make us apart. Tear down the idols and make us fully Yours, we surrender all and fully Yours, we surrender all and nothing less as worship to You, Lordnothing less as worship to You, Lord

Song: Call to Song: Call to FollowFollow

Let us stand for righteousness, Let us stand for righteousness, integrity and truth, living out integrity and truth, living out the gospel as You have called the gospel as You have called us to do. Let us walk in purity us to do. Let us walk in purity and holiness, That all would and holiness, That all would know that we belong to you.know that we belong to you.

What does following Jesus What does following Jesus mean?mean?

To exchange my affections, To exchange my affections, goals, and priorities for His.goals, and priorities for His. The Rich Young Ruler – priority of The Rich Young Ruler – priority of moneymoney Peter, James, John – goal of being Peter, James, John – goal of being successful fishermensuccessful fishermen

Jesus called them to forsake their Jesus called them to forsake their goals and follow him. For those who goals and follow him. For those who did, He gave them a new goal to be did, He gave them a new goal to be

“fishers of men.”“fishers of men.”

““We’ve drifted We’ve drifted away from away from

being fishers of being fishers of men…men………to being to being

keepers of keepers of the the

aquarium.” aquarium.” --Paul --Paul

HarveyHarvey

Basics of Basics of Fishing…Fishing…

Fishing for fish and Fishing for fish and fishing for menfishing for men

Lure vs. Lure vs. LightLight

Jesus is The Jesus is The Light of the Light of the

world. world.

Why are We Lights?Why are We Lights?

When Jesus was on earth, He drew When Jesus was on earth, He drew multitudes to the light of His life. Now multitudes to the light of His life. Now that His physical being is no longer that His physical being is no longer here, His light must shine through us.here, His light must shine through us.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.house. Let your light so shine before men, that Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Father in heaven.”

What is Our Light?What is Our Light?

The light of every believer is the The light of every believer is the bright presence of the Lord Jesus bright presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives.Christ in our lives.

For God, who said, "Let light shine For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,“ made his light out of darkness,“ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 of God in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)Corinthians 4:6)

Light vs. LuresLight vs. Lures

Those attracted by the bait and Those attracted by the bait and “bite the lure” feel they have “bite the lure” feel they have been tricked into hearing the been tricked into hearing the Gospel and become resentful.Gospel and become resentful.

Paul stated that he had Paul stated that he had “renounced the hidden things of “renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in the dishonesty, not walking in the craftiness, nor handling the word craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully.” (II Corinthians of God deceitfully.” (II Corinthians 4:2)4:2)

Answer to Key Answer to Key QuestionQuestion

Why did Jesus and Elijah require Why did Jesus and Elijah require their followers to be with them their followers to be with them until the end of their ministries? until the end of their ministries?

•Transfer of Transfer of Power:Power:•Transfer of Transfer of Power:Power:

Elijah > Elisha: Elijah > Elisha: cloak/double portion of cloak/double portion of his spirit/cloakhis spirit/cloak

Elijah > Elisha: Elijah > Elisha: cloak/double portion of cloak/double portion of his spirit/cloakhis spirit/cloak Jesus > Disciples: power Jesus > Disciples: power of the Holy Spirit - of the Holy Spirit - PentecostPentecost

Jesus > Disciples: power Jesus > Disciples: power of the Holy Spirit - of the Holy Spirit - PentecostPentecost

Answer to Key Answer to Key QuestionQuestion

To receive the transfer of power To receive the transfer of power Elisha and the disciples had to Elisha and the disciples had to follow until the end. Since they follow until the end. Since they stayed devoted, they received the stayed devoted, they received the transfer of power. transfer of power.

To receive the transfer of power To receive the transfer of power Elisha and the disciples had to Elisha and the disciples had to follow until the end. Since they follow until the end. Since they stayed devoted, they received the stayed devoted, they received the transfer of power. transfer of power. ““I am going to send you what I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)(Luke 24:49)

““I am going to send you what I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)(Luke 24:49)

How can we follow?How can we follow?

The disciples were with Jesus 24/7 for The disciples were with Jesus 24/7 for three years. They learned how He three years. They learned how He thought, how He answered questions, thought, how He answered questions, how He lived, and how He gave himself how He lived, and how He gave himself for people.for people.Now Jesus is in heaven; however, He Now Jesus is in heaven; however, He made provisions so that we can be with made provisions so that we can be with Him for the rest of our lives.Him for the rest of our lives.

His ProvisionsHis ProvisionsHe is within us – “… Christ in you, the He is within us – “… Christ in you, the

hope of glory. “ (Colossians 1:27)hope of glory. “ (Colossians 1:27)He sent His Holy spirit – “And I will He sent His Holy spirit – “And I will

ask the Father, and he will give you ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.“will come to you.“(John 14:16-18)(John 14:16-18)

The disciples walked with Jesus and The disciples walked with Jesus and did as he directed. In the same way did as he directed. In the same way we should walk in the guidance and we should walk in the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.power of the Holy Spirit.

How can we follow?How can we follow?

““So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you other, so that you do not do what you want.” want.” (Galatians. 5:16-17) (Galatians. 5:16-17)

““I tell you the truth, anyone who has I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)the Father.” (John 14:12)

A Result of FollowingA Result of Following

When we are in fellowship with the When we are in fellowship with the Holy Spirit the Lord can accomplish Holy Spirit the Lord can accomplish even more through our lives than He even more through our lives than He accomplished in His personal accomplished in His personal ministry.ministry.

When our focus When our focus is on following is on following Jesus, rather Jesus, rather than fishing for than fishing for men, we will men, we will have no trouble have no trouble attracting attracting others because others because of the light of of the light of Christ.Christ.

When our focus When our focus is on following is on following Jesus, rather Jesus, rather than fishing for than fishing for men, we will men, we will have no trouble have no trouble attracting attracting others because others because of the light of of the light of Christ.Christ.

What does Jesus require What does Jesus require of those who follow Him?of those who follow Him?

Putting His Kingdom before Putting His Kingdom before work/school.work/school.

Putting His ministry and others Putting His ministry and others before ourselves.before ourselves.

Setting aside of any expectations Setting aside of any expectations or preconditions.or preconditions.

Fishermen will rise Fishermen will rise early in the morning, early in the morning, endure harsh endure harsh weather, and wait weather, and wait long hours to catch long hours to catch fish. This the spirit fish. This the spirit Jesus wants in His Jesus wants in His followers.followers.

Fishermen will rise Fishermen will rise early in the morning, early in the morning, endure harsh endure harsh weather, and wait weather, and wait long hours to catch long hours to catch fish. This the spirit fish. This the spirit Jesus wants in His Jesus wants in His followers.followers.

Fishers of Men vs. Fishers of Men vs. Founders of ChurchesFounders of Churches

Follow Christ, Follow Christ, not the doctrines of mennot the doctrines of men

Following Following Christ Christ requires requires perfect perfect trust trust because because we all go we all go through through the valley the valley of the of the shadow of shadow of death.death.

Following Following Christ Christ requires requires perfect perfect trust trust because because we all go we all go through through the valley the valley of the of the shadow of shadow of death.death.

Name of GodName of GodJehovah-Roni: The Lord My Jehovah-Roni: The Lord My ShepherdShepherdJehovah-Roni: The Lord My Jehovah-Roni: The Lord My ShepherdShepherd““The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not

want.” (want.” (Psalm 23:1)Psalm 23:1)““The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (want.” (Psalm 23:1)Psalm 23:1)

““He shall feed his flock like a He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11)that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11)

““He shall feed his flock like a He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11)that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11)

Name of GodName of God

Good ShepherdGood ShepherdGood ShepherdGood Shepherd

““I am the good shepherd: the good I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…My sheep hear my voice, sheep…My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:11,27)me.” (John 10:11,27)

““I am the good shepherd: the good I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…My sheep hear my voice, sheep…My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:11,27)me.” (John 10:11,27)

Meekness is yielding Meekness is yielding our rights to God so our rights to God so He can demonstrate He can demonstrate His peace and power His peace and power

through us.through us.

Meekness is yielding Meekness is yielding our rights to God so our rights to God so He can demonstrate He can demonstrate His peace and power His peace and power

through us.through us.

MeeknessMeekness vs.vs. AngerAngerMeeknessMeekness vs.vs. AngerAnger

It is It is STRENGTH…STRENGTH…

It is It is STRENGTH…STRENGTH…

……under under God’s God’s

ControlControl

……under under God’s God’s

ControlControl

Meekness is not Meekness is not weakness.weakness.

FolloFollow Mew Me

by Ira F. Stanphillby Ira F. Stanphill

I traveled down a lonely road I traveled down a lonely road and no one seemed to care. and no one seemed to care.

The burden on my weary back The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair. I oft' had bowed me to despair. I oft' complained to Jesus how folks complained to Jesus how folks

were treating me. And then I were treating me. And then I heard Him say so tenderly: heard Him say so tenderly:

"My feet were also weary upon "My feet were also weary upon the Calvary road. The cross the Calvary road. The cross

became so heavy I fell became so heavy I fell beneath the load. Be faithful beneath the load. Be faithful weary pilgrim the morning I weary pilgrim the morning I can see. Just lift your cross can see. Just lift your cross

and follow close to Me"and follow close to Me"

I traveled down a lonely road I traveled down a lonely road and no one seemed to care. and no one seemed to care.

The burden on my weary back The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair. I oft' had bowed me to despair. I oft' complained to Jesus how folks complained to Jesus how folks

were treating me. And then I were treating me. And then I heard Him say so tenderly: heard Him say so tenderly:

"My feet were also weary upon "My feet were also weary upon the Calvary road. The cross the Calvary road. The cross

became so heavy I fell became so heavy I fell beneath the load. Be faithful beneath the load. Be faithful weary pilgrim the morning I weary pilgrim the morning I can see. Just lift your cross can see. Just lift your cross

and follow close to Me"and follow close to Me"

““I work so hard for Jesus.” I I work so hard for Jesus.” I often boast and say, “I've often boast and say, “I've

sacrificed a lot of things to sacrificed a lot of things to walk this narrow way. I gave walk this narrow way. I gave

up fame and fortune. I'm up fame and fortune. I'm worth a lot to Thee. And then worth a lot to Thee. And then I hear Him gently say to me, I hear Him gently say to me,

"I left the throne of glory and "I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss. My counted it but loss. My

hands were nailed in anger hands were nailed in anger upon a cruel cross. But now upon a cruel cross. But now we'll make the journey with we'll make the journey with

your hand safe in mine. Just your hand safe in mine. Just lift your cross and follow lift your cross and follow

close to Me"close to Me"

““I work so hard for Jesus.” I I work so hard for Jesus.” I often boast and say, “I've often boast and say, “I've

sacrificed a lot of things to sacrificed a lot of things to walk this narrow way. I gave walk this narrow way. I gave

up fame and fortune. I'm up fame and fortune. I'm worth a lot to Thee. And then worth a lot to Thee. And then I hear Him gently say to me, I hear Him gently say to me,

"I left the throne of glory and "I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss. My counted it but loss. My

hands were nailed in anger hands were nailed in anger upon a cruel cross. But now upon a cruel cross. But now we'll make the journey with we'll make the journey with

your hand safe in mine. Just your hand safe in mine. Just lift your cross and follow lift your cross and follow

close to Me"close to Me"

Oh Jesus, if I die upon a foreign field Oh Jesus, if I die upon a foreign field some day, t'would be no more than some day, t'would be no more than

love demands no less could I repay. No love demands no less could I repay. No greater love hath mortal man than for a greater love hath mortal man than for a

friend to die. These are the words I friend to die. These are the words I heard Him say to me, "If but a cup of heard Him say to me, "If but a cup of water I place within your hand, then water I place within your hand, then

just a cup of water is all that I demand.” just a cup of water is all that I demand.” But if my death to living they can Thy But if my death to living they can Thy glory see, I'll take my cross and follow glory see, I'll take my cross and follow

close to Thee.close to Thee.

Oh Jesus, if I die upon a foreign field Oh Jesus, if I die upon a foreign field some day, t'would be no more than some day, t'would be no more than

love demands no less could I repay. No love demands no less could I repay. No greater love hath mortal man than for a greater love hath mortal man than for a

friend to die. These are the words I friend to die. These are the words I heard Him say to me, "If but a cup of heard Him say to me, "If but a cup of water I place within your hand, then water I place within your hand, then

just a cup of water is all that I demand.” just a cup of water is all that I demand.” But if my death to living they can Thy But if my death to living they can Thy glory see, I'll take my cross and follow glory see, I'll take my cross and follow

close to Thee.close to Thee.