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14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and

faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. 15 John

testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when

I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before

me.’”

16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing

love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the

unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—

Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a

living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for

people!”20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting

in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them

to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their

father behind.

23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about

him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed

them all.

25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from

Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea,

and from east of the Jordan River.

1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat

down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them. 3 “God

blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is

theirs.

4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will

inherit the whole earth. 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 God

blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. 9 God

blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of

Heaven is theirs. 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute

you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are

my followers.

12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in

heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were

persecuted in the same way.

35 The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples.36 As

Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of

God!” 37 When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

38 Jesus looked around and saw them following.

“What do you want?” he asked them. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”),

“where are you staying?” 39 “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon

when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the

rest of the day.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon,

and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). 42 Then Andrew brought Simon to

meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you

will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them

authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease

and illness.

5 Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, 6 but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. 7 Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord

Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and

be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was

baptized.

19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with

the believers in Damascus for a few days. 20 And immediately he began

preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the

Son of God!”

21 All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And

didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”

22 Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t

refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

A. You become “fishers of men”, to help others find God.

B. You are willing to follow God and be productive spiritually.

C. You don’t make excuses. Be motivated to work in partnership with God.

A. Everyone wanted to see you.

B. Being with Jesus gave us not only prestige and popularity but a teachable heart.

C. If you live for God, you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. 1. You must be willing to give when others take. 2. To love when others hate 3. To h 4. elp when others abuse 5. To give up your own rights in order to serve

others.

A. People will regain their sight and be filled by the power of the Holy Spirit.