SUNDAY SNAPSHOT... (GO FISH Series)

Brand new SERIES starting this week!

(OUTREACH EMPHASIS MONTH)

(Wk1) FOLLOW ME...

Dave Ferguson writes in his book The Big Idea… “The effective teacher is like a person who takes a strong rope – ties one end around the Big Ideas of Scripture – ties the other end around the major Themes of Life – and then through the power of the Spirit struggles to pull the two together!” Through the life of Jesus – we see the ultimate effective teacher who didn’t confuse people with a lot of little ideas. Instead… He presented on BIG IDEA with a clear CALL to action… Matthew 4:17-20 "From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19"COME, FOLLOW ME," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed him."

I can’t help but notice what Jesus DIDN'T SAY to Peter or Andrew… 'Come – be Christians.’ Don Everts puts this BIG IDEA (Simple Concept) into perfect terminology in his book – Jesus with Dirty Feet… "Jesus was not a Christian. He never asked anyone to become a Christian… never built a steepled building, never drew up a theological treatise, never took an offering, never wore religious garments, never incorporated for tax purposes. He simply called people to… 'FOLLOW HIM.' That’s it. That - despite its simplicity - is it. He called people to 'FOLLOW HIM.' The RESPONSE… dropping familiar nets and FOLLOWING – in FAITH – this sandaled Jewish man. It is never more than that! Two thousand years of words can do NOTHING to the simple - basic reality of Christianity. First steps… taken by two brothers."

Peter & Andrew’s Theology was as pure as it gets! Jesus said… “FOLLOW ME.” AND THEY DID! As we’ve clearly seen - Jesus was not a COMPLICATED man - His call was not a CONFUSING call… 'FOLLOW ME.' The SIMPLICITY and CLARITY of this BIG IDEA - "FOLLOW ME" - was what catalyzed a MOVEMENT of Christ Followers into Action! It’s why MANY are still worshiping a Jewish Carpenter today!

The action of 'FOLLOWING' leads to one response… "FISHING FOR MEN!" What exactly does 'FISHING FOR MEN' mean you ask? I gotta believe that these SIMPLE MEN (Peter/Andrew/James/John) didn’t have a CLUE as to WHAT Jesus was talking about - being "FISHERS FOR MEN!" However… the amazing thing is this - a few chapters later - by the end of the New Testament - these guys (simple/ordinary/not too special) became JUST THAT - "FISHERS OF MEN!" These four guys understood clearly that it wasn’t just meant to 'FOLLOW.' To 'FOLLOW'… meant to "FISH!" To 'FISH'… meant "FOR MEN!"

Here’s what this all means… ‘Jesus Christ didn’t come from heaven to earth and die on a cross to make us NICE… He did so to make us DANGEROUS!’ At some point in time – we must stop making it our goal in life to arrive at death safely! Remember what the GOAL of the Gospel is… to 'LIVE IT' - not just 'AGREE with IT!' 'FOLLOWERS' eventually 'FISH' – if they’re really "FOLLOWING!"

Our BIG IDEA this Series...

How willing and ready are you to FOLLOW 'THE Way' and GO FISH?

See ya SUNDAY!!!

(Maricopa Wells Middle School / 9AM & 10:45AM)