This past weekend at Eastbrook, we concluded our series “Power in Preparation” by tracing Jesus’ call to discipleship to Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John in Matthew 4:18-25. This was also a child dedication weekend at Eastbrook, so my sermon was a little shorter than other times.

You can view the message video and outline below. You can also view the entire “Power in Preparation” series here, as well as the devotional that accompanies the series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

Also, watch for our new sermon series, “Becoming Real: The Sermon on the Mount,” which begins next Sunday with the beginning of Lent.

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“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”  (Matthew 4:23)

Introducing the Next Section of Matthew’s Gospel

• The new geography: from Nazareth to Capernaum (4:13)
• The beginnings of the Messianic community: Peter, Andrew, James, John (4:18-22)
• The phenomenal growth and reach of Jesus’ ministry (4:23-25)

Jesus and the Call of Discipleship

• The life situation of Peter and Andrew, James and John
• The decisive call of Jesus
• The response of these first disciples

Jesus and the Gathering Crowd

• Jesus’ ministry: teaching, proclaiming, healing
• “The good news of the kingdom”
• The draw of the crowd
• The crowd that followed Him

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Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper into the significance of Jesus’ message and calling in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 4:19
• Sketch or draw the scene of the disciples following Jesus from Matthew 4:18-22 or the crowds drawing near to Jesus from Matthew 4:23-25
• Set aside some time this week to read Matthew 4:18-25 again. Meditate quietly on these words, asking Jesus what He might be speaking to you to let go of in order to follow Him.
• Consider watching the word study video “Euangelion / Gospel” by the Bible Project