ENCOUNTERS

WITH CHRIST

Encounters with ChristLater on, after John (the Baptist) was arrested by Herod Antipas, Jesus went to Galilee . . . One day as Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother, Andrew, fishing with a net, for they were commercial fishermen. Jesus called out to them, “Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and went with him . . .

A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat mending their nets. He called them, too, and immediately they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men and went with him.

Mark 1:16-20

This event occurs over one year after

Jesus met these men

Encounters with ChristThe following day, John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John . . . declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” Then John’s two disciples turned and followed Jesus. Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them. They replied, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” “Come and see,” he said. It was about 4:00 in the afternoon when they went with him to the place, and they stayed there the rest of the day . . .

. . . Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who had heard what John said and then followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother, Simon, and tell him, “We have found the Messiah.” Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “You are Simon, the son of John—but you will be called Cephas.”

John 1:35-42

Encounters with Christ

A credible person testified to them that Jesus was the Messiah

Jesus invited & answered their questions

Jesus saw their weaknesses, but he focused on their potential

MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION TO RECEIVE JESUS AS MESSIAH

• Take the time you need to understand Jesus’ claim,

• weigh the evidence,

• count the cost

He asks us to be HIS DISCIPLES

Encounters with Christ

CAUSES US TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION TO RECEIVE JESUS AS MESSIAH

. . . But he will ask you to receive him before you have

total understanding or compete certainty

Encounters with Christ

Jesus developed them as individuals by forming them into a team

One day as Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother, Andrew . . . Jesus called out to them . . . And they left their nets at once and went with him . . . Jesus saw James and John . . . He called them . . . and they . . . went with him. (Mark 1:16-20)

Encounters with Christ

INVOLVES LIVING IN COMMUNITY WITH OTHER DISCIPLES

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship . . . All the believers were together . . . Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

Acts 2:42-46

Encounters with Christ

DISCIPLESHIP INVOLVES LIVING IN COMMUNITY WITH OTHER DISCIPLES- GOD’S NEW FAMILY

- GOD’S NEW TEMPLE

- BODY OF CHRIST

- ARMY OF GOD

Encounters with Christ

INVOLVES LIVING IN COMMUNITY WITH OTHER DISCIPLES

- Discussing what you’re learning from God’s Word- Sharing how Jesus is changing your life- Talking to God together- Urging each other to stay faithful to Jesus when it’s

tough- Working together to serve others

INVOLVES LIVING IN COMMUNITY WITH OTHER DISCIPLES

You cannot develop as Jesus’ disciple

without this!

Encounters with Christ

Jesus called out to them, “Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Mark 1:17

“The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”Luke 19:10

EMBRACING JESUS’ CALL TO INFLUENCE OTHERS FOR HIM

“Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19,20

Encounters with Christ

INVLOVES EMBRACING JESUS’ CALL TO INFLUENCE OTHERS FOR HIM

You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

“You have a choice to make. You will either be a World Class Christian or a worldly Christian.

Worldly Christians look to God primarily for personal fulfillment. They are saved, but self-centered Their prayers focus on their own needs, blessings, and happiness. It’s a

me first faith: How can God make my life more comfortable?etc me me me

Encounters with Christ

INVOLVES EMBRACING JESUS’ CALL TO INFLUENCE OTHERS FOR HIM

They want to use God for their purposes instead of being used for his purposes. In contrast, World Class Christians know they are saved to serve and made for a mission. They are eager to receive a personal assignment and excited about the privilege of being used by God . . .

World-class Christians are the only fully alive people on the planet. Their joy, confidence, and enthusiasm are contagious because they know they are making a difference. They wake up each morning expecting God to work through them in fresh ways. Which type of Christian do you want to be?

Encounters with Christ

This was only the first of many times Jesus “disrupted” their lives

Jesus called out to (Andrew & Simon), “Come, be my disciples . . .” And they left their nets at once and went with him . . . He called (James & John) also . . . and immediately they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men and went with him.

Mark 1:16-20

Encounters with Christ

DISCIPLESHIP MEANS ALLOWING JESUS TO CONTINUALLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE

A disciple is a person in process. The process begins when a person receives Christ and becomes a learner, and will continue as long as the person keeps learning A disciple will never arrive because the Lord will continue to expose areas where he wants to bring about deeper commitments and more profound changes .

From time to time in this process, Jesus will up the ante for his learners. To the growing disciple he says, You’ve been doing well; you have been demonstrating that you are a learner. But now it’s time to graduate to the next class. More will be expected now.

Are you willing to accept this new challenge? . . .

DISCIPLESHIP MEANS ALLOWING JESUS TO CONTINUALLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE

If the disciple says yes, they continue to learn, Continue to grow, Continue to be used in the work of the kingdom.Continue to be a disciple. But if they are not willing to go on, Jesus says you cannot be my disciple.

Encounters with Christ

Most brand new Christians are disciples, because they have such an intense drive to learn more about their relationship with God and they haven’t had much opportunity to bail out yet.

Encounters with Christ

DISCIPLESHIP MEANS ALLOWING JESUS TO CONTINUALLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE

On the other hand, people who have been in church for a long time, and yet are not disciples, because there came a time when they said, ‘No. I am not willing to go any further. I will not make that sacrifice. I am not interested in any more learning.’ . . .

Jesus has said You cannot be my disciple

What stage of discipleship are you in?

What’s your next move?

Your encounter with Jesus

- What does that make you want to do for HIM

Encounters with Christ