January 27, 2008  •  Pastor Randy Smith

On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur, there was once a crude little life-saving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves went out day and night tirelessly searching for the lost.

Soon some of those who were saved and various others in the surrounding area wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money and effort for the support of its work. New boats were bought and new crews trained. The little life-saving station grew. Also, some of the members of the life-saving station were unhappy that the building was so crude and poorly equipped. They feltthat a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge for those saved from the sea. They replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in the enlarged building.

Eventually, the life-saving station became a popular gathering place for its members, and they decorated it beautifully and furnished it exquisitely, because they used it as a sort of club. Fewer members were now interested in going to sea on lifesaving missions so they hired lifeboat crews to do this work. The life-saving motif still prevailed in this club's decoration, and there was a symbolic lifeboat in the room where the club initiations were held.

About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boatloads of cold, wet and half-drowned people. They were dirty and sick. The beautiful new club was in chaos. The property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside.

At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club's life-saving activities as being unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal social life of the club. Some members insisted upon life saving as their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a life-saving station. But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save lives of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own life-saving station down the coast. They did.

As the years went by, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. It evolved into a club, and yet another life-saving station was founded. History continued to repeat itself, and if you visit that seacoast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore (Oz Sermons Illustrations).

Does this story in any way remind you of the church today?

God had made a great investment in the church. The Bible says it was purchased by the blood of Christ (Ac. 20:28). The church is a blessing to us, but it ultimately belongs to God. He is the Founder, the Architect, the Builder and the Protector of the church. He has a vested interest in how we operate. Therefore we are not permitted to do as we please, but rather we are to follow His specific guidelines as they are recorded for us in the Bible.

Like the life-saving station, churches often start off with good intentions. But within a matter of time they drift from their God-intended purpose. Attribute it to our gravity toward comfort or our inability to keep our eyes on Christ and our noses in the Word or our passivity to permit a few dominant voices to veer us off course. For whatever the reason, churches drift from God-driven communities to political, business, humanitarian or social organizations. What is intended to train Christians and reach the lost can soon become, much to the joy of the evil one, nothing more than another worldly clubhouse.

This morning as we see Jesus take His first steps into public ministry it is wise to observe where His priorities were. It is wise to examine ourselves and determine if we really are doing church as Jesus did. Regardless of what the sign outside might say, we are only a true church if we follow in the footsteps of our Master.

From the teachings of Jesus Christ, we will cover three priorities of the church this morning: The right message, the right mission and the right ministry.

1. THE RIGHT MESSAGE

Let’s begin with “The Right Message.”

Approximately one year hadpassed from our Lord’s temptations that we studied last week. John was still baptizing, but as I have said in the past, he knew his ministry was coming to an end. He knew he needed to decrease as Christ increased (Jn. 3:30). The end fully arrived when, as verse 12 of chapter 4 indicates, “John had been taken into custody.”

Within a short time John was beheaded, his work as the forerunner was completed and the spotlight was fully on Jesus Christ. Rather than head directly to the religious capital (Jerusalem) as we would have expected, verse 12 says Jesus “withdrew into Galilee.”

While this act once again fulfilled prophecy (verse 14), I want to point out a very significant truth. Using an Old Testament quote from Isaiah 9, verse 16 says, “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned.”

The words “darkness” and “light” when used in the Bible are commonly employed as metaphors with a spiritual meaning.

Darkness represents sin and ignorance and unbelief. Listen to Psalm 107: “There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High” (Psm. 107:10-11). Those without God are described as children of darkness (Eph. 5:8). The Bible says we need to be “rescued…from the domain of darkness” (Col. 1:13). Satan, the prince of darkness, keeps people blinded in the present darkness (2 Cor. 4:4) until they are, as Jesus said, “Cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Mt. 8:12).

Light, on the other hand represents truth, righteousness and faith. Light is freedom, deliverance and the willingness to joyfully follow God. Jesus was prophesized to be “a light of revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk. 2:32). He described Himself as the “Light of the world” (Jn. 8:12). He came “to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death” (Lk. 1:79). Or as Paul said, “To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God” (Ac. 26:18).

This turning of people from darkness to light is without a doubt the primary ministry of Jesus Christ. He came for the expressed purpose to “save His people from their sins” (Mt. 1:23). His promise of forgiveness goes out to the whole world, to all who will forsake the darkness and embrace the light, to those who turn from sin to righteousness.

Is this sounding a little familiar? Does this remind us of the clarion call from a strange preacher in the wilderness who ate “locusts and wild honey” (Mt. 3:4)? Don’t lose that thought!

We come to God by turning from the darkness and receiving the light of Christ–but it does not end there. That same attitude is expected throughout our Christian life. The Bible says, “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 Jn. 1:5). As His children there is an ongoing expectation that we are putting off the deeds of darkness and emulating the light of our heavenly Father. Ephesians 5:8, “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.” First John 1:6, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” Through our life as children of the light, we are to, 1 Peter 2:9, “proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light.” One unknown author said, “How can we claim to live under the full blaze of the gospel and act as if we are sitting in the shadow of death?”

I have been dancing all around one word that sums up this entire process. Looking back (from the time of Christ) it was the message of the prophets (Isa. 30:15; Jer. 8:4; Eze. 14:6; Zech. 1:6) and looking forward (from the time of Christ) it will be the message of the apostles (Ac. 2:38; 3:19; 20:21). It was emphasized by John the Baptist in chapter 3 (Mt. 3:2), and now as soon as Jesus Christ begins His ministry it is the first subject that falls from His lips. Capsulated in one word and the word is…repentance! The call from sin to righteousness. The call from darkness to light. Repentance!

Look at verse 17: “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” The light had dawned. The King had arrived. The kingdom was at hand and the message He brought forth was clearly one of repentance.

Though we have recently covered this word in detail, permit me briefly to quote J.C. Ryle’s definition of repentance. “True repentance is no light matter. It is a thorough change of heart about sin, a change showing itself in godly sorrow and humiliation–in heartfelt confession before the throne of grace–in a complete breaking off from sinful habits, and an abiding hatred of all sin.” Ryle goes on to say, “Such repentance is the inseparable companion of saving faith in Christ. Let us prize the doctrine highly. It is of the highest importance. No Christian teaching can be called sound, which does not constantly bring forward ‘repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ’” (Acts 20:21).

How can repentance which was so central and forefront in Christ’s ministry, be so ignored, misunderstood and frowned upon in our ministry?

Recently I was watching a television interview with the pastor of (I believe) the largest church in America. When asked why he avoids using words like repentance in his sermons he replied, “People already know about those things. I’ve made it my focus to preach a message of hope” (recorded to the best of my memory).

A message of hope? Hope comes in salvation. And salvation is received through understanding and practicing repentance! Jettison the word and we appeal to carnal minds, but we cease to save souls and function as a church.

I would like to believe Jesus preached a message of hope. Look what the Bible says in verse 17: “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” In Luke 24, Jesus said, “That repentance for forgiveness of sins (should) be proclaimed in (My) name to all the nations” (Lk. 24:47). He preached it. He declared it. I believe we would be wise to follow in His footsteps and also proclaim this requirement for salvation.

Do we wish to be a social club or a life-saving station as designed by God?

2. THE RIGHT MISSION

We need to move on. So we need to have the right message and second, to be a true church, we need to have the right mission.

Verses 18-22, “Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

This account depicts the calling of Christ’s first disciples. Of the twelve originally called, Matthew 4 introduces us to the calling of four of them. First there were the brothers Simon (Peter) and Andrew spoken of in verses 18-20. Second there were the brothers James and John spoken of in verses 21-22. All of these men were uneducated individuals who made their livelihood in the industry of fishing.

Once called, their obedience was remarkable which beautifully pictures the repentance we just spoke about as they sought to follow Christ. Regarding Simon and Andrew, verse 20 says, “And they immediately left their nets and followed Him.” Regarding James and John, verse 22 says, “(They) immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” Little did these men know what their call entailed or what awaited them in the future. All they knew was that Jesus was trustworthy, and for them, that was enough to obey.

The one aspect of this account that I wish to focus on is the specific call presented to these men. Jesus had a purpose for them. Playing off their livelihood as fishermen our Lord said, verse 19, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Though God could easily call lost souls all by Himself, He has condescended and decreed to use us in the process. Participating in the greatest work the world will ever know, Jesus stooped down and called these unskilled and untrained fishermen to begin fishing for men. As they once tossed their “throwing net” into the Sea of Galilee for fish, they will now cast the “gospel net” into the sea of humanity for lost souls. They would be the first of millions to come that God would call to reach the world for Christ.

The command first given to Andrew and Peter is now extended to you and I. In our Lord’s final words on earth, commonly known as the Great Commission, He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:18b-20). As every true church must be committed to preaching a gospel of repentance, every true church must be committed to reaching the world for Christ.

How are we doing in this area? Possibly the best way to answer that question is to personally ask ourselves, How am I doing in this area? Evangelism is a responsibilty each of us shares and the strength of our church is contingent upon the members within the church being obedient to this call. Through your words and actions, is God using you to bring the good news of salvation to a world desperately in need of Christ? Like Andrew and Peter and James and John, this is your calling too! Did you know that?

Listen to William Booth: “‘Not called!’ did you say? ‘Not heard the call,’ I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face–whose mercy you have professed to obey–and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.”

The excuses abound. “I don’t know what to say.” Simply share what you know. The more you share the better you will become at sharing. These fishermen probably had very little religious training, and in the beginning they were very self-centered. “I feel it will cost me my reputation.” Are you ashamed of your Savior? Is your reputation worth more than the eternal salvation of their souls? These fishermen were martyred for faithfully declaring this message. Can we not endure a few snickers at the water cooler? “I am too busy.” Make the time. Begin to work the gospel into your present relationships with unbelievers. These fishermen were busy too. But when Jesus called, their obedience was immediate. Stop making excuses. Start sharing. You will be glad you did–and if we really believe this message–others will be glad you did as well!

It all comes down to a passionate desire to follow Jesus. When we love Him, we will naturally desire to obey Him. And when we obey Him, we will grow in our intimancy with Him. And when we are intimate with Him, we find that He is the One that works in our hearts to accomplish His purposes.

Notice in verse 19 Jesus did not say, “Follow Me, and start becoming fishers of men.”On the contrary He said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”A big difference between the two. Could we imply that the lack of Christian evangelism today is due to the fact that many are religious, but very few are truly following Jesus? Are you a follower of Jesus? Then I need to assume He has made you a fisher of men.

The need to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no higher call nor is there any greater act of love. This is our mission. Oswald Smith said, “Oh, my friends, we are loaded down with countless Church activities, while the real work of the Church, that of evangelizing the world and winning the lost, is almost entirely neglected.”

Is the Grace Tabernacle making a difference? Jesus left the world in the hands of 11 disciples and a few faithful men and women and they turned the place upside-down!

Once again, do we wish to be a social club or a life-saving station useful to God to save souls and advance His kingdom?

3. THE RIGHT MINISTRY

So to do church as Jesus did, we need the right message, the right mission and finally, the right ministry.

In verses 23-25 we read, “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.”

These final verses serve as an introduction to Christ’s ministry. Not everything He did was recorded in the gospels (Jn. 21:25), but as we see here, Jesus had an extensive preaching ministry (“throughout all Galilee”), and (as Acts 10:38 tells us) He “went about doing good.”

In these verses we read about some dramatic miracles, and it is so easy to get sidetracked. If you attend some church services and some prayer meetings, the emphasis placed on physical healing seems to be the most important ministry of the church. Obviously these miracles demonstrated the compassion of Christ, and we too are to follow His example in our dealings with others, but is there a greater purpose for these healings, a greater ministry for the church?

If healing everyone was His goal, just a word from the Savior could have healed the entire world. There was a greater purpose. As we read the gospels, we see these miracles and acts of healing were much more strategic. If we look close enough, we see them point to a greater end often intended to reveal a theological truth.

In this case, these miraculous acts of Jesus proved He was the divine Son of God (Jn. 14:11). They proved that He was the long-awaited prophesied Messiah (Isa. 29:18-19; 35:5-10; 61:1-3). They proved the Kingdom had arrived, and in the future its participants would no longer suffer from any physical pain (Mt. 9:35; 11:2-6; 12:28). And they also proved that Jesus was the ultimate spiritual physician. There was no disease He couldn’t cure, there was no broken heart He couldn’t heal. These physical healings pointed to the complete and ultimate and eternal healing that comes in spiritual salvation.Colossians 1:13-14, “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

To prevent ourselves from getting sidetracked by the miracles, I believe we would be wise to concentrate on the beginning and the ending which serve a bookends to this section. Did Jesus simply come to heal people physically? No! In verse 23 we read that His primary purpose was “goingthroughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.” Mark 1:38 basically says the same thing: “He said to them, ‘Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what Icame for.’” This is the message He wanted, verse 25, large crowds to hear as they followed Him from all over the region. And those who were only into the miracles and physical benefits fell away. Yet those who believed His message continued to follow Him, and were the ones ultimately healed.