MY FRIENDS, “IMMEDIATELY THEY LEFT THE BOAT AND THEIR FATHER, AND FOLLOWED HIM!!”

Jan. 178, 2015

MY FRIENDS, “IMMEDIATELY THEY LEFT THE BOAT AND THEIR FATHER, 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. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. Matt 4:21-22 (KJV)

My friends I need you to focus today on the word “immediately.”  In the context of this text the word tells me they did not say we need to ask our mother and father to see what they think, or you need to wait until we finish our work for today, or we have friends we are meeting after work, or we just need to know more about what you are offering.

In addition, once they left everything and followed Christ, James and his brother John along with Peter were honored to be the only three in Christ inner circle, the best of the best among the twelfe. The Jewish tradition has what you call Tefillin which consists of two small leather boxes attached to leather straps.

The two boxes each contain four sections of the Torah inscribed on parchment. Placed on the arm opposite the heart, and on the head, the Tefillin signify the submission of one’s mind, heart and actions to the Almighty.

Somehow from what they had been taught from their childhood by their parents, while also allowing the Spirit to instruct and convict, they knew going with this stranger was their only chance they had in life to make a difference. This sheds a guiding light and a  greater understanding of Matt. 10:37-39 (NKJV)

Christ tells us “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

So now let’s make it personal, what does the word “immediately” mean to you. We know Webster’s definition which states; “without lapse of time; without delay; instantly; at once.” But what does it mean to the one who has everything and need of nothing.

In addition, what does it mean to the one who has been a part of the body of believers for years if not all of their lives, or what does it mean to the one who is in the valley of decision in regards to his or her salvation.

My friends, if Christ? Not your parents, not your educational ambitions, not your job and not the overall curiosity of life itself has placed you on a journey, the word “immediately” must transcend beyond our finite minds all the way to the mind of Christ who is calling you today to “immediately” follow Him.

“He who loves Christ the most will do the greatest amount of good. There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, by putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.

If men will endure the necessary discipline, without complaining or fainting by the way, God will teach them hour by hour, and day by day. He longs to reveal His grace…..

If men in humble life were encouraged to do all the good they could do, if restraining hands were not laid upon them to repress their zeal, there would be a hundred workers for Christ where now there is one.” (E.G. White Desire of Ages pp 250-251)

My Friends Christ needs an immediate response, Hebrews 11:8, (KJV) states: “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out…”

Those who hear God’s voice to come “immediately” are those who walk in the footsteps of God, and who have been saved by the transforming power of His love and grace through faith. These are the sheep who hear and recognize His voice, and respond “not my will but thou will be done, immediately”

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY