January 22, 2023 "It All Starts With 'Follow Me'"

ReNew Ames Messages

Leaving Nazareth. The story of Jesus leaving home to do his thing. What would cause a young guy, 30 years old, to leave his home, his family, his business? Maybe he remembered his baptism? Maybe he remembered the voice? Maybe he sensed that God was up to something new? He was beginning to sense that God's reign wasn't passive, but active, powerful, revolutionary. So, he began to talk about it. Preach about it. His message was clear and simple: The time has come. The kingdom of heaven is near. Repent and believe this good news. What does it mean that the kingdom of heaven is near? Dallas Willard had some words to say about that. Then Jesus moves on and calls a few disciples. They left their nets and followed. For most of us, it didn't happen that way. It happened over a long time. And yet at some point, we decided to believe. Now, we rational people are inclined to define religious faith intellectually - a set of beliefs we hold to be true. That's what was handed down to us. Believe the right things. But it would be better for us to remember that the whole thing got started not with a set of beliefs or creeds - the whole thing got started with the words, "follow me." Faith is more about following than believing. We don't even have to leave our jobs to do it. God calls us in the context of our ordinary lives. Speaker: Aaron Vis Scripture: Matthew 4:12-22 https://www.bible.com/events/49019702