Mark 1:16–20 (NLT) — 16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 18 And they left their nets at once and followed him. 19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. 20 He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.
1. What’s your cause?
- Throughout history, the world has been defined by people who lived for a cause.
- A cause is the underlying reason that you do everything you do.
- Jesus had a cause: the salvation of all mankind.
- John 12:23–27 (NLT) — 23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. 27 Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!”
- Verse in KJV - John 12:27 (KJV) — 27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but FOR THIS CAUSE came I unto this hour.
2. God’s asking you to drop your cause and adopt His.
- There is one cause that rises above all other causes - It is the cause of Christ.
- The cause of Christ is the restoration of man to relationship with God.
- The cause of Christ is the establishment of the Kingdom of God.
- The cause of Christ is fulfilled through His body, the church.
- Consider the alternative:
- Mark 10:17–22 (NLT) — 17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
3. Give all you are for the sake of the cause.
- Begin to see everything you do through the lens of the cause of Christ.
- Pour out your life for the sake of the cause.
- Your passion for the cause of Christ
- Your time for the cause of Christ
- Your finances for the cause of Christ
- Your home for the cause of Christ
- Your family for the cause of Christ
4. Only the cause of Christ will bring satisfaction.
Matthew 19:27–29 (NLT) — 27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” 28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.”