The First Disciples

Pastor Tan Moy How

14/02/2010 1050

Pastor Moy How shared about CFO.

1)      A preview of Transforming Encounters with Jesus

a)      The Gerasene Demoniac in Mark 5:1-20 – Know our Enemy

The community did not know how to deal with this possessed man who had herculean strength could not be bound by chains. No one was strong enough to subdue him. But when he saw Jesus from a distance he ran to him and fell and worshipped him. He recognized Jesus as the Son of the Most High God. Jesus was very direct in his approach. He asked for the demon’s name. A Roman legion consisted 6000.

The first lesson in deliverance is to know our enemy. The enemy may lie but in the case of Mark 5, the evil spirit did not.

b)      The Woman Who Bled for 12 Years in Mark 5:25-34 – Know Your Sheep

A woman who is menstruating is seen as unclean and avoided in the Jews community. She probably hid herself from the public behind the burka. Desperation is an understatement for the women as she had to get near to Jesus. It was her last hope. Jesus knew someone touched her

2)      The Three Approaches of Jesus - CFO

Mar 1:16-20  Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.  (17)  And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men."  (18)  And immediately they left their nets and followed him.  (19)  And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.  (20)  And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

a)      The Call Factor

Sometimes it takes time for us to heed a call. All of us are called to active service. God has bestowed upon us the gifting and talents. When the time comes, He will call us to use them. It was only after the death and subsequent resurrection that the disciples took the call seriously and did mighty things. They became bishops and church planters. They became movers and shakers of the world.

Peter was a fisherman. He became the Bishop of Antioch.

James the son of Zebedee

John the fisherman founded churches in Asia Minor and baptized converts in Samaria.

Andrew was a missionary in Asia Minor and Greec and modern Russia and Poland.  Crucified in an X-shaped cross.

Philip preached in Greece and Asia Minor. Hand upsize down a cross.

Bartholomew preached in Asia Minor, Ethiopia.

James son of Alphaeus was possibly a fuller, a person who cleanses and thickens fabrics. He became the first bishop of Jerusalem.

b)      The Focus Factor

Right after Jesus called the disciples to follow him, he told them he would make them fishers of men. To catch fish, we need to know where the fish are. Ask the other fishermen and observe them to see where they fish. We also need to use the right bait. Use worm for catfish, chicken feed for talapia, live frogs for kurau.

To catch men, know the felt needs.

We need to know the right timing. At the end of a sermon during a mission trip, make it a point to make an altar call. Don’t be disheartened even if there is no response. Just be obedient and plant the seed. There are many avenues for us to fish ‘man.’ Spend more time with the non-believers so we hear their felt-needs and try to meet them. Be very clear (crystal clear) about the task we are to complete.

c)       The Obedience Factor

“At once they left their nets and followed Him.” It was an instant obedience in response to the call. We are driven by the spectacular and what the world expects of us. We need to simply obey.

Philip was bit driven by plans or programs. He simply obeyed God and preached to the Ethiopian eunuch who later became the first bishop of Ethiopia.

We need to obey his calling at home and his leading immediately.

Here’s a poem by Robert Frost called the Road Not Travelled, which is often mistaken as the Road Less Travelled.

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, 

And sorry I could not travel both              

And be one traveler, long I stood            

And looked down one as far as I could  

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,        

And having perhaps the better claim,    

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;              

Though as for that the passing there      

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay          

In leaves no step had trodden black.      

Oh, I kept the first for another day!        

Yet knowing how way leads on to way, 

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh 

Somewhere ages and ages hence:          

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— 

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Once the demoniac regained a sound mind, he wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus asked him to go back to his family to tell them what God has done for him. We who are liberated and freed by God to worship him and serve him should tell of work of God in our lives.