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Lewis Memorial
06-07-09
“Right Now Means Right Now!”
Matthew 4: 18-22

I’m the baby of three children and growing up I didn’t always come immediately when my parents called me and I didn’t always immediately do what they told me to do. Many times I would hesitate or make excuses, “I didn’t hear you!” I’m watching tv!” Or I would just not answer! Many times I heard my parents say, “Right now means right now!” I think there are times when all of us, no matter what age we are, don’t always jump up and do what are asked to do. In our work places when we are asked to do something we ask the person, “Do you need it right now?” In our homes when we tell our children to do a chore we better tell them when we expect it to be done.

Military is known for its discipline and service men and women are expected to respond immediately. Police officers, Medical emergency personnel, firemen and nurses are all expected to respond when called into duty.

But I wonder how we respond when Jesus calls upon us?........When you first heard Jesus call you how did you respond?......When you hear Him today how do you respond?

Jesus called for Peter and Andrew and they came immediately! No hesitation. Jesus called for James and John and the came immediately! No hesitation. Simon Peter and Andrew were fisherman and they were doing their thing. James and John were also fisherman doing their thing. But they responded immediately when they heard the call of the Lord! They seemed to totally understand the urgency in which Jesus called them and they knew that right now meant right now!

We all make some pretty good excuses with God. Look with me at Luke 9:59-62. It’s interesting to me that the caption above this section says, “Would-Be Followers of Jesus” As Jesus was walking with His disciples several others joined them and one said to Jesus that he would follow Him wherever He went. Bold statement! It got Jesus thinking about what that means and so He responded this way. Luke 9: 59-62, “To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

You see, nothing is more important than following Jesus! We can make the same old excuses or even come up with some new ones, but nothing is more important than following Jesus Christ!

What is it that Jesus calls us to do? When He called Simon Peter and Andrew Jesus told them that He would make them fishers of men…….

Jesus later told all of His disciples what they are to do as His followers. We know it as the Great Commission!.......... So you and I are to GO make disciples for Jesus Christ! I believe that Jesus is telling all of us that we are to do so immediately!

What does it take for us to be able to help lead others to the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ?

1st – we have to have that relationship with Christ……

2nd – open to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit….

3rd – love and care for all of God’s people…..

What is Jesus calling you to do in His church here at Lewis Memorial?

Whatever it is I think He may be saying that right now means right now!

I think sometimes everyone strays away from Jesus and/or strays away from what He has called us to do. What is it going to take for you to be all that God has called you to be? Maybe you need to return to Jesus before you can clearly hear His call in your life. Maybe you need to be back in touch with Jesus on a personal level so you will be equipped to make disciples for Him.

Let’s not make God have to repeat Himself and call us over and over again. Instead, let’s be first responders! Let’s put aside all of our weak excuses and make nothing else as important as following Jesus Christ! And let’s do it now! Because when it comes to serving God and doing His will and caring for others and leading others to know and accept Jesus Christ and making disciples for Christ – right now means right now!

We are about to celebrate Holy Communion and if you truly and fully open yourself to God as you come to His table this morning then I believe that you will know what God is calling you to do for Him here at Lewis and beyond. As you receive the elements of bread and juice I hope that you will pray about God’s calling in your life and that you will ask God to help you respond immediately. And remember that whatever God calls you to He WILL see you through.