Just Ask

Pastor Cory Herthel

Midland SDA Church

March 11, 2017

Key Texts: Matthew 4:18-20, 9:37-38; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; John 1:14, 29; Revelation 14:14-16

SOP Reference: Acts of the Apostles, pg. 109

Introduction: Talk about ice-breakers…first encounters…making the first move.  Lead-in with Christ being our chisel to break the ice.

I. The Big Question (Matthew 4:18-20)

  A. Jesus presents the option (v. 18-19)

    1. He sees the potential in these men

    2. He isn’t afraid to go up and “Just Ask” them

    3. He presents the benefits of making the best choice

  B. Their response (v. 20)

    1. Without hesitation they jump at the opportunity to serve

    2. They realize that the fishing Jesus wants them to do is bigger than temporal things

II. Your Turn to Ask (Matthew 9:37-38)

  A. Much Work, Few Laborers (v. 37)

    1. There is one job on earth that overtakes every other: gather souls for Jesus

    2. It is more than just adding numbers to our church (Revelation 14:14-16)

    3. It isn’t about personal achievement

      a. It is about what Christ has achieved in us (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

      b. And what Christ can achieve through those who might believe through our example

  B. Wrap up with Ice-Breaking…

SOP: All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in. (AA 109)

Conclusion: Maybe Jesus hasn’t blessed you with the innate gift of gab.  Perhaps you are not the most eloquent speaker.  And so what if you are not the next HMS Richards, Mark Finley, or Doug Bachelor…Jesus has given you a task of equal importance to the accomplishments of those fine men of God.  He has called you each to be a worker in His field.  He has enabled you each to affect souls for eternity.  Today I put a challenge before you to employ a method that Jesus used and with a decent rate of success.  Pray the Holy Spirit to show you a hungry soul…put your sites on that prize for heaven and…..JUST ASK!!!