The Cost of Following Jesus

Jesus Seeks and Calls You

When Jesus began his public ministry, he didn't head to Jerusalem's religious centers or Rome's seats of power. Instead, he went to the Sea of Galilee—an ordinary place where common people lived and worked. He appeared on the shores where fishermen cast their nets, and there he called his first disciples.

"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. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.' And immediately they left their nets and followed him." (Mark 1:16-18)

Notice something crucial: Jesus saw them before they saw him. The text doesn't say Simon and Andrew were looking for Jesus. Rather, Jesus sought them out. This reveals the heart of God—he pursues us. Just as God pursued Abraham with a promise, called Moses from the wilderness, pursued Jonah, and transformed Saul into Paul, God pursues each of us today.

If you find yourself in church this morning, it's not by accident. The sovereign God of this universe has a purpose and a plan for your life. He brought you here.

A Radical Invitation

In first-century Judaism, this was revolutionary. A rabbi would never call out a disciple—the disciple chose the rabbi, and only after mastering the Torah. Jesus reversed this pattern entirely.

He didn't say, "Peter, you need to clean yourself up first. James, you need to get your act together. When you're perfect enough, then follow me." Instead, he simply said, "Follow me." Before performance. Before perfection. Before they proved themselves worthy.

Jesus invited them into a relationship based not on what they could do, but on his mercy, grace, love, compassion, and kindness.

Unlike the World Cup, where nations select their 26 best players based on performance and skill—the fastest, strongest, most talented—you are not chosen by God based on your performance. You're not chosen because you have the most money, the best job, or the perfect family. You're chosen because of God's love.

The Scripture declares:

"The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth... It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all people. But it is because the Lord loves you." (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)

The Performance Trap

Men, let's be honest. We keep a scorecard. The first question we ask someone we meet is, "What do you do for a living?" We're driven by performance: more money, more deals, more promotions, bigger houses, faster cars. It's always about doing more and gaining more.

But here's what God wants you to know: You don't have to perform for God. God did it all for you on the cross.

You don't work for God's love. You work from God's love. You don't obey to earn acceptance—you obey because you've been accepted. Your relationship with Jesus should lead to obedience, not the other way around.

Immediate Obedience

When Jesus called, the disciples didn't delay. The Scripture says "immediately they left their nets and followed him."

They didn't say, "Jesus, give me two more weeks. My fishing business is booming." They didn't negotiate. They didn't ask for a timeline. They didn't wait for a better moment. Delayed obedience is still disobedience.

Abram rose early and immediately obeyed God's call to sacrifice Isaac. Elisha saw Elijah's cloak fall upon him and immediately ran after him, saying goodbye to his family and his business. David wrote in the longest chapter of the Bible, "I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands."

Yet we delay. We tell ourselves, "When the kids get older, I'll invest in my marriage." "When I have more time, I'll study the Bible." "When things settle down, I'll read God's Word to my children." The time is now. Do it today. Be the man, the father, the grandfather that God is calling you to be.

Surrender All to Jesus

But there's a cost to following Jesus. Those nets the disciples threw down—they weren't just tools. They represented everything:

• Their identity—they were fishermen
• Their livelihood—this was how they fed their families
• Their business—a lucrative, successful enterprise
• Their family legacy—James and John's father Zebedee had invested everything in it
• Their future—all their hopes and plans

Yet when Jesus said, "Follow me," they left it all behind. "They immediately left their nets and followed him." They surrendered their entire lives.

What Net Are You Holding?

Jesus asks you today: What net are you refusing to let go of?

Maybe it's an addiction that has entangled you, something you keep dealing with over and over. Maybe it's money, career, identity, influence, or popularity. Maybe it's an ungodly ambition for success that has you gripped. Maybe it's unforgiveness—bitterness toward a family member, your father, your mother, or a friend who betrayed you.

Jesus is saying to you today: Let go of that net. Follow the King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Cost of Following Jesus

Salvation is free. Jesus Christ won it for us on the cross through faith alone by grace alone. But discipleship will cost you everything.

Yet here's the promise: The cost of following Jesus is always worth it.

When you surrender your nets, you're not losing anything of true value. You're gaining Christ. You're gaining a relationship with the God who created you, who loves you, who pursues you, and who has a purpose and calling for your life.

Fathers and men of the church: You don't have to perform. You don't have to prove yourself. God has already done it all. Now, in response to his love and grace, surrender everything to Jesus. Let go of the nets. Follow the King. Trust him completely.

Stand to your feet. Sing with everything you have. We're going to trust our heavenly Father.