The Surprising Qualities of the Person God Uses

The Surprising Qualities of the Person God  Uses 

Matthew 4:12-25 

The belief that God uses ordinary people marked by one distinguishing  characteristic 

His Base of Ministry — Where Will He Do it From? 

Unlike the sleepy, obscure village of Nazareth, Capernaum was at a critical junction, a  conduit if you will, through which coursed a steady stream of humanity from diverse  sectors and countries. Being no isolationist, Jesus perceptively carried His message  into Capernaum’s alleys and fields, which pulsated with the activities and congestion of  internationalism.  

--Moody Atlas 

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee  of the Gentiles--the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in  the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 

Matthew 4:15-16 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his  shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,  Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6-7 

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to  go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to  them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore  go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of  the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” 

Matthew 28:16-19 

His First Disciples — Who Will He Do it With? 

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they  left their nets and followed him. 

Matthew 4:19-20 

They walked from town to town to teach at whatever synagogue would have them,  relying on the hospitality of people of peace. They often spoke in parables and riddles.

Normally they traveled with a small band of disciples, teaching not in a classroom but in  the open air and along the road — not from a textbook or curriculum but from the Torah  and the school of life. 

--John Mark Comer 

But it is significant that his first recorded action is to gather a group of followers who will  commit themselves to a total change of lifestyle which involves them joining Jesus as  his essential support group for the whole period of his public ministry. From this point  on we shall not read stories of Jesus being alone, but stories about Jesus and his  disciples. Wherever he goes, they will go; their presence with Jesus even if not  explicitly mentioned, is assumed. 

--R. T. France  

His Authority and Actions — What Will He Do? 

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good  news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has  come near.” 

Matthew 4:17 

They were animated by a devotion to Jesus and to the divine kingdom which made  them capable of any sacrifice. Believing Him who bade them follow Him to be the Christ,  come to set up God’s kingdom on earth, they “straightaway” left their nets and joined  His company, to be thenceforth His constant companions in all His wanderings.  --A.B. Bruce 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6