January 24, 2026: Called to Serve on HIs Team

A sermon based on Matthew 4:12-25 and 1 Corinthians 1:10–18 Rev. J. Orlando Flahn

INTRO: As a young man, my love for soccer grew into a dream of making the county and national teams. However, when I didn’t make the cut, I felt rejected and nearly fell into depression. At that difficult moment, a friend helped me see that it wasn’t the end of the world. This turning point led me, though I had never had a relationship with God before, to begin to understand that failing to make these teams was part of a bigger plan—a plan in which my value wasn’t defined by human achievements. So, if you have ever felt unqualified or left out, know that God’s team is different. God doesn’t choose by human standards. Even those overlooked by the world are called and welcomed to serve.
In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew informs us that Jesus announces the arrival of His kingdom. He launches His kingdom team—a movement that would become a global enterprise. Immediately following this launch, Jesus seeks out men who will become His helpers, inviting them to take part in the work of the kingdom. In a sense, we can say that Jesus started His team and wants His team players to fulfill the mission of His heavenly Father. For instance, at a well in Samaria, He says, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.” (John 4:34 NIV). In the same way, God has brought us together as a congregation to do the will of our heavenly Father and finish it. Further, Jesus says in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” (NLT)
His presence in the region of Capernaum, Galilee, brings hope and light to the people who dwelt in deep spiritual darkness…..Matthew says, “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee, where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shone.” (vs 15-16)
This is God’s mission for His Messiah: to give light and hope in our spiritual darkness. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:23).
Matthew tells us that, “From then on, Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (v 17). To “repent” is to change your heart and mind about sin, and turn to God by faith in the finished work of His Son, Jesus, for eternal life.
This was the first sermon/message that Jesus preached as He launched His kingdom, His winning team. Jesus knew He had much work to do; to bring men and women into God’s kingdom…….So, the very first men He called were fishermen. They were catching fish to make money to take care of their families. They had no idea that Jesus would call them to change the world. He called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (4:19 NLT). In this way, Jesus demonstrated how ordinary people like us could have an extraordinary purpose.
Jesus came to bring all people into God’s kingdom and calls us to help Him do so. He wants no one excluded from His team. As His Church, we are called by God to follow Him so we can welcome everyone who repents into God’s eternal Kingdom team.
My question to you is, “Are we ready to do that at Our Savior?” Are we ready to go out and share our faith with our families, friends, and neighbors? Are we willing to make our congregation externally focused? …….Rather than mourning and nurturing our wounds during our transitional period, God is knocking on our hearts, calling us to wake up and roll up our sleeves to go out and fish for people.
So, what does this mean for you and me? Here are 3 essentials…)
I. We Must Focus on Our Disciple-making Priorities-
 God’s purpose for bringing us to Our Savior is to create a culture of disciple-making—focusing on what matters most to God: being “fishers of men.” We are called to use our time, talents, gifts, and abilities to bring people to Jesus. Jesus did not call us to gather crowds or make church members, but to make disciples. It’s easy to let programs, traditions, or rituals distract us from this priority. It is possible for programs to replace people in the Great Commission
 Discipleship begins with a desire to seek God’s glory first in our lives… passionately desiring to be like Jesus… intentionally spending time with God daily in prayer and Bible reading… the more we love God, the more we will love those for whom He died.
 We must boldly share our faith and invite others to Christ, becoming true fishers of men, rather than being content with our own salvation while others live without Christ.
 Join a small group, Sunday School class, or weekly Bible study to build relationships around God’s Word. Let’s do this together and intentionally build our community.
II. We Must Foster Unity Around God’s Vision
 Without unity, no team or congregation will ever succeed in fishing people for Jesus.
 Nothing destroys momentum and vision more than disunity and lack of teamwork.
 QUOTE: Teamwork is the FUEL that allows Common People To Produce Uncommon Results! Teamwork is the long word for Success”
 We must hold together, use our gifts to build God’s community, and see ourselves as a team—not as cliques—as we bring people together. It is about His glory by bringing souls to Christ.
 Jesus was concerned as He returned to the Father……He prays for unity: “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.” (v 11). He prays further, “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity…” (v 23)
 You see, if we keep our focus on fishing men for Jesus and building His kingdom community here at Our Savior, we will not be distracted.
 Let’s unite as we invite, reach out, and welcome others, fulfilling our shared mission as fishers of men.
III. We Must Function Within the Power of the Holy Spirit
 In verses 23-24, we read: “Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed, he healed them all.”
 Jesus’ kingdom is here, and it exists among us….and it has come with power and authority. Now, in response to His command, let us go and make disciples, carrying out His mission with confidence. He says, “All authority has been given to Me, go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:18-19)
 What this means for us is that God’s power is with us, and not even death, sin, disease, and demons can stop us as a team and community of Jesus Christ.
 How does that happen? ……Through united prayer, intimacy with Jesus, and seeking the daily fullness of the Holy Spirit.
 Here’s Jesus’ final words: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NLT)
Conclusion

1. Focus on disciple-making priorities
2. Foster unity around the vision of God for us
3. Function in the power of the Holy Spirit
   God’s community thrives on these three essentials….