Chantilly – Mark 1:14-45
November 1, 2026
Discovering Jesus
The Highest Call
Mark 1:14-45
Mark 1:14-22, After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
16 As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Do you know God’s calling for your life?
“Ever more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for.”
–Viktor Frankl
The Highest Call: No Greater Cause
· The Greatest Message
Mark 1:14-15, After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
“Gospel” = euangelion
Eu = Good
Angelion = Message
Mark 1:14, After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God
DO vs. DONE?
Romans 3:23-24, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:1, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,
Mark 1:14-15, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
· The Greatest “Belonging”
Jesus calling doesn’t always FEEL like the greatest calling!
Mark 1:14, After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news…
Mark 1:16-20, As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.19 Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
The Highest Call: No Better Identity
“Be” Identity = Follow Jesus
Disciples “walk in the dust of the rabbi”
What rabbi’s dust are you walking in?
Mark 3:14, He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, to send them out to preach,
Mark 1:17-18, Follow Me… and I will make you fisher’s of men. Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him.
“Go” Identity = Fish for People
Luke 14:7, I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.
Luke 14:9-10, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost!’ 10 I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
· Practical next step
Mark 1:15b, Repent and believe the good news.
The Highest Calling: The Most Significant Service
· Jesus Models Teaching
Mark 1:21, They went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.
Mark 1:22, They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.
Mark 1:23, Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue.
· Jesus Models Serving
Mark 1:27, They were all amazed, and so they began to ask each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once the news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.
Chap & Catherine Russell
Matthew 6:33, Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
2 Corinthians 5:1,11, reminds us… this earthly tent we live in will be destroyed… Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people.
Next Step Commitments
1. Jesus says, “Follow Me”
· Read the Bible daily
· Pray daily
· Obey everything He says
Two measures:
How do your calendar & checkbook reflect that are walking in the dust of your rabbi, Jesus?
2. Jesus says, “I will make you fishers of people”
· How many good, God, and Gospel conversations will you have this week?
· Commit to pray every day
