What does Jesus ask of those who want to follow Him? In this message from our Come and Follow series, we explore Jesus’ powerful invitation in Matthew 4:18-22 as He calls ordinary fishermen to leave their nets and follow Him. Jesus does not call perfect people—He calls ordinary people into extraordinary allegiance. Following Christ is more than admiration, belief, or church attendance; it is surrendering every area of life to His authority. We’ll examine the cost of discipleship, the things we must be willing to leave behind, and the greater purpose Jesus calls us into. If you've ever wrestled with obedience, control, comfort, identity, or what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus, this message will challenge and encourage you to take the next step of faith. Join us as we discover that when Jesus says, “Follow Me,” the only faithful response is to drop the nets and follow.

What does Jesus actually ask of you? In John 1, Jesus doesn’t call people to casual interest or distant admiration. He invites honest seekers to “come and see,” but that invitation always requires movement. Many people want enough Jesus to feel comforted, forgiven, or inspired, but not enough Jesus to surrender to His authority. Yet Jesus never called people to admire Him from a distance — He calls people to follow Him. This message walks through John 1:35-46 and explores how Jesus welcomes questions, confronts motives, and invites people into deeper surrender. Andrew, Philip, Peter, and Nathanael all show us that you do not need to know everything before taking the next step of faith. Christianity can handle honest investigation, but eventually the invitation of Jesus demands a response.

James gives us a clear picture of a life shaped by prayer in every circumstance—not as a last resort, but as the first response. Whether in trouble, joy, or sickness, prayer is the ongoing lifeline between God and His people. It is not transactional or merely functional, but deeply relational—drawing us closer to God as we acknowledge who He is, submit to His will, bring our needs before Him, confess sin, and ask for protection and guidance. Prayer is not dependent on perfect people but on a powerful God who hears, and even ordinary faith, like Elijah’s, can lead to extraordinary movement when it is persistent and rooted in trust. James then turns toward restoration within the community of faith. Believers are not meant to drift in isolation or be ignored when they wander, but to be pursued with truth, love, prayer, and invitation back into relationship with God and His people. Spiritual drift is usually slow and subtle, and the response is not judgment or shame, but faithful pursuit—speaking truth in love and helping one another return. Healthy Christian life reaches upward in prayer and outward in care for others.