Who Will Be in Heaven Because of You?

“‘Come, follow me,’ he said, ‘and I’ll show you how to fish for people.’” Matthew 4:19 (CEB)

Have you heard and accepted the Good News of Jesus? Tell somebody else about it!

In Matthew 4:20, Jesus called out to some fisherman: “‘Come, follow me,’ he said, ‘and I’ll show you how to fish for people.’ Right away, they left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:19-20 CEB).

What did he mean by that? He was basically telling the men, “I’ll show you how to change lives. I’ll show you how to get people into heaven. I’ll show you how to bring people to me. I’ll show you how to share the Good News.”

What about me? Is anybody going to be in heaven because of me? If I'm not fishing, I'm not following. In other words, if I'm not telling the Good News to somebody else, I'm not being a disciple. God expects me to share his Good News.

Think of it this way: If I knew the cure for cancer and kept it a secret, that would be unthinkably wrong! But the truth is that I know something better than that. I know how you can have your past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in heaven. And God calls me to share that Good News.

I'm going to heaven because somebody told me about Jesus. And somebody told that person about Jesus and so on. I don’t want that chain to break with me.

Jesus told his followers, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 NLT).

I know the Good News. Now it’s time to go tell someone else about it!

In summary:

Jesus calls every believer to follow Him by sharing the Good News with others. When He said, “Come, follow me, and I’ll show you how to fish for people,” He was inviting His followers to help change lives and lead others to God’s love and salvation. True disciples don’t just receive the message—they pass it on. Just as someone once shared Jesus with me, I’m now called to continue that chain by telling others how they can find forgiveness, purpose, and eternal life. Sharing the Good News isn’t optional—it’s part of what it means to follow Jesus.

Bottom line:

Following Jesus means sharing the Good News and helping others find the same hope and salvation I’ve received.

Next Step:

Intentionally share my faith story with someone this week—whether through a personal conversation, encouragement, or example—so that my life points them toward Jesus. Start with prayer: ask God to show me one person who needs hope, then trust Him to give me the words and opportunity to speak.

Learn to Seek God, Not His Gifts

In Psalm 14:2 I read, “The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." (NIV)

Millions of Christians spend all their time seeking what God has to give them and no time seeking God himself.

When you’re praying for healing and restoration, it’s okay to want a miracle. But, ultimately, it should be God himself I seek, not a miracle, a sign, prosperity, or a thousand other gifts of God. My prayer should be: “God, I want you. I want to know you.” When I seek God, I get everything else.

God gives many promises in the Bible about those who seek him:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face . . .  then I will hear from heaven” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me” (Proverbs 8:17 NIV).

“Anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV).

“If from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul . . . For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you” (Deuteronomy 4:29-31 NIV).

Seek God, not just his blessing. That means that, whether or not I get the answer I want, I’ll find joy in knowing God better. Whether or not I get what I think is best for me, I’ll be satisfied with what God thinks is best for me. When I’m going through tough situations, seek God, even more than my deliverance from pain.

This is not a casual pastime. Don’t seek God in my spare moments, after I’m done with work or as I’m scrolling social media. Make getting to know God better the primary focus of my life.

“The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” (Psalm 14:2 NIV).

It’s rare to find someone who’s earnest about seeking God. Most of us want just enough of God to bless us, but not to change us.

I won’t become an Olympic athlete in my spare time. In the same way, I won’t become a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ by giving him my leftovers. Give him my first and best, and he will keep every promise.

In summary, The LORD looks down to see if there are any who understand, any who seek Him. Most spend all their time seeking what God has to give them and not time seeking God himself. When I’m praying, it’s okay to want a miracle. But, ultimately, it should be God himself I seek, not a miracle, a sign, prosperity, or a thousand other gifts of God. My prayer should be: “God, I want you. I want to know you. When I seek God, I get everything else. God gives many promises for those who seek him. So seek God, not just his blessing. That means that, whether or not I get the answer I want, I’ll find joy in knowing God better. Whether or not I get what I think is best for me, I’ll be satisfied with what God thinks is best for me. When I’m going through tough situations, seek God, even more than my deliverance from pain. Don’t seek God in my spare moments. Make getting to know God better the primary focus of my life. Most of us want just enough of God to bless us, but not to change us. I won’t become a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ by giving him my leftovers. Give him my first and best, and he will keep every promise.

Only a fool denies God. How foolish it must seem to God when people say there is no God. They ignore the evidence that He exists or refuse to live by His truths. For He looks down from above on the world, looking to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks him. When I rely more on myself than on God, I become foolish as well. 

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives (including my job.) I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Introduction to Jesus

In review of John 1:35-51, I see in this passage I see the calling of some of the first disciples of Jesus.  As explained, John was standing with two of his disciple. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!"  When John's disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

When Jesus noticed them following him, he asked "What do you want?" They replied, "Teacher, where are you staying?" "Come and see", Jesus told them.  They went with him and remained with him the rest of the day.

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother was one of these men. Andrew when to find his brother, Simon, and told him, "We have found the Messiah." Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Jesus looking intently at Simon, said "Your name is Simon, son of John, but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter".)

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and told him to "Come, follow me." Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter's hometown. Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth."

"Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathaniel, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" "Come and see for yourself," Philip told him.

As they approached, Jesus said, "Now here is a genuine son of Israel, a man of complete integrity." "How do you know about me?" Nathaniel asked.  Jesus told him, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you."  Nathaniel exclaimed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God, the King of Israel!"

Jesus asked him, "Do you believe this just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.  I tell you the truth, you will all see (NLT) heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth."

Jesus calls some of the first disciples and reveals some things about himself. In this passage I get to see several people and their first interactions with Jesus.  First there is John the Baptist, then the two of John’s disciples, one of which was Andrew (brother of Simon-Peter). Simon-Peter, Philip and then Nathaniel .

In summary, John the Baptist recognizes Jesus again and tells his disciples that are with him. The two disciples follow and stay with Jesus. Andrew who was one of John’s disciples is so excited he finds his brother Simon, and tells him to come and see. When Simon meets Jesus, Jesus renamed him Peter.

The next day, Jesus sees and calls Philip as he is going to Galilee. Philip finds Nathaniel and tells him to come and see as well. At first Nathaniel questions if anything can come from Jesus home town. Jesus tells Nathaniel all about his character. Tells Nathaniel he has seen him under a fig tree earlier. Nathaniel believes. Jesus asks if he believes only because he could describe his life? He then assures him that he will see even more as Jesus is the link between heaven and earth (NLT - the stairway between heaven and earth.)

I thank you this morning Father for some further examples of discipleship in process.  

Having just gone through some in-depth studying on discipleship, I get to see the various ways in which people get introduced to Jesus.

I can see in this passage that Jesus is sometimes introduced in some fashion or he provides a direct invitation. John the Baptist introduces / points him out to his disciples, Andrew to his brother, and Philip to Nathaniel. These introductions were through some form of revelation and excitement. This is a great example for myself as well, my own excitement for what Jesus means to me.  In this passage I also see where Jesus finds Philip and just invites him. Philip after his encounter with Jesus is excited enough to tell and introduce Nathaniel.

Bottom Line:

One of the greatest things in life is an introduction to Jesus.

What this means to me:

Sharing my life and excitement for Jesus, can be an easy way for me to introduce Christ to others.