When your building something, you would start with a foundation. Houses have a foundation of a rock. The foundation is key to holding together the entire house, or building or whatever you would like it to hold up. A foundation is the key source of the making of a project.

In Matthew 4:18-20 Jesus begins preaching his message, and as he begins, he also starts setting up his church, starting with his own foundation. The thing is though, his foundation isn’t a  rock, but the rock. This rock, would represent by its own outline of its own life, what kind of message Jesus is preaching and also what kind of people his message will save. Peter, “The Rock”, the foundation of the Church of Jesus.

Who is Peter?

  • First one to deny Jesus

  • First one to proclaim boldly that Jesus was the Messiah

Peter went from being so bold to proclaiming that Jesus was the Messiah, then denying that he even knew Jesus. Yet in his life we see that Jesus isn’t looking for the most holy and perfect people. When Jesus came back to life, he said “Go get Peter”. Jesus also set up his church on Peter. Some believe that Peter was the first pope, depending what denomination you are in. Paul hold Peter pretty high up over him, in the bible, Paul say he “Even stood against Peter”. The Word “EVEN” points that Peter must have been important, even more so over Paul. Peter is a very important men to look at as we study in the bible.

What does this mean for us, me and you today?

It means that no matter where we are as believers, there is nothing to keep us from being the chosen followers and people of God. We have been calls out of this world, to live for God. Peter deny Jesus 3 times, but he is still forgiven. God doesn’t see the mess ups of his people. Our sins of forgiven forever and ever. To be no more.

What are your benefits to following Jesus?

In companies you receive benefits to following the success of that business, but in the church your receive what benefits to following Jesus in the success of the church growth.

Peter was Simon at birth, but receive his new name Peter. We will receive a new name. Many people have there nick-name, but in our world, humans have customs to give themselves a name that is custom to who they are as a person who they are mint to be. My nick-name would be preacher. People call me that a lot, so I’m born as Keith, but since I Preach, the name preacher came to be. Simon became Peter, because on this Rock, Jesus builds his church. The word Peter means Rock. Rock is a foundation. We see this with Saul, becomes Paul. With following Jesus each person receives a new name, most of us receive the new name in the 2nd coming of the Lord. In the book of Rev. it talks about everyone receiving a stone with a name on it.  So if you want to follow Jesus, your receive a new name.

Peter grow up as a “Fishermen”, but when he follow Jesus, he became a “Fisher Of Men”. He became a new creation. Growing up, from age of 8 years old. I was a gangster. Set park on fire, steal things from cars, steal mail, robs houses. I was down for everything and anything. Even smoked at age 8 to age 13. At age 16, gave my life to Jesus. He made me a Preacher. Went from gangster to Preacher in a blink of an eye. God created a new creation in me, just like in Peter.

What do you loss by Following Jesus?

Peter lost his name and job, for a new name and new job, or you could say, he lost his old life for a new life. He became a new creation, by following Jesus Christ. Peter and his brother Andrew receive their calling from Jesus and they took it, “At once they left their nets and followed” Jesus. So At once Peter left being a Fishermen and follow Jesus to be a Fisher of Men.

What about you? Are you searching for more than what you got now? For a higher calling? Jesus is calling you. You to follow Him. Will you take that calling? Will you allow him to create in you a new creation? Or will you just stay as a fishermen? Follow Jesus and see what he can and will do in your life. See what he is going to do with you. All it takes is laying down your life and everything you know, and following him. Are you going to take that calling?

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-20