Main Idea: God wants you to come to Him. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done, or where you are at in your life. Jesus is saying, “Come!” and you have the opportunity to respond.
Key Verses: Matthew 4:19, 11:28, 14:28-29, Mark 10:14, 6:31, Luke 14:17, 19:5, John 7:37, Isaiah 55:1, Revelation 22:17
Note: When you preach this sermon, do not flip through your Bible and just read these Scriptures to your audience. Treat each Scripture as a story and tell the crowd what was happening each time Jesus calls someone to “come.”
Introduction: Did you know that Jesus is calling you to come to Him? We’re going to take a look at all the times Jesus has called people to come, just like He is calling you tonight.
I. Jesus told the disciples to come.
A. Matthew 4:18-20 “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”
B. The first disciples dropped everything to follow Jesus.
C. Jesus did not go looking for the wealthy, powerful, or well-known. His first disciples were just fishermen. He simply calls those whom He chooses.
II. Jesus told the little children to come.
A. Mark 10:13-14 “And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.’”
B. Jesus did not shy away from children and even said that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child.
III. All those who are thirsty are told to come.
A. Isaiah 55:1 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
B. John 7:37 “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.’”
C. As people created for the glory of God, we often thirst for more in our lives. Jesus calls all those who are thirsty to come to Him and drink.
IV. All who are weary and burdened are told to come.
A. Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
B. Jesus offers rest for the tired and for those who carry a heavy weight. He invites those people to come to Him.
V. All those who are hungry are told to come.
A. Luke 14:17 “And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’”
B. Through this parable, Jesus invites those who are hungry to come and feast at His banquet.
VI. All those who need rest are invited to come.
A. Mark 6:31“And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’”
B. Jesus invites those who need rest to come to Him and rest a while.
VII. When Peter wondered if he could walk on water, Jesus told him to come.
A. Matthew 14:28-29 “And Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.”
B. Amazing things happen when we respond to Jesus’ call to ‘come’.
VIII. When Zacchaeus was hiding in the tree, Jesus told him to come.
A. Luke 19:5 “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.’”
B. When Jesus sees a sinner, He calls him to come.
IX. The Bible ends with an invitation to come.
A. Revelation 22:17 “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”
B. All through the Bible, Jesus is calling people to come.
X. Jesus is inviting you to come home to the Father today.
A. If you need salvation, Jesus says, “Come!”
B. If you need peace in your life, Jesus says, “Come!”
C. If you need healing, Jesus says, “Come!”
D. If you are living far away from God, Jesus says, “Come!”
E. No matter how far away you are from God, Jesus says, “Come!”
