Follow As You Are
What if Jesus isn’t asking you to change first — but simply to follow as you are?
In Week 2 of Follower, Pastor Mike explores one of the most familiar moments in the Gospels: Jesus calling Peter, Andrew, James, and John. While many of us were taught the short version — “Drop everything and follow now!” — the full story reveals something much deeper and far more encouraging.
Before Jesus asked Peter to change anything, He asked Peter to take a step.
Jesus didn’t demand that Peter be perfect, religious, or pre-qualified. He simply said:
“Follow Me… and I will make you...”
And that one sentence captures the heart of discipleship: come as you are, and Jesus will do the changing.
Key Scriptures & Insights
1. Religion says, “Change, and then you can follow.”
But Jesus says the opposite.
You follow first — and then He forms, matures, and transforms you.
(Matthew 4:18–22)
2. Following requires movement.
Peter had to leave his old direction to take a new one.
You cannot become like Jesus and stay like you.
(Luke 5:4–5)
3. Information comes before formation.
Luke reminds us that Jesus wasn’t calling people blindly —
He taught first. He informed before inviting.
(Luke 5:1–3)
4. God often tests our willingness with small steps.
“Put out into the deep water.”
A simple, inconvenient request — followed by a miracle.
(Luke 5:4–7)
5. Following Jesus reveals what needs to change.
When Peter encounters Jesus’ power, he becomes aware of his sin —
but Jesus responds with compassion, not condemnation.
(Luke 5:8–10)
6. Jesus changes us because we follow — not so that we can follow.
Peter didn’t leave everything and follow until after the miracle.
Formation happens during the following.
(Luke 5:11)
The Big Idea
Jesus invites us to follow first — and promises, “I will make you.”
He does the changing. He does the forming. He does the transforming.
Our job is simply to say yes to the next step.
Did you like the message, Follow As You Are? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.
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Follow As You Are
