Turn with me to Matthew chapter four, Matthew chapter four.

And if you are able, would you stand for the reading of scripture?

We want to stand to just revere God's word.

Courtney's going to read the end of chapter four, beginning of chapter five.

And I would invite you even as she's reading to create space in your heart and mind

for everything that God is going to reveal to you during this time.

Today's reading is from Matthew chapter 4, 17 to 25, and chapter 5 verses 1 and 2.

From that time on, Jesus began to preach, repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.

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.

Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will send you out

to fish for people. At once, they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there,

he saw two other brothers, James, son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with

their father, Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus went through Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the

kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various

diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed,

and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the region

across the Jordan followed him.

Now, when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.

His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

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