Fishing for Men - Series
Listen #1: The Call to Cast
Matthew 4:18–20 (KJV)
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
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🧭 Introduction
“Now I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve been fishing before and come home with nothing but a sunburn and a little sadden!
But Jesus? He turned fishermen into soul winners — and not one of them had a seminary degree!”
Key Truth: Jesus doesn’t wait for perfect people. He walks right into our daily lives, invites us into something greater, and says, “Follow Me.”
Have you noticed that the ones that came to him and said I want to follow you, had something attached to their request. Look at:
Matthew 8:18-22 The Cost of Following Jesus
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
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📖 I. The Master Makes the Call
2 Timothy 1:8-9 (NKJV) 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
Matthew 4:19 (KJV) 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
• Jesus initiates the call — not the disciples.
• They weren’t looking for a spiritual upgrade — they were working.
• Jesus interrupts the ordinary to introduce the extraordinary, the eternal.
Modern Hook:
“God doesn’t post job openings on Indeed — He just shows up at your cubicle, your kitchen table, or in your chaos and says, ‘You! Yes, you! Come with Me.’”
Application:
• God is still calling everyday people. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 (NIV) 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Don't wait until you feel "ready" — Peter didn’t even know what a disciple was yet.
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🎯 II. The Mission Is Clear
“I will make you fishers of men.” V.19
• Jesus gives them a new mission with familiar language.
• Evangelism isn’t optional — it’s part of following Him.
o 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV) 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. (Not mere Messengers, but Ambassadors)
o Messengers = a message for another, without being empowered to do anything more than to explain or enforce it
o Ambassadors = Webster. He is sent to do what the sovereign would himself do were he present.
Core Responsibilities of God's Ambassador:
• Representation –
Ambassadors don’t speak on their own behalf but carry the official message of the One who sent them (John 12:49 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.; 2 Cor. 5:20).
• Reconciliation Ministry –
The main task is to urge people to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18–20 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:). This includes preaching repentance, forgiveness, and faith in Christ.
• Citizenship in Heaven –
As Philippians 3:20 says, “For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven...” An ambassador lives in a foreign land but stays loyal to their homeland—Heaven.
• Moral Integrity and Honor –
Ambassadors must live lives that honor the King they represent (Titus 2:7-8; 1 Peter 2:12 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.).
• Boldness and Clarity –
Paul asked for prayer that he might speak boldly, as he ought to speak as an ambassador (Ephesians 6:19-20).
• You’re not just called to believe in Jesus; you’re called to become like Jesus.
Modern Connection:
“He didn’t say, ‘Follow me and I’ll make you comfortable’ or ‘Follow me and I’ll fix your problems’… He said, ‘I’ll make you fishers of men’ — that’s purpose!”
Practical Tip:
• Start with what you have (your testimony, your influence).
• Every believer is a witness — the question is, are we a good one or a bad one?
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🚶 III. The Movement Begins with Obedience
Matthew 4:20 “They straightway left their nets and followed him.”
• Immediate obedience, not delayed consideration.
• They left behind security (nets), identity (fishing), and comfort (home).
• Other examples of a “Movement to Obedience”
o Abraham (Gen.12)
o Moses (Ex. 3 & 4)
o Gideon (Judges 6)
o Samuel (1 Samuel 1)
o Ruth (Ruth)
o The Disciples (The Gospels)
Modern Challenge:
“Some folks want to follow Jesus but still cling to their nets. We want the Savior without the surrender. But you can't cast a net with one hand still holding on to your old life.”
When we first moved here and took the Pastoral position, I held onto a few of my old customers. It was my “Safety Net”, but God ask me one day was I in this completely? I had to say “No” at that time. I called those few customers and informed them that they were going to have to find a replacement. That was not an easy thing to do, when you have been accustomed to being in more control of your paycheck, but I discovered God will take the wheel when you give it to Him.
Encouragement:
• You don’t have to know the whole plan — just follow the voice.
• Obedience is the first step toward fruitfulness.
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🎣 Object Lesson: The Fishing Pole
Bring a simple fishing pole with labeled baits:
• Kindness (Love in Action)
• Listening (Build Connection)
• Testimony (Share Your Story)
• Compassion (Care About People)
Use it to illustrate: Just like fishing, we must be intentional, patient, and use the right approach — but it’s God who provides the catch.
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🔥 Closing Challenge: “Who Are You Casting For?”
Ask the congregation:
• Who in your life needs to be caught by the love of Christ?
• Are you available for God to use your ordinary for His extraordinary?
Altar Call Invitation:
“Today, Jesus is still walking the shoreline of our lives. And He’s still calling, ‘Follow Me.’ Will you drop your net and follow Him?”
