Fishers of Men: The Call to Go" Matthew 4:18-19 | Sunday Morning Service - 02/0826

Jesus calls ordinary working men by the Sea of Galilee, not public speakers or polished leaders, and says, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The call makes clear that discipleship is more than being a church member, volunteering, or showing up. Following Jesus changes a person’s habits, priorities, schedule, and love for people. A disciple naturally begins to care about those who are unsaved and begins looking for opportunities to give them the gospel.

The picture of fishing shows that fish do not usually come looking for the fisherman. A fisherman goes where fish are, looks in likely places, puts out the bait, and keeps trying even when no fish are caught. Fishing for men works the same way. The gospel must be taken to people where they are, whether at doors, on sidewalks, in neighborhoods, at work, or among family and friends. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and people must not only hear it but believe and receive it.

The call to become fishers of men belongs to every follower of Christ, not merely missionaries, church leaders, or a select group that goes soul winning. Jesus says, “Follow me,” and the result is, “I will make you fishers of men.” Different Christians may have different abilities, confidence, and success, just as different fishermen have different skill. But a Christian who cannot remember the last gospel tract handed out, the last conversation about salvation, or the last effort to reach someone should consider whether that person is following Jesus closely.

The maniac of Gadara supplies a plain starting point for fearful witnesses. Jesus saves a man who had no formal training, little knowledge of Scripture, no partner, and a terrible past. Jesus does not send him away with an outline or demand that he learn every verse. Jesus sends him home to his friends and tells him to publish “how great things the Lord hath done” for him and how the Lord had compassion on him. A saved person can tell another person what Jesus did.

Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost,” not to sit and be satisfied. The work begins with the people closest: family, relatives, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and classmates. A letter, a gospel tract, a direct question, or a simple personal testimony can begin the conversation. Faithfulness does not guarantee that every fish will be caught, but it does keep a disciple busy doing what Jesus called His followers to do.

##

Key Takeaways

• 1. Following Jesus makes fishers of men. Discipleship cannot stay confined to church attendance or personal religious routine. Jesus joins following Him with becoming a fisher of men, making gospel witness a normal fruit of walking with Him. A changed life should produce concern for people who remain lost. [34:14]
• 2. Fishermen go where people are. Fishing requires initiative because fish rarely come searching for the boat. Gospel witness likewise requires opening the conversation rather than waiting for an ideal moment or an interested stranger. Christ came to seek, and His followers must not settle for sitting satisfied. [33:10]
• 3. A testimony can be a starting point. The maniac of Gadara had no training, outline, partner, or deep Bible knowledge. Jesus gave him one clear assignment: go home and tell what great things the Lord had done for him. A believer who knows that Christ changed his life possesses something real to tell another person. [45:45]
• 4. Start with those closest to you. Family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and classmates are not accidental relationships. A believer may speak to strangers while avoiding relatives who most need a clear word about salvation. A letter, tract, or honest question can break years of silence and place the gospel before them.
  
  ## [50:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [22:10] - The Final Lesson of Discipleship
• [23:54] - Jesus Calls Fishers of Men
• [26:18] - What It Means to Fish for Men
• [28:07] - Seeking Fish in Likely Places
• [30:38] - Going Where the People Are
• [33:38] - Witnessing as Normal Discipleship
• [36:37] - The Challenge to Follow Jesus Closely
• [38:04] - The Maniac of Gadara
• [42:03] - Jesus Sends Him Home
• [45:45] - Tell What Jesus Did for You
• [48:41] - Christ Came to Seek and Save
• [50:37] - Starting with Family and Friends
• [53:22] - Simple Practical Ways to Witness
• [54:32] - Prayer for Boldness and Compassion

1. What were Peter and Andrew doing when Jesus called them, and what did Jesus promise to make them if they followed Him? [23:54]
2. According to the fishing picture, what actions does a fisherman take instead of simply waiting for fish to come to him? [28:45]
3. In Mark 5:19, where did Jesus send the man He had delivered, and what exactly was he told to tell people?
4. What limitations did the man from Gadara have, and what did he still have that made him able to tell others about Christ? [44:33]

1. Jesus connects following Him with becoming fishers of men. What does that connection show about gospel witness as part of normal Christian discipleship? [34:38]
2. A fisherman may fish faithfully and still not catch anything on a particular day. How does that help believers understand their responsibility when someone hears the gospel but does not receive Christ? [31:54]
3. Jesus told the man from Gadara to begin at home with his friends. Why might close relationships be both the most natural place and sometimes the hardest place to speak about salvation? [45:45]
4. Jesus came “to seek and to save” the lost. What is the difference between a believer waiting for someone to ask about Christ and a believer seeking opportunities to speak about Him? [49:32]

1. Can you remember the last time you gave someone a gospel tract, asked someone about salvation, or spoke about what Christ has done in your life? What has made that easy or difficult for you? [37:10]
2. Who are one or two people closest to you—family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, or classmates—whose salvation you are not sure about? What would be a wise first step toward opening a conversation with them? [50:37]
3. If you were to tell someone “how great things the Lord hath done” for you, what part of your salvation story could you share simply and honestly? [47:24]
4. Is there a relationship where a direct conversation about Christ feels difficult because of distance, hurt, or awkwardness? Could a letter, text, gospel tract, or a simple question be an appropriate way to begin? [51:46]
5. What places are already part of your normal weekly life where people are present—work, school, a neighborhood, a store, a hobby, or family gatherings? How could you be more aware of opportunities there? [53:22]
6. What fear or excuse most often keeps you from speaking to others about the Lord? How does the example of the man from Gadara encourage someone who does not feel trained, confident, or prepared? [45:20]
7. What is one specific, prayerful step you could take this week to seek someone who is lost rather than merely waiting for the opportunity to come to you? [54:17]