Smithfield Methodist Worship 1/25/26. Fishers of People.

Jesus arrives in Capernaum and begins a public ministry that fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy: the light has dawned for those living in darkness. Leaving Nazareth, Jesus sets up in Galilee, preaches the same call to repentance John proclaimed, but brings something new—healing, restoration, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Walking along the Sea of Galilee, Jesus calls ordinary fishermen—Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, and John—with a single, clear summons: “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” They respond immediately, dropping nets, boats, and familiar obligations to join him.

Their instant obedience models discipleship as a radical reorientation of life rather than a partial add-on. Discipleship requires leaving former securities and rhythms behind, not dragging them along as a safety net while following. Jesus then leads: teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the nearness of God’s kingdom, and demonstrating authority through healings. The first followers learn by watching and walking with him—being formed through proximity to his words and works before being sent out in pairs to try ministry for themselves.

The call is both individual and communal. Each believer is urged to name the person God is calling them to introduce to Christ, to act concretely, and to test their faith in relationship rather than theory. The church as a body must also examine its own “nets”: inherited practices, cosmetic changes, or programs that have become substitutes for transformed lives. True fruit is measured not by signage or activity, but by life-change—people turned toward God, healed, taught, and gathered into community.

The final invitation is practical and urgent: lay down the nets that tether devotion to convenience, follow closely, learn from Jesus, and be sent. The Christian life begins with a call to follow, is formed in the company of the teacher, and bears witness outwardly by fishing for people with compassion, courage, and evidence of changed lives.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus calls ordinary people Jesus chooses fishermen—working, unremarkable men—and commissions them for extraordinary kingdom work. This democratizes vocation: holiness and mission are not reserved for the elite but for those willing to abandon comfort and follow. The call honors ordinary gifts and repurposes them for evangelism and healing. [23:57]
• 2. Leave your nets behind Following Christ requires tangible renunciations, not symbolic gestures or half-measures. Nets represent livelihoods, identities, and safety structures that can choke discipleship when kept close. True following demands courage to release what is familiar so formation can occur unencumbered. [31:38]
• 3. Learn by watching Jesus Discipleship is apprenticeship: Jesus goes before his followers, teaching and healing so they can see kingdom practice embodied. Formation happens in relationship—watching, imitating, and then being sent in partnership, not as lone experimenters. This pattern prevents premature autonomy and grounds ministry in Christ’s example. [40:06]
• 4. Fruit is seen in life change Commitment to being “fishers of people” must produce transformed lives, not merely activity or rebranding. The church’s health is measured by internal and external change—repentance, healing, and people drawn into relationship with God. Programs that do not yield disciples should be reassessed and, if necessary, let go. [43:17]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [08:15] - Announcements & Upcoming Events
• [08:58] - Opening Prayer
• [22:38] - Epiphany: Revealing Jesus
• [23:16] - Reading: Matthew 4:12-23
• [25:33] - Jesus Moves to Capernaum
• [27:34] - Light Dawns on Galilee
• [31:38] - The Call of the Fishermen
• [39:16] - Jesus Teaches and Heals
• [41:59] - Who Is Your Simon and Andrew?
• [43:17] - Measuring Fruit by Life Change
• [49:50] - Sending Forth & Benediction

Bible reading

Matthew 4:12-23 (ESV)
Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

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. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

Observation questions

1. According to the reading, what specific things did Simon, Andrew, James, and John leave behind when Jesus called them?
2. After calling these first disciples, what three activities did Jesus engage in as He went throughout Galilee (verse 23)?
3. Jesus’s move to Capernaum fulfilled a prophecy from Isaiah. What did that prophecy say would happen for the people living in darkness and in the shadow of death? [27:34]
4. What was the immediate response of both sets of brothers when Jesus called them to follow Him? [31:38]

Interpretation questions

1. Jesus calls ordinary fishermen and says, “I will make you fishers of people.” [23:57] What do you think this phrase means? How does it repurpose their existing skills and identity for a new, spiritual purpose?
2. The disciples’ response was “at once” and “immediately.” What does their instant obedience suggest about the nature of Jesus’s call and their perception of Him? Why do you think they didn’t hesitate, ask questions, or form a committee to investigate? [36:20]
3. Jesus’s first message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This was the same message John the Baptist preached. How was Jesus’s ministry and impact different from John’s, even with the same opening message? [28:20]
4. The disciples didn't try to follow Jesus while dragging their nets with them. What does this action of leaving everything behind teach us about the nature of discipleship? Why is it important not to hedge our bets or try to wedge Jesus into our existing lives? [34:12]

Application questions

1. The disciples had to lay down their nets—their livelihood, security, and identity—to follow Jesus. What are the “nets” in your own life that you feel the Spirit saying, “leave it behind”? [36:51] What would it look like for you to truly let go so you can follow Jesus more freely?
2. We were challenged to think about our “Simon and Andrew.” [41:59] Who is one specific person God has placed on your heart to introduce to Jesus? What is one practical step you could take this week to encourage them or share the love of God with them?
3. The first disciples learned by watching Jesus before they were sent out to do ministry themselves. [40:06] How can we intentionally “watch Jesus” today? What specific practices help you learn from His example in the Scriptures so you can better imitate Him in your life?
4. True fruit is measured by life change, not just by activity or changing the name on a sign. [43:17] When you look at your own life, where do you see the fruit of following Jesus? How can we as a small group help each other focus on genuine transformation rather than just “checking a box” in our spiritual lives? [34:40]
5. As a church, we must also consider what “nets” we might need to lay down. [37:55] What are some inherited practices, programs, or ways of thinking in our church that might be hindering us from being effective “fishers of people”?