Matthew 4:9-12
Introduction:
A. How many fishermen do we have here today? How many have your own gear? It costs something to be a good fisherman!
B. Today we are going to discover how to be a good fisherman, how to catch fish, God's Way!
C. The purpose of this message is to encourage you in your soul-winning efforts. To make you aware of your calling to be fishers of men. Our Lord intended for John to be a fisher of men (win men alive, Greek). This is still the purpose of the Lord with everyone of us today.
D. Here Jesus was just beginning his earthly ministry (Matt 4:12-17). He set the example in baptism, temptation and now soul-winning.
E. He is now about to "be about his Father's business." He came "to seek and save that which is lost."
F. Notice some key words and phrases here:
1. "Follow" - "Come after me…" Means to Trust Him; Imitate Him; Obey Him; Abide In Him
2. "Make You" - Placing of one's self in his hands. Potter and Clay
3. "Straightway" - didn't know much about the ministry, but they KNEW HIM!
G. There are some related passages of scriptures
1. Mark 1:17
2. Luke 5:10-11
3. John 21:1-3
H. To be successful in the fishing business, there are some needful things:
I. Fisherman Needs A Ship: (Jesus Christ)
A. A ship needs a Captain - One who knows the waters - Follow Me!
B. A ship needs a Crew - One who will follow orders - saith to them
C. A ship needs a Cause - Fishing business - Winning men alive
II. Fishermen
A. He will provide Fishing Hope - not lose reward
B. He will provide Fishing Haven - I've been in one
III. Fishermen Need A Fishing Net: (Gospel)
A. Net Draws Fish In - Jn 21:6; 11
1. Jesus said, "If I be lifted up…" - John 3:14 - The Gospel exalts the Lord Jesus. (death, burial, resurrection)
B. Net Holds All the Fish: Jn 21:11
1. Thank God, once in the Gospel Net will hold and no one will be lost.
IV. Fishermen Need A Guide: (Holy Spirit)
C. He will provide Fishing Holes - world is full of them
A. A Guide Leads - He knows where the fish are - John 16:13
B. A Guide Points - He will show the best spots - maps it out
C. A Guide is Accurate - There are no mistakes - No mistakes in God's Word
ILL: Been to Canada many times fishing!
V. Fishermen Need To Be Involved: (Service)
A. You can't catch fish is not involved
B. Involvement includes:
1. Watchfulness - lookout for fish, eagerly
2. Patient - waiting for a bite
3. Courage - not easy at times
4. Tactfulness - need to change bait at times
5. forgetfulness - keep self out of the way
CONCLUSION: Notice again, Mark 1:17 - "become" - To become fishers of men, we need to follow the Master Soul-Winner. Are you following Him today? Are you learning from Him each day? Straightway, Immediately, they left all to follow him. They left their living - their father - shows how sincere they were. What have you left to follow Jesus? If our family is not willing to be saved and serve, then we should not allow them to hinder us from following the Lord.