Fishers of Men Learning to be Fishers of Men Rev. Robert J. Smith Pastor Colonial Hills Baptist Church

Luke 5:1- 2 1  And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2  And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

Luke 5:3-4 3  And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4  Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

Luke 5:5-6 5  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6  And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

Luke 5:7-8 7  And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8  When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Luke 5:9-10 9  For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10  And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Luke 5:11 11  And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Jesus Begins Preaching 1And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

What does He preach? 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19 (KJV)

Lesson 1 – Jesus convinces Fishermen of His power 4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

Lesson 1 – Jesus convinces Fishermen of His power 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (KJV)

Lesson 2 - Jesus convicts Fishermen of their own Sin 8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Lesson 2 - Jesus convicts Fishermen of their own Sin 3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Psalm 51:3-4 (KJV)

Lesson 2 - Jesus convicts Fishermen of their own Sin 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 (KJV)

Lesson 2 - Jesus convicts Fishermen of their own Sin 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 (KJV)

Lesson 3 - Jesus Commissions Fishermen to serve Him 9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Lesson 3 - Jesus Commissions Fishermen to serve Him 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:18-19 (KJV)

Lesson 3 - Jesus Commissions Fishermen to serve Him 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 (KJV)

Lesson 4 - Jesus causes Fishermen to value Him above all else 11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Lesson 4 - Jesus causes Fishermen to value Him above all else 26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 (KJV)

Lesson 4 - Jesus causes Fishermen to value Him above all else 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

Are you focused on Catching Fish? Or Catching Men? Conclusion Are you focused on Catching Fish? Or Catching Men?