1 Becoming Fishers of Men Mat. 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Lk. 5:1-11

2 If We Are to Be a Follower of Jesus, We Need to be Like the Crowd Mark 1:16-20Mark 1:16-20

3 Luke 5:1 Luke 5:Luke 5: 1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,

4 If We Are to Be a Follower of Jesus, We Need to be Like the Crowd Mark 1:16-20Mark 1:16-20 Luke 5:1-11Luke 5:1-11 –The crowd pressed upon Jesus –Are you so eager to hear Jesus that you can’t wait?

5 If we are to follow Jesus, we must first become disciples International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: “a learner”; “a scholar”; “a pupil of a master”International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: “a learner”; “a scholar”; “a pupil of a master” –Are you a student of Jesus Christ? –The disciples had become intimately familiar with their master

6 Matthew 4:19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

7 If We Are to Be a Follower of Jesus, an inner change needs to take place. He turned fishermen into “fishers of men”He turned fishermen into “fishers of men” Romans 6:6Romans 6:6

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9 If We Are to Be a Follower of Jesus, an inner change needs to take place. He turned fishermen into “fishers of men”He turned fishermen into “fishers of men” Romans 6:6Romans 6:6 Once they became disciples, their lives changed dramaticallyOnce they became disciples, their lives changed dramatically Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"

10 Mark 1:17 “Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."

11 If We Are to Be a Follower of Jesus, we must be willing to develop ourselves Mark 1:16-17 says “become fishers of men” (a developing process)Mark 1:16-17 says “become fishers of men” (a developing process) Colossians 4:5-6Colossians 4:5-6

12 Luke 5:4-6 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

13 If We Are to Be a Follower of Jesus, we need to Heed Jesus’ Voice: No fish were caught until they heeded the voice of JesusNo fish were caught until they heeded the voice of Jesus Isaiah 55:8-9Isaiah 55:8-9 Hebrews 11:1Hebrews 11:1 Matthew 7:24-27Matthew 7:24-27

14 Luke 5:11 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. Matthew 4 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

15 If we become fishers of men, we will forsake all that we have, and follow Jesus Lk 1:11 “They forsook all and followed Him.”Lk 1:11 “They forsook all and followed Him.” Luke 18:18-23Luke 18:18-23

16 What does it mean to be a “fisher of men”? Andrew Already Knew How To Be a Fisher of MenAndrew Already Knew How To Be a Fisher of Men Luke 4:38-39Luke 4:38-39 John 1:35-42John 1:35-42 Andrew already knew (to some extent) what it meant to be a fisher of men.Andrew already knew (to some extent) what it meant to be a fisher of men.

17 Jesus Said… “…he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life…” (John 5:24) “…if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.“ (John 8:24) “… Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) “…whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Mat. 10:32-33) "He who and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:16) "He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:16) “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you …” (John 15:14 – live a faithful life)