And walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon who was 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.” And they immediately left the nets, and followed Him.

Matt 4:18-20

An oft-quoted phrase in the religious world

“Fishers of men”

Symbol worn by thousands who claim to be “Fishers Of Men”

(as lapel pins, tie clasps, rings, etc.)

Some churches even have clever signs promoting this concept.

An oft-quoted phrase in the religious world

Aside from these 2 examples, what does one really learn when considering this familiar text?

“Fishers of men”

The fishermen “…immediately left their nets” and followed Jesus

We must be equally willing to leave everything else behind to follow Jesus

Kingdom work is greater than secular work

“Fishers of men”

Matt 16:24Matt 16:24

Then Jesus said to His disciples, Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow take up his cross, and follow Me.”Me.”

Col 3:2Col 3:2

Set your mind on the things Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that above, not on the things that are on earth.are on earth.

Fish are “caught” with deception (bait) Men must be “caught” with Divine truth

(no deception)

Kingdom work is different from secular work

“Fishers of men”

1 Pet 2:21-221 Pet 2:21-22

For you have been called for For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His nor was any deceit found in His mouth.mouth.

Jn 14:1-2aJn 14:1-2a

Let not your heart be troubled; Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in believe in God, believe also in Me.Me.

In My Father’s house are many In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you…so, I would have told you…

Eph 4:25Eph 4:25

Therefore, laying aside Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one for we are members of one another.another.

Col 3:9Col 3:9

Do not lie to one another, since Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with you laid aside the old self with its evil practices.its evil practices.

Fish are “caught” for their destruction Men must be “caught” for their eternal

salvation

Kingdom work is different from secular work

“Fishers of men”

Rom 1:16Rom 1:16

I am not ashamed of the gospel, I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.also to the Greek.

Jas 5:19-20Jas 5:19-20

My brethren, if any among you My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.a multitude of sins.

“Fishers of men”

If you’re already a disciple, be thankful God “caught you” for your salvation

If you’re not a follower of Jesus, please consider where you’re headed if you do not accept God’s offer

“Fishers of men”

We’re grateful for the opportunity to worship God this morning…thank you for joining us

We’re especially glad to have you if you are visiting…let us greet you before you leave

May we truly be trying to “catch men” for the kingdom of God