“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. 19 And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.” —Mark 1:14-20
I. We must
.
Mark 1:14-18 – “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.”
Matthew 9:35 – “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”
Mark 16:15 – “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
II. We must
.
Mark 1:17-18 – “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men… And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
III. We must
.
Mark 1:18 – “And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.”
Mark 1:20 – “And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.”
John 4:35 – “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”
Take-home questions for Small Group and Family Devotions.
Why do you think Jesus chose fishermen as his first disciples?
What does it mean to you to be a “fisher of men”? How have you experienced this in your own life?
What might it look like for you to “drop your nets” and follow Jesus today in the context of sharing the gospel?
What are some common hesitations or fears you have about sharing your faith?
Who is one person in your life that you can pray for and share the gospel with? What steps will you take this week to reach out to them?