Lake Encounters with Jesus: A Life-Transforming Invitation

People enjoy the lake for many reasons: recreation, rest, recharge and reconnect with others and with God (i.e. devotions)

Message title: Lake Encounters with Jesus: A life-transforming invitation.

Our passage today takes place on a lake. Jesus is going to extend a life transforming invitation to a group of fishermen that is going to change the course of their lives and the course of world history.

The amazing thing is that this invitation extends to the 21st century. Jesus invites us to partner with him in his mission to bring transformation into the world with the power of the gospel.

Read Passage (Matthew 4:18-22)

Background: Geography & Culture

The Sea of Galilee

It’s a lake. Shoreline: 33 mi (53 km). Lake Minnewaska 20 miles (32 km) of shoreline.

Northern Israel | Region of Galilee where Jesus spent most of his life and ministry

Matthew 4:13 tells us that Jesus left Nazareth [his hometown] and moved to Capernaum by the Lake of Galilee. Why did Jesus moved to the lake?

To fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy that a great light would dawn in Galilee (vv. 14-16). Jesus moved to the lake to launch his ministry with this simple message: “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” (v.17)

While walking by the [Lake] of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.” (v.18)

“And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James and John his brother, in the boat with their father, mending their nets.” (v.21)

Ray Vander Laan, “They Left their nets.”

Fishermen used nets to fish. One of the most important skills of fishermen was making and mending nets. Made of linen, these nets had to be carefully cleaned and dried each day or they would quickly rot and wear out.

[One type of net is the] circular cast net which measured up to 25 feet in diameter and was thrown into the water from the shore or a boat. Simon and Andrew were using this type of net when Jesus called them (Mark 1:16-18).

Fishermen of Jesus' day also used a hook and line. Jesus told Peter to cast a hook, catch a fish, and get a shekel from its mouth (Matt. 17:24-27).

Picture Jesus walking by the Lake of Galilee. He sees two fishermen Peter and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake. He gives them an invitation. The same invitation he will give to two other brothers on the same day. This is the same invitation that Jesus is giving to all of us today:

Matthew 4:19 “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.””

A follower of Jesus is a disciple.

A disciple is someone who is fully committed to following Jesus, is being transformed into Christ-likeness and together with other believers, seek to accomplish the mission of Jesus.

A disciple is someone who is fully committed to following Jesus

Jesus said, “Follow me.”

“Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” (Matt 4:20)

Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” (Matt 4:22)

Matthew 9:9 “As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.”

The words “follow me” is an invitation. A disciple of Jesus is someone who is fully committed to following Jesus. In other words, Jesus leads and we follow him.

We are never promised that following Jesus would be easy:

Matthew 10:38 “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2 that prior following Jesus we used to “follow the world, follow the devil and follow the flesh”

Following Jesus means that we turn our back to the world and our lives now are surrendered and committed to Jesus and his cause.

Have you surrendered everything to Christ? Believe and repent.

Is being transformed into Christ-likeness

Jesus said, “follow me, and I will make you...”

Jesus promises that those who follow him will be transformed by Jesus.

I love that. We don’t have to be the agents of transformation. Jesus will do that for us.

John 15:4-5 “4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:7-8 “7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

Are you allowing the power of the gospel to transform your life? Abide in the presence of God through prayer and the Word.

And together with other believers, seek to accomplish the mission of Jesus.

Matthew 4:19 “19 And [Jesus] said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.””

Jesus invites us to partner with him in his mission to bring transformation into the world with the power of the gospel.

We are to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20)

Investing in people to experience Christ’s transforming power, together.

How to share Jesus with others?

Mark 5:19 “ “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.””

Who will you share Jesus with this week?

Have you surrendered everything to Christ? Believe and repent.

The next step: be baptized!