Allow Me to Re-introduce Myself!

Matthew 4:18-20 NKJV

"18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Matthew 16:16-18 NKJV

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."

Let us pray…..

Introduction

Transformative Encounter with Jesus

Walk with me if you will as we open up this text. Picture the scene, if you will. We are at the Sea of Galilee the fisherman are getting their nets ready and we find two brothers Simon, who is also known as Peter, and Andrew. They are fishermen by trade, casting their nets into the sea, hoping for a good catch. It's a scene of ordinary life, of daily routine and work. But this ordinary day is about to become extraordinary.

Jesus, the Son of God, walks by. He sees these two brothers at work, and He calls out to them. His words are simple. "Follow Me," He says, "and I will make you fishers of men." It's a call that will change their lives forever.

Now, let's pause for a moment and consider this. Jesus didn't choose the religious elite or the scholars of the law. He didn't choose the rich or the powerful. He chose ordinary men, fishermen, to be His disciples. During the time of Jesus, fishermen were generally considered to be lower-class or working-class individuals. Fishermen were known for their physical strength, perseverance, and skill in navigating the waters to catch fish. They often worked long hours in difficult conditions, facing the unpredictability of the sea and weather. Jesus, saw something in them, He sees something in you, a potential for greatness!

This is the first aspect we need to understand. Jesus sees us, not as we are, but as we can be. He sees beyond our flaws, our mistakes, our past. He sees our potential, our worth, our value. He sees us as His children, created in His image, capable of great things.

This encounter with Jesus is transformative. It changes Simon and Andrew's lives completely. They leave their nets, their livelihood, their old life behind and they follow Jesus. They choose to answer His call. They choose to step out in faith and follow Him.

This brings us to the second aspect. Following Jesus requires a decision. It's a choice we have to make. It's a step of faith we have to take. It's not always easy. It may require us to leave our comfort zones, to let go of our old ways, to embrace a new way of life. But it's a choice that leads to transformation.

Simon and Andrew's decision to follow Jesus leads them on an incredible journey. They witness miracles, they hear profound teachings, and they experience the love and grace of God in ways they never imagined. They are transformed from ordinary fishermen to extraordinary disciples, fishers of men.

The third aspect we need to understand is that following Jesus leads to transformation. It changes us from the inside out. It shapes our character, our values, our priorities. It gives us a new purpose, a new mission, a new identity.

But this transformation is not a result of our own efforts. It's not about trying harder or doing more. It's about surrendering to Jesus, allowing Him to work in us and through us. It's about relying on His strength, His wisdom, His grace.

This is the fourth aspect. Transformation is a work of God. It's His Spirit working in us, shaping us, molding us into the image of Christ. It's His grace that empowers us, His love that changes us, His truth that sets us free.

The Call to Follow Faithfully

The call to follow Jesus is not a passive invitation. It's an active, dynamic, life-altering command. It's a call that demands our attention, our commitment, and our obedience. It's a call that interrupts our daily routine, our comfort zones, and our preconceived notions. It's a call that challenges us to step out of the boat, to leave our nets behind, and to embark on a journey of faith.

When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, He didn't promise them an easy path. He didn't promise them wealth, fame, or success as the world defines it. Instead, He promised them a new purpose, a new mission. "I will make you fishers of men." This was not just a change of occupation, but a change of identity. They were known as fishermen; they were identified as fishermen. They were no longer just fishermen, but fishers of men. Their lives were no longer about catching fish, but about catching people for the kingdom of God.

This call to follow Jesus faithfully is not just for Peter and Andrew. It's for each one of us. It's a call that echoes through the centuries, reaching out to us in our own Sea of Galilee, in the midst of our daily routine, our comfort zones, and our preconceived notions. It's a call that challenges us to step out of our boat, to leave our nets behind, and to follow Jesus faithfully.

The Greek word for "follow" used in this passage is "akoloutheo." This word carries the idea of joining one's self to another in a journey, to accompany for the purpose of imitating. It's used in several other passages in the New Testament. For instance, in Mark 8:34, Jesus says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Here, "akoloutheo" is used to emphasize the cost of discipleship, the self-denial, and the cross bearing that is required to follow Jesus.

In John 10:27, Jesus says, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." Here, "akoloutheo" is used to depict the intimate relationship between the shepherd and his sheep, the mutual recognition, and the trust that leads to following.

The call to follow Jesus faithfully is not a call to a destination, but a call to a person. It's not about where we are going, but about who we are following. It's not about the path we are taking, but about the footsteps we are tracing. It's not about the journey, but about the journeyman.

The call to follow Jesus faithfully is not a call to perfection, but a call to progression. It's not about being flawless, but about being faithful. It's not about getting it all right, but about getting up each time we fall. It's not about the absence of mistakes, but about the presence of grace.

True Identity in Christ

Our identity in Christ is not something we earn or achieve. It's not about our accomplishments, our failures, our status, or our self-perception. Our identity in Christ is a divine gift, a sacred truth that we need to embrace and live out.

Firstly, we need to understand that our identity in Christ means we are loved. In Romans 5:8, the Bible tells us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This is a love that is unconditional, unchanging, and unending. It's a love that doesn't depend on our performance or our worthiness. It's a love that was willing to pay the ultimate price for our redemption. As we grasp this truth, we begin to see ourselves not as the world sees us, but as God sees us - loved beyond measure.

Secondly, our identity in Christ means we are forgiven. Ephesians 1:7 says, "In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." We all have a past. We all have made mistakes. But in Christ, our past does not define us. Our mistakes do not have the final say. We are forgiven, washed clean, and made new.

Thirdly, our identity in Christ means we are empowered. Philippians 4:13 declares, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." In Christ, we are not helpless. We are not victims. We are victors. We have the power to overcome, to endure, to persevere. We have the power to live a life that is pleasing to God, a life that reflects His love and grace.

Lastly, our identity in Christ means we have a purpose. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We are not accidents. We are not here by chance. We are here for a purpose, a divine purpose that God has uniquely designed for each one of us.

So, my brothers and sisters, as we embrace our true identity in Christ – that we are loved, we are forgiven, we are empowered, and we have purpose - let's allow these truths to shape our lives. Let's live out these truths in our daily interactions, in our decisions, in our attitudes, and in our responses. Let's allow our identity in Christ to be the foundation of our lives, the lens through which we see ourselves and the world around us. Let's allow our identity in Christ to be the driving force that propels us forward in our walk with God.