Fishers, Not Spectators

August 17, 2025

FBC Baxley

am service

Jean Davis family, Sandy Brobston pnemonia_________________________

Vision Statement: FBC Exists to Live & Share the Love of Jesus Christ, through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry & Evangelism.

** I want you to know, GOD LOVES YOU!

*It’s ok however you’ve entered, we are all here seeking God’s will, way and plan.

Some rescued, redeemed, Some Saved….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

Sermon Title: “Fishers, Not Spectators

Scripture Passage: Matthew 4:18-22

18 While walking by the Sea 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.

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

20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.

22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

-PRAY-

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Three Points:

The Call to Follow v.19

The Commission to Fish v.19

The Commitment to Forsake v.20

Main Idea: Following Jesus means fishing for souls, not sitting on the sidelines.

Introduction – Attention-Grabbing Story

In 1914, the famous Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton placed a recruitment ad in the London Times that read:

“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.”

Against all logic, hundreds applied.

Why? Because deep in the human heart is the longing for adventure—a mission worth the cost.

Shackleton wasn’t selling comfort; he was offering a cause.

When Jesus walked the shore of Galilee and called fishermen to follow Him, He wasn’t inviting them to a life of ease but to a mission of eternal significance.

And like Shackleton’s recruits, His disciples would face danger, sacrifice, and hardship—yet what they gained was far greater than what they gave up.

Context of Matthew 4:18–22

2025 Theme word: PURPOSE

Jesus is fresh from His baptism and temptation in the wilderness.

He’s now proclaiming the message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v.17).

The Sea of Galilee—actually a freshwater lake about 13 miles long—was surrounded by thriving fishing communities.

It was a place bustling with fishing activity—boats, nets, and merchants.

Andrew and Peter, James and John were ordinary working-class men.

In Greek, “Follow Me” is δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου (deute opisō mou)—a present imperative that literally means, “Come here and keep following behind Me.”

It’s not a one-time action, but a continual walk of obedience.

In Jewish culture, rabbis didn’t usually call their disciples; students sought out the rabbi.

But here, the Rabbi seeks out the students.

This is grace at work—Jesus takes the initiative.

1. The Call to Follow – “Follow Me…” (v.19)

–Discipleship begins with surrender.

Illustration: On May 24, 1738, at about 8:45 p.m., in a small meeting on Aldersgate Street in London, John Wesley listened as someone read Martin Luther’s preface to Romans.

Wesley later wrote in his journal, “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me…”

From that moment, Wesley surrendered his life fully to following Jesus.

He didn’t know where it would lead, but that night he stepped into Christ’s footprints and never looked back.

Just as Wesley’s surrender began with a personal encounter, so the disciples’ journey began when they heard the call and immediately followed.

Jesus’ first words to these fishermen are not a theological lecture, but a direct, life-changing invitation.

The call was personal (“Follow Me”), relational (not “follow rules,” but “follow a person”), and ongoing.

The word for “follow” (akoloutheō) means “to accompany as a disciple” and carries the sense of walking in step with someone—sharing their path, priorities, and purpose.

This is not about partial commitment—it’s about full surrender.

Surrender means Jesus becomes the compass, the captain, and the course of our life.

Illustration: A child following a parent in deep snow steps directly into the parent’s footprints to avoid sinking.

In the same way, discipleship means stepping where Jesus steps—trusting His direction, even when you can’t see the whole path.

Application: Some follow Jesus at a distance—close enough to feel safe, far enough to feel comfortable.

But the closer you walk, the clearer His voice and the more certain your steps.

Quote: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”

Surrender is the gateway to transformation.

II. The Commission to Fish – “I will make you fishers of men.” (v.19)

—Jesus equips us to evangelize.

Illustration: On October 8, 1871, at around 7:30 p.m., evangelist Dwight L. Moody was preaching in Chicago at Farwell Hall. His message focused on Matthew 27:22—“What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?”

He closed by telling the crowd to “go home and think about it” and come back next week to decide.

That very night, the Great Chicago Fire broke out, destroying much of the city and killing hundreds.

Moody never saw many of those listeners again.

From that moment, Moody vowed never again to tell people to “think about it” without urging them to decide for Christ immediately.

He had learned the urgency of being a “fisher of men” on the spot.

Here in Matthew verse 19 we see a promise, not a burden—“I will make you”.

Jesus doesn’t just call us to a mission; He forms us for it.

We are not born natural evangelists; we are made into them by walking with Christ.

Original Language Insight: The phrase ἁλιεῖς ἀνθρώπων (halieis anthrōpōn) means “catchers of people.”

Just as fishermen pulled fish out of one environment into another, so evangelism pulls people from the realm of darkness into the light of Christ.

Illustration: A lifeguard isn’t posted at the beach to admire the scenery—he’s there to watch for people in trouble, ready to rescue.

In the same way, believers are stationed in the world to watch for souls in spiritual danger and pull them to safety.

Deeper Application: We can’t be fishers of men if we never leave the comfort of the shore.

The boat may rock, the waters may be deep, but Jesus promised to be with us “to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

Evangelism is not optional—it’s the overflow of walking with Jesus.

3. The Commitment to Forsake – “Immediately they left their nets…” (v.20)

–Soul-winning requires sacrifice and priority.

Illustration: On January 8, 1956, at a sandbar along the Curaray River in Ecuador, five young missionaries—Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian—were speared to death by the Huaorani tribe they were trying to reach with the gospel.

They had left behind homes, careers, and safety to bring Christ to those who had never heard His name.

Jim Elliot had written in his journal years earlier, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

They literally forsook their “nets” for the sake of Christ—and in the years following, their story inspired thousands to missions.

When Peter and Andrew heard Jesus’ call, they didn’t schedule a meeting to “pray about it.”

The text says they left their nets immediately (eutheōs—“straightway, without delay”). This is urgent obedience.

The nets represented their livelihood, identity, and security.

To follow Jesus, they had to let go of what was familiar.

Sometimes our “nets” may be habits, ambitions, or comforts that keep us tied to the shore.

Illustration: During World War II, soldiers boarding a transport ship didn’t bring along their household furniture or sports equipment—they traveled light because the mission was urgent.

Likewise, following Jesus often means traveling light in this world.

Deeper Application: There’s no such thing as casual Christianity.

Jesus doesn’t ask for a portion of our time and energy—He demands the throne of our heart.

And when He’s on the throne, everything else falls into place.

Quote: Hudson Taylor: “Christ is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all.”

You can’t cling to the nets and take hold of His hand at the same time.

Conclusion – Three Life Applications

Answer His Call Today – Like Wesley on May 24, 1738, don’t delay your surrender.

Share the Gospel Intentionally – Learn from Moody’s October 8, 1871, regret—speak now while you have the chance.

Hold Your Nets Loosely – Be willing, like Jim Elliot on January 8, 1956, to give up anything for Christ’s mission.

—Obedience delayed is obedience denied.

Final Challenge: The greatest danger to the mission is not the hostility of the world, but the apathy of the church.

Jesus didn’t call you to be a sideline spectator—He called you into the deep waters of soul-winning.

The question is not whether you’ve been called; the question is how you will respond today.

The only question that remains is—are you in the boat?

-Pray

-Invitation