The Fisherman

Peter, the great apostle to the Jews, and Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles, were not teaching or doing two different things but were actually one in their doctrine and work.

James Montgomery Boice

Let’s start this series in a word of prayer.

For this year, we will be diving into a series called the Traveling Soldiers. It will give us the life, travels and letters written by the apostles Peter and Paul. We will go in Chronological order of their lives and their works. If I quote or use any source outside the bible to give us a view of where they were or something important, I will let you know and where it came from.

As of right now, we are going to be studying Peter for 10 weeks and Paul for 20 weeks.

Now this is just my planning, and as everyone is well aware...Man makes plan and God laughs.

I will go until the Holy Spirit says this sponge is rung out .

We are starting with the Apostle Peter.

We will be looking at verses Matthew 4:18-20, Luke 5:1-11, and John 1:40-42.

This is the first encounters Peter has with Christ. Now we must be aware that the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke are of second hand telling of the story. John’s Gospel is the only first hand knowledge of the account.

Matthew’s Gospel was given to him by Papias and Irenaeus. And Luke’s Gospel was given to him by Jesus mother Mary and Theophilus, then his own account later in the book of Acts.

We will start with a picture of Peter.

Insert the picture of Peter from the Chosen

Insert the picture of the old portrait of Peter.

As you can see, he doesn’t look like what we see in the Chosen, but this representation fits what the Jews looked like at that time. It is believed that Peter would have been the oldest of the 12 original Apostles.

Now today’s message will be all

Wood for the Fire

Let’s get started with John 1:40-42

John 1:40–42 CSB

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated “the Christ”), and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated “Peter”).

Now this is believed to be the first encounter of Peter and Jesus.

And there is something we need to pay attention to here and it is our first point for today.

Evangelism Requires An Encounter

The church today thinks if we open the doors, they will come.

This is not “Field of Dreams”!

The first step in evangelism is bringing people into a direct personal encounter with Christ.

This sometimes easiest when there is a closeness to the one presenting.

This is seen when it is Peter’s brother Andrew that takes the action to bring Simon Peter to Jesus.

We see in this verse that it takes the three “P”s of evangelism.

Priorities

Andrew knew in his heart he saw the Messiah. The Christ. The one who would save the world.

And his priority was to spread that news. And that was just by seeing Him for just a moment.

Today, we have the full Gospel sitting in our hands and in our hearts, and we keep it too ourselves.

This 2026, make it a priority to win souls for the kingdom of God.

Profession

We have found the Messiah!

Back then there were no set of rules. Andrew just knew and he had to tell those closest to him.

Today, we think that we must follow a set of rules to evangelize.

The great need in the church is for a spirit of evangelism, not just a spurt of evangelism.

John Blanchard

The greatest gift to someone is to lead them into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Procedure

It’s about friendship and authentic sharing, not pressure or debate.

You are not there to save them. You can’t only the Holy Spirit can do that. Your job is not to change there mind or debate their beliefs. Your job is to present the Gospel in your words and your actions.

Let me repeat that...in your words and your actions.

Andrew went to his own brother...witnessing starts at home, where your words and actions are kept in secret.

Now this was Peter’s first encounter with Christ. Let’s look at the next by looking at the next verse.

Luke 5:1–11 CSB

As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, he was standing by Lake Gennesaret. He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land. Then he sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.” When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’s knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners. “Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him.

Now I have heard many a sermon on this message and it is usually about obedience bring abundance.

And I can see that in this set of verses, but something that stands out and it is something that is often by passed because of the rest of the message.

2. Our Response

It is the part where Peter says, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!”

The awe, the conviction and the reverence that Peter showed at that moment is inspiring and concerning for the modern church.

Let me explain.

As a pastor, I invite people to church all the time.

One of the excuses I hear is “I want to clean up my act first, then I will come to church.”

Basically they are saying what Peter said, “Pastor, get away from me because I know I am sinful.”

My response is the same as Christ response. Do not be afraid.

Do not be afraid to come as you are. Christ message of mercy and grace is for everyone. Everyone of us in the seats and standing at the pulpit are sinners and we are all the time.

All fall short!

I can almost hear Peter screaming this...there is an exclamation point there.

Then I can hear Jesus in a tone that can calm the seas, Peter I know. I can still use you because you do not see yourself the way I see you.

I hear this because I was in Peter’s shoes when I first came to know Christ.

I can still remember hearing Jesus tell me, David I know, It will be ok.

Let’s look at our last verse and our last wood for the fire today

Matthew 4:18–20 CSB

As he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter), and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Repeat “Immediately they left their nets and followed him!”

3. A Decisive Commitment

Dani, the girls, and myself have decided that we want to continue to get healthier in 2026.

So we made a commitment to go to the gym, to eat better, to budget better. These are not new year resolutions. This is not a new year/new me type of statement.

This is us saying “It is time for us to be better stewards of the things God has given us.”

Peter and the boys made a decision. I will follow Christ because He has called me to something so much better.

We must realize everything we are and have is from Him. We have decided to follow Him.

He has given me an amazing family, will I follow Him so I can be the husband and father they need me to be.

He gave me this body, will I follow Him to make it better spiritually and physically.

He gave me two awesome jobs, will I follow Him so I can be the best at both.

He gave me my paychecks, will I follow Him so I can do what’s right with that money.

He gave me a heart to worship, will I follow Him so I can give Him my all.

What has He given you and are you willing to follow Him thrugh it all?