Answering the Call

Robert Ferguson

Revival Baptist Church

Mark 2026 • Sermon • Submitted 7 days ago • Presented 6 days ago

Mark 1:16–20

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Mark 1:16–17 KJV 1900

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. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Mark 1:18–19 KJV 1900

Mark 1:20 KJV 1900

And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

Introduction

In our passage, we see the calling of four of the disciples. These four men, each in their own way, were central to the early church. We will see what began their commitment to Jesus this morning.

Mark was likely the first Gospel written. Under the inspiration of God, he writes with an intent to point his readers toward the Cross and the Empty Tomb. Those who read are faced with a question: who is this Jesus?

As we grow in our walk with God this year, we want to be Following in the Life of Faith. That means that we must begin with the correct Person to put our faith in. Mark gives us the message of Jesus to all people.

Mark 1:14–15 KJV 1900

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Will you commit each day to believe God and His promises? Will you confess your sins and choose to grow in relationship to Him? If you have not yet, will you believe in Him for salvation? Let’s Follow in the Life of Faith this year and see God do what He says He will!

The Gospel of Mark began with the ministry of John the Baptist. He pointed to the One coming who was greater than him. The Gospel continued with Jesus’ baptism, temptation and preaching. The next pericope or story portion of this gospel is the calling of His first disciples. Together, these men will learn from Jesus through the teaching, healing, and leading ahead.

Discipleship is a commitment to leave our own way and follow His. Discipleship is a decision to make Him the priority daily in our hearts and minds. Discipleship is a pursuit of the road toward the Cross and upward to the Heavenly City. Later in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus speaks more of this discipleship,

Mark 8:34–36 KJV 1900

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

We have a choice this morning whether to make a commitment to follow Him alone. So many Christians today are casual in their obedience to Jesus. Nothing anyone can say or do would change their way of life. For them, salvation is nothing but an end to a life that would lead to Hell. Jesus calls us this morning to a life that leads closer to Him and upward to heaven. Will you consider this discipleship this morning?

Declaration

Jesus called these men to follow Him. There was an immediate response in committing to Him. Today, we must move to this greater commitment that is a life of discipleship following Jesus.

1. The Call of Discipleship

Mark 1:16–17 KJV 1900

Jesus is traveling out of the place where He was preaching in verse 15. He has arrived at the major body of water in the area, the Sea of Galilee. This is the heart of the Jewish fishing trade. Here Jesus begins to touch the lives of individual people beginning with His disciples. Jesus is going to give to these men the Call of Discipleship.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus speaks to crowds and to individuals. John emphasizes the ministry of Jesus to individuals through the stories of the Samaritan Woman and Nicodemus. Mark does the same by showing the training of the disciples through the ministry of Jesus. Today, Jesus still deals with us as individuals who ought to be growing in our faith as we follow Him.

Verse 16 tells us that Jesus saw the two men, Simon and Andrew, fishing on the side of the Sea of Galilee. This is the job that they have chosen for themselves and they seem to be very good at it. Yet, Jesus is about to ask them to give it all up to follow Him.

We don’t like to give things up. I think in my own life of things that I have held onto because I felt like there was some need for them or they made me feel secure. I used to have every bulletin from the two colleges I attended. I remember going through them and deciding to get rid of them. I kept the outlines but I don’t need the announcements and prayer lists. The most important thing to hold onto was what God had spoken to me about.

Over the years, I have found that many of the things we most closely hold onto are just objects and not necessities. That is what Jesus is about to show to these men. When we hold onto something other than Jesus, we are making an idol of that object. We are following it instead of our Master. Do you have things that make you feel secure that you need to remove from your life and stop clinging to?

Jesus speaks to the men in verse 17. He makes a two part statement that has great application to us today. We will look at each of the parts.

A. Come Ye After Me

The first part of what Jesus said is a command to these two men. They are working hard under the sun as they fish for their livelihood. They needed to be present in the boat and in the water to carry out this occupation. Jesus says to them, “Come ye after me.”

The life of discipleship cannot be lived in our own place or our own occupation. When we make decisions of jobs or homes, cars or friends, on our own and not following Jesus, we are not living the life of discipleship. Jesus calls us to come after Him.

Jesus wants us to leave our own ways and seek His way. Jesus calls us to turn from our own hearts and toward His heart. Jesus called these men to get up and go where He would lead them. This was as much a desire for their presence with Him and their desire for His presence with Him. Paul reminds us,

Ephesians 5:1–2 KJV 1900

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

The Sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the destination that they are moving to. Yet, even in the doubts that they would have had in this ending, they will learn that God is there with them. God’s power is most visible when we are following Him and keeping our eyes on Him alone. The presence of God is what we need today to see His power and glory shown in King William County. If we want Him here with us, we must follow Him. These men are called here, just as we are, to come after Him!

B. I Will Make You to Become Fishers of Men

The second part of Jesus’ statement is a promise. He commands them to follow after Him and they will receive a change of occupation. Instead of fishermen as a livelihood, these two men will be catching men away from judgment.

The presence of Jesus in their lives was what made this difference. Before they were doing their best for themselves. God wants us to be diligent in our secular jobs and be a good example of a Christian in how we treat others. However, when they are called by Jesus to follow Him, His presence will make their greatest focus one of salvation for lost men.

These men were all fishermen already. Jesus took them from something that they knew to a spiritual meaning that He had for them in verse 17. The word “fishers” is used for their present physical occupation and their future spiritual occupation. This new designation as a “fisher of men” has a new objective. Jesus says that they will “become” fishers of men. This is a process that will involve a change from what they were before and a movement steadily to what He desires them to be. One writer tells us,

An Exegetical Summary of Mark 1–8 Mark 1:17–18

The goal of a fisher of men is to gain more disciples as he rescues them from judgment [NIGTC].

Judgment was the context of fishing in the Old Testament. When used as metaphor, fishing was taking men from their sin to the wrath of God. This is used several times in the Prophets. However, the ministry that Jesus calls to is instead drawing men to changed lives by His salvation. Jeremiah tells us,

Jeremiah 16:15–17 KJV 1900

But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

Jesus has a future in mind that is only available through salvation in Him alone. All men are sinners. As Jeremiah says, the sin of each and every person is visible before God. Because of our sin, we are unable to have interaction with God. He is holy and we are corrupted. Jesus came to change this situation. He lived a perfect life and died on the cross for our sin. He was buried and rose again. He has satisfied the wrath of God.

This is what Jesus means by “fishers of men.” These men are called to prepare men for the kingdom by taking them from the wrath that they deserve because of their sin and toward the salvation in Jesus. Thus, Jesus can say,

Matthew 13:47–50 KJV 1900

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The call to discipleship has two elements: the Presence of Jesus and the salvation of those who are lost. Our Christian lives are simplified in these two elements. As we follow Jesus, we learn how to live out His love to the world. He changes our lives. As we fish for men, we are offering to those we meet a personal relationship with Jesus. Will these men answer the call to discipleship? Will you?

2. The Courage of Discipleship

Mark 1:18–20 KJV 1900

And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

The rest of verses 18-20 show the reaction of Simon and Andrew as well as the calling and obedience of John and James. These four men are examples of how we should respond to the call of discipleship. Responding in faith lives out the Courage of Discipleship.

A. The Immediate Obedience

In verse 18, we see these men do not hesitate. They drop what they are doing and follow Jesus. There is a immediate priority change because they have heard the words of Jesus.

I remember when I was about 11 or 12, Mom changed how she wanted us to respond as kids. Growing up, I was taught to respond respectfully to adults with “yes sir” or “no ma’m.” Mom told us kids that we were to respond with “yes ma’m I am coming” from now on. The reason that she gave for this change was that obedience that is not immediate is not obedience at all.

Jesus says the same thing to us this morning. Obedience that is not immediate is not obedience at all. These men left what they valued and what provided for their needs. They left it all behind when Jesus called to them. Let us live today with loose grips on what God only has given us!

The response that the men have is one that shows that they counted their belongings, occupation and selfish pursuits as nothing compared to following Jesus. There is a parallel here with the calling of Elisha to follow Elijah the prophet. Rabbis at this time would have received those who came to them as followers. Jesus calls His disciples to Him instead. Listen to the calling of Elisha,

1 Kings 19:19–21 KJV 1900

So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

God had told Elijah where to find Elisha. When he places his mantle over him, Elisha leaves his old farm and follows his new leader. This is the response that Jesus wants of us. Verse 18 says “straightway they forsook their nets.” One preacher tells us,

Sermon Starters, Volume 2 First—The Fervency for the Lord

“Straightway” is a word of passion. When you do something immediately, you are earnest about it.

These men were quick to obey and give their energy in following Jesus. The word “followed” is discipleship. Jesus is now the One who guides their steps and their lives. He is the One who goes before them and teaches them along the way.

Mark 3:14 KJV 1900

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

The immediate obedience was a result of wanting the Presence of God in their lives. They went to where He was. They followed Him to where He wanted them to be.

B. The Priority of the Master

Verses 19-20 tell us the story of Jesus calling John and James. They were preparing their nets for the next time that they would go fishing. Jesus calls them away from their father and their occupation. They immediately come after Him.

The call of Jesus in verse 20 is the call we have today. Commit to Jesus and be a follower of Him! This is not just a belief in Him for salvation. This is not just a causal interest in church or faith. This is to allow the new life that you have in Jesus to bring you out of your old life and into the adventure of following Him!

Matthew 4:21 KJV 1900

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

We have a call today to be committed followers of Jesus. The choice is yours and the choice is mine. We have our ways and our desires or we have His calling.

We see that these four men made their choice to follow Jesus. The word “went” in verse 20 is used by the Gospel writers for discipleship as well. Going with Jesus meant that their lives had changed and they were no longer sticking with what they had before or what they desired before. No matter where you are in your journey with Jesus, you have a choice this morning whether to commit to a greater level of faith in following Him.

The disciples will see many wonderful things in the years ahead. Their lives are changed because they are lived in the way that Jesus is leading them. So it can be for us if we take the steps behind Him.

Matthew–Luke Response

His authority leads to character-forming impact on his disciples and has an incapacitating effect on satanic powers.

The courage of discipleship is obeying His call immediately and making Him the priority in our journey of faith. There are many priorities that we must arrange each and every day. He must be our greatest. We can do many things with our lives. Obeying His call on our lives is the greatest and the choice that will affect eternity. Will we choose the courage of discipleship to follow after Jesus this morning?

Conclusion

Jesus called these men to follow Him. There was an immediate response in committing to Him. Today, we must move to this greater commitment that is a life of discipleship following Jesus.

We have a simple choice between what we have and what we want or what who He is and what He plans for us. Bob Jones, Sr., once said, “Only two choices on the shelf - pleasing God or pleasing self.” That is true today. We have a choice to wake up from our apathy and turn from our selfishness and get up and follow Him. We have a call to be disciples today, will we answer it?

Mark 8:34 KJV 1900

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Believer, will you get up and follow Jesus this morning? Will you listen to the call to be with Him and fish for men? Will you make Him the priority and obey immediately when He calls to you? This year we want to be Following in the Life of Faith. This is discipleship. Will you follow Him today? Make the commitment and stick with it!

Unbeliever, Jesus is clear that He is the only way of salvation. Nothing we can do on our own will get us to heaven. We are fallen people. We have sin in our lives that does not allow us to have fellowship with God. Jesus is the way of salvation. Will you put your faith in Him alone today? The way of discipleship begins with believing in Jesus for salvation.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

How will you answer the call? You must make the choice. The call of discipleship takes courage to follow in faith. Believe today!

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1150 Christ Has No Hands

Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today

He has no feet but our feet to lead men in the way

He has no tongue but our tongue to tell men how He died

He has no help but our help to bring them to His side.

We are the only Bible the careless world will read,

We are the sinner’s gospel; we are the scoffer’s creed;

We are the Lord’s last message, given in word and deed;

What if the type is crooked? What if the print is blurred?