Matthew 4:1-50 , Four Fishermen Called

Matthew 4:18-50: Four Fishermen Called.

Matthew 4:19-20: And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

Peter, Andrew, John, and James left their nets and followed Jesus.

We respond by faith. Our faith should increase. Our faith increases by reading and practicing God’s Word.

Peter cast his net when told. He gained faith.

Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Christian begins with faith and continues with faith. By faith we are saved. Our faith increases by spending time in God’s Word.

Luke 5:10: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

We need to be fishers of men. We need to spend time with Jesus and walk close to Him--to imitate him.

Psalm 126:5: They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

A full surrender. [Mark 10:21: Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me]. This is not self-denial but denying oneself. We override what we want with what Christ wants.

Follow me. Peter learns what he must do for Christ. [John 21:15-19: So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy han ds, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me].

What is our response to following Jesus?

We need to follow Him all the way.

Luke 18:22: Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Matthew 9:9: And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Matthew 4:19: And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Mark 10:21: Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.