Fishers of Men
Publish date: 02/26/2017
Foundation Scriptures:
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21 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. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. Matthew 4:18-22 KJV
1. You have a ministry!
a. A ministry of reconciliation.
b. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
2. Fellowship together.
a. Acts 2:42 KJV – “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
b. It is not good to live as an island – separated from others.
c. Iron sharpens iron.
d. Proverbs 27:17
e. Fellowship is one way that we will come into the unity of the faith.
f. Ephesians 4:2-3 KJV – “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
g. Ephesians 4:13 KJV – “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
h. 1 John 1:7 KJV – “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
i. We are to encourage one another.
j. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV – “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
3. Praying together.
a. Prayer produces intimacy with Jesus!
b. Psalm 34:4 KJV – “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
c. We must pray for each other.
d. As we do, it brings us closer together.
e. It’s hard to criticize someone for whom you genuinely pray.
f. James 5:16
g. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
h. Ephesians 6:18-19
4. Caring for one another.
a. We must lovingly express care for each other.
b. Helping each other run the race.
c. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 KJV – “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”
d. Galatians 6:2-5 KJV – “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.”
e. We should care for others and help them with their big burden - even as they do their part.
f. We can love people, encourage them, and help them when they need help.
g. Each person must also carry their own small burden - take responsibility for his/her own life.
h. Hebrews 10:24-25
5. Evangelism.
a. Reaching out to our neighbors in our neighborhood.
b. We must reach out to our neighbors and tell them the Good News.
c. Jesus told us to go into all the world, preach the Gospel, and make disciples.
d. Matthew 28:19
e. Mark 16:15
f. Proverbs 11:30 KJV – “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
g. You must preach the Gospel before you can make disciples.
h. When you become a disciplined follower, you will become a fisher of men!
6. Discipleship.
a. Discipleship causes the saints to mature, producing more fruit!
b. Matthew 28:19-20
c. Matthew 10:38-39 KJV – “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
d. Matthew 4:19 KJV – “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
e. A true disciple of Jesus continues on in His Word, loves the believers, and bears much fruit.
f. John 8:31-32 KJV – “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
g. John 13:35 KJV – “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
h. John 15:8 KJV – “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
i. We are looking for fruit that will remain, fruit in your own life, and fruit that you will help develop in others.
j. We desire eternal fruit that will remain for the Kingdom of God.
7 What benefits will I receive from being in a discipleship relationship?
a. You will experience growth in knowledge and spiritual understanding.
b. You will have mature leaders praying for you and your family.
c. You will develop new Christian friends.
d. You will learn to be a part of the vision.
e. You will learn how to minister to others.
f. You will be known by church leadership.
g. You will learn how to witness and to win souls.
h. You will experience the blessing of unity.
i. You will learn commitment, faithfulness, and accountability.
j. You will discover the gifts and talents that God has given to you!
8. You know that you’re discipling people like Jesus did, if your disciples are making disciples!
a. John 15:8-14
b. As you disciple others, you will continue to grow and produce more fruit in your own life, resulting in more joy!