THE CALL OF THE FOUR FISHERMEN
Matthew 4: 18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5: 1-11; John 21 : 1 – 11
∗ “Follow me, I will make you fishers of men.”
∗ That was the call given to the two pairs of brothers.
∗ “Straightaway” and “immediately” were the words that described their actions of the disciples.
∗ They left their everything (nets which is the main tool of earning and their families) and followed Jesus.
∗ Is it wonderful?
JESUS’ MINISTRY
∗ Jesus begins His public ministry as John the Baptist was completing his.
∗ Jesus continues John’s message.
∗ Their message is the Kingdom of God is near.
∗ So people should repent and believe the good news.
∗ The good news is twofold:
1. Because of Jesus, the kingdom has come to earth.
2.Through Jesus, the salvation is given to all who believe.
THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISH
THE SITUATION
∗ Jesus was preaching to the people by the lake of Gennesaret.
∗ Two ships were standing by the lake.
∗ The fishermen had gone out of the ship to wash their nets, since they caught no fish.
∗ Jesus entered in Simon’s ship and started preaching.
∗ After He left speaking, he asked Simon to launch out into the deep sea, and let down their nets for a draught.
∗ There was a sort of hesitation from Simon’s side.
BECAUSE……
1. The fishermen were exhausted.
2. They had already washed their net.
3. Night is the best time to fish. Broad daylight is the worst time to fish. It was daylight.
DISCIPLES’ OBEDIENCE AND THE REWARD
∗ The disciples threw the net in the deep sea.
∗ The catch was miraculous.
WHAT A MIRACULOUS GOD WE HAVE!
* Not only they (James, John and Peter) left their fishing and became the disciples of Jesus, but also they became the FISHERS OF MEN!
THE RISEN CHRIST IS THE MASTER OF OUR SERVICE
John 21 : 1 -11
∗ After Jesus’ resurrection, He is in His glorified body and only appears to those who know Him.
∗ Seven disciples are fishing. But they are not going back to their old trade; they continue to fish in the transition time.
∗ Jesus is not with the disciples daily. So they are waiting for the Holy Spirit to empower them to preach.
∗ When the disciples have gone for a catch, they could catch any fish.
∗ Jesus shows them the place where to catch; they have a big catch and the net is heavy.
∗ After the miraculous catch, John realises that the man on the shore is Jesus.
WHO ELSE CONTROLS THE FISH OF THE OCEAN?
∗ The disciples are left to carry their loads of fish in by themselves. But look at Peter’s zeal. Peter is swimming to the shore!
BEING FISHERS OF MEN….
∗ It is a more excellent and honourable employment, because men, and the souls of men, are more valuable than fishes.
∗ It is not the fish that are “hooked” but the fishermen, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, and their partners James and John.
∗ These men left their jobs as fishermen and followed Jesus wherever He went.
∗ This event is therefore one of the turning points in the life of the disciples and in the gospel accounts and in the ministry of our Lord.
∗ The first chosen disciples – Peter, James and John are the inner circle of disciples.
∗ Those three were privileged to witness events, which the other disciples did not see (for example,the transfiguration of our Lord, cf. Luke 9:28).
Let’s pray……
Lord, let’s leave the worldly possessions and follow Jesus.
Lord, let’s repent and believe in your Kingdom for our Salvation.
Lord, let’s follow You every time in our lives.
Lord, let’s have the same zeal of Peter to come unto Your feet. Amen.
Glory be to God
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