HOW ARE YOU FOLLOWING JESUS?
Mark 1:17
The first thing Jesus said to any of His disciples was “follow me and I will make you to become fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17). The last words Jesus spoke to His disciples are found in Acts 1:8, “but you shall receive power when the Holy Sprit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Within these two statements, it seems that Jesus is setting the parameters for His curriculum among His followers.
1.
Jesus
affirmed a following by His sheep – John 10:27
2.
Jesus
promised clarity of perspective and purpose regarding the Christian and his
world – John 8:12.
3.
Jesus
outlines the area of His concentration while on earth – Mark 1:17
“Follow Me and I will
make you to become fishers of men.” As His people we have a
responsibility to follow Him
• It is possible to follow Him and yet not really follow Him (Num. 14:24). There is a difference between following at a distance and following up close. We may know the general direction He is going. We may even applaud the work that is being accomplished – and not really be in on it. We can be just spectators.
“Follow Me and I will make you to become fishers of men. “Fishers of men” was a term used of the philosophers of the day as they would capture the minds of their listeners with their teachings.
Some General Observations on Becoming Fishers of Men
• Avoid independent strategy. No one is permitted to take out on his own. Why? Because we are engaged in a spiritual work that must have spiritual directions from the master fisherman.
• Realize that we are fishermen and disciples in training. We are invited and commanded to enter with Him in the great work of evangelism and discipleship.
• There are many ways to fish. Everyone doesn’t do it the same way. Many are threatened by the familiar concept of mobilizing on location and blitzing the neighborhood. God has created and marked out your own personal agenda and method (Ephesians 2:10). If you close up the distance in following Him and we move from casual to serious following, then His promise to make you a fisher of men will become personal.
Some Personal Principles
• Fishing requires discernment and common sense. Fish do not come to the nets - good fisherman go where the fish are. Normally people, by and large, are not going to come to our church – we must go to them.
• Fishing requires skill –We must take with us the best strategy possible. We need to study the fishing tactics of Jesus Christ (John chapters 3,4) as well as the strategy of the apostle Paul (I Corinthians 9:19-23).
• Fishing requires patience. Often long hours of waiting are required. It is important that we take the time that is necessary to bridge and bond relationships.
• Fishing requires persistence. Knowledgeable fishermen do not give up easily because they know that fish can be caught. We know that men and women can be won to Christ. It is a matter of staying with your task.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON FISHING – There are no exceptions. Verse 18 says “they immediately left their nets and followed Him.” There is a principle imbedded within this text.
• Some are called to do just that – leave their secular jobs and follow Him into full-time ministry.
• For the rest – secular work is necessary, however His work must be given top priority above all else.
Beloved, how are we following Jesus? Casually or up close and personal?
We are fishers of men. Have we let down our nets? God bless.
Love to you all,