The Invitation

Jesus’ call to discipleship includes the promise of a career change. His first disciples all left their jobs when they answered Jesus’ call. Some left their tax booths, others left their fishing nets, but everyone who followed Jesus gave up one job for something new. What kind of career offer did Jesus make these guys? Did He call them to become great theologians, or teachers, or Military leaders? No. Instead, Jesus simply said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus’ invitation remains the same today. Jesus’ followers fish. That’s what they do! Join us for a series exploring the life of Andrew and how his habit of bringing people to Jesus still sets an example for us today.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him

Mark 1:14-20 (ESV)

On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word, I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Luke 5:1-11 (ESV)

Principles (KNOW THEM):

• To follow is to fish.

Practices (DO THEM):

1. Pick up a free copy of the Who’s Your One 30-Day Prayer Guide.
2. Take a “next step”.
3. Participate in a small group.

Daily Readings:

Monday: Mark 1
Tuesday: Luke 5
Wednesday: Matthew 4
Thursday: Acts 10
Friday: Romans 1
Saturday: Romans 10
Sunday: Acts 16

Suggested Resources:

Books:

Reunion, Bruxy Cavey
Just Walk Across the Room, Bill Hybels
Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
Share Jesus without Fear, William Fay
Workplace Grace, Bill Peel

Sermon series on ssbc.org:

30 Words (2018)
Beautiful Feet (2014)