FISHERS OF MEN

 

Mark 1:14-20, After John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” 

 

     This passage of scripture is so relatable to what is happening today message is not commentary of social change it is about how we need the message that Jesus brought in His day and how it is so important for today.

 

1.      Mark tells us that after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee.  Galilee was His main based of operations.  He did travel three times to Jerusalem for the Passover.  That is how we know Jesus had a three year ministry.  Yet he spent the majority of His time in Galilee.  Jesus proclaimed the good news of God.  There are four things that we will look at today that is the core of Jesus message and why it is Good news.

 

a.      The time is fulfilled.  The Messiah has now appeared and was standing and working in their midst.  They now had a full picture of who God is and what He is really like.  Jesus said, if you see the Father you see me and if you see me you see the Father.”  Everything Jesus, taught and lived was who God was.  Jesus fulfilled all of the 300 promises of the Old Testament.  In the same way the time of the second coming is upon us.  Most if not all of the signs given in Matt 24, and other scriptures are being fulfilled right now.  One phrase that dominates my prayer life is this, “We are out of time.”  Is your oil lamp full, have you trimmed your oil lamp wick?”  The Bridegroom is on the way.  This time period is about to close.  Any moment Jesus can come back and most are not ready.

b.      The Kingdom of heaven has come near.  We know the Kingdom of God has been fulfilled because we have in our hearts the righteousness, peace and joy it brings.  The Kingdom of heaven is the fulfillment of God’s realm on earth is near.  We are just moments away .  It is near church.  Jesus was proclaiming it then and this message has relevance for us now.    Get ready, think, talk and live ready.  I will say it again, there is no more time.  The Spirit and the bride says, come just like they did in Revelation 22.

c.      Jesus then said repent.  2 Chron 7:14, is so applicable right now.  Repentance means to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin.  To change your mind.  Do a 180.  John told the people to live in such a way that people will know you are righteous.   Godly sorrow is being truly sorry for what you did.  Worldly sorrow is being sorry that you got caught and many in the church are expressing this more than godly sorrow.  Jesus was not just saying this He was and is expecting it.  Jesus is looking for a church without spot or wrinkle.  James says show your faith by what you do.  Walk the walk.

d.      Jesus said, believe the good news.  Trust the Lord, walk in faith, be an overcomer, victor and conqueror, live an eternal and abundant life.  Receive and live in all the benefits of heaven.  Live in health and prosperity even as your soul prospers.  You have armor, weapons and power over the enemy.  Our enemy has been defeated.  You have prayer, the word and the Holy Spirit.  You have victory in the blood the word and the name of Jesus.  All the benefits and help from heaven is yours just ask.  This is good news.  You are going to heaven, death, hell and the grave have been defeated.  This is fantastic, wonderful, tremendous, awesome good news.

 

  As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

 

2.      So Jesus is passing along the Sea of Galilee which is really just a lake but he saw Simon and Andrew his brother.  They were casting their nets into the sea.  They were fishermen.  These men were special because they followed him as soon as he gave the invitation.  Jesus used a familiar phrase for them.  I will make you fish for people.  Their job was to catch the people.  Today we are to tell others.  God will do the rest.  Our part is to go and love.  His part will make them whole and complete.  Peter would say later, “Silver and gold have I none but such as I have give I thee, rise up and walk in Jesus name.” 

 

3.      He did the same with James and John when they were mending their nets.  Immediately he called them and they left their father Zebedee in the boats with the hired men and followed Him.  In both cases both sets of brother left immediately.  No hesitation, just go.  Jesus said we have to be willing to leave family, houses and land for Him. 

 

4.      There are the characteristics of a disciple

 

a.      DISCIPLES UNDERSTAND THEIR NEED FOR A SAVIOR.

b.      DISCIPLES KNOW THE GOD OF THE BIBLE.

c.      DISCIPLES RECOGNIZE THAT THEY ARE MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE.

d.      DISCIPLES SERVE OUT OF LOVE.

e.      DISCIPLES SHARE THEIR FAITH STORY.  We are call to go and love.

f.       DISCIPLES WORSHIP REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCE.

g.      DISCIPLES DEFEND THEIR FAITH.

h.      DISCIPLES JOIN IN THE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS.

i.       Disciples model their life after their master.  He is their role model, mentor and example.

j.       Disciples are obedient, faithful and zealous for their master. 

 

5.      This message had two components today.  First, what Jesus proclaimed when he came.  The time is now, things are being fulfilled, repent and believe the good news.  The second is to follow him immediately and let the following characteristics be exhibited in your life.