Matthew 4:18-22
Fishers of Men

1. The Call Is to Discipleship
   1. "Follow Me"
      1. Hear Me
         1. They must hear the words that Jesus will say so they can report them to us.
         2. They must listen to his teaching so that they will understand what kind of a king he is and what kind of a kingdom he is bringing in.
         3. Man does not live by bread alone…
         4. They must hear him as the one who has the words of eternal life.
         5. So the first aspect of their discipleship is not what they offer to Christ, but what he offers to them.
         6. So is the second
      2. Observe Me
         1. Follow me around.
         2. Watch me be meek and lowly of heart
            1. Here is the king!
            2. Yet he does not Lord it over his followers but comes as a servant.
         3. Watch me eat with tax collectors and sinners.
         4. Watch me suffer and die
         5. And watch me rise again.
      3. Imitate Me
         1. The result is a powerful example
         2. Not something he sets before them to follow if they can
         3. But something he will enable them to follow, just as his word has enabled them to follow him in the first place. (More on this later)
   2. This Is the Call to Us As Well
      1. What does he tell them to do at the end?
      2. Go and make disciples.
      3. Hear him In the preaching of the word
      4. Observe him as his example is presented in that word
         1. He is meek
         2. He serves you
         3. He suffers for your sake
         4. And enters glory
      5. Imitate him
         1. His example is powerful for you to.
         2. He was humble, and will enable you to be
            1. He did not selfishly seek his own good but the good of his people
            2. So you may as well
         3. He was a servant to you
            1. Go and do likewise
            2. Look at everyone in the church and say, My own Savior dedicated his life to serving this person; therefore it is my privilege to do the same.
         4. He suffered and died for you -> lay down your lives for others.
         5. He was raised again, and so shall you.
         6. There is nothing you can give up for your brethren that he will not repay (more on this later)
2. The Call Is Effectual
   1. They Hear the Voice of Jesus and Follow
      1. The men do not ask "Why? What are you offering."
      2. Jesus commands and they follow.
      3. This is how Jesus gains disciples
   2. So We Have Heard His Voice
   3. Each Disciple Extends This Call to Others
      1. I will make you fishers of men (explain)
      2. So it does not rest on us to make converts
      3. Rather, we speak with grace to all who hear us.
      4. And the Lord will lay his hand upon those who are is and make them his disciples.
3. The Call Is Radical
   1. They Leave Occupations and Family
   2. So the Call to Us Is Radical
      1. We are not all called to leave occupations and family behind.
      2. But for all of us, the call of Christ involves a radical reorientation of our priorities.

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