16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. – Mark 1:16-18 (NKJV)
Jesus made an offer to fishers. In Matthew 4:18, the Bible says: “. . . for they were fishermen” in the New King James Version. These men knew fishing. It was their trade and vocation. They made their living with boats and nets. They knew about fishing and how to fish.
Jesus offered them something vastly different from the world that they lived in daily. He offered to make them “become fishers of men” (v. 17). He would train them to be fishers of men by training them, as the New International Version says, “to fish for people.”
They would be able to do it, but Jesus would teach and train them in how to do it. He would equip and enable them to reach people for the eternal kingdom of God. They would serve as witnesses among men of the mighty power of His earthly works as well as His eternal works on behalf of the sinful throughout the world. They would be trained at the feet of the Master to evangelize with purpose and power.
Look at what Jesus can do with what you already have going for you. He can use what you know or what you have experienced to make you suitable servants for the kingdom of God. He trains us through His Holy Spirit, coaching us all of the way. As we study and serve, the Spirit affirms the training of the evangelist within each and every one of us.
Read about what Jesus can do with us. Francis Chan offers some insights into truly understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Look at evangelism ministries of the the likes of Billy Graham and Oral Roberts. Let the Lord lead you in your own evangelism efforts.
Read about what Jesus can make of us. He made fishers of men out of fishermen. He used ordinary folks to extraordinary things. Twelve Ordinary Men is an exceptional read and study into how jesus can make something else out of us.
Study His Word and discover how He can make more out of us than we have ever been before today. He is able to do mighty works among us and through us to accomplish His purpose. He wants people saved. He wants you actively participating in drawing people to Him as fishers of men.
Join the fishing division of the Lord’s army of believers. Go forth and fish for people.
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