Sermon on Matthew 4:19

Scripture: “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” (Matthew 4:19, NKJV)

Introduction :

In Matthew 4:19, Jesus says, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” These words were spoken to two fishermen, Simon Peter and Andrew. They were busy working by the sea when Jesus came to them. With one sentence, Jesus changed the direction of their lives. He invited them to leave their old life behind and follow Him into a new and greater purpose.

This short verse shows us what it means to be a disciple. Jesus doesn’t just ask them to believe in Him but He asks them to follow Him. He gives them a promise: “I will make you.” He promises to change them and prepare them for a new mission—to reach people with God’s love.

These words are not only for Peter and Andrew. They are for us too. Jesus still calls people today to follow Him, trust Him, and share His love with others. This verse helps us understand three important truths: the Call to follow Jesus, the Promise of transformation, and the Mission to reach others.

Today, let us listen carefully to this call and ask ourselves: Are we ready to follow Jesus with our whole heart?

1. The Call: “Follow Me”

When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” He was giving a command, not a suggestion. He didn’t explain where He was going or what would happen next. He simply called Simon Peter and Andrew to trust Him and walk with Him. This shows that Jesus speaks with great authority. He is the Son of God, and when He calls us, He expects obedience.

To follow Jesus means more than just believing in Him. It means living with Him, learning from Him, and letting Him lead every part of our life. It’s about having a close relationship with Him.

Peter and Andrew had to leave their fishing nets, their jobs, and their old way of life to follow Jesus. Sometimes, we must also let go of things like bad habits, wrong choices, or even dreams—so we can fully follow Jesus. This shows our faith and trust in Him.

Jesus’ call is for everyone, not just for the first disciples. He calls each one of us personally. Wherever you are and whatever your background, Jesus says to you, “Follow Me.” It’s an invitation to a new life, full of purpose and hope, with Him as your guide.

2. The Promise: “I Will Make You”

When Jesus said, “I will make you,” He gave a beautiful promise. He didn’t say, “Try to become fishers of men” or “Make yourself better.” He said He would do the work. This means we don’t have to be perfect before we follow Jesus. We come to Him just as we are, and He changes us from the inside out.

This promise shows us that Jesus is the one who helps us grow. We don’t become strong Christians overnight. Like Peter and Andrew, we learn slowly. Jesus teaches us, corrects us, and helps us grow in faith and love. It takes time, but He never gives up on us.

Jesus also promises to give us what we need for His work. We may feel weak or unsure, but He gives us His Spirit and strength. He shapes our hearts, gives us courage, and helps us live for Him.

So when Jesus says, “I will make you,” it is a promise of transformation. He will turn us into people who love God, love others, and help bring people into God’s family. We don’t do it alone because Jesus is with us every step of the way.

3. The Mission: “Fishers of Men”

When Jesus told Peter and Andrew they would become “fishers of men,” He was giving them a new purpose. Before, they caught fish for a living. Now, they would help bring people to God. Jesus wanted them to share the good news and lead others to know His love.

This mission was not just for the first disciples. It is for everyone who follows Jesus. We are all called to help others know God. This doesn’t always mean preaching on a stage. It can mean showing kindness, praying for someone, or telling a friend about Jesus.

Being a fisher of men means we must see people the way Jesus does. We should not see them as problems, but as people who need God’s love and hope. Ask Jesus to help you see others through His eyes with love and compassion.

Just like fishing, this mission takes time and patience. We may not always see quick results. But our job is to be faithful. God is the one who changes hearts.

Jesus gives us a purpose that is bigger than ourselves. When we follow Him, He uses us to help others find eternal life in Him.

Conclusion :

Matthew 4:19 is a short verse, but it gives us a clear message from Jesus: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This is a call to every person who wants to walk with Jesus. He invites us to follow Him, trust Him to change us, and join Him in His mission.

Following Jesus means giving Him first place in our lives. It may require letting go of some things like habits, plans, or comforts, but what we gain is far greater. We gain a life filled with purpose, peace, and the joy of helping others find God.

We don’t have to be strong or perfect. Jesus promises, “I will make you.” He will do the work in us. He will shape us, teach us, and give us all we need.

And then, He sends us out to be “fishers of men” and to share His love, speak about His truth, and lead others toward His kingdom.

Let us listen to His call, trust His promise, and live out His mission. As Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Will you follow Jesus today with your whole heart?

Application :

1. Reflecton your life. Are there things you need to leave behind to follow Jesus more fully? This might be old habits, wrong relationships, or selfish desires. Let go of what holds you back and trust Jesus to lead you.
2. Trust the processof growth. Changing to become more like Jesus doesn’t happen all at once. Sometimes it feels slow, but remember that Jesus is always working in you, shaping you, and helping you grow. Be patient with yourself and trust in His timing.
3. Engage in His mission.Jesus calls all of us to be fishers of men. Think about how you can share His love with the people around you. It doesn’t have to be through big actions but it can be through small things like showing kindness, praying for others, or talking about Jesus when the opportunity comes. Every act of love is a way of fishing for men.

Prayer :

“Dear Jesus, thank You for calling us to follow You. Help us to surrender our lives to You, trusting that You will change and guide us. Open our eyes to see the people around us who need Your love. Use us to share Your truth and bring others into Your Kingdom. We want to follow You faithfully and be fishers of men. Amen.”