In what ways can we "leave our nets" to follow Christ today? The Original Call “‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed Him.” — Matthew 4:19-20 What Their Nets Represented • Source of income and security • Family expectations and long-standing traditions • Personal identity as professional fishermen • Daily routines that shaped their priorities Recognizing Our Modern Nets • Careers or ambitions we cling to for worth or status • Relationships that pull our loyalty away from Christ • Habits, entertainments, or possessions that consume time and affection • Comfort zones protecting us from risk, sacrifice, or public witness • Sin patterns—bitterness, lust, greed—that entangle and hinder (Hebrews 12:1) Practical Ways to Leave the Nets Today • Surrender vocational goals to His lordship—seek first His kingdom in every job decision (Matthew 6:33) • Refuse any relationship that conflicts with obedience to Jesus, loving Him above all (Luke 14:26) • Reorder schedules so Scripture, prayer, and gathering with believers are non-negotiable (Acts 2:42) • Replace self-promotion with service—use skills and platforms to point others to Christ (1 Peter 4:10-11) • Say no to entertainment that dulls spiritual appetite, choosing what builds faith (Philippians 4:8) • Give generously, loosening the grip of materialism (2 Corinthians 9:7) • Confess and forsake hidden sin immediately, trusting His cleansing (1 John 1:9) Motivations and Promises • Christ’s worth surpasses every earthly gain (Philippians 3:8) • He provides all we truly need when we follow obediently (Luke 5:6-11; Matthew 6:32-33) • Eternal fruit results when we become “fishers of men” (John 15:5, 16) • Present fellowship with Jesus outweighs temporary losses (Mark 10:28-30) Encouragement from Other Passages • “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23 • “No soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, since his aim is to please the One who enlisted him.” — 2 Timothy 2:4 • “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” — Colossians 3:2 Putting It Into Practice 1. Identify one “net” the Spirit highlights. 2. Act decisively—remove, limit, or reorient it under Christ’s authority. 3. Replace it with intentional pursuit of His mission: prayer, evangelism, discipleship. 4. Stay accountable within the local church, cheering one another on toward wholehearted obedience (Hebrews 10:24-25). |
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