July 19, 2026
Come and Become
Mark 1:16–20 (with John 1:40–42, Galatians 6:1, Luke 9:23)
Pastor Howard opens with the universal longing for purpose. Many wander through a repetitive routine, but Jesus offers real purpose to anyone willing to move past mere salvation into total surrender — not passive fans, but disciples who let Him direct their lives.
In Mark 1:16–20, Jesus walks the Sea of Galilee and meets ordinary men at work: Simon and Andrew casting nets, James and John mending them. He met them where they were, and He called busy, hard-working people rather than celebrities.
Casting and mending both matter — evangelism to win souls, and restoration for the broken (Galatians 6:1). To these fishermen Jesus gave a direct invitation: "Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men," a call to separation, submission, and undivided loyalty.
"I will make you to become" points to His work, not self-improvement. Following Jesus means imitating Him — going where He goes, loving as He loves — and those who walk with Him naturally become fishers of men.
The disciples' response was immediate: "straightway" they left nets, boats, and family ties, recognizing His supreme worth. The sermon closes by asking whether we are actually fishing, and calling hearers to come and become.
Key takeaways
- Jesus meets us where we are in our ordinary daily routines to call us into His higher kingdom purpose.
- True discipleship requires moving beyond being a casual 'fan' of Jesus to becoming an invested, surrendered follower.
- God uses ordinary, hard-working people rather than seeking out superstars, celebrities, or human ability.
- Kingdom work requires both casting nets (evangelism) and mending nets (restoring broken believers).
- Following Jesus is not a self-improvement effort; it is a work Christ performs in a submitted life over time.
- Submitting to Jesus means accepting His absolute Lordship and letting Him direct every detail of life.
- If we are truly following Jesus, we will naturally become fishers of men who reach out to the lost.
- Following Christ requires a willingness to leave behind familiar comforts, personal ambitions, and worldly distractions.
- To follow Jesus practically means to imitate His character, go where He leads, and love people as He loves them.
- An immediate, unreserved response to God's call is the proper reaction to recognizing Christ's supreme value.
- Day 1Mark 1:16–17
The Sovereign’s Observation
In Mark 1, Jesus walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and observed ordinary fishermen in the middle of their routine work. He saw Simon and Andrew actively casting their nets into the water, working diligently at their trade. Jesus did not wait for them to seek Him out in a temple or a seminary; He came directly to where they were. His presence and perception demonstrated that He knows every detail of our daily lives and our present work. God sees us in our ordinary routines, not just during formal worship. When He enters our lives, His presence demands our attention and invites us into a deeper purpose beyond mere daily survival.
- Reflect
- How does knowing that Jesus sees you in your everyday routines change your view of your daily work?
- Prayer
- Lord, thank You for seeing me right where I am today. Help me to recognize Your presence in my everyday tasks and work. Amen.
- Day 2Mark 1:19–20; Galatians 6:1
Mending and Restoring
While Simon and Andrew were casting nets, Jesus observed James and John in a boat mending their nets. Fishing required both active casting to gather fish and faithful mending to repair torn equipment so it remained useful. In kingdom ministry, both roles are essential. Some believers are called to active evangelism and outreach, while others are gifted to restore, reconcile, and disciple broken individuals back into spiritual health. Jesus calls people in the middle of faithful, useful service. He meets us where we are, recognizing the value of both capturing souls for the kingdom and mending broken lives through restoration and care.
- Reflect
- Are you currently called to active outreach, or is God asking you to help mend and restore someone around you?
- Prayer
- Father, grant me the heart to help restore and encourage those whose lives or faith have been damaged. Amen.
- Day 3Mark 1:17; Luke 9:23
The Savior’s Invitation
Jesus’ call to His first disciples was a direct, personal instruction: 'Come after me.' He did not send a committee or a third party; He spoke to them directly. This call required separation from their current routine and complete submission to His authority. Following Jesus is not about adding religious habits to an existing lifestyle or joining a self-improvement program. It means surrendering the right to direct our own lives and accepting Him as ultimate Lord. Jesus demands the authority to direct our choices. True discipleship begins when we stop asking God to bless our personal plans and instead submit our lives fully to His kingdom blueprint.
- Reflect
- In what area of your life are you holding back total submission to Jesus’ Lordship?
- Prayer
- Jesus, I surrender my personal plans to Your authority today. Teach me to follow Your direction in all things. Amen.
- Day 4Mark 1:17; 1 Corinthians 1:26–29
A Transformational Process
When Jesus called the fishermen, He gave a clear guarantee: 'I will make you to become fishers of men.' Disciple-making is not something we accomplish through human self-effort or self-help strategies. It is a transformational process brought about by Jesus in a surrendered heart over time. The word 'become' points to an ongoing assembly and shaping process. Jesus does not require extraordinary talent, celebrity status, or academic degrees before calling us; He seeks humble availability. As we spend time walking with Him and imitating His character, He gradually molds ordinary people into effective instruments who gather others into His kingdom.
- Reflect
- How does relying on Christ’s power to shape you remove the fear of not being 'good enough' to share your faith?
- Prayer
- Lord, take my ordinary life and mold me into someone who reflects Your love and leads others to You. Amen.
- Day 5Mark 1:18–20
Immediate Surrender
When Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John, their response was immediate. The text notes that 'straightway' they left their nets and followed Him. They relinquished their financial security, family businesses, long-term career plans, and comfortable familiarity because they recognized the supreme value and authority of Jesus Christ. Following Jesus requires us to evaluate what we are clinging to—whether it is personal comfort, career ambitions, or familiar habits—that prevents us from walking fully in His call. True discipleship is marked by a willingness to yield everything else in order to gain a life of eternal purpose in Christ.
- Reflect
- What 'nets' or familiar comforts might you need to yield in order to follow Jesus more faithfully?
- Prayer
- Heavenly Father, give me the courage to let go of comfortable distractions so I can follow Jesus without reservation. Amen.
Open together
- 1.What is a trade skill or hobby you have learned, and how did an experienced mentor help you master it?
- 2.When you were growing up, what career or lifelong path did you assume you would pursue?
- 3.In your own words, what is the difference between being a 'fan' of someone and being a dedicated 'follower'?
Observation
- 1.Where was Jesus walking when He issued the call to Simon and Andrew, and what were they doing at that moment?
- 2.What were James and John doing in the boat with their father Zebedee when Jesus called them?
- 3.What direct command and promise did Jesus give to these men in Mark 1:17?
- 4.How quickly did Simon, Andrew, James, and John respond to Jesus' invitation according to Mark 1:18 and 20?
Interpretation
- 1.Why did Jesus choose to call active fishermen working at their trade rather than looking for leaders among religious scholars or elite figures?
- 2.What is the significance of the phrase 'I will make you to become'? How does this distinguish Biblical discipleship from human self-improvement?
- 3.In Mark 1:18–20, what does the immediate response ('straightway') of leaving nets, boats, hired servants, and family reveal about the disciples' understanding of Jesus' authority?
- 4.How does Jesus' earthly ministry illustrate what it practically looks like to be a 'fisher of men'?
Application
- 1.What specific 'nets' (career security, personal ambitions, comfort zones) might be holding you back from fully submitting to Christ's direction?
- 2.In what practical ways can you begin actively 'fishing for men' in your workplace, neighborhood, or local community this week?
- 3.How can our small group support and restore members who are currently broken or needing their spiritual 'nets mended'?
- 4.What step can you take today to move from being merely a casual observer ('fan') of Jesus to an active, surrendered follower ('disciple')?
Memory verse
“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”
Mark 1:17
Jesus Walks to Fishermen: Calling Them to Follow!
0:40Mark 1:16 — Jesus comes to ordinary men in the middle of their workday.
Jesus Calls First Disciples: Andrew & Simon Peter!
0:53The direct, personal invitation: "Come after me."
Jesus Spoke Their Language: From Fishers To Followers!
0:36He met them where they were and reframed their trade as mission.
God Turns Ordinary Lives Into Extraordinary Fishers Of Men
0:39"I will make you to become" — His work, not self-improvement.
Jesus didn't start with celebrities. He walked the shoreline and called working men in the middle of an ordinary Tuesday. Whatever your "nets" are this week, He sees you there. — Come and Become | Mark 1:16–20
#ComeAndBecome #Mark1 #NewHopeBaptist #Discipleship
"Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." Notice who does the making. Following Jesus isn't a self-improvement plan — it's surrender to the One who reshapes an ordinary life into an extraordinary one.
#FishersOfMen #Mark117 #FaithOverFear #SundaySermon
Some are called to cast the net. Some are called to mend it. Evangelism reaches the lost; restoration repairs the broken (Galatians 6:1). Both are kingdom work. Which one is God asking of you this week?
#Galatians6 #Restoration #ChurchFamily #Discipleship
"And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him." No negotiation. No delay. They saw who He was and left the boat behind. What are you still holding that He's asking you to set down? Watch the full message →
#Mark118 #Surrender #ComeAndBecome #VictoryInChrist