The Journey of Faith (My Last Sermon at Pleasant Grove Methodist Church)

Introduction
Do you remember the first sermon I preached here at Pleasant Grove?  Probably not.  That’s OK.  You probably won’t remember this last sermon either. 

But I do hope you will remember me.  I know I will always remember and thank God for you.  You have been a blessing to me and my family.  Most important of all, I want you to remember how good, how faithful, how wonderful is God.

I have preached over 700 times since I came to PG 15 years ago.  But this last sermon I only get to preach once.  So, I have prayed a long time about what I should say.  And through prayer, God told me this last sermon doesn’t need to:  summarize my ministry, justify why I am leaving, or secure my legacy.  Instead, I simply want to:  be a witness to God’s faithfulness, trust God with what I cannot carry forward, and release you.

Hebrews 11:8-16
⁸ It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. ⁹ And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. ¹⁰ Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

¹¹ It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed^[a] that God would keep his promise. ¹² And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

¹³ All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. ¹⁴ Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. ¹⁵ If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. ¹⁶ But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Abraham & Sarah
Abraham trusted God enough to leave his homeland and go to a “Promised Land”.  Abraham didn’t even know where he was going, but trusted God to show him how to get there. 

Obviously, I feel a kinship to Abraham.  I spent my childhood moving from town to town.  Then I became a pastor who moves from church to church ever so many years at the Lord's direction.  So, I I can relate to Abraham in the sense of literally following the Lord by leaving a place you love to go where the Lord is sending you.

Sarah also had great faith.  She left her hometown too, going with Abraham.  I am so thankful for my wife, Kelly.  She lived in the same home for her entire childhood.  Then she married me and has been moving every since, because the Lord has moved me and she has been so faithful to go with me everywhere I've gone.  And that takes a lot of faith and dedication.

Sarah also trusted God to give her a son, even though she was old and barren.  And He did.  Sarah gave birth to a son, Isaac; and through him came countless descendants.  Sarah and Abraham had many biological descendants: the 12 tribes of Israel.  

But their descendants also included are many non-biological descendants.  Anyone who chose to follow the God of Abraham became a one of Abraham’s children.  In John 8, Jesus explained being a descendant of Abraham is not about bloodline;  it’s about faithfulness.

Hebrews 13a
Hebrews 11:13a says:  “All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it.”

These people who trusted God with everything died without receiving what God promised.  Yet they still believed.

Now think about that.  That takes some deep faith.  Can you trust God even if you die before receiving and answer to your prayers?  True Christian teaching holds that we are saved by God’s grace when we have faith.  God promises that all who repent of their sin and trust in the atonement on the cross shall be forgiven their sins and welcomed into the eternal Kingdom of Heaven.  Do you believe God’s promise to you through Jesus Christ?

God Has Been Faithful to Us
God has been faithful to me. 15 years ago, I was sitting in a hunting blind in the woods on a spring day, hunting turkey in Forsyth, GA.  My District Superintendent called.  That’s the only reason I answered the phone while hunting!  He said, "I know you've enjoyed serving your church in Smarr for 5 years, but it's time to move.  The Bishop plans to appoint you to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Dalton."  

I didn't know much about Dalton, except the made a lot of carpet.  And it was on the complete opposite side of the North Georgia Conference.  But I promised to go where they sent me.  So, we packed up everything and moved to Dalton.

For 15 years, God’s been faithful to me as I’ve shepherded this flock. He has taken care of my family.  My children each knew your love in ways that shaped them for the rest of their lives.  Kelly and I have been shaped by you too.  I've learned so much , grown as a pastor and a Christian from having been with you.  Thank you for loving me and my family.  And thank you for growing in Christ along with me.

God has used me to bless many here in Whitfield County—not because of my talent or anything good in me.  God has blessed you through me simply because I said yes.  If anything good has come from my ministry here, it is because of God’s goodness and blessing.  Any mistakes or harm that's been done is on me.

Trusting God Means Letting Go
Trusting God means letting go.  You may have your own ideas about how things should go. But you can’t be a control freak about your life and put your trust in God.  It requires letting go.  You may not understand His ways, but you trust His way is always best. 

It’s hard for me to let go when it comes to you.  I love you.  

For 15 years, I’ve focused so much of my heart on you.  And I have a shepherd’s heart.  I always want to protect you.  I always want to lead you in the right direction.  But now God has called me to go shepherd another flock. And I trust God above all else.  And that means I have to let go.  I have to entrust you to another shepherd God will send.

So I will not cling to you.  I will not try to meddle in your affairs after I leave.  I will not compete or hinder your next pastor in any way.  Because I trust God is sending you just the right shepherd He has chosen to lead you as God wants you to be lead.  So, I will be very careful not to do anything that interferes with you accepting and following the new shepherd God brings to lead you.

I’ve spent the last few months preparing to depart.  I’ve tried to get things ready.  I’ve turned over duties to different leaders I trust so Pleasant Grove can continue to serve God.

I’ve helped setup a transition team to lead you until God sends a new pastor here.  Amy Harris, David Crawford, Sherry Dickson, and Kelsey Ikerd have agreed to take turns preaching on Sunday mornings.  They already have the next 8 weeks scheduled.

Rev. Don Dexheimer—a retired Methodist minister—will cover pastoral needs that require an ordained minister (holy communion, baptisms, funerals, etc.).  He will also facilitate Wednesday night discussions (resumes Jan 14^th).

Sherry Dickson will teach Thursday morning Bible study (resumes on Jan. 15^th).

And I have never tried to micromanage you because I know God has given each one of you a special gift to help uplift this congregation and carry out the mission to make disciples of Christ.  So, I trust God will help each one of you to step up and support this church in your own way.

I can’t tie up every loose end.  But I’ve done what I can.  Now I want to bless you and commend you to God.  I trust Him to take care of you, just as I trust Him to take care of me and Kelly and our family.

Home is Not A Place on Earth
One of the main ideas in Hebrews 11 that really resonates with me and is so important for us is:
Home is not a place on earth. 

Hebrews 11:14-16a says Abraham’s descendants were, “…looking forward to a country they can call their own. ¹⁵ If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. ¹⁶ But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland.”

Whether you've around a lot or lived in the same home your whole life, I want to leave you with this important truth from Scripture.  Our true Home is yet to come.  God has promised eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven for all who trust Christ as their Lord and Savior.  And that will be our true Home, our Promised Land.

I hope I will see you again in this life.  But even if I don't, I hope we will be together for eternity in our Heavenly Home.  We will gather around the throne of God.  And we will never have to leave each other again, because we will live together with God and each other in perfect harmony.  And there will be no more sickness or sorrow or suffering or death.

Closing Ceremony 
As I close today, I want to have a special ceremony to symbolically release and bless each other as I pass the light of Christ on to you to carry it forward.

I would like to invite some members of the transition team up to the altar.
[David Crawford, Amy Harris, Kelsey Ikerd, Don Dexheimer, and Sherry Dickson]

Pastor:  “The light that has guided us does not belong to any one pastor or season. It is the light of Christ.”

[Light transition team's candles from the Christ candle]

Pastor:  “This light is now carried not by one voice, but by many.  And it belongs not only to those who preach, but to all who serve.”

Pastor Asks the Transition Team:  “Will you serve faithfully in this season, listening for God’s voice and caring for this congregation with humility and courage?”

Transition Team Representatives:  “With God’s help, we will.”

Pastor Asks the Congregation:  “Will you continue in the worship and mission of this church, trusting God to lead you into what comes next?”

Congregation:  “With God’s help, we will.”

Pastor Asks All:  “Will you pray for one another, speak the truth in love, and remain open to the work of the Holy Spirit?”

All:  “With God’s help, we will.”

 

"Tied for Fourteenth" - A Guest Blog by Rev. Ken Freshour

This past Sunday, we were blessed to welcome Rev. Ken Freshour back home to Pleasant Grove Methodist Church for our Homecoming Service. Ken served as our associate pastor in 1986, and after nearly forty years of faithful ministry, he returned to share a powerful message titled “Tied for Fourteenth.” With his trademark humor, humility, and heartfelt storytelling, Ken reminded us of the cost of true discipleship and the transforming power of the cross. His words were both nostalgic and deeply challenging — a beautiful reflection on faith, commitment, and God’s grace through the years. I’m honored to share the full transcript of his message below.

Tied for Fourteenth

A Homecoming Sermon by Rev. Ken Freshour
Pleasant Grove Methodist Church - November 2, 2025

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Homecoming Reflections

Before I start my sermon this morning, I’ve been thinking about being here for some time. You all made a lasting impression on me, my wife, and our child. We came here on February 1st — Chris, Shannon, and I — to serve as associate pastor.

We walked in the door back near the office, and the first person we met was Sarah Brooker. Five minutes after we met Sarah, she had already taken Shannon to a Sunday school class. I turned to Chris and said, “I think I’m going to like it here.”

The love, support, and encouragement we received here jump-started forty years of ministry. I knew I loved the Lord — that was about all I knew about ministry when I came here. The three of us arrived, and now we have twelve children, thirty-four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

As I look out across the congregation today, I see some empty places — folks I loved dearly, who were so active in our church’s growth and in our spiritual growth.

There were also some funny memories along the way. I played on the church softball team — Eddie Marlow was the manager. One night, I was playing first base and chased a foul ball. I stepped in a hole, and instantly, my ankle swelled up about this big. Eddie sat me down on the bench, taped my ankle, and I finished the rest of the game.

When I got home — we were living in the house across the street — Eddie called Chris and said, “Chris, you probably ought to bring Ken to the doctor tomorrow. That ankle’s probably broken.” Chris said, “But Eddie, he played five more innings!” And Eddie said, “We would have had to forfeit.”

Anybody who knew Eddie knows I’m telling the truth.

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Reflections on Ministry

I retired twelve years ago. I was planning to be a full-time grandpa, but I had mentored a young pastor about twenty years earlier — back when I was serving at Trinity Methodist Church in Rome and he was at Lindale. We became close friends. We were both disabled veterans, and we stayed in touch through the years.

When he became sick, they asked me to fill in for a couple of months at his church. They didn’t have a leadership team or a budget, but I agreed to help for two months. Well, I’ve been there ten years now. Apparently, I’m a slow learner.

Right after I retired, I was also asked to fill in for about ten weeks during the summer at a church across from Chatsworth. They were transitioning from a full-time pastor to a student appointment.

The last thing I told that church before they received their new pastor was this:

“You have a great opportunity to do something amazing. You can help that person — who doesn’t yet know how to be a pastor — learn how to be one. You can love them, encourage them, support them, and create the beginning of a great ministry. Or you can nag, whine, gripe, and complain about what they don’t know how to do — and put a damper on what could have been a wonderful ministry.”

Thank you, Pleasant Grove, because you all loved us when I didn’t know what I was doing. You encouraged us when I made mistakes. You overlooked my errors and lifted up my successes.

For forty years, I’ve loved this place. On my last Sunday before retirement, I wore the same robe you gave me when I left here in 1987 — the same robe that had been with me for forty years.

Thank you, Pleasant Grove. You are a wonderful congregation.

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Scripture Reading: Luke 14:25–33

I studied long and hard about what I would preach this morning, and I believe I chose wisely. Please stand as I read from God’s holy Word.

“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them, He said:
‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be My disciple.
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?
For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.”
Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.’”

— Luke 14:25–33 (NIV)

The Word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

Please be seated.

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The Cost of Discipleship

You know, I’ve always struggled a bit with that word “hate” in this passage. When Jesus says, “If anyone does not hate his father and mother…” — that sounds harsh, doesn’t it?

I’ve graduated from two of the best seminaries in the country — I have both a master’s and a doctorate — and I even looked it up on Google! The word “hate” can indeed mean hate, but in this context, it really means “to love less.” It’s a matter of priority.

If a person does not love these less and love Christ more, he cannot be His disciple. I believe that’s what Jesus was trying to teach us here.

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Tied for Fourteenth

Years ago, Time Magazine ran an article asking a group of Americans to list the top 100 most significant events in the history of the world.

The results were fascinating. The number one event was the discovery of America by Columbus. But here’s what stood out to me: three events tied for fourteenth place — the discovery of X-rays, the Wright brothers’ first flight, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Tied for fourteenth.

What does that tell you? To me, it says that we’ve not done a very good job explaining what the crucifixion of Jesus really means.

The poll suggests we haven’t helped people understand what the cross does for us.

Tied for fourteenth.

Someone once said, “The heart of the Bible is the Gospel, the heart of the Gospel is the cross, and the heart of the cross is the very heart of God Himself.”

The Cross and What It Means for Us

Christian Century once published an article about a young man named Lou Marshall. He had been a divinity student at Harvard, but at the time of the story, he was living in New York City, working to bring peace between two rival teenage gangs — the Young Untouchables and the Playboys.

These gangs had been at war, and Lou was trying to mediate, to help them find peace. He managed to get them to stop the fighting. But one night, while traveling home, four gang members — who clearly didn’t appreciate what he was doing — attacked him. They beat and kicked him and left him lying in a pool of his own blood.

He was rushed to the hospital, but two days later, he died.

At his memorial service, both gangs attended — the very people he had been trying to help. The service was conducted by Rev. Howard Moody, pastor of Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village.

Rev. Moody said these words at Lou’s service:

“Lou’s death is a testimony to us as human beings and as a city of people — to build a place where we can dwell together in peace.
Some people say that the pavement on which he died wasn’t worth a life so full of promise and hope. Others might say he was foolish to get involved in something so dangerous.
Still, I believe that this place has been made holy because of the blood that was shed — the blood of a man whose courage to stand for what he believed was right has sanctified this ground.”

Every Christian believes that the blood Jesus shed for you and me was more than adequate. The cross is the greatest symbol not only of humanity’s cruelty, but also of God’s love.

It is the most complete act of affirmation we can find anywhere.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”

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The Worth of the Cross

I want us to think for a moment about what the cross means for us.

First, the cross means that God sees us as people of vital worth.

We are worth something to God.

It’s easy to grow pessimistic if you watch the news. I quit watching the news about five years ago, and you know what? The world has managed to get by just fine without me paying attention to it. I’ve got enough strife in my own house! Even though I’ve got my kids out of the house, if I could just get them out of my billfold, I’d be okay — but that hasn’t happened yet.

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An Illustration of Sacrifice

There’s a story from World War II about a captain leading a group of soldiers. One day, he heard that one of his men had been shot and was lying out on the battlefield, crying for help.

The other soldiers warned him, “Don’t go out there! It’s too dangerous!”

But he went anyway. He ran out under fire and dragged the young man back to safety. In the process, the captain was shot between the shoulder blades. He later died from that wound, but the young man he rescued survived.

After the war, the captain’s family invited the soldier to their home for dinner. He arrived late, half intoxicated, ate the meal, and left without saying a word about the sacrifice that had been made for him.

The mother of the slain captain burst into tears and said to her husband, “To think our son died for someone like that.”

And I can imagine God looking down at us and saying, “Do you think My Son died for people like that?”

We squabble, we fight, we call each other names. We sin, we fail, we forget. And yet — He still calls us worth it.

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No Price Too High

There’s an old story about a woman vacationing in Florida who loved art. She found a beautiful piece she wanted to buy, but it was very expensive. She sent a telegram to her husband, describing it, and asking what to do.

He replied, “No price too high, buy it.”

She took him at his word, purchased the piece, and proudly brought it home to show him. He was furious. “I told you not to buy that!” he said.

She handed him the telegram: “See? You said no price too high, buy it.”

He read it and realized his mistake — punctuation matters. What he meant to send was: “No, price too high! Don’t buy it.”

Punctuation makes a difference.

And when it comes to our salvation, God says something different too. He doesn’t say, “No, price too high.” He says, “No price too high.”

It’s beyond our comprehension that God would look at us and say that — but He does.

I have twelve kids, and I wouldn’t want to lose any of them. I might lend you one or two for a weekend, but I wouldn’t give them up. Yet God looked at the world and said, “No price is too high.”

The cross means that God sees us as people of vital worth.

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Our Infinite Potential

Secondly, the cross means that God sees our infinite potential.

There’s a story about a young man who arrived too early for his date. The girl came to the door — her hair was a mess, half done, and she tried to make light of it. She said, “Well, what do you think of my hair?”

And the young man said, “It looks like it’s about to become something wonderful.”

Now that’s diplomacy!

But I think that’s how God looks at us. He looks at us and says, “You’re about to become something wonderful.”

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God Sees the Potential in You

There was once a young Polish girl named Maria Sklodowska. One day, her professor told the class, “Some of you have the stars at your fingertips.”

Maria went on to study at the Sorbonne in France, where she met and married one of her professors, Pierre Curie. Together, they pursued science — and failed again and again. But one evening, they came into their lab and saw something glowing faintly in a dish. They had discovered a new element — radium.

They truly had the stars at their fingertips.

We might never achieve greatness like that, but if we pick up our cross and follow Jesus, mighty things can happen.

A Mission Trip and a Miracle

I was on a mission trip to Tampico, Mexico, about twelve or fourteen years ago. We were building a church over the course of the summer. I was part of the first crew that went in — we poured the foundation and set the corner blocks. We also taught Vacation Bible School.

Now, we were staying in what they called a hotel. I’m not sure that’s what I would have called it, but that’s what they called it!

There was a maid who worked there, and as we were preparing to leave, the bus was ready to go. Everyone was loaded up and ready to head back to the United States when the translator came to me and said, “Dr. Freshour, the maid wants to talk to you.”

So I went back inside to speak with her. She asked, “Why are y’all here?” (that’s good Southern Spanish right there).

The translator repeated it, and I said, “We’re here because we’re Christians.”

She gave me a blank look. I asked, “Ma’am, are you a Christian?”

She said, “I’m a Catholic.”

I said, “I didn’t ask you that. I asked if you are a Christian.”

She said again, “I’m a Catholic.”

I repeated, “That’s not what I asked. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”

She looked confused. She didn’t understand what I was saying at first. But as I explained it — that being a Christian means personally believing in Jesus, receiving Him, and following Him — she began to listen closely.

Finally, there in the back hallway of that hotel, we knelt down together, and I led that maid to the Lord.

The stars were at my fingertips.

That moment may not have seemed like a big miracle to anyone else, but for that woman, it was the miracle of a lifetime. And that’s what it’s all about. That’s what it means to take up the cross.

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Taking Up the Cross

When we recognize our worth in the eyes of God, and understand the potential He has placed within us, there’s no telling what might be accomplished through our obedience.

Then we have the power to take up the cross — the cross of commitment, love, and service — and walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

There’s nothing more discouraging to me than to hear a congregation sing mournfully, like it’s a funeral dirge, “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone.”

Have you ever heard a church sing like that? It’s pitiful — as if the cross were some terrible burden, something that robs us of joy.

But that’s not what the cross is.

The cross isn’t a chain that holds you down — it’s the wings that lift you up.

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Running from the Call

I’ll tell you something personal: I ran from the call to preach for twenty years. Jesus called me to ministry when I was sixteen, and I didn’t want to do it. I thought I’d never have another good time again if I said yes.

So I ran. I dragged Chris and Shannon all over the country, working various jobs, trying to hide from God.

But let me tell you something — if God can find you in Adairsville, Georgia, He can find you anywhere.

There’s no point in hiding. Eventually, I stopped running, went to seminary, and said yes to the call.

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The Birds and Their Wings

There’s a story — almost a parable — about how birds got their wings.

When God first created the birds, they had beautiful voices and bright plumage, but they didn’t have wings. God decided to give them wings, but when they saw them, they didn’t know what they were for.

They picked them up in their beaks and carried them on their backs like a burden. They walked around with these heavy wings, complaining about how cumbersome they were.

Finally, they learned how to attach them properly and fold them over their hearts. And when they began to move them, those burdens became what lifted them into the sky.

What they once thought were weights became wings.

And that’s exactly how it is with the cross.

What feels like a burden at first — the cost of discipleship, the sacrifice of following Jesus — becomes the very thing that allows us to soar.

The cross gives you wings.

Bearing the cross of Christ allows you to do things you never thought you could do.

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Talent Is Cheap, Dedication Is Costly

There was a sculptor named Bertoldo di Giovanni. You’ve probably never heard of him, but you’ve certainly heard of one of his students — a young man named Michelangelo.

Michelangelo came to work for him when he was fourteen years old. It was obvious he had enormous talent. But Giovanni also knew that people with great talent often like to take the easy way — to coast along without much effort.

One day, Giovanni walked into the studio and saw Michelangelo working on something far below his potential. He picked up a hammer, smashed the sculpture to pieces, and said,

“Michelangelo, talent is cheap — dedication is costly.”

And he was right.

Talent is cheap. Dedication costs everything.

It cost Matthew his life by the sword in Ethiopia.
It cost Mark his life at the hands of a mob in Alexandria.
Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece.
The once-doubting Thomas died from a spear in India.
James the Greater was beheaded in Jerusalem.
James the Lesser was thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple and beaten to death.
Bartholomew was flayed alive.
Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.
Andrew preached the Gospel until his dying breath on a cross.
Jude was shot with arrows.

Make no mistake — the Gospel we treasure was paid for with blood.

Talent is cheap. Dedication is costly.

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The Cost of Following Christ

We need the message of the cross because sometimes we forget that real faith involves sacrifice.

Husbands and wives want strong marriages — but they don’t always want to do the hard work.
Parents want to raise good Christian children — but they don’t always want to pay the price by showing them how to live a Christian life.
Church members want a church that’s vibrant and growing — but they’d rather someone else do the serving.

Each of us wants to make a lasting difference in the world — but too often, we try to do it from the recliner, remote control in hand.

Let me tell you something, friends: it cannot be done.

You must take up your cross, and you must serve.

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Closing Prayer

Let us pray.

Our gracious God,
Thank You, Father, for all the blessings You’ve given us — for the joy of being Your children.
Help us, Lord, to take up the cross, even when it feels heavy.
Give us courage, strength, and faith to follow You wherever You lead.
Bless us, Father, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Fish for People | A Sermon on Matthew 4:19

Matthew 4:19
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus called his first disciples.  Matthew 4:19 – Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Fish for People
This wasn’t just a call for the first disciples.  It’s a call Jesus gives to all of us.  To fish for people means to join Jesus in His mission of drawing others into God’s Kingdom through our witness, love, service, and proclamation of the gospel.

Jesus taught His disciples to fish by doing it.  Let’s look at a few examples of Jesus fishing for people. 

Jesus calling the disciples (Matthew 4:18-22) – Jesus meets fishermen where they are and uses their own experience to invite them into a new kind of fishing.  You have to understand people's lives and the needs and struggles and meet them where they are.  As Jesus called the disciples to be “fishers of people,” He didn’t just walk up randomly and make the invitation. He had watched these fishermen—He knew their daily lives, their routines, and their struggles. He understood what their work meant to them. Then He took something familiar—their skill in fishing—and gave it a greater, kingdom-minded purpose. Jesus said, in effect, “This thing you’ve been doing, I’m inviting you to do it in a whole new way. Not to catch fish, but to reach people. And I will show you how to do it.”  

The Woman at the Well (John 4) – Jesus engaged in personal conversation and drew the Samaritan woman to faith.  Here we see that Jesus isn’t just reaching out to people like Him—Galileans who grew up in the same region, or fellow Jews of the same background. Instead, He crosses cultural and social boundaries to speak with someone considered an outsider, someone others would have avoided. Jesus walks through Samaria, sits by a well, and notices a woman coming to draw water in the heat of the day. Why is she here now, when no one else is? Why not in the cool of the morning? He sees her situation, understands her deeper story, and begins a one-on-one conversation. Through truly seeing her and knowing her, He leads her to faith.

Feeding the Five Thousand (Mark 6:30-44) – Jesus includes the disciples in the act of caring for the crowd, showing them that “fishing” can also mean meeting practical needs that open hearts.  Jesus says, “I want you to take care of these people’s practical needs. They’ve been with us all day, and they’re hungry.” The disciples want to send them away, but Jesus responds, “You give them something to eat.” They’re confused—“How can we possibly feed them?”—and then He shows them how, performing His miraculous work. In doing this, Jesus teaches His disciples, and us, that fishing for people often begins with meeting practical needs. If someone is hungry, homeless, or without clothing, how can they truly hear about eternal life until their immediate needs are met? Care for their physical needs first, and hearts will be open to receive the hope of Christ.

Sending out the Twelve & the 72
Jesus didn’t just show the disciples how to fish for people by doing it all Himself.  He challenged the disciples to get out in the world and do some fishing themselves.  In Matthew 10:1-15, Jesus sends the 12 disciples out to practice preaching, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom.  In Luke 10:1-20, He sent a broader group of 72 disciples out to share the message, showing that “fishing” is a task for all followers, not just the original twelve.

And the disciples learned well.  By the time we get to Acts 2, we see Peter preaching in Jerusalem and leading 3,000 people to believe in Jesus and be baptized.  But it wasn’t just about big numbers.  Every single person was important to the disciples because every person belongs in God’s Kingdom.  That’s why I love the story of Philip.  The story is found in Act 8:26-40, but let me summarize it.

It’s the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The eunuch was a high official, the treasurer to the queen of Ethiopia, riding in his chariot on the road home from Jerusalem. He had gone there to worship, but because he was a eunuch, the Law of Moses said he could not fully participate in the temple. So here he is, hungry to know God, yet feeling excluded. As he rides, he’s reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah about the Suffering Servant—someone who was despised and disfigured—and he’s wondering what it all means.

Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit tells Philip, “Go to that chariot.” Philip runs alongside and hears the eunuch reading Isaiah. He asks, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” The eunuch replies, “How can I, unless someone explains it?” He invites Philip into the chariot, and Philip begins to share the good news: this prophecy is about Jesus, the Messiah, who gave His life so that all may be welcomed into God’s family. No barrier from your past, no wound, no exclusion can keep you out—because through Jesus, you are made whole.

The eunuch hears this, sees some water by the road, and says, “Look, here’s water. What’s to stop me from being baptized?” And in that moment, he is baptized into the family of Christ—fully included, fully loved, fully His.

Whether it was the 3,000 who responded to Peter’s preaching, or the one man Philip led to Christ, the disciples were faithfully doing it. They had learned well what it meant to fish for people.

Other Aspects of Fishing
It occurs to me that there’s a lot more to fishing than just the moment you cast out your nets.  My brother-in-law Joey is one of the best fishermen I know. Anytime we go to the beach on vacation, I get excited because I know Joey will be there—and that means we’re going to catch fish. Now, Joey isn’t necessarily better at casting a line or reeling in a fish than I am. I know how to rig the hooks, cast accurately, and set the hook just right. I’m as good at the mechanics of fishing as he is.

But here’s what makes Joey a great fisherman: he starts fishing long before we ever get to the beach. Months in advance, he’s studying the tides, the kinds of fish in season, the best times of day, and the best spots to fish. He asks around, gathers information, and prepares. By the time we show up, Joey knows exactly what bait to use, where to cast, and what to expect. I just get to do the fun part—cast the line and reel them in—because Joey has already done the hard work.

On top of that, Joey knows what kind of fish we’re catching, whether they’re keepers, how to clean them, and how to cook them. That’s what makes him an excellent fisherman—it’s not just the moment of casting a line, but the preparation, knowledge, and care that go into it.

Now let’s take that idea into our spiritual call to be fishers of people. Too often, when we think about fishing for men and women, we only think about the moment itself: What am I going to say? Will I know what to do? But real fishing begins long before the moment of encounter.

We prepare by spending time with Jesus, reading His Word, and letting Him shape us. That way, when we come alongside someone—like Philip with the Ethiopian eunuch—we’re ready. He just “happened” to be reading Isaiah, and Philip was able to say, “I know what that’s about.” That didn’t happen by accident; it was God at work in both of them. And God can do the same in you.

You may think, I don’t know the Bible well enough. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to know it all. God knows what’s coming. He may nudge you today to read Isaiah 40, and you might not know why. But four weeks later, you’ll find yourself in a dentist’s waiting room, and someone will bring it up—and suddenly you’ll realize God had you preparing for that moment all along.

It’s like maintaining your fishing gear. I’ve been there: I show up at the beach, throw my line out, and the reel locks up because I never cleaned it from last year. Is your spiritual life like that? When someone opens their heart and says, “My wife just told me she wants a divorce, and I don’t know what to do,” do you freeze up? Or are you ready because you’ve been walking with the Lord, keeping your nets clean and your heart prepared?

And fishing doesn’t end with the first catch. When someone says, “I’m coming to church with you Sunday,” don’t just say, “Great, see you there.” Meet them on the front porch. Walk in with them. Sit beside them. Help them find a small group, a class, or a place to serve. If they love to sing, introduce them to the choir. That’s what it means to cast the net and to follow through.

Fishing for people is so much more than one moment. It’s preparing beforehand, being ready in the moment, and walking with people afterward. That’s the full picture of what Jesus calls us to.

Essential: Casting Our Nets
Preparation is important—but at some point, you have to cast the net. You can do everything right beforehand, but if you never cast, you’ll never catch.

Jesus called His disciples to be “fishers of people,” and that same call comes to us today. So, let me ask you—who are you fishing for? Who in your life needs to experience God’s love, hear the good news, or see faith lived out through your example? Every one of us has family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers who need the hope of Christ. Following Jesus means not just being caught by His grace, but also casting our nets wide so that others might be drawn into His Kingdom.

World Communion Sunday
The disciples’ faithfulness in becoming fishers of people led to the rapid expansion of the Christian Church. As more and more people became followers of Christ, they too became fishers of people. Being fishers of people is not optional—it is essential. Any generation that fails in this calling faces decline and eventual death. But faithful disciples across the centuries have carried the gospel, and now followers of Christ are found in every corner of the globe. Today, on World Communion Sunday, we celebrate this witness to the spread of the faith. Though we speak different languages, eat different foods, and live in different nations, we are united as part of Jesus’ fishing crew—bound together by His sacrifice and the power of His resurrection. World Communion reminds us that all Christians are interconnected, breaking down denominational and cultural barriers. It is also a call for us to remember our mission to be fishers of people. What our world, our country, and our community need now more than ever is to live out the principles of forgiveness, grace, love, sacrifice, and service that Christ taught us. This is the only hope for our world.  Will you answer Christ’s invitation:  “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Follow Me | A Sermon on Matthew 4:19

Introduction
Last week, we looked at Jesus invitation “Come.”  We can see our world is broken.  The ways of the world don’t work. 

And we can look at our own lives and see we are broken too.  We’re part of the problem.  If we were alcoholics, we might as well start repeating the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous:

1.     We admit we are powerless over our problems—that our lives and our world have become unmanageable.

2.     We’ve come to realize it will take a Power greater than ourselves to restore us to sanity.

But now we come to the second part of Jesus’ invitation “follow me”.  And we must decide. 
Will we follow Him?

Matthew 4:19
¹⁹ Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Follow Me
Many people came out to see Jesus.  They were curious.  In a world full of mundane tasks and suffering, Jesus was a was a gifted speaker they could seek to distract them from their troubles and sometimes verbalize they own frustrations about the broken world.  And sometimes Jesus would do miracles:  healings, changing water into wine, and feed thousands of people.  So, many would answer the invitation to “Come and see” Jesus.

But standing on the sidelines watching doesn’t bring change.  So Jesus’ invitation—to those ready to hear—includes “follow me.

Jewish rabbis in Jesus’ day invited students to study under them, to leave everything behind and devote themselves fully to learning. Jesus was like other rabbis in some ways, but very different in others. He didn’t study under another rabbi—He wrote the book. He didn’t stay in one place—He was itinerant, moving from Galilee to Samaria to Jerusalem. His classroom was real life. His teaching came with authority. Mark 1:22 says: “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”

Jesus invited His disciples—and us—into real-life situations where they could watch Him work and learn to do the same.

So, what does it mean to follow Jesus?

What does it mean to follow? (Then & Now)

First, it means leaving everything to follow Him. Some, like Peter, James, and John, left their nets and careers. Others, like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, followed from their homes. Either way, following Jesus meant total commitment.  Whether or not they actually left their homes and careers behind (like Peter), all Jesus' followers left them behind figuratively because Jesus took first place in their list of priorities.  And the same is true for his

followers today.  

I am a full-time pastors. I left my career to follow Jesus full-time. It's a blessing for me to be able to do it. I do not regretting that I've left those other things. I'm thankful that I'm able to do it. But not everybody can do that. I mean, if everybody's a preacher, who's teaching the kids at school? Who's who's serving at the hospital? There are lots of ways that we serve the Lord. But if you're a disciple, if you follow Jesus, whether you're a pastor or a missionary or a teacher or a doctor or a business person, there still is a commitment that you follow him with your whole heart.  He becomes first in your life.

Second, following means you travel and live alongside Him. Following means giving Him constant attention every day—not just on Sundays.  You can't just follow him for one hour on Sunday, and go your own way the rest of the week.  No.  You follow Him all week long, wherever you are.

Third, it means you listen to His teaching and ask questions. The disciples asked when they didn’t understand. We too must study God’s Word daily and wrestle with it in faith.  How do we listen?  We read His Word, the Bible.  It's not just people's opinions about Jesus.  It's His actual words in the Bible.  And we, like the Twelve Disciples, ask questions, because we often (like them) won't understand.  It's ok to have doubts or not understand.  But do so from a place of faith.  Let the assumption be that Christ's Word is true.  Believe in Him and trust Him and ask questions.  That's how you learn.

Fourth, witness His miracles and compassion. As we walk with Him, we see His hand at work—and we begin to imitate His compassion.  We believe Jesus is alive.  So look for His amazing, good work.  Note it.  Praise it.  Share it. Magnify His name and be His witness.

Fifth, learn from mistakes. The disciples failed often and we will too.  But mistakes become lessons.--some of the most unforgettable and valuable ones.  Following Jesus doesn’t mean perfection—it means growth.  So don't be afraid to make mistakes.  Just be sure to learn from them.

Last, following Jesus means we witness His death and resurrection. Discipleship isn’t all joy and miracles (sugar and spice and everything nice). The disciples saw the darkness of Jesus hanging on the cross before they saw the empty tomb. We too will face suffering and we will see some darkness, but we hold fast to the hope of resurrection.  Don't let fear of failure or evil or suffering scare you away from following Jesus.  Because those who follow Him will also see resurrection.

Closing
You’ve heard Jesus’ invitation: “Come, follow Me.” Coming is only the first step. Following means making a decision—today, right now—to put your life under His authority and truth.

The disciples had to make that decision. They left nets, tax booths, and old lives behind.  Some, like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, followed from their homes, offering what they had.  No matter the form, following meant a wholehearted “yes.”

And that’s the invitation for us today. Not just to come and watch from the sidelines.  Not just to admire Jesus or be curious about Him. But to commit—maybe for the first time, or maybe as a renewal of faith you’ve let slip.

So let me ask you:  Will you follow Him? Will you trust His authority, His truth, and His way of life?

I invite you to bow your heads and pray. Maybe you’ve never truly made that commitment, or maybe you’ve drifted and today is the day to renew it.  In your heart, you can pray something like this:

“Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died and rose again for me. I’ve tried my way, and it hasn’t worked. Today I choose to follow You. Lead me, Lord, and help me walk in Your way. Amen.”

A Prayer of Commitment
Leader: Jesus calls us, saying, “Come, follow Me.”
People: Lord, we will follow You.

Leader: We confess that our ways are broken and cannot save us.
People: Lord, we will follow You.

Leader: You alone are the way, the truth, and the life.
People: Lord, we will follow You.

Leader: We lay down our anger, our fear, and our sin at Your feet.
People: Lord, we will follow You.

Leader: With our whole hearts, we say yes to Your authority and truth.
People: Lord, we will follow You.

Leader: Today, and every day, we choose to walk in Your steps.
People: Lord, we will follow You.

 

Jesus' Temptation | A Sermon on Matthew 4:1-11

Introduction
Last week, we read the incredible, powerful story of Jesus’ baptism.  When Jesus came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and God spoke from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”  What a wonderful affirmation that was for Jesus as He marked the beginning of His public ministry. 

Immediately after that remarkably special moment, Jesus faced a very dark and difficult test.

Matthew 4:1
¹ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 

Three Things
I want to pause here and point out a few important ideas. 

First, the peaks of our spiritual highs are often followed by difficult lows.  Life has its ups & downs.  Make peace with it. Soak it up and savior the highs.  And understand the lows won’t last forever.  Be faithful and cling to your faith.  Things will improve & there are more incredible victories coming.  Don’t give up.  Keep the faith.

Second, testing is part of the spiritual journey.  
Right after the high of Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted.  And it specifically says it was the Spirit who led Him there.   It was important for Jesus to be tested.  A person’s real character is not revealed unless it’s tested.  That’s true for everyone—even Jesus.  People can dress up and look good on the outside, but when pressure squeezes a person, the juice comes out.  That’s when you find out who they really are inside. 

Third, I want to say Jesus understands what we go through because He went through it too.  Jesus didn’t live a sheltered life.  He faced all the same life struggles we all face.  He even met the Devil face to face and it was awful. That’s why He told us to pray about it in the Lord’s prayer, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”  Even though temptation and evil are an inevitable part of our experience from time to time, Jesus encourages us to pray that God would protect us from them as much as possible.  But for Jesus, in this chapter of His life, it was important for Him to face the Devil.  And He did.

Matthew 4:2-11
² For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

³ During that time the devil^[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

⁴ But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[b]”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, ⁶ and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’^[c]”

⁷ Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’^[d]”

⁸ Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

¹⁰ “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,

‘You must worship the Lord your God
    and serve only him.’^[e]”

¹¹ Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Why Did Jesus Need to Be Tempted?
You may wonder, “Why did Jesus need to be tempted?” One reason is because we are.  Hebrews 4:15 says of Jesus, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” 

Another reason is explained in Romans 5:18-19.  Jesus is the second Adam.  Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve were tempted and ate the forbidden fruit.  Their disobedience caused everything in creation to fall apart.  That is why there is sin and suffering and death and corruption in our world.  It is why the world and people are so broken.  But Jesus is the second Adam.  He is obedient where Adam and all of Adam’s offspring (us) fail.  Jesus’ obedience takes the place of our sin—fulfilling God’s original intent for humankind.

Jesus’ response to Satan also shows us how we can resist the Devil too.

How to Resist the Devil For Dummies
First, understand Satan’s plan.  The Devil often tempts us the same ways he tempted Jesus: with physical needs (bread), power (control), and testing God (pride).  Satan takes good things and twist and corrupts them.  Food is a good thing, but if we overindulge it is bad for us.  Power and influence can be used for good, but not if they require us to compromise godly values.  And we can certainly rely on God to help us through our trials, but it is sinful pride to expect God to protect us when we do something stupid.

And notice, Satan’s strategy is often to come quoting Scripture to back up His evil temptations.  (He tries to trick Jesus to jump off the highest point of the Temple by quoting Psalm 91.)  But Jesus doesn’t fall for it because Jesus doesn’t just pick Scriptures to prove his own points.  He knows the over-arching meaning of the whole Word of God.  And we must know it too so that neither Satan (or anyone) can lead us to sin by quoting the Bible to us.

As Jesus said in John 8:44, “[Satan] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  So listen to 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”,

Second, Use the 5 Finger Defense Technique. 

The 5 Finger Defense

1.     Thumb – Stay Close to God through Prayer & Submission – The thumb is closest to you, reminding you to stay connected to God.  Do this through Prayer and Submission.  You will never be able to resist the Devil on your own.  You need God’s help.  And a life of prayer is the most important way to stay close to God where Satan cannot overcome you. Develop a strong, vibrant, regular prayer life.

2.     Index Finger – Know & Use Scripture to Point to the Truth – Just like you use this finger to point, use God’s Word to point out the lies Satan tells you.  But it’s important to KNOW the whole truth—not just over-simplistic random quotes from the Bible.  Even Satan quotes Scripture.  So ask yourself, “What is God really saying in Scripture?  What is the whole Truth Jesus reveals?”  Know Jesus’ Truth and live it!

3.     Middle Finger – Guard Your Mind and Stay Pure – The tallest finger reminds you to rise above sin and keep your mind focused on God.  Thoughts lead to actions.  Heed the Apostle Paul’s advise in Philippians 4:8 – “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

4.     Ring Finger – Avoid Triggers and Be Committed – Just like a wedding ring symbolizes commitment, commit to avoiding temptation.  Examine the times you failed and fell to sin.  Learn from your mistakes.  What triggered you?  How can you avoid those triggers in the future?  Learn to be content with what God has already given you.  Then, Satan’s temptations won’t entice you.

5.     Pinky – Stay Faithful in Small Things – The smallest finger reminds you that even small, daily acts of obedience give you strength to resist the devil.  Satan often starts eroding your faithfulness to God through little things.  He’s not going to ask you to rob a bank right from the start.  He’ll start with stealing a pencil.  He won’s start by asking you to cheat on your wife.  He’ll start by tempting you to lust after someone you see on TV.  If you stand firm in the small things, Satan won’t be able to get through your defense and hit you with something bigger.

Remember: Jesus faced every temptation we do, yet He remained faithful.  Through Him, we have the strength to resist the devil and walk in righteousness too.  This Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season where we refocus spiritually, just as Jesus did during His 40 days in the wilderness. It's a time for prayer and fasting, reflection, and drawing closer to God, resisting the distractions and temptations of this world.  What will you do during the 40 days of Lent from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday to help you grow in faith?