Courage in the Face of Evil | A Sermon on Ephesians 6:10-18

Introduction
Last week, we were reminded we who follow Christ as Lord are Saints in the Kingdom of God.  We are not saints because we are perfect.  We are saints because the HS of God lives in us.  We are His holy Temple and we represent God to the world.  Yet, we live as saints in a troubled world.  And so today, I want to share God’s Word about suiting up in the whole armor of God so we can have courage in the face of evil.

Ephesians 6:10-18
¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we^[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.^[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.^[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.^[d]

We are at War
The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians living in Ephesus on the western coast of modern-day Turkey, a wealthy city famous for being the site of the great Temple of Artemis.  These Christians were on the frontline of a spiritual war between God’s Kingdom and the forces of darkness. 

Paul reminded them, and us, in verse 12:  “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies…”  Don’t ever forget we are at war.  But also, don’t ever forget, we are not at war against our neighbors.  We're not at war with Democrats.  We're not at war against Republicans.  We're not at war against immigrants or criminals.  We're not at war against people who practice other religions or those who think differently from us.  

We are at War With:
Then who are we at war with?  Paul tells us in verse 12:

·  “Evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world” – This described demonic forces that have influence beyond what we can see. These are spiritual beings that oppose God’s purposes.

·  “Mighty powers in this dark world” – This points to the pervasive influence of evil in human society—systems, ideologies, and forces that promote darkness, sin, and oppression.

·  “Evil spirits in the heavenly places” – This highlights the reality of spiritual warfare in the unseen, spiritual realm. The “heavenly places” doesn’t mean heaven itself, but the spiritual dimension where both God’s angels and demonic powers operate.

The Whole Armor of God
And so Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God.  Thankfully, most today are not very familiar with the use of armor in hand-to-hand combat.  I can't imagine how awful it was in ancient times to fight face to face with someone using a sword--to strike them so closely you could hear them cry out be sprayed with their blood.  Aren't you thankful we don't have to face that kind of trauma?

Let's take a look at the each piece of armor Paul mentions.

The Belt of Truth
First, Paul speaks of the belt of truth. At first glance, that might seem like an odd piece of armor. I mean, when we think of a belt, we think of something that just keeps our pants up. But for a Roman soldier, the belt was much more than that. It was a sturdy piece of leather that hung down from the waist to protected the lower body—an area vital to survival—and it allowed freedom of movement while also offering some defense against glancing blows.

So what does it mean for us to put on the belt of truth? For Christians, truth represents personal integrity, sincerity, and the genuineness of our faith. It means we are not pretending to be something we’re not. We live honestly, authentically, and with transparency. Pretending only leaves us vulnerable, because eventually the false image will crumble.

When we put on the belt of truth, we commit to walking in honesty—with one another, and with the world around us. We interact with integrity and present ourselves genuinely, not hiding behind masks. Truth holds everything together and gives us the strength to stand firm.

The Body Armor of God’s Righteousness (AKA Breast Plate of Righteousness)
Next, Paul says to put on the body armor of God’s righteousness. Some translations call it the breastplate of righteousness, the piece of armor that covers and protects the vital organs of the body’s core.

Now, we know that none of us are righteous on our own. Romans 3:23 reminds us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But because of Christ, we can put on His righteousness. Our sins are washed away, and we are covered and protected by what He has done for us.

At the same time, as Christians we don’t stop there. We also seek to grow in righteousness—to live with good behavior, godly attitudes, and the virtues the Holy Spirit shapes in us. Living a righteous life brings great protection. When you carry yourself with integrity and walk in righteousness day by day, people notice. Even those who disagree with your beliefs may still say, “I don’t agree with what you believe, but I know you’re a good person who means well.”

That kind of respect and witness is like armor—it shields your witness, deflects unnecessary attacks, and demonstrates the reality of Christ’s work in you. That’s why we must put on the breastplate of righteousness. 

The Shoes of the Good News
And then Paul tells us to put on the shoes of the Good News so that we are ready to go quickly and share the gospel. When we picture an army, we often think of soldiers standing in formation, locked in battle. But most of the time, soldiers aren’t fighting—they’re moving. They’re marching.

One of the reasons the Roman army was so effective is that they could march long distances quickly and arrive at the battlefield organized and ready. They had strong shoes that protected their feet, so they could cover hundreds of miles and meet the enemy wherever the threat arose.

In the same way, Christians are not called to stay in one place. We’re not called to simply sit in pews week after week. We’re called to go—to move where God sends us, to answer His call whenever and wherever it comes. And when we go, we carry with us the Good News of Jesus Christ—what He has done for us, what He is doing now, and the offer of salvation, peace, and love that He freely gives.

So we lace up the gospel shoes of peace, ready to bring Christ’s hope into the world. Wherever God leads, we go—and when we arrive, we share the Good News.

The Shield of Faith
As we live as saints in a troubled world, the Devil will shoot flaming arrows to try and destroy us.  Some of those fiery darts may come as doubts, temptations, fear, reminding us of our past failures, trying to convince us that our efforts for God are useless, stirring up conflict and disunity within the church, and tempting us to rely on our own strength rather than God’s.  But we can defeat these by lifting up the shield of faith to deflect the Devil’s attacks.  Faith shields us when we trust God and believe in Him more than our doubts, fears, failures, the things that discourage us, or even ourselves.  We believe in God because we’ve seen the evidence of His love and truth and we choose to trust Him more than anything else.  It is a powerful shield.

Roman Tortoise Formation
I've been reading a book describing Roman battle tactics. One of their most famous strategies was called the tortoise formation—the testudo in Latin. In this formation, soldiers stood tightly together, shields locked in every direction. The front line held their shields forward, the sides locked theirs along the flanks, and others raised shields overhead until the entire unit was covered, like a giant shell.

From a distance, it resembled a tortoise—protected on every side. And it was nearly impenetrable. When enemies launched thousands of arrows from hundreds of yards away, the soldiers could advance safely in this formation. Imagine the sound as they marched across the battlefield—clink, clink, clink—as arrow after arrow bounced harmlessly off their shields. Protected and united, they moved forward until they were close enough to overcome their enemy.

That’s a powerful picture for us as believers. We are not called to be lone warriors for Christ. We are part of a body, a formation, a family. We stand side by side, shields of faith joined together. We protect and encourage one another. When one falters, others lift them up. Together, we advance as a powerful force for God’s Kingdom.  

Not alone. Never alone. We fight together.

The Helmet of Salvation
In battle, a blow to the head is often a death blow.  And so, we protect our head with the sure and certain knowledge that Christ is our salvation.  He died on the cross for our sins.  They have been washed away.  It is not by our own good deeds that we are saved, but by the blood of Christ.  And nothing in this world or even in heaven or hell can take that away.  And even if this dark, troubled world destroys our body, we will live forever in the Kingdom of God, so we have nothing to lose.  Put on that helmet of salvation and you can boldly face anything this world throws at you.

The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
Paul tells us to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This is our only offensive weapon. But notice—it’s not a physical sword. It is the Word of God, a spiritual weapon.

We must be careful here: as Christians, we are not called to conquer the world by force. We are not here to coerce people into following Christ. Jesus Himself never did that. He could have summoned thousands of angels to subdue His enemies, but He didn’t—because hearts can’t be won at the point of a sword.

The sword we carry is God’s Word. We engage not with violence, but with the gospel, with truth, and with love. We speak God’s Word into people’s lives, sharing the hope of salvation and the peace of Christ. We extend the invitation—but we do not force it. Faith must be freely chosen.

Power can control people for a time, but only God’s Word can transform a heart forever. That is why we take up the sword of the Spirit.

Increase Your Armor’s Strength
Paul ends his illustration with a call to prayer:  “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.^[d]”

Prayer is the power source that strengthens every piece of our armor. When we pray, our faith grows stronger, our helmet of salvation is secured, our feet move with greater readiness, our belt of truth holds firm, and our breastplate of righteousness becomes a shielded defense.

But here’s the remarkable thing: prayer not only strengthens our own armor—it strengthens the armor of others. Your prayers can cover and protect your brothers and sisters in Christ. That’s why Paul tells us to pray for all believers everywhere.

I was reminded of this truth when I discovered dozens of failed attempts from around the world to hack into my email account. Page after page of people trying to impersonate me, break in, and cause harm. Yet, every attempt failed. I truly believe that was not just because of security settings—it was because of the prayers lifted on my behalf. Prayer is a shield that stops attacks we can see and even more we cannot.

That’s why we must never forget: though this sanctuary feels safe, comfortable, and quiet, we are in the middle of a spiritual battlefield. Prayer keeps us and one another strong, alert, and able to stand together against the enemy.

We Go Out As Saints Into A Troubled World
We are not helpless in the face of evil. God has given us His armor—the truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and His Word—so that we can stand firm and unshaken in a world full of darkness. Remember, our battle is not against people, but against spiritual forces, and with Christ on our side, victory is already assured. As saints in a troubled world, let us walk with courage, strength, and determination, knowing that the Holy Spirit within us makes us more than conquerors.

Praying for Strength and Courage
Almighty God,
We come before You as Your saints in a troubled world, not in our own strength, but clothed in Your armor. I pray now for each person in this room. Strengthen their hearts with courage.

Protect their minds with the helmet of salvation.
Guard their lives with the shield of faith. Surround them with Your righteousness and truth.
May their steps carry the peace of the gospel wherever they go,
and may the sword of Your Spirit—the living Word—be ever ready on their lips.

Lord, when the enemy attacks with fear, doubt, or temptation,
let Your light shine brighter than the darkness.
Unite us together in love and in power, that we may stand firm,
shoulder to shoulder, as Your holy people.
Send us out now with boldness to live as saints,
carrying the hope of Christ into a world that desperately needs it.

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ we pray,
Amen.

 

Called out of Darkness | A Sermon on 1 Peter 2:9-10

Introduction
I’m starting a new series as we lead up to Homecoming on All-Saints Sunday.  What does it mean to live as saints in a troubled world.  And our first sermon is “Called Out of Darkness”. 

We are the Church, God’s chosen and holy people, called from darkness into light.  And today, I want to encourage you to embrace your unique identity as God’s people and to live differently from the world.

1 Peter 2:9-10
⁹ But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,^[a] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

¹⁰ “Once you had no identity as a people;
    now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
    now you have received God’s mercy.”^[b]

“But You are Not Like That…”
I want to dive right into the meat of this Scripture, but I must first address this initial clause.  Peter says, “But you are not like that…”  Originally, Peter was talking directly to Christians scattered across Asia Minor who were facing social marginalization and suffering for their faith.  But today, he’s talking directly to us.  And he says, “But you are not like that…” 

Not like what?

If you look back a few verses you find the answer.  You are not like the people of Israel who rejected Jesus. Israel was called to be a Holy Nation of Priests.  They had the honor of hosting the Holy Temple in Jerusalem where people from all over the world could come and worship God.  But they never lived up to their calling.  And when God’s own Son came to them, they rejected Him.  And verse 8 says:  “So they meet the fate that was planned for them.”  And verse 9, speaking to everyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord, says: “But you are not like that…”  So what are we like?

Who Are We in Christ?
“…you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.”  These were the words originally used for Israel in the Old Testament.  But now they apply to the followers of Christ.  Christians don’t replace Israel.  We are the fulfillment of what Israel was always meant to be.  We are chosen by God.  We are royal priests.  We are a holy nation.  We are God’s people.  Let that sink in…

What an honor!  What a privilege!  What a blessing!
But don’t forget that as God’s Chosen People, we have a great responsibility.

Set Apart for Holiness
“You are royal priests, a holy nation…”
Priests are set apart for the special purpose of representing God to the people.  In ancient times, priests stood out as holy.  Special clothes that mark them as different from ordinary people.  Special rituals sanctified them.  And they were known to have special access to God.  People would come to them when they needed healing or forgiveness or a word from God.  They came to the priest for help because they believed the priest were closer to God and had a special connection with Him.  The priest could go to God on behalf of the person in need and interceded for them and God was more likely to listen.

Today, people will often joke that I (as a pastor), have a direct line to God in a similar way.  But according to what the New Testament says, we all do!  I'm no closer to God than you.  You can go boldly before Him and present your prayers and He will listen.  The Holy Spirit lives inside you and intercedes for you in groanings too deep for words.  God hears you and listens!

We are all set apart to serve as God’s royal priests!  We who follow Christ are holier than the Jewish High Priest of the Old Testament!  It's incredible!    

And you are supposed to stand out as different, not b/c you wear fancy clothes or do certain rituals like in the Old Testament.  You stand out because:

• Christ lives in you
• You’re leaving behind the darkness of ignorance, sin, and despair
• You’re walking in the light of salvation, truth, joy, hope.
• You proclaim God’s goodness, mercy, and salvation in word and deed.

Christ Lives in You
When you repent of your sin and decide to follow Jesus, Christ comes to live inside you as the Holy Spirit.  In the Old Testament, the Temple represented God’s dwelling place on earth.  But now, because of Christ, the New Testament  says we are His Temple.  
1 Peter 2:5 – “you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.”
2 Corinthians 6:16 – “ For we are the temple of the living God.”

Have you ever heard of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem? It’s a very special place. The Temple in Jerusalem isn’t there anymore—it was torn down in 70 AD. The only part that remains is the western wall of the Temple.

For centuries, people—both Jewish and Christian—have made pilgrimages to the Western Wall. They write out their prayers on little slips of paper, roll them up, and tuck them into the cracks of the stones. It’s a sacred act in a sacred place, because this is where the Temple once stood—the very Temple we read about in the Bible. I’ve been there myself. I wrote a prayer and placed it in the wall. If you’re standing at the Western Wall, that’s what you do.

But let me tell you something amazing: that wall is not where God dwells. God is everywhere, of course, but that place is no more sacred than any other. The true dwelling place of God is not in the stones of Jerusalem—it’s in you.  There is no holier ground than the presence of the Holy Spirit living inside you right now. Christ lives in us—that’s what makes us different. That’s what sets us apart.

Turn on the Light
Secondly, we need to we need to live in the light.  We need to come out of the darkness.  We stand out when we come out of the darkness.  

This morning I woke up early. I wake up early almost every day, but especially on Sundays. Today I was up a little before 4:00. Now, I don’t mind getting up early—but my wife does. She values her rest, and I want her to have it. So when I get up, I move quietly and I don’t turn on the lights.

Our bathroom is on the opposite side of the bed, so I have to carefully make my way around in the dark. After living in our house for 15 years, I know the layout, but still—you never know what might be on the floor. So I walk slowly, carefully, feeling my way until I close the bathroom door. Then I turn on the light so I don’t disturb her—because I love her, and because, frankly, she’s a lot nicer when she’s slept well!

But it’s hard to walk in the dark, isn’t it? Even when you know where you’re going, you have to move cautiously. And sometimes, as Christians, we try to live our lives like that—as if we’re walking in the dark. Yet Scripture says: “God has called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

When Kelly is away visiting her mom, I don’t have to tiptoe around in the dark. I can flip on the light and move quickly, freely. I can see where I’m going. Life is so much easier in the light.

That’s what God wants for us. Life is better, freer, and safer when we walk in the light of Christ. So let me challenge you: where in your life are you still walking in darkness? Where do you need to turn on the light—stop conforming to the world, and instead live in God’s light as His holy people?

As Christians, we need to turn on the light!  We are called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light.  I challenge you to examine areas where you are conforming to the world instead of living in the Light as God’s holy people.

Darkness can represent many things in our lives.  First, darkness can represent ignorance.
As people of the light, we are called to be informed. That means studying God’s Word, seeking to understand it, and asking Him to make us aware of what we don’t yet see. Often we simply “don’t know what we don’t know.” So our prayer becomes: “Lord, show me what I need to know. Make me conscious. Help me be intentional as I follow You.”

Second, darkness can represent sin.
As God’s people of light, we must leave behind sinful behavior—the things we already know are wrong. That means repenting and turning away from them. But it also means asking God to shine His light on the areas we can’t yet see. “Lord, show me the hidden sins, the blind spots, the places I need to change. Bring me out of the darkness and into Your light.”

Finally, darkness can represent despair.
The world constantly tells us reasons to be fearful, anxious, angry, or hopeless. But as people of the light, we are called to lay down despair and embrace hope. No matter how bad things look, we know that Christ has already overcome the brokenness of this world. In Him we have eternal hope. We don’t have to live in despair anymore—we can step out of the darkness and walk in the light.

Living As Royal Priests
Our identity is not just about what God has done for us, but what we are to do for Him.  We are His royal priests who represent God to the world.  Let me ask you some questions:

When was the last time you reminded someone that they are loved and valued by the Lord?

When was the last time you stood in the gap for someone who was far from God?

When was the last time you brought someone else’s needs before God in prayer as a priest would?

When was the last time you prayed with someone?

When was the last time you carried God’s presence into a place of darkness or despair?

When was the last time you served someone in a way that revealed God’s love?

When was the last time you lived in such a way that someone asked about your faith?

When was the last time you told your story of how God changed your life?

Closing
Our closing song today isn’t just a fun song.  It’s a closing reminder to all of us.  Listen to the words of the chorus:
The same power that rose Jesus from the grave
The same power that commands the dead to wake
Lives in us, lives in us
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks
The same power that can calm a raging sea
Lives in us, lives in us
He lives in us, lives in us

We are God’s royal priests, a holy nation.  We are the Temple of the Living God. He lives in us.
This is an incredible honor and privilege.  But it’s also a responsibility.  We are called to serve,
to represent God to the world.  To be His powerful agents of grace—calling the world repent, inviting more and more people in God’s Kingdom and ushering His Kingdom into our world.

We have the power to do it, because the same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in us.
But are we willing to live as God’s royal priests?

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!”

I Will Show You How To... | A Sermon on Matthew 4:19

Introduction
It’s an incredible time to be alive if you like to learn and do things yourself.  There are so many resources available to us.  With YouTube, you can look up almost anything and there’s probably someone with a YouTube video to show you how to do it step by step. 

If you want to know how to fix a leaky faucet in your shower, there’s a video for that. Need to change the starter on your 2016 Toyota Camry? There’s a video that shows you how to do that too.

Find yourself in a stressful situation at work? There’s even a Navy SEAL who has a video on how to deal with stress—and I’m sure they know a thing or two about that.

Have you ever dropped your phone in the bathtub or the pool? You need to know what to do because you can’t afford to buy another $1,000 phone. There’s a video that will tell you how to dry it out and clean it up.

Need to know how to study Matthew 4:19? There’s a video for that as well. In fact, I’ve already posted two—this one will be up tomorrow, and there’ll be another one next week. And of course, there are probably a thousand other preachers out there doing the same thing.

So yes, there are all kinds of resources available—videos to show you how to do just about anything. But here’s the problem with YouTube: you have to be careful who you trust. Anybody can post a video, even if they don’t actually know what they’re talking about. Someone might tell you how to change the starter on your Camry, but if they don’t really know, you could end up doing it wrong—or even blowing up your car!  So you have to be wise, check your sources, and find the right ones that are truly helpful.

Why am I telling you this? Because today we see the “how-to” statement in Jesus’ invitation. We’ve been looking at Matthew 4:19.

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

One of the things that set Jesus apart from other spiritual leaders of His day was Jesus showed His followers how to do stuff.  While other rabbis would sit down with students in a classroom and teach from a book, Jesus took His disciples out into the real world and showed them how to live for God.

If Jesus Had A YouTube Channel
Some of the things Jesus showed His disciples how to do were:

How to Love and Forgive:
Jesus showed them how to love their neighbors and even their enemies. He taught them about forgiveness and demonstrated it on the cross by forgiving those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34).

How to Pray:
Jesus didn’t just tell them to pray; He showed them how. He gave them the Lord’s Prayer as a model (Matthew 6:9-13) and demonstrated a life of prayer in all circumstances.

How to Serve with Humility:
Jesus washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17), showing them that true greatness is found in humble service. He lived out a servant-hearted life and invited them to do the same.

How to Trust God in Difficult Times:
Whether calming a storm (Mark 4:35-41) or facing His own crucifixion, Jesus showed them what it means to trust the Father fully.

Jesus’ Invitation to You
But Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 4:19 wasn’t just for the 12 Disciples 2,000 years ago.  It’s the same invitation He gives you today.  Come, follow me, and I will show you how to…

Unfortunately, Jesus doesn’t have a YouTube Channel, but He does have a Holy Bible, and it is full of His wisdom and practical lessons that show us how to live for Him.  We should definitely read it and study it and puzzle over it.
Don’t get sidetracked by puzzling questions like how did Noah fit all the animals on the Ark or how did God split apart the Red Sea.  I would encourage you to focus on the real life practical lessons of Jesus like:  How to forgive, how to pray, how to serve, and how to trust God in hard times.  These are the lessons that will truly draw you closer to God and help change the world.

So we have the Bible where Jesus teaches us How To, but we can’t forget the other part of the formula.  We have to get out there and do it.

Jesus’ lessons to His Disciples and to us must be practiced in the real world.  This is not head knowledge.  This is heart knowledge.  It’s meant to change your heart.  And it has to be practices with your hands and feet.  Let’s take one example.

“The greatest among you will be your servant.”
When Jesus taught His Disciples about serving, He got down on His knees and washing their feet.  He taught them while showing them.  And then He told them to do the same thing.  He said, “The greatest among you will be your servant.”

In order to truly follow Jesus and learn from Him, you must do the things He showed us how to do in the Bible.  Following Jesus isn’t an accumulation of head knowledge.  Following Jesus means letting Him transform your heart and your life.  As you practice what He preached, your attitudes and behaviors begin to change.  You become more like Him.  It doesn’t happen overnight.  But the more you live like Him over the course of your life, the more you begin to reflect His character to the world around you.

Think of the disciples: they didn’t become “fishers of people” on day one. They stumbled, they doubted, they failed—but little by little, as they walked with Jesus, He transformed their hearts. The same is true for us.

This is the process of discipleship: Jesus says, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how…” If you keep walking with Him, He will show you how to forgive when it’s hard, how to serve when it costs you something, how to trust when the storm rages, how to love when it feels impossible.

And here’s the best part: you don’t do it alone. His Spirit lives within you, shaping you, guiding you, strengthening you every step of the way.

Conclusion & Invitation
So today, the question is simple: Will you let Jesus show you how?

• How to forgive that person you’ve been holding a grudge against.
• How to serve quietly when no one else notices.
• How to pray with trust instead of fear.
• How to love someone you think doesn’t deserve it.
• Or something else (there are a lot of lessons He showed us in His Bible)

This is what it means to be His disciple—not just to know about Him, but to let Him transform your heart and your life.  So here’s Jesus’ invitation, still echoing after 2,000 years: “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how…”  Will you take Him up on it today?

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.

 

Come | A Sermon on Matthew 4:19

Introduction
It’s been a tough week in a lot of ways. First of all, we had the remembrance of 9/11, which was a dark day in the history of our country, and we were already thinking about that. And then, with the violence we’ve seen this week—the murder of Charlie Kirk—it just breaks your heart. To see these things happening, playing out on our screens, on social media, and people bickering back and forth about it, pointing fingers at each other, it just hurts to think this is the world we live in and this is the way people act.

It’s easy to get swept up in it, to be overwhelmed either by sadness, or by anger, or by fear. But as I think about what’s happening in the world, it helps us see very plainly that our ways of doing things don’t work. They’re broken. They don’t lead to the solutions we hope for and long for.

So the message the Lord laid on my heart today is this: Come and look at a different way. A different way forward. Is there a better way?People are reeling from the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk. Some feel he is a martyr for boldly professing his faith, while others are angry at his rhetoric. Both sides are pointing fingers. Violence, outrage, and accusation swirl in the air.
If we’re not careful, we can get swept into the very cycle of destruction Jesus came to break.

Jesus and His followers faced similar issues in His day. The same troubles that plague the human heart today plagued people’s hearts then. The Jews were oppressed by the Romans, and they hated the Romans. The Romans, in turn, didn’t respect the Jews. It was a constant struggle that continued even after Jesus walked the earth.

Christ, the Son of God—the most perfect person who ever lived—was nailed to a cross. And while on the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He warned His followers: “If you follow Me, the world will hate you, because darkness hates the light.”

That’s exactly what happened. The first martyr, Stephen, was murdered simply for speaking the truth about Jesus Christ. Later, James and others were also killed.

But here’s the remarkable thing: how could a group of people teaching about love, refusing to lash out, possibly survive? And yet they did. We are here today in a Christian church because the faith of Christ, the way of Christ, His Kingdom, is the one that lasted.

Israel’s old kingdom is gone. Rome, with all its power, is gone. But the Kingdom built upon love still stands, because love is the most powerful force in the universe.

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

Jesus’ Invitation: Come
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus’ very first word to His disciples was “Come.”  He didn’t start with a lecture on doctrine.  He didn’t demand that they already understand the whole mission.  He simply invited them into His presence: Come and see. Come and learn. Come and walk with Me.

This is where true change begins:

This is where true change begins—not in anger or retaliation. Anger may be a catalyst, but it’s not the answer. The answer is recognizing the world is broken, that our ways don’t work, and that we are utterly helpless to heal it on our own.

Jesus knows it.  We know it.  And so, Jesus invites us to come try His way.  His invitation is wide enough for everyone.  In His day, Jesus invited Jews & Gentiles (whom Jews despised).  He invited tax collectors and the Zealots (who wanted to kill tax collectors).  He invited Romans & people who hated Romans.  All these different groups were broken and needed God’s forgiveness and healing.  If Jesus could bring a Zealot and a tax collector into the same circle, He can bring us together too.

Today, Jesus invites conservatives and progressives, Americans and non-Americans, people of all walks of life. He looks at you—your life, your brokenness, your struggles—and says: “You’ve tried your way. It hasn’t worked. Come, try My way.”

A Different Path Forward
The world says: “Fight fire with fire. Get even. Destroy your enemy.”
Jesus says: “Love your enemy. Pray for those who persecute you.”
The world says: “Do what feels right.  Make yourself happy.  Look out for your own.”
Jesus says: “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.”

On the surface it sounds foolish. How could surrender bring victory? But this is the paradox of the Gospel. In His death, Jesus defeated death. In His forgiveness, He broke sin’s chains. Only His way interrupts the endless cycle of hate, violence, and destruction.

It’s like light shining in the darkness—darkness cannot overcome it. The cycle of hate ends only when one side refuses to pick up the sword and instead picks up the cross. That’s true in personal relationships, in national politics, and in international affairs.

The Real Enemy: Ephesians 6:12
We must remember: people are not the enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world.”

The other side is not your enemy. Sin is. Satan is. And the cure is Christ.  That’s why His invitation is so urgent: Come.

Show me one place in the New Testament where Christians took up arms against their enemies.  There is only one place I know of.  Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane…[i]  Jesus told Peter in Matthew 26:52 “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.”

Test His Way
Jesus told His first disciples, in effect: “Come try My way. Walk with Me. Test it out and see.”  What if instead of lashing out, you came to Jesus first?  What if instead of nursing bitterness, you laid your pain at His feet?  What if instead of seeing others as enemies, you saw them as fellow sinners in need of grace?

An Invitation: Come and see.
The word today is simple but profound: Come.
Come as you are.
Come with your anger.
Come with your grief.
Come with your questions.
Come with your sin.

Jesus doesn’t ask you to clean yourself up first. He simply says: “Come, follow Me.”

But come with your whole heart. Don’t do it halfway. When you come fully, you’ll discover His way—unconventional but eternally true—is the only path to peace, healing, and victory.

Closing Prayer
Father, I pray for hurting hearts today. As fears swirl, as doubts plague us, as we see violence around us, as we see our community and country turning into something we don’t want it to be—help us, O Lord. Give us faith to trust in You. Help us follow Your Son with our whole hearts, so that we may find healing and forgiveness and be part of the Kingdom that lasts forever. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.

[i] Matthew 26:51–52; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:49–51; John 18:10–11