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

What is Forgiveness? | A Sermon on Matthew 8:21-35

Introduction

You know, I like to plan ahead on my messages. If you read David's article in the newsletter, he shared how I usually plan months ahead for what I’m going to preach on each Sunday. That way, he can plan the songs to go along with it. But every now and then, the Lord just grabs me and says, "I need you to change what you were planning." That’s what He did today, based on the Bible study we had on Thursday. We were talking about forgiveness, and the Lord said, "You need to preach on forgiveness today." And so, that’s what we’re going to do.

Forgiveness is a key, central theme in the Christian faith. It’s not optional. It’s one of those core things. It’s as central to our faith as the cross we adorn our churches with and often wear as necklaces. In fact, the cross should remind us every time we look at it that forgiveness is central to our faith.

Unfortunately, because it is so central—and because we talk about it so often—I think most people, even longtime, faithful Christians, often misunderstand what forgiveness truly is. So today, the Holy Spirit is urging me to preach on forgiveness. And I ask ahead of time for your forgiveness if this message goes a little long. This is what the Lord has given me to say, and we’ll also celebrate Holy Communion afterward.

Matthew 18:21-35
²¹ Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone^[a] who sins against me? Seven times?”

²² “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!^[b]

²³ “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. ²⁴ In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars.^[c] 25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.

²⁶ “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ ²⁷ Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.

²⁸ “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars.^[d] He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.

²⁹ “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. ³⁰ But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.

³¹ “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. ³² Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.

³⁵ “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters^[e] from your heart.”

The Meaning of Christ’s Parable
Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive. Rabbis taught three times. Peter thought he was being generous by suggesting seven. Jesus responded with seventy-seven or seventy times seven—meaning endlessly.

In the parable, Jesus was teaching about us and God. We are the servants who cannot repay our debt to God. Yet God forgives us completely. And He calls us to do the same for others.

Whenever I’ve preached on this topic over the past 25 years, it gets the most feedback and the most resistance. People struggle with it deeply. They ask, "You mean to tell me I have to forgive my ex-wife? My abusive father? The person who assaulted me?"

I understand. It’s a hard word. But it’s a true word. And it’s central to our faith.

What is Forgiveness?

True forgiveness is releasing resentment and the desire for revenge. It’s choosing to offer grace and let go of the offense.

Here’s the key point: Forgiveness is something you do for your own benefit, not the person you’re forgiving.

People often get hung up here. They think forgiving someone is a gift to the offender. But it’s not. It’s a gift to yourself. It sets you free.

Jesus used a financial example to help us understand. Imagine someone owes you a trillion dollars. There’s no way they can repay it. You can hold onto the debt and let it eat you up, or you can release it. Forgiveness frees you.

Of course, most debts we carry aren’t financial. They are personal. Unfaithfulness. Betrayal. Violence. Abuse. Murder.

You may be wondering, "How could I ever forgive what was done to me?"

Remember, forgiveness doesn’t release the offender—it releases you. They cannot repay you. Nothing they do can restore what was lost. Holding onto the grudge only continues the pain.

Holding onto unforgiveness is like drinking poison every day and expecting it to kill the other person. It only poisons you.

Jesus offers the solution so you can heal: You must forgive.

 

Misunderstandings About Forgiveness

1. Forgiveness doesn’t mean the offender escapes justice. If someone commits a crime, justice must be served. Forgiveness doesn’t erase consequences. But vengeance belongs to the Lord (Deut. 32:35; Rom. 12:19).

2. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting. The Bible never tells us to "forgive and forget." Only God says, "I will remember their sins no more" (Heb. 8:12). We may still need to remember for the sake of wisdom and protection.

3. Forgiveness doesn’t require an apology. You can forgive someone even if they never say they’re sorry. Forgiveness is what you do—it doesn’t depend on them.

4. Forgiveness isn’t the same as reconciliation. You don’t have to become friends with the person. Reconciliation requires more: repentance, apology, changed behavior, and a mutual desire to restore the relationship.

Reconciliation Requires
Much has to happen in order to truly reconcile and restore a relationship.  Such as:

1.     Repentance – The wrongdoer acknowledges the harm and turns from it.

2.     Confession – Honest admission of the wrongdoing.

3.     Forgiveness – The offended person releases bitterness and offers grace.

4.     Apology – A sincere expression of regret.

5.     Restitution (if possible) – Making things right where harm was done.

6.     Changed behavior – Evidence of growth or a desire not to repeat the offense.

7.     Mutual desire to restore the relationship – Both parties willing to move forward.

8.     Time and patience – Trust may need to be rebuilt gradually.

So, you can forgive someone—release your resentment and expectation of offender restoring you—without being reconciled and becoming best buds with your offender. 

Forgiveness is Hard

This isn’t just theory. Forgiveness is hard. I’ve lived it.

Many of you know I didn’t have a good father. He was abusive and abandoned our family. As a child, I hated him. Over time, I stopped hating him—but the Lord called me to do more. He said, "You must forgive him."

That process began when I was 20. My father died a few years ago. By God’s grace, I was able to forgive him and even reconcile to some degree. I preached at his funeral, by his invitation.

So when I say forgiveness is central to our faith, I speak from experience. It’s not optional. It’s real. It’s hard. But it’s necessary.

Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer and say, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," we’re engaging with this truth.

Every time we look at the cross, we’re reminded of how serious sin is—and how deep God’s forgiveness goes. Jesus was crucified for our sins. And as He hung on the cross, He said, "Father, forgive them."

Let us live in that forgiveness. And let us extend it to others.

 

"Following God" | A Sermon by Guest Speaker, Amy Harris

This week we have a guest blogger post.  Amy Harris shares her struggle with fear and uncertainty as she stepped into a new church role. Though she prayed for closed doors if it wasn’t God’s will, every door opened—including support from her husband. She reflects on Hebrews 11, James 1, and Isaiah 55, teaching that true faith means trusting God’s character and promises, even without full understanding. Growth requires stepping out of comfort zones, facing fear, and obeying despite uncertainty. She encourages the congregation not to miss God’s blessings by hesitating but to follow His leading with trust and confidence.

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Chris asked me several weeks ago to type something up for the newsletter about how excited I was for my new role at the church. Then, two weeks ago, he said, “Oh, can you preach on the 31st?” So, I figured—why type a few paragraphs when he’s given me twenty minutes in the pulpit and I can just talk and talk and talk?

If I’m being completely honest, I couldn’t write anything for the newsletter because “excited” was not the adjective that I was feeling. Stressed, frustrated, confused, unsure—those sounded more accurate, but probably not what he was hoping to accomplish with my brief article.

And if you’ve stopped by and asked me how things are going, I’m not one to sugarcoat things. If my words didn’t come across as my honest thoughts, my face surely did—I have no control over my facial expressions.

Now, let me stop here and make a statement: I’m not leaving my job. This isn’t my resignation sermon. If you only pay attention every now and then, or if I lose you after the first few minutes, you could walk away thinking I’m done. So, call it a spoiler alert—but that isn’t how this chapter ends. This isn’t even the true subject of today’s message; it’s simply my inspiration for it.

Called Into Something New

Have you ever felt called into something and you knew 100% it was meant to be? No reservations, just peace, excitement, and certainty? I have. I can remember multiple times when God gave me a beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt “yes.” Those are good, those are fun.

But this job opportunity was not that kind of experience for me. I had reservations. I was hesitant, uncertain, and full of questions. This new role meant big changes—my weekly schedule, my finances, my workload, and my commute (and yes, traffic on Cleveland Highway at 8:00 a.m. nearly drove me insane!).

I began praying very specific prayers: “Lord, if this is not Your will, close the door.” I prayed that before Chris even took the job description to the HR Committee. But the HR Committee approved it. Door one open.

Then the Finance Committee agreed the position was important and trusted God to provide funding. Door two open.

Finally, I thought my husband would close the door. He doesn’t like uncertain change any more than I do. But when I asked him, instead of “No,” he simply texted, “I think you should change.” God wasn’t closing doors—He was holding them wide open.

So why was I still questioning Him?

Faith Tested

I realized I trust God completely when things are out of my control. But when I do have a say—when choices affect my family, time, and finances—I hesitate.

Yet Hebrews 11:1 says: “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

Faith is more than believing God exists—it’s trusting His character and His promises. Even when we don’t see the outcome, we walk by faith. Hebrews 11 reminds us of people who died still believing God’s promises without seeing them fulfilled. Sometimes our faith isn’t even for our blessing—it’s for someone else’s.

Isaiah 55:8–9 says: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways.”

A lack of understanding does not excuse a lack of obedience.

Growing Through Trials

James 1 says: “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

Faith is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. The more you obey God’s call, even when uncomfortable, the easier it becomes to live faithfully.

Fear is the number one barrier to following God. We want guarantees before we take the first step. But growth comes when we step forward without a guarantee—when we get comfortable being uncomfortable.

One month into this new role, I still don’t know exactly where God is leading. But I know this: He opened every door, and He has a plan.

Conclusion

I love Jesus. I love my church. You, my church family, are one of the most precious parts of my life. Your encouragement, kindness, and prayers mean more than I can say.

And because I listened to God’s voice, I get to be part of growing the ministries of Pleasant Grove Methodist in ways I never imagined. I don’t know what that will look like yet, but I know I won’t miss His blessings—because I said “yes.”

So I ask you:

• What areas of your life do you need to stop overthinking and start following God’s direction?

• Is He calling you out of your comfort zone?

• Is fear keeping you from His blessings?

Don’t miss what He has in store for you. Ask Him. Seek His guidance. Be still and listen. And remember—He will never call you anywhere He won’t also go with you.