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Come Follow Me

6/9/2025

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Matthew 4:19 (ESV) – “And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”

Introduction: The Call That Changes Everything
As athletes, you understand the power of a call. You got a call to join this team. Maybe it was a coach who saw something in you and said, “Come. Be part of what we’re building here.” That call shifted your path. Your priorities changed. Your training changed. Everything about your life adjusted to the call.

In Matthew 4:19, Jesus gives a call that changes everything: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

This wasn’t just a call to walk behind Jesus. It was an invitation into relationship, transformation, and mission. And it’s the same call He gives you today.

Three simple phrases:
    1.    “Follow Me” – the invitation.
    2.    “I will make you” – the transformation.
    3.    “Fishers of men” – the mission.

1. “Follow Me” — It Starts With Relationship
Jesus didn’t say, “Follow a list of rules.” He didn’t say, “Follow the crowd.” He said, “Follow Me.”

That’s personal. Relational. Close. It means walking where He walks. Trusting where He leads.

John 10:27 (ESV) – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Think about that: Jesus doesn’t just know your stats. He knows your heart. He sees beyond your performance and says, “Come walk with Me.”

You can’t follow Jesus from the bleachers. This isn’t about being a fan of Jesus—it’s about being a follower. Discipleship is not distant; it’s relational.

Just like a good coach walks the sideline, corrects, teaches, and encourages—Jesus is relational. He doesn’t shout plays from heaven; He walks the field with you.

2. “I Will Make You” — Jesus Transforms You
Look closely. Jesus says, “I will make you…” That means it’s His job to shape you. We don’t fix ourselves and then follow. We follow—and He does the shaping.

Philippians 1:6 (ESV) – “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Transformation isn’t about trying harder—it’s about walking closer. The closer you walk with Jesus, the more He transforms you from the inside out.

Think of it like training. You don’t walk into the weight room on day one and max out. Growth takes time, coaching, and commitment. The same is true spiritually.
Jesus takes ordinary people—like fishermen—and makes them world-changers.

3. “Fishers of Men” — You’re Called for a Mission
Fishing was Peter and Andrew’s livelihood. Jesus says, “I’m giving you a new purpose.”
You were fishing for fish; now you’ll fish for people.

He was calling them into Kingdom impact. To live for something greater than themselves. That’s the heart of the Gospel—Jesus saves us not just from sin, but for mission.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV) – “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.”

In sports, you represent your team. You wear the name, the logo, the colors. As a Christian, you represent Christ. Your attitude, effort, and words all reflect Him.

So here’s the question: Are you using your platform for yourself, or for the Kingdom? Who are you pointing to—your stats or your Savior?

Why Does This Call Matter: Jesus didn’t just call people to follow Him; He went to the cross to make that possible.

Romans 5:8 (ESV) – “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

We don’t follow Jesus to earn salvation—we follow because He’s already paid the price. His death and resurrection opened the door to relationship with God. And now He calls us to walk with Him, not out of guilt, but out of grace.

Imagine a walk-on athlete. No scholarship. No fanfare. Just hustle. One day the coach pulls him aside and says, “I want you on the team. Full ride. You’re in.”

Everything changes with that call. Not because the player earned it—but because the coach chose him.

That’s grace. That’s Jesus’ call. Not because you’re good enough—but because He is.

Let me ask you…
     •    Are you following Jesus closely—or just cheering from a distance?
    •    What “nets” (distractions, habits, sin) do you need to drop to follow Him more fully?
    •    Who’s watching your life that you can invite to know Jesus?
    •    Are you letting Jesus shape you—or trying to perform your way to purpose?

Practical Takeaways:
    1.    Spend time with Jesus daily. Scripture. Prayer. Relationship.
    2.    Let Him shape your character. Trust Him with the process.
    3.    Use your influence. Speak life. Encourage teammates. Share your faith.
    4.    Be a disciple who makes disciples. Walk with someone. Invite someone.

Luke 9:23 (ESV) – “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
​

That’s the challenge—and the joy. Jesus calls you not to religion, but to relationship. Not to comfort, but to purpose. Not to sit the bench—but to play for His glory.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the call to follow You. Thank You that You don’t wait for us to have it all together. You call us as we are, and You promise to shape us into who we’re meant to be. Lord, help us walk closely with You. Help us leave behind anything holding us back. Make us into the people You can use to reach others. Use our lives, our voices, our platforms—for Your glory. Let our teammates see something different in us—something real, something eternal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Based on "Live Like Jesus" Study by Dann Spader. Thank you Dann for your inspiration.

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    Shan Smith

    Jesus follower, Husband, Father, ISU-FCA Area Rep, NationsofCoaches Character Coach, TH Rex Chaplain

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