Peter, Andrew, James, and John are remarkable figures in church history. But when Jesus called them, they were just a group of ordinary people with no name. God likes to use ordinary people. Look at the people in your group. There is nothing special about them and they have many flaws and weaknesses, but God likes to use ordinary people like you and me to accomplish the work of the kingdom of heaven.

When the Lord called these men, they were working. These were fishermen, they were fishing, mending their nets; they were doing what they did every day. Jesus' calling is not limited to church gatherings; He loves to meet us in our daily lives. No matter what profession or position you are in, the Lord is calling you today: "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

This calling has three implications for us:

1. Fisher of men

The word "fisher" in "fishers of men" means "win" in the original language. To win souls is to capture them from the power of Satan and bring them into the kingdom of God. Winning souls is the main goal of Jesus' ministry on earth and is also the most important strategy for the Kingdom of God in this world. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus declared, "The Kingdom of God is at hand!" The Kingdom of God is at hand is at the center of Jesus' work and message.

The Kingdom of Heaven is Near! The mission God has given us is to overthrow the old kingdom and establish a new kingdom. This is a spiritual perspective. Our mission is to liberate all those who are oppressed. What a meaningful, valuable and honorable mission this is! You are the spiritual liberation army! Hallelujah! No matter what you do, whether you are a teacher, a student, a professional or an ordinary white-collar worker; whether you are married or single; no matter what position you are in, your most important task is to win people.

2. When the Lord calls, follow Him

The Lord said, "Come, follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men."

"Calling" is what the Lord does, but "following" is what we have to do. The Lord has called, but it is up to you to decide whether to follow or not. Today, many Christians have been saved, but because they are unwilling to truly follow Jesus, the Lord has not been able to make them soul winners. Before the Lord can make us soul-winners, we must first be willing to follow Him.

Following is not passing the test. Passing the test is a matter of a moment, but following is a life-long business. It is a lifelong journey with the Lord and walking in the Lord's way. Are you willing to follow the Lord? If the Lord calls you and you do not follow, you will always be the one who loses. If the Lord calls you and you are willing to follow, even if it costs you, you will be blessed throughout your life.

3. Abandon

If we want to follow Jesus, we must be willing to "give up". In order to follow Jesus, Peter and Andrew had to abandon their fishing nets, which were their means of making money. James and John also left their boat, hired servants and father and followed Jesus. God's requirement is very clear: if you are not willing to give up, you cannot follow the Lord. Only a person who is willing to give up can be used by the Lord to win others. Today, in God's kingdom, we need more people who are willing to "give up."

For the Lord to make you a soul winner, are you willing to give up your net, which you consider to be the most important and indispensable thing in your life, and follow the Lord? What is your hindrance? Please listen to what the Lord said: "Come, follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men!"

Discussion Questions:

1. The Lord not only calls us to be saved, but He also calls us to win souls. Are you a soul-winning Christian? Does your life actually reflect your calling to win souls? Is winning souls an important part of your life?
2. What is hindering you from winning souls? What needs to be given up in order to win souls? What kind of adjustments does your lifestyle require?
3. How can your cell group encourage each other to win souls? How can your group become a soul-winning group?

Win People