HOFC Sermon Archive: Gospel of Mark Part 7: The First Four Disciples

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction

2. John the Baptist

3. The Baptism of Jesus

4. Temptation of Jesus

5. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus I

6. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus II

7. The First Disciples

Today is Sunday. February 16^th, 2025

INTRODUCTION

To catch everyone up to where we are in the Gospel of Mark, John the Baptist had been preaching of the coming Lord, preparing the way in the wilderness.

People would travel for miles (Jesus walked nearly 100 miles) to hear John’s message of the coming Kingdom and messiah. Jesus was baptized, and the heavens were “torn open.” He received the Holy Spirit and the Father’s acknowledgment that Jesus was His Son.

The Spirit immediately led Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days and nights of trial and testing, ending in Satan himself tempting Jesus. Jesus rebuked him, and, having passed the test of the flesh, He was worthy of ministry.

John the Baptist was imprisoned, and Jesus began His preaching ministry, telling all who would listen that the “time was fulfilled” (Mark 1:15) and the Kingdom was at hand. They needed to repent and put their trust in the gospel.

This is where we are picking up today, in the preaching ministry of Jesus, where He chooses the first of His disciples. Jesus calls, and they respond appropriately.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Mark 1:16-20

“As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow [after] Him.”

I. SIMON AND ANDREW

a. Disciples of Jesus Christ

i. Who were Simon and Andrew?

1. Sons of Jonah (John 1:42)

2. From Bethsaida of Galilee (John 1:44)

3. Fishermen by trade (Mark 1:16)

4. They were partners with James and John (Luke 5:10)

ii. They were called by Jesus while at work, doing their daily job. Business as usual.

b. Luke gives more details about the account

i. They were washing their nets (Luke 5:1-2)

ii. Jesus had Simon take Him out in the boat to teach the people on shore (Luke 5:3)

iii. We all know what happens next.

1. Jesus tells him to cast his net, but he resists, saying they fished all night and got nothing, “but at Your word, I will let down the nets.”

2. The net was so full it began to break, and they had to call for help to get it into the boat.

iv. Many forget the most important part of this.

1. Luke 5:8 “But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!”

v. Simon saw himself as he truly was.

1. Not a great fisherman

2. Not a brother or son

3. But a sinner. A sinner who was not worthy to be in the presence of Jesus.

vi. He approached the Lord as we all should, in humility, acknowledging the truth of who we are, rather than the self-indulgent arrogant view so many professing Christians seem to take of themselves.

1. “Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.”

c. The First Sin

i. What was the first sin? Many say the fall in the garden of Eden. But they are wrong.

1. It was Satan’s pride (Isaiah 14)

2. “When arrogance comes, then comes disgrace,

But with the meek is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

3. “With arrogance comes only quarreling,

But with those who receive counsel is wisdom.” Proverbs 13:10

4. “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” Proverbs 8:13

5. “The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honour” Proverbs 15:33

ii. Simon humbled himself before the Lord and was afraid. Being meek showed his wisdom, and because of his humility, he received honor from the Lord.

1. “Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.”

iii. Humility is necessary if we expect to be used by the Lord or worthy of ministry. Simon showed this.

1. Simon became part of Jesus’ inner circle.

2. He is well known for denying Christ and being restored (Mark 14:66-72; John 21:15-19)

3. He is the key figure in the Book of Acts.

iv. Andrew is known for introducing people to Jesus (beginning with his brother Simon) John 1:40-42; John 6:8-9; John 12:20-22

1. Both brothers, Simon and Andrew, were faithful disciples of Jesus.

II. JAMES AND JOHN

a. Disciples of Christ

i. Brothers James and John were the sons of Zebedee (Mark 1:19)

ii. According to Mark 16:1; Matthew 27:56, their mother was Salmone.

iii. We know they had a successful fishing business because they were in a boat with their father and hired hands.

b. Their background

i. Jesus called them “Sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17)

1. Perhaps because of their quick tempers?

2. In Luke 9, they asked Jesus if He wanted them to call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans for not allowing them to pass through.

3. In Luke 9:55-56 “But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of, 56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” And they went on to another village.”

ii. They asked to sit by Christ’s side in glory. Mark 10:35-37

iii. James became the first apostle to be martyred, fulfilling the Lord’s prophecy that he would drink the same cup as his Master. (Acts 12:1-2; Mark 10:39)

iv. John would go on to write his gospel, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation.

c. What does it mean to be “called”?

i. According to scripture, becoming a disciple of Jesus involves sacrifice…

1. Simon and Andrew had to leave their family business behind

2. James and John left their family behind

3. For all four, it meant hardship, ending in martyrdom and exile

ii. According to scripture, it means seeking the lost

1. We must be fishers of men (Mark 1:17)

2. And like Jesus, we must come “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10)

iii. As disciples of Jesus today

1. Are you willing to sacrifice for the Lord?

2. Are you willing to seek the lost?

CONCLUSION

John the Baptist prepared the way, Jesus was baptized, tested for 40 days and nights, and was tempted by Satan. Having passed the test of the flesh, entered into His public preaching ministry.

The scripture says that when Jesus called the men in our verses today, they “immediately” followed Him.

Today, Jesus has prepared the way (“Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6)

We must be saved and filled with the Spirit of God to be a disciple.

2 Corinthians 13:5 “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?”

NEXT WEEK: “Part 8: A Teacher with Authority”

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