Follow Me: What is your best next step?
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Bible Reading
Bible Reading
Matthew 4 tells the short version: Follow Me → Left everything → Followed Jesus.
Matthew 4:18–20 “18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”
That’s the end of the story. But let’s be honest—it doesn’t sound spiritual, it sounds reckless. ‘Hey Dad, we’re leaving everything to follow this Carpenter who promised us He would teach us how to fish.”
Luke 5:1–11 shows us the full picture:
Luke interviewed those with first hand accounts. Gives more details.
Jesus doesn’t call without context.
In this passage, we see the process of discipleship unfold, just as God’s will unfolds in our lives.
Following Jesus didn’t begin with reckless emotion — it began with hearing and trusting His Word.
Pastoral Prayer:
Pastoral Prayer:
Lord, fill us with Your wisdom and understanding today. Speak, Lord—we are listening.
At Your word, we move. We trust, we obey, and we follow—today and every day.
Sermon Introduction
Sermon Introduction
Slide - Seven Areas of Growth in Life
Tough Mudder changed my life for a few months
Very special - Keep moving forward and have friends help you.
1. My next step begins with His Words.
1. My next step begins with His Words.
Every step of following Jesus begins with hearing and believing His Word.
A. The Crowds Lean In
A. The Crowds Lean In
Luke 5:1 “1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,”
Jesus’ teaching revealed God’s very heart to them.
When Jesus taught the crowd, he wasn’t just giving information; He was showing them God’s compassion, holiness, and power right before their eyes.
The purpose of Jesus’s activity among them to reveal God to man. John 14:7 “7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”
Following begins with listening.
We don’t follow cold commandments from afar; we follow a Savior who draws us close with God’s own words of life.
Faith is built around content, information, getting your questions asked, that's always where it begins.
Maybe you feel that is wrong. God owes us no explanation, you are certainly right. But this is God’s plan Romans 10:17 “17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Being a sinner doesn’t disqualify you from following Jesus — it’s a prerequisite.
You may think “I could never be one of those type of people.”
My past is different.
I don’t look the part.
I don’t know the stuff.
Religion says, Change and you can come join us. Jesus says, follow me and you will change.
We will see, “Jesus calls us, not after we succeed, but right in the middle of our failure.”
B. Jesus Steps Into Peter’s Ordinary Life
B. Jesus Steps Into Peter’s Ordinary Life
Luke 5:2–3 “2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.”
Jesus enters into Peter’s everyday life.
“Entered into one of the ships” is a wonderful expression.
Born in a manger, but doesn’t stop there walks right up to Peter.
What a wonderful gift to have encountered the God of the universe.
God’s message is brought to where people live.
Peter had a decision to make.
Jesus asked him to “thrust our a little from the land.”
At this point it may have been simply curiosity from hearing of this teacher.
C. Jesus Still Speaks Today
C. Jesus Still Speaks Today
Not by cold commandments, but by warm invitation.
Though not standing on the sea side, you have heard the Words of God taught to you and they have called upon you to respond.
Listen to them - as they call you to your NEXT, BEST step in life.
What is is that God has been teaching you?
What is is that God has been teaching you?
It may be that you are not a follower of Jesus but you have sat and listened and you are intrigued. God is offering you, not with holding from you His voice.
As a follower of Jesus maybe you don’t what is your next, best step.
The answer is simple; it is obedience.
Transition: As Jesus taught from the boat, He prepared Peter’s heart by next step of obedience. That step came in a surprising and practical way.
Transition: As Jesus taught from the boat, He prepared Peter’s heart by next step of obedience. That step came in a surprising and practical way.
2. My next step may not be dramatic, but it’s deliberate.
2. My next step may not be dramatic, but it’s deliberate.
Jesus didn’t ask Peter for something spectacular — He asked for simple obedience, and that’s where faith always begins.
A. A Simple Request — Trust Me
A. A Simple Request — Trust Me
Luke 5:4 “4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
Jesus meets us in what we already know, but asks for trust.
Peter had already cleaned his nets / Fishing at night was the common time for fishing not this time of day.
This is where things will escalate and trust will be necessary.
God call us to not just be courteous of Him as we would other people, but He calls on us to trust Him
Faith always leads to action.
This is the question that Jesus followers wake up every single day and in some way, shape, or form ask. Am I following?
Not have I arrived.
Not have many verses do i have memorized,
Not how long have I been going to church.
B. The step was simple—but it tested Peter’s faith.
B. The step was simple—but it tested Peter’s faith.
Luke 5:5 “5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”
“We have toiled all night…”—he had reason to resist.
Mechanic telling Josh Criss to tell me to stick to preaching and leave cars alone.
“Nevertheless at thy word…”—faith obeys even when it doesn’t see.
Hardest thing that Peter did was trust that Jesus knew more about his life than he did.
C. Do the simple — watch God do the supernatural.
C. Do the simple — watch God do the supernatural.
Luke 5:6–7 “6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.”
God responds to simple faith with overflowing grace.
Blessing spills over into the lives of others.
Jesus asked Peter to do something Peter had done a thousand times. But he asked Peter to do it in a way he'd never done it before.
"Am I holding onto lesser things instead of fully surrendering to follow Jesus?"
What is it God has been calling you to trust in Him?
What is it God has been calling you to trust in Him?
Believe – You’ve heard the truth and asked your questions. Now decide: Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God and worthy of your allegiance?
Be Baptized – If you’ve trusted Christ but haven’t gone public through baptism, your next step is clear—obey and be baptized.
Gather Weekly – God is calling some of you to commit to weekly worship. Will you trust Him with your schedule?
Live Generously – Money won’t fix your life, but obedience brings peace. God is calling you to give faithfully and live generously.
Serve Faithfully – Many have stepped up to serve, but some are still holding back. God is prompting you to get involved—will you obey?
Share your Faith - There is someone who it is your God given assignment to take the Gospel message.
Take the Next Step – This isn’t about church needs—it’s about your growth. God knows what’s best. Take your next, best step today.
Are you ready to say “Nevertheless at thy word…”
Transition: The miracle wasn’t the end—it was the turning point. Now Jesus presses into Peter’s heart.
Transition: The miracle wasn’t the end—it was the turning point. Now Jesus presses into Peter’s heart.
3. My next step requires letting go to follow.
3. My next step requires letting go to follow.
The miracle moved Peter from amazement to decision — he could no longer stay where he was.
A. Peter’s Clarity — I Am a Sinful Man
A. Peter’s Clarity — I Am a Sinful Man
Luke 5:8 “8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
He saw who Jesus truly is — worthy of worship.
He saw who he truly is — unworthy and sinful.
He saw what he must do — surrender completely.
B. Jesus' Call — Fear Not, Follow Me
B. Jesus' Call — Fear Not, Follow Me
Luke 5:9–10 “9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”
Jesus meets repentant hearts with grace, not rejection.
Jesus transforms ordinary people into those He can use. Matthew 4:19 “19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
True life is found not in success, but in following Him step by step.
C. Peter’s Decision — Forsook All and Followed
C. Peter’s Decision — Forsook All and Followed
Luke 5:11 “11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.”
The boats were full—but Jesus was better.
Following Jesus means leaving lesser things behind to gain the greatest treasure.
Peter demonstrates this in a vivid manner, in Matthew 14, Peter is is in the boat but sees Jesus and asks, “Can I come to you”
Once you’ve locked eyes with Jesus, staying in the boat is no longer an option
Transition to Conclusion: This passage doesn’t just tell us what Peter did. It shows us what Jesus does in every willing heart—He teaches, He tests, He reveals, and He calls.
Transition to Conclusion: This passage doesn’t just tell us what Peter did. It shows us what Jesus does in every willing heart—He teaches, He tests, He reveals, and He calls.
Conclusion: A Call to Decide Today
Conclusion: A Call to Decide Today
My next step begins with His Words.
Obedience isn’t always dramatic — but it’s always decisive.
My next step requires letting go to follow.
If you’ve been listening to Jesus… and you know the next step… take it.
Whether that’s baptism, giving, or showing up to serve — trust that Jesus knows more about your life than you do.
Peter didn’t change the world because he was a preacher. He changed the world because he let down a net when Jesus told him to.
Prayer
Prayer
You’ve heard.
You’ve listened.
You’ve maybe even obeyed a few times.
But today, what’s your next, best step?
For Peter, it started with a small push from shore.
Then a net.
Then the surrender of everything.
What’s Jesus asking of you today?
Will you say what Peter did?
“Nevertheless, at Thy Word…”
