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Conversion is most fully displayed when it leads converts to seek the conversion of others: we most truly follow Christ when we become fishers of men. The great question is not so much what we are naturally, as what Jesus makes us by His grace: whoever we may be of ourselves, we can, by following Jesus, be made useful in His kingdom. Our desire should be to be man catchers; and the way to attain to that sacred art is to be ourselves thoroughly captured by the great Head of the college of fishermen. When Jesus draws us we shall draw men.

I. SOMETHING TO BE DONE BY US — "Come ye after Me."

1. We must be separated to Him, that we may pursue His object.

2. We must abide with Him, that we may catch His spirit.

3. We must obey Him, that we may learn His method.

4. We must believe Him, that we may believe true doctrine.

5. We must copy His life, that we may win His blessing from God.

II. SOMETHING TO BE DONE BY HIM — "I will make you." Our following Jesus secures our education for soul winning.

1. By our following Jesus, He works conviction and conversion in men: He uses our example as a means to that end.

2. By our discipleship the Lord makes us fit to be used.

3. By our personal experience in following Jesus, He instructs us until we become proficient in soul-winning.

4. By inward monitions He guides us what, when, and where to speak.

5. By His Spirit He qualifies us to reach men.

6. By His secret working on men's hearts He speeds us in our work.

III. A FIGURE INSTRUCTING US — "Fishers of men." A fisher is

(1)  dependent and trustful;

(2)  diligent and persevering;

(3)  intelligent and watchful;

(4)  laborious and self-denying;

(5)  daring, and not afraid to venture upon a dangerous sea;

(6)  successful. He is no fisher who never catches anything.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

WEB: Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.