First is a series of messages on “Encounters with Christ,” a study about the people that had a direct encounter with Christ and how it changed their life forever.

Title: Fishy Fishermen made Faithful Followers

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Text: Matthew 4:17-22

Introduction

Two fellows meet in Florida. One says: 'I went fishing last week and caught a herring that weighed 450 pounds.'

The other guy looks at him and says: 'I too was fishing last week, and I didn't catch anything, but I pulled up the hook, and standing on the hook was a lantern from an old ship. God only knows how long it was lying in the mud, because it was covered with seaweed and barnacles. I washed it the best I could and polished it, and on the bottom was a scripted engraving, 'Manufactured 1467'. This was before Columbus and would you believe it, the light was still burning!'

The other guy says, 'I'll take off 100 pounds from the herring, you blow out the light.'

Think for a moment, a third of the apostles Jesus would choose would be fishermen. Every wonder why? Poetic justice. Here we have four guys, who most likely had told some wild fish stories of their own, that are charged with duty of telling everyone that a common carpenter from the low class area of Galilee is the promised Messiah, the Christ who died and now lives.

I can see it now, “Yeh, yeh, Peter – a risen Lord you say? And just how big was that fish you to caught last summer?” Talk about your sins finding you out!

No doubt, many would question the wisdom of choosing such men like Peter, Andrew, James and John but God the Son knew exactly what he was doing. He was choosing common men for a very uncommon task – He was taking fishy fishermen and making them faithful followers.

What qualities did Jesus see and what purpose did Jesus have? These are the questions we will seek to answer this day as we examine: The Eye of the Artist, The Surrender of the canvas, and finally the Masterpiece of the Master.

I. The Eye of the Artist

The difference between an artist and most of us is that the artist has the ability to visualize what the outcome is going to be . . .

I look at a rock and all I see is a rock. I look at a canvas and all I can see is bland piece of expensive cloth. And, if I was Jesus walking along that day seeing these smelly fishermen, all I could see would have been smelly fishermen.

But our Lord has the Eye of an Artist. He see what can be and not just what is.

A. What did the Artist See?

1. An Outstanding Spokesman and Leader – Peter

2. A Servant and Evangelist – Andrew

3. A Martyr – James

4. A Loving Friend and Powerful Preacher – John

B. What does the Artist see in you?

1. Sin Made Saint?

2. Child Being Made Mature?

3. Good Steward?

C. What Do We See In Others?

II. The Surrender of the Canvas

Peter, James, Andrew and John would have remained fishermen. We would not be speaking their names today, admiring they faith, or learning form their example if it had not been for the command, “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men;” and they had responded by immediately leaving their nets.

For the artist to work, the canvas must surrender to his will.

For Jesus to create you into the vessel that you can be and He desires you to be, you must give yourself totally into His hand.

A. Surrender is Separation

These four left their ‘nets’ and followed Him. They put off their old life and took on a new role.

B. Surrender is Sacrificial

Fishing was the means by which they earned their money. It was their security. Pardon the pun, but it was their safety net.

Those things that are worthy always call for a sacrifice.

C. Surrender is Servanthood

Note what Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” These four would not only be servants to the Lord, but they would also spend their lives being servants to men.

Allow me to make one little point using our allegory of the Artist and the Canvas. When the picture is finished – the Artist is done and the painting complete, it is hung for all to view. It becomes a blessing and joy to all that see it. Is your life such that it can reflect the true art of the Artist?

III. The Masterpiece of the Master

We really cannot pass by this point -- The finished product of the master. Look at what the Master did! He took the Common and made them uncommon, he took fishy fishermen and fine faithful followers. He took boat people and made them bold preachers. He took proud Peter and made him a powerful preacher. He took the unlearned and made them theologians. He took the backward country boys and brave international ambassadors!

A. The Masterpiece was a Life Long Process

B. The Masterpiece was a Life Giving Proclamation

C. The Masterpiece was Life Everlasting.