Network Discipling Ministries

BUILDING THE KINGDOM

Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men – Matthew 4:19

Read First: Matthew 4:12-22

By the time Jesus emerged from the wilderness of temptation, His forerunner, John the Baptist, was arrested and imprisoned for denouncing King Herod’s illicit affair with Herodias, his brother’s wife. Although John’s imprisonment was a disturbing matter, the real truth was that, on the divine timetable, his mission in this world was completed; and the time was at hand for the King Messiah to launch His kingdom. The record states that from the time of John’s imprisonment, Jesus began preaching the identical message that was given to John by the God of the wilderness.

From the humble shores of the Sea of Galilee, the Majesty of heaven and earth, robed in the condescending garb of humanity, began His kingdom mission by inviting the fallen children of Adam to enroll as kingdom citizens and building partners. The King’s simple one-liner became the fundamental working principle for building His kingdom: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).The ones who choose to follow became known as His disciples—not merely bench-warming church members. Not every church member is a disciple of Jesus; but every fruit-bearing disciple is a true citizen of His kingdom (Matthew 7:21; John 15:8).

Jesus’ kingdom building strategy is very simple but also quite comprehensive, encompassing three inseparable components—namely, the call, the promise and the fulfillment. Let’s pay attention to the Master’s one-liner again:

Follow Me – Personal Invitation. Notice it’s a call to follow, not to fish. There are so many who are fishing but not following.

I will make you – Powerful Transformation. If you choose to keep following Jesus only—not just church, pastor or anyone else—He will transform you into who He called you to be.

Fishers of men – Productive Occupation. Christ invites you to the most rewarding occupation in all the world, and holds Himself responsible for your success.¹

Remember, discipleship, not membership, is the only path to authentic kingdom citizenship. Every kingdom invitee is a kingdom builder, not just a member. Only disciples can make disciples; members could only make what they themselves are—members. How do you wish to respond to t           he King’s very powerful one-liner? Would you choose to be a bench-warming member or a fruit-bearing disciple?

Note:

1. For a more comprehensive understanding of these very powerful concepts, see Dr. Roy’s book: The Explosive Power of Network Discipling.