Mark 1:16-20 - Following Jesus

Sermon Series: The Gospel of Jesus Christ -Following the Son of God through the Gospel of Mark

Mark 1:16-20

Pastor Jared Carline | July 19, 2026

Text: Mark 1:16-20

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.  19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.”

Big Idea:  Jesus calls ordinary people to leave behind everything and follow Him.

1. Jesus Calls Ordinary People (Mark 1:16–17)

Jesus chose ordinary fishermen to become His disciples. The call of Jesus does not begin with our ability, success, or qualifications, but with His grace and His invitation to follow Him.

-Jesus sees ordinary people and gives them extraordinary purpose.

-Discipleship begins with responding to Jesus’ call.

-God uses willing hearts, not just impressive people.

2. Jesus Calls for Immediate Obedience (Mark 1:18)

Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed Jesus. Following Christ requires a response of surrender and obedience.

-Jesus calls us to place our lives under His authority.

-True discipleship means leaving behind anything that keeps us from fully following Him.

-Delayed obedience can keep us from experiencing God’s purposes.

3. Jesus Calls Us Into a New Mission (Mark 1:19–20)

Jesus did not only call the disciples away from something; He called them into something greater. He transformed fishermen into fishers of men and gave their lives a new purpose.

Jesus changes our identity and redirects our lives for His kingdom.

-Every follower of Jesus is called to participate in His mission.

-God uses ordinary people to proclaim His extraordinary grace.

Cross Reference (1 Peter 2:9–10):

"9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

God calls His people out of darkness into His marvelous light so that they may proclaim His goodness to the world.

Reflection Question:

What is Jesus asking me to surrender in order to follow Him?