Date: 23-Oct-2025
Name: Richard Aki
Topic:
THE MAKING OF A DISCIPLE
Content:
“Follow Me, and I Will Make You” — The Making of a disciple of Jesus
“And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”
— Matthew 4:19 (NKJV)
Introduction:
When Jesus called out to Simon Peter and Andrew on that ordinary day as He walked by the sea of Galilee, His invitation was simple yet life-changing:
“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” It was this same call and our pursuit of it in our unique ways and circumstance, that has brought us this far. The 3 common denominator of that call that was true for them then is still true for us today.
1. A Call to Follow – Relationship and obedience.
- A Promise to Transform – “I will make you.”- Becoming more like Him
- A Purpose to Fulfil – “Fishers of men.”
1. The Call: “Follow Me” — Relationship and Daily Pursuit of Him
John 1:38-39- “Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi”, where are you staying? He said to them, “Come and see.”
Psalms 34:8 -“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Philipians 3:10- “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death”
Romans 8:15-16- “but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” → The Holy Spirit draws us into intimate family relationship with God
Luke 9:23- “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Prayer:
“O let me see your footmarks and in them place my own; my hope to follow truly is in your strength alone:” – John E. Bode (1866). “I need Thee every hour, Stay Thou nearby; temptation lose their power when Thou art near”- Annie S. Hawks (1872)
2. The Formation: “I Will Make You” — Becoming more like Him
Roman 8:29- “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
2 Corinthians 3:8 - “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Ephesians 2:10 -“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”
Just as a potter molds clay, Jesus molds our character through:
- The Word of God (John 8:31–32) — truth that renews the mind.
- The Holy Spirit (John 14:26) — power that changes the heart.
- Life’s challenges (James 1:2–4) — trials that refine faith.
- Community (Proverbs 27:17) — relationships that sharpen us.
Peter was a example this life-transformation journey of discipleship. From as a rough impulsive fisherman who denied Jesus 3 times, to a courageous apostle and shepherd of souls.
Prayer: Luke 22:32 - “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Galatian 4:19 –“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you”
Discipleship is a journey of being changed from the inside out by the presence and power of Jesus.
3. The Great Commission: “Fishers of Men” — A call to Fruitfulness
Discipleship is about fruitfulness from the inside out. not end with us being formed — it continues to reach others.
When Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men,” He was giving purpose to the transformation. As Christ is formed within our hearts, we’re becoming more like Him, fruitfulness in soul winning will be a natural response.
Luke 19:31- ”.. And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ”
Acts 1:8- “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
2 Cor. 5:20- “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”
Matthew 28:19- “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
Conclusion:
Jesus’ call, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,” is both an invitation and a promise. He has given us an assurance of His presence as we step out in faith and obedience to the Great commission. “..And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”- Matthew 28:20
Prayer Points:
