Called to Be Fishers, Not Spectators!

Jesus didn’t call spectators He called fishers.
In this episode of On the Road with Pastor Anthony, I’m joined by my longtime friend James Johnson from the You Tube channel Kingsmen Outfitters for a real, down‑to‑earth conversation about what it truly means to follow Jesus, not just believe in Him.
Using a simple fishing analogy, we talk about guidance, discipleship, and the responsibility we all have to help others take steps toward faith. Just like someone once showed us the way, Jesus calls us to intentionally walk with others as they learn, grow, and follow Him.
This episode challenges you to ask:
Are you actively following Jesus — or just watching from the shoreline?
When was the last time you helped someone take a step toward Him?
Who in your life needs someone to show them the way?
Faith was never meant to be passive. We are called to follow and to share Jesus with others.
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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:11

Hey, welcome back to On the Road with Pastor Anthony. And well, of course, I am your your host, Pastor Anthony. And hey, before we get started, as always, we want to ask you to be sure to subscribe to the channel and whatever platform you listen to us on or watch us on, whatever it is, you know, go ahead and hit the little bell, the notifications. And you know, if this message encourages you all, they then go ahead and share that with a friend. Uh last week we talked about uh mission possible, and today we're going to be actually talking about how to live it out. And you know, kind of you see someone else sitting here with me, so we're doing something a little new today. I am super excited. Uh James Johnson is with us, and we've known each other goodness what time. I mean, I was thinking last thing probably since what 2009, yeah, 10, somewhere around there. Uh, he went to school with my son, but I'm gonna turn it over to him. He has a channel too, and there will be a link in the description for it for uh Kingsman Outfitters, and so definitely go check that out. But I'm gonna turn it over to him, let him introduce himself in his own words and kind of talk a little bit about maybe you know who he is and what we do and all that.

SPEAKER_00 1:17

Like I said, like he said, uh, I'm James Johnson. Um I have a YouTube channel, Kingsman Outfitters. Um, we do mostly outdoor stuff, but we share Jesus any way we can outdoors, um, hunting, fishing, hiking. Uh we give tips and tricks on on different fishing tips and whether you know hunting, um just any way we can bring men together, uh, because mainly mainly a men's ministry. Um, so anyway we can bring men closer to Jesus, that's that's what we like to do.

SPEAKER_01 1:47

Yeah, I think that's definitely important nowadays. I mean, you know, with the way the church is and things, you know, we we could go off on a rabbit trail and really get it and be here all day, you know. But I'm sure y'all have lots to do, so we're gonna uh get it going. But um, but thinking about the outdoors, you know, let me ask you a question. Have you ever seen someone uh going fishing that clearly didn't have a clue what they're doing? I mean, exclude a party because I don't have I don't know what I'm doing. I know when I go fishing with my grandsons, it's like, hey, I'm just doing something. So just that's all right. But uh, but you know, sometimes you see these people and you just like somebody really needs to teach them how to fish. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 2:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:27

That uh so as we look into and think about that, you know, having someone to show you how to fish, you know, uh we gotta ask you all a question. You know, are you following Jesus or just believing in him? I you know, I think that's an important question for us to discuss. And I think about uh, you know, we can go into Matthew chapter four. Uh we need uh James and I have been talking a little bit about that. Uh talking about Jesus calling the first disciples, which kind of goes into that, and you know, it kind of ties us into that whole fishing thing because you know I've got my I've had my line tangled up more times. I used to call my one uh grandson Holden, I used to call him tangled up. I mean, because that boy would find a rock in the bottom of that lake, and it's like, you know, don't but it you know, he kept looking and kept talking and kept getting instruction and you know do some flat out slay some fish now. And uh so it takes us to follow somebody and be able to listen and understand to be able to do uh to be able to fish. And so uh in Matthew chapter 4, anytime, but uh looking at uh chapter Matthew chapter 4 verses 18 uh through 22. Yeah. Um as uh it says, I'll go ahead and read this. It says, as he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, and they were casting a net into the sea since they were fishermen. Verse 19 says, Follow me, he told them, and I will make you fish for people. And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other uh two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, and they were in a boat with Zebedee, their father, mending their nets, and he called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

SPEAKER_00 4:31

I've always I've always thought struck or read this, and it's it's just that they left that was their livelihood. Yeah, you know, that was their um that's how they made their money. That was and they left their dad. Yeah, I just like daddy. All right, I got this voice, yeah. You know, uh, we don't really know much about Zebody, I don't think.

SPEAKER_01 4:54

Um yeah, I don't I can't think of anything right offhand.

SPEAKER_00 4:57

Yeah, but uh yeah, he just said come and follow me, and I'll you know, I'll make you fishers of men. Yeah, and they're like okay, yeah. No question. Yeah, no big deal. Um that's faith. That takes faith, and we it doesn't say whether they uh knew much about him before this or not. Yeah, we don't know, but obviously something was there, you know. Um yeah, I don't know. This this scripture I've always loved.

SPEAKER_01 5:28

Yeah, because that's what I I mean I actually underlined, follow me, and he called them and immediately.

SPEAKER_00 5:35

Immediately, yeah, that's the word immediately.

SPEAKER_01 5:37

And I think that um, you know, if you're watching this and you're and you're reading along, follow along with it, make you underline that, highlight it something because I think that is really I mean it's so important immediately, you know, because Jesus didn't just call us to believe, he called us to follow, to be fishers of men. It's not and it's and you know, they didn't make excuses here.

SPEAKER_00 6:00

You know, this is when his ministry would have first started, too.

SPEAKER_01 6:02

Yeah, this is him calling the first disciples. Um, so he was really, I mean, he hadn't really got started now. I mean, I think up to this point he'd already already done, you know, the he turned the water into wine, and and and I'm thinking uh I think he turned the water into wine.

SPEAKER_00 6:17

His disciples were there when he did that, right?

SPEAKER_01 6:19

Yeah, so yeah, he's been right after he left the wilderness. Yeah, so that was his first miracle, yep. And so he hadn't done that yet. But uh maybe this is yeah, this is before the Sermon on the Mount. This is you know, before the Beatitude. I mean, this is before he really kicked everything into you know into the high gear and got it going. So uh there was probably a little bit of talk about him, and you know, John the Baptist had been preaching and talking about this man coming and uh and all that. And so, you know, there was probably, like I said, there was probably a little bit of knowledge of okay, this guy Jesus, something different about him. And uh, but I think about two uh just popped in my head. The uh, you know, every I think during that time the the goal was is for them to be a religious leader, you know, to be able that that you know that narrative, but some of them weren't able to do you weren't able to memorize the first five books, and and you know, we can go through the whole thing. And so to have someone you know like Jesus to call them in the ministry, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 7:19

There was nothing really in society. They're just fishermen, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 7:24

Uh nobody, you know. They they didn't have TikToks and you know, Facebook pages and YouTube channels and stuff. They just they were out here fishing. Yeah. And uh, and now here we got Jesus going, hey, come follow me. I'm gonna show y'all, we're gonna shake some stuff up.

SPEAKER_02 7:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 7:38

And and so that they didn't even hesitate. And I love that. And and so when we think about that, I really think about, you know, kind of like evangelism, you know, uh, which is one of my strong suits, you know, I'll talk to anybody about Jesus, I don't care who you are, you know. Uh but uh I think you know this is where that the call on our lives. You know, what does that look like? You know, you know, not only for me, but for you, you know, uh with your channel. Yeah. You know, because you're reaching a whole dynamic, you know, different people. Yeah. And same as with those who are listening, you know, watching us now, listening to this, that you know, have you asked the question, what is the call in your life? You know, where is Jesus calling you out to be fishers of men?

SPEAKER_00 8:27

Yeah. Which really that's all well, that that particular part is all the call in all of the believers' lives. Yeah. Because we're all ministers. Yeah, we're all called to share the gospel.

SPEAKER_02 8:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:38

Really, in this sense, fishing is meaningless. Yeah. Fishing for men, that's where it's at. Yeah. That's where I mean that's that's the meat and potatoes, so to speak.

SPEAKER_01 8:47

And uh, I think that's one of the reasons why I hate those self-checkout links because I want to see somebody's face and have the opportunity to fish for people, you know, whether it be man, woman, child, whatever, you know.

SPEAKER_00 8:58

Too many people walk around with their faces and their phones and there's no dialogue.

SPEAKER_01 9:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 9:03

You know, anymore.

SPEAKER_01 9:04

And uh, and that's one of the things, you know, uh, like I said, that I mean, this is one of those slippery things where we could stake off down a rabbit trail, but not going to church.

SPEAKER_00 9:12

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:13

You know, how are you going to be fishers of men?

SPEAKER_00 9:16

That's why it's coming up.

SPEAKER_01 9:20

Well, maybe he wants to be here by Fisher's men. He just ain't fishing. Well, we might be talking to somebody here in just a minute. No. But uh, I always think about the uh there was a story, uh, I don't know, Mark Lowry. I don't know if you know who he is or not. He was with the um, oh my gosh, what was the name of that group? The um, but it was like an old gospel, whatever.

SPEAKER_02 9:45

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 9:45

But the guy was he was a comedian too, and he did a lot of talking funny stories and stuff, and uh and one of the stories he was talking about, he went and bought him a new barbecue grill and stuff, and he had a bunch of friends over and uh and they were grilling out and and and this I guess somebody brought somebody with them and found out that they weren't uh saved. Weren't they had never heard of or hadn't accepted Christ yet, and he's like, Oh, he's like I've never had one of these before in my house. And he he said he went and locked the door, he's like, We're gonna be a while. And I thought I was thinking, man, that's some serious fishing right there for the long haul. But uh, but I think it is just you know, how do we you know answer the call, you know, because you know me, I'm still on the road driving truck, and you know, and you're I'm still in the hospitals. Yeah, it's it's like, you know, where are you all at? Where's God placed you right now? Because a lot of times, you know, even when I was driving school bus and stuff all the time, you know, people would ask me, you know, I had a I prayed with the teacher on the bus. Oh uh, and I had a student ask me one time for a copy of the uh Romans Road. I gave it to her. And I'm like, you know, uh if I get an opportunity, then I need to do I need to be bold and stand up in the faith. Um and so yeah, I guess that can look at you know the ask the question. Yeah, I heard I used to hear a pastor used to talk about he's like uh if you're sharing Jesus, he's like uh you gotta be able to get you or have someone accept Christ, you know, even if by accident. Yeah. And by so the question is, is when's the last time we really shared the gospel with someone? Right. And that's a question for you all. When's the last time that you all have truly, I mean, just ask somebody. I used to have a great aunt, and she and I mean I don't she didn't care who you was, you just if you started talking to her, do you know Jesus? You know, and so do you know Jesus?

SPEAKER_00 11:44

Yeah, just a great commission. Yeah, I mean, well, let's read that real quick.

SPEAKER_01 11:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 11:49

Uh Matthew 28. Matthew 28, 18. Uh he says, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I will be with you to the very end of the age.

SPEAKER_01 12:11

That's pretty powerful, right, Chair.

SPEAKER_00 12:13

And we're all called to go and make disciples.

SPEAKER_01 12:16

Yeah, and that's kind of what you know the mission possible that I talked a little bit about last week is you know, it just went through the you know that very fact. It was like, you know, Jesus didn't stutter. He didn't say if you feel like it or when you get time.

SPEAKER_00 12:29

Or only pastors, yeah, or only pastors, yeah. So many people do that and it drives me crazy. Uh they're like, oh, they'll call their pastor, hey, I know so and so. Okay, go talk to them.

SPEAKER_01 12:37

Well, yeah, yeah. And uh, you know, I was the same way. You know, people come up to me and have an idea or be like, hey, would you call my son? Love him to death. But he had a he called me, he's like, uh, such and such is gonna be calling you. Uh by what? He went to ask some questions about uh getting uh rededicated or I'm like, you talk to him. Yeah, I said he called you. We grew up in the same church.

SPEAKER_00 13:03

Me and Kenny went to school together. I mean, yeah, we we grew up in the same church for what 15 plus years.

SPEAKER_01 13:09

Yeah, dang pastors' kids anyway. But uh, but no, but yeah, it's like don't tell or somebody's got questions, don't send them to your pastor. Or, you know, uh it's okay to do that if if it's a question you don't know, or maybe you know, or maybe go together. Yeah, or uh, or how about this? Uh if somebody that has a question you don't know the answer to, I'll get back to you.

SPEAKER_00 13:33

That's the best, and that's that's it because don't leave them hanging. Um if they have a question, you're like, I really don't know. Uh make sure you get back to them, find the answer and get back to them.

SPEAKER_01 13:41

Yeah, I I used to tell students that I don't know, you probably remember it's like you know, go find the answer and tell them you'll get back to them, and then go get back to them, you know. Yeah, and and so because that's gonna mean the world, you know, and when someone I think when somebody comes to you and with those types of questions, it you should consider it an honor because they know that you know you have this relationship with Christ. Yeah, you know, so evidently you're making an empire.

SPEAKER_00 14:07

What's the what's the quote? Um share the gospel and use the Bible if if needed or something like that. Like you should be living out Jesus in your everyday life. Everybody should be able to figure out, oh, there's something different about that guy.

SPEAKER_01 14:18

Yeah, what is it? 1 Peter 3 15 says, Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have, which is in Christ Jesus. And it's like, that should be your life. Yeah, you know, I mean, just you know it should radiate that. Yeah, uh, you know, I wear a lot of these vice strip garage shirts and stuff and crazy things now, but I still look for opportunities. But he used to have a shirt that said, Yes, I am, and then on the bike said Jesus freak. You probably remember it. Yeah, it looked like he had paper taped. Well, I've got one, but I've gotten a little bit too big for it now. So I gotta you know, slim back down. But man, you're talking about great conversation starters. You know, I had a guy look at one time was like read the front, and I was wearing a jacket, and and uh he goes, What's the bike say? And I flipped down my jacket saying you read, and he's like, Oh, he didn't know what to say. But I thought, you know, that was the thing, it's like that's a great way to get a conversation started, you know. And you know, just look for opportunities, I think is is really the big thing.

SPEAKER_00 15:16

You know what I mean? It's just an advertising for Jesus.

SPEAKER_01 15:18

I didn't know who was it? I think it might have been Rob Eatley or some somebody we'd heard somewhere along the way was talking about is like you may be the only Bible that anyone ever reads. Yeah, that's true, and uh and so and that's you know, and like I said, I think it's just something we gotta definitely have to make sure that we're answering the call and we're following Jesus. And so none of this really means anything if we're not in if we're ourselves or not feeding ourselves by being in the word. Yeah, being in church, and I know you know they hear me howling on them all the time. Being in the word, being in church, being in prayer, you know, being in that fellowship is like you can't grow in a relationship that you're not involved in. Yeah, you know, and so I think that's one of the most important things, and I think that's why when we see you know Jesus, you know, hey, come follow me. I'm gonna make you fishers of men. He's like, you know, I'm gonna teach you, I'm gonna show you the proper way to do it, you know. Um, and just like you know, when we're talking about the fishing illustration, it's like, you know, what line do you need to be able to catch this and what bait and hook, and you know, do you need a bobber and all? It's like you don't know that stuff until you spend time and and instruction to be able to learn it.

SPEAKER_00 16:30

That's the part where he says, I will make you.

SPEAKER_01 16:32

Yeah, you know, yeah, you can't just wake up one morning and go, right? I'm an expert. Right, I will make you.

SPEAKER_00 16:36

Well, here's the instruction, the manual right here.

SPEAKER_01 16:38

Yeah, that's it. Um was it believers and basic instructions before leaving, or believers' instructions before leaving earth? And you know, it's it's like it's here, it's in here, you know. And that's one of the things I always look back. I'm like, man, the disciples or the apostles, could you imagine them living in the time that we're living in today? I'm like, man, they would be so excited, they would never sleep, they wouldn't ever eat, you know, because they'd be like, man, there are way too much work to do.

SPEAKER_00 17:02

Yeah, I think they'd be using this right here. Oh, guarantee. If it wasn't for this, I wouldn't be doing YouTube or anything, podcast, nothing. Absolutely. I'm not wasting my time with that, but this is important. Yeah, everybody needs to learn to know this.

SPEAKER_01 17:13

Yeah, and that was one of the things that I remember, you know, because I always tell everybody, it's like back in I think it was like 2018 or something, uh, 19, yeah, God said within two years, major changes are coming. I was like, what's that mean? And uh it was like get prepared. And he started putting down, he wanted me to do the YouTube. And I was literally walking down the steps of my house on the road with Pastor Anthony, sharing Jesus in life one mile at a time. I tell, you know, I'm not that creative, so it was all God. And so I started dribbling around, you know, trying to figure it out. And you know, I'm like, I don't know anything. And I always tell people, I was like, it's not easy to talk to a camera when there's no one else around. It's not, it's very awkward, yeah. And so it's uh, but you know, as we moved through into that COVID era, you know, I was thinking, you know, because they're talking about ordaining me. And I was like, ah, that's it. I'm gonna be ordained. You know, and um, no. RV transport and full-blown social media platforms. And I'm you know, and so I've been out of my comfort zone since 21. I'm not sitting in my little cushy office now driving a school bus. I'm just doing everything same old, same old. It's I mean, you know, uh but it's hard work. Yeah, and it's like what's got and it and it and I have no doubt in my mind this is not the end of the trans or RV transport. I don't know where God's taking me, but I'm following him. Yeah, I've dropped my nets, yeah, dropped my guard, you know, stepped away from the norm and started following him.

SPEAKER_00 18:46

Yeah. And uh even when it doesn't make sense, yeah. Like, okay, uh Peter comes in, he's fishing on the other side of the boat, and Jesus' like, hey, throw it on the other side.

SPEAKER_02 18:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:55

Really? I've been fishing all night and haven't caught a thing. What's the other side of the boat gonna do? Yeah, it's like that's literally like what, four feet?

SPEAKER_01 19:00

Yeah, I was like, I know what I'm doing, and it ain't working.

SPEAKER_00 19:03

Yeah. Well, yeah, what happened? Yeah, he got a whole load of fish that he couldn't even get in the boat.

SPEAKER_01 19:08

Oh yeah, and so he didn't, yeah. And he was able to, I mean, just that the life lessons I think that God shows us along the way. Yeah, yeah. Sometimes I think we get in the way of our calling.

SPEAKER_00 19:20

Oh 100% we get in the way.

SPEAKER_01 19:23

And uh, you know, the wind is trying to you know change, yeah. Now we're over here temptation to Jesus, but um but that's one of the good beauty parts of reading and studying his word. So when you the page does flip around, you still know what you're talking about. That's right. That's right. But uh, but yeah, it's just you know, I think sometimes I think maybe the the following Jesus is scary. You know, especially, you know, telling a story I just told, you know, God has shook things up and flipped my world upside down.

SPEAKER_00 19:54

It's the unknown.

SPEAKER_01 19:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 19:56

Um when bad things happen too, you're like, really? Why?

SPEAKER_01 20:01

Yeah. But yeah, and that's you know, and I've talked with with him several times, you know, about my journey, you know, leading to this point. If you know, life happens. And sometimes it's not good. Yeah. But uh, but and that's the thing. I think a lot of people get the miscon the com you know that thought process is like I say yes to Jesus and everything's gonna be fine. And I always tell him, I use the illustration of a rosebush, it's not long, you know. After you grab a rose bush, not long you're gonna find a thorn. You know, uh things, you know.

SPEAKER_00 20:32

He tells us that it's not gonna be we're gonna be persecuted.

SPEAKER_01 20:35

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 20:35

And then you know, it's gonna happen.

SPEAKER_01 20:37

That's what I was thinking. It was like, you know, you say yes to Jesus, your life may not turn out so hot.

SPEAKER_00 20:42

Yeah, but the storm doesn't last forever. No either.

SPEAKER_01 20:45

So and and that's the the beauty, you know, of when we when we really get into the you know studying God's word, and we look, you know, when you look back here at the end of it, we win. You know, yeah, that's it. You know, yeah, it might be battles lost along the way, and but of course, you know, you're reading James, you're going to face trials. It says, and and the Bible tells us to consider pure joy when you face trials of any kind. And uh and so but and I think it you know that's the the challenge to us is to be able to stay focused, you know, stay, you know, following.

SPEAKER_00 21:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 21:24

I mean I mean, really, that's the the following.

SPEAKER_00 21:26

Well the trials are are really meant to draw us closer to him anyway.

SPEAKER_01 21:30

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 21:30

So they have a purpose. Oh, yeah. It's to strengthen us. It is. Swords aren't aren't made in the you know, that they're made in the fire. Yeah. That's when they're forged.

SPEAKER_01 21:38

So yeah, because I mean if everything went hunky dory and we was always on the mountaintop, then you know, why would we need God?

SPEAKER_00 21:43

Exactly. Yeah, so well that's the Israelites. That's when I mean back in throughout the the Old Testament, they're like we call it the Israelite circle. Yeah. Every time they was on top, they thought, ah, we don't need God, we're good. Yeah. And oh okay. I'll let you all do it on your ground for a little while. And yeah, yeah, they get conquered and how many times? I mean over and over.

SPEAKER_01 22:00

And then we're like, oh yeah.

SPEAKER_00 22:05

Yeah, circle again.

SPEAKER_01 22:06

Yeah, it's like stop being waterheads. Yeah, that's it. And so, but I mean, I think we all do, I mean, we do that. I mean, I know I have, you know, and I've told him many times I'm like, you know, I've had to go to God and be like, look, I'm sorry I just did that, but yeah, next time Gibb slap me or something, I mean something, you know, wake me up before I get too stupid. And uh and so because I want to be used to you know to glorify God in whatever capacity. And again, it goes back to that following him. Yeah, you know, you know, I think that those valleys, you know, especially the ones I've been through during this this season I've been in, has really just challenged me, but it's made me more knowledgeable, yeah, uh, more open to the scripture because you know, used to sit down and study or whatever and prepare a lesson message, whatever, you know, and then preach what, you know, every couple months or something. So uh it wasn't, but you know, now on podcasts is like, you know, I'm like popping ideas, I'm like things to study and looking at, God's downloading stuff in my spirit, you know, just and it's like but now I can use all that experience as I'm fishing for men, everything that I've been through. Yeah, yeah, I you know, I go all the way back to my childhood. I was like, you know, it was not good.

unknown 23:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:25

Um but wouldn't change any of it because God's using every bit of it in some form or another to reach someone else. And I think that goes back to you know what we're talking about, the following, all of this. I mean, I know some of it sounds like we were really going off, you know, whatever, but I really think it all comes into that fact of you know, he's called us the following. Doesn't matter, don't worry about what's gonna happen tomorrow. Just, you know, we're here today. I gotta teach you something. You know, follow me and then go tell somebody else. Yep, that's it. You know, tell somebody else. Yeah. And you know, that and that leads us then that question, because I guarantee uh you and I, and I you know whoever's listening, you know, who do they know right now that who needs to hear something about Jesus? You know, who needs to hear, you know, the message of the gospel. Yeah. Everybody knows at least one person. Yeah, yeah. You know, and uh and I think it, you know, there's I even think about people who, you know, claim to be followers, but there's no evidence of fruit in their life. Yep. They need to hear the gospel. And uh, you know, and they need to, you know, to understand that they need to be back in church. They need to be understood, you know, uh that they need to be reading reading their Bibles. Um it was funny the the the guy that uh Kenny was talking to about calling me, I ended up running into him at AutoZone, and and uh because he walked past me and he's like, Hey, I know you, and then he came back and I was like, Yeah. And uh, and so we got to talking and stuff, and you know, and I kind of point him in some directions, some things, but Kenny did talk to him finally, but uh and uh and so he's got his his wheels attorney, you know, and sometimes it's you know it's not immediate.

SPEAKER_00 25:10

Oh, yeah, it's a process.

SPEAKER_01 25:11

What was it? Facing the giants is just plant the field or prepare the field and pray for rain. Yeah, and uh so I'm like, you know, uh my brother, you know, but he was not he didn't want nothing to do with church. And my you know, my Kenny asked him to come to church with us one time when I was preaching, and he's like, You know, he said as long as you don't preach at me, I'm like, I would never do that. Holy Spirit, can't guarantee it, but I would never do that. Yeah, and so but it's just inviting, you know, just do it. Yeah, uh, and that's the the beauty part is you never know what part of the process you'll be a part of.

SPEAKER_00 25:47

Yeah, you might be just be planting the seed, you might be you might be harsh on the seed, you might just be watering it, you know. You never know, but we're not called to do that part. Yeah, y'all take care of that. We're just called to to obey for one and then just spread the gospel. That's it. Just tell your story. It's not hard, people make it too hard.

SPEAKER_01 26:04

Oh, it is. I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 26:05

We make it, we make it so much harder than it really is.

SPEAKER_01 26:07

Yeah, and that's one of the things I try to do here on with this channel is I want to make things as elementary as possible. And it's not because I'm yeah, and I I'm not a theologian. I haven't been, you know, I'm not some you know, college learned, you know, uh theologian person.

SPEAKER_00 26:22

This is only written at a what, a third to fifth grade level. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 26:25

I mean, we don't have to be theologians to and and people's like, well, I can't understand some of it. Well, you're not asking the right questions, you're asking the wrong person. You need because you know in James again it says pray for wisdom and discernment. And you know, God will make it known to you. Sometimes I think when we read this, we don't actually get it. It could be that uh it's not we're not ready for it, or it could be that God's like, I want you to spend some time here because when I finally open reveal to you what you're getting, you know, it's gonna be like, whoa, you know, yeah, and uh I've been there, yeah. Yeah, and uh it well, it's just like when we was reading this today, you know, it's like when they left their dad. And I mean I'm like, yeah, yeah. If I'd have tried to do that when we were in the middle of a job when I was growing up, it'd be it would have not gone well.

SPEAKER_00 27:16

It'd have been the same thing as bringing their own tool.

SPEAKER_01 27:18

Yeah, or not holding the flashlight right. And so, but uh, but they did, you know, they just they didn't care what others thought. And I think and I think a lot of our society point uh really does that. It dictates, you know, we're supposed to act the what this way and we're supposed to feel this way, and if somebody else is offended by this, then we need to accommodate and yeah, or or whatever's popular, like you know, well, the social media thing.

SPEAKER_00 27:46

Oh well, I want I want the likes, I want the you know, I want everybody to like me. No. If everybody likes you, you're not doing something right.

SPEAKER_01 27:51

Yeah, exactly. And uh you know and I look back to one of the the events of Char after Charlie Kirk, you know, his that the memorial service he did, and they were talking about all the thousands of people with their hands raised and just they were like flooding churches and buying Bibles. I'm like, but was that because of the moment or is that because uh there was really a heart change? Yeah, you know, and you and I dealt with this at church camp Thursday night consecration service, yes, got guys. I mean, I've had 300 foot you know pound linebackers hanging off of me, bawling like babies, only to do it again the next year.

SPEAKER_02 28:31

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 28:32

And uh, and so when we're following him, we gotta try to get rid of those distractions, I think.

SPEAKER_02 28:38

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 28:39

And uh and really, you know, and do the what's necessary. And sometimes that means leaving stuff behind.

SPEAKER_00 28:47

Yeah. Yeah. Leaving old friends that you ran with that are nothing but trouble. Yeah. Yeah. Get rid of that.

SPEAKER_01 28:52

Yep. And I mean, you know, we back when we were in youth ministry, we did uh we actually mentored uh I did a few, but James and I did one together, a guy that went to Mountaineer Child Academy, which was like a place where you could go and and it was a great program. Oh yeah. But if you went into it with the attitude of just running for my problems, guess what? It was all here when you got back, and then you know what you know, all the time that you and I took to do you know to try to help put them in the right direction was for nothing because their heart wasn't there. Yeah, and and I think that's the same with this. If Jesus calls us to follow them and our heart's really not there, you know, we might go, you know, kind of like Judas. He just followed him around for the prestige for the look and you know for the money. Yeah, I'm I'm a yeah, I'm hanging out with Jesus, but didn't have really a heart change. And then you're not going to share the gospel because you're not really interested in fishing for men, you're just interested in yourself. And so I think we have to look at, you know, we have to challenge ourselves in that, you know, in that aspect of it too, you know, is am I doing it for the right reasons? You know, have I said yes to Jesus just, you know, yeah, that easy to walk in aisle, sign a card, say a prayer, and I'm good, I'm not going to hell now, you know.

SPEAKER_00 30:07

Uh show the churches to check that box.

SPEAKER_01 30:10

Yeah. And uh so, but there's more to it than that. And it's just, you know, and it's really um that heartfelt change connection, you know, when Christ calls you and and you say yes, you know, if you truly have said yes and you you know you've accepted the gift that Christ has given, I guarantee you there'll be a change in your life. Yeah. You know, for me, whenever I fairly fully surrender my life, you know, I at that time I was cussing and carrying on, you know, I I said all kinds, and that stuff bugged me. I mean, if I let slip, it was like, what am I saying? Yeah, you know, and it's just like that's the Holy Spirit convicting you. Yes. And uh and so if you've truly been changed by Christ, you'll know it.

SPEAKER_00 30:57

Oh yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:59

And uh I think it's just powerful. And then you'll want to do the things.

SPEAKER_00 31:04

Yes. And you on the full flip side of that, you don't have to clean up to come to Christ. You come to Christ as you are, yeah, and then He'll help you clean up. You know, and but you come to Christ, there's a lot of people that think, oh, I'll come to Christ as you as you are. Yes. But he loves you too much to leave you as you are. Yeah. You don't just come, you know, all this homosexuality and all that. Oh, we'll come to Christ as we are. Yeah. Okay. And then what? You can't just stay that way. Yeah, that's it. It's still a sin.

SPEAKER_01 31:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 31:33

Yeah, he loves you as you are, that's correct. But he loves you too much to leave you as you are.

SPEAKER_01 31:37

Yeah. And I think it's a lot of is, you know, that we have to be as it has to be that true heartfelt, or uh not a heartfelt, but uh you know that really the the change. Yeah. You know, that inward, you know, inward change of the spirit coming in.

SPEAKER_02 31:51

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 31:51

You know, uh I always loved what Rob Ely used to say because he was talking about, you know, the Bible in here, nowhere does it tell you you can't do drugs, you can't drink, you can't have premarital sex, you can't do this, you can't. It doesn't tell you you can't. It tells you stuff you shouldn't do because this displeases God. And if we truly love him, we won't want to do those things. Yeah. You know, we want to do the things that's gonna please our heavenly father. Yeah. And uh, and and I think that you know that sometimes that's where we miss the mark at is you know, people you know saying, you know, well, this is just a book of a bunch of do's and don'ts and rules and regulations. No, it's not.

SPEAKER_00 32:29

Yeah. You can do whatever you want in Jesus, but in Jesus, you won't want to do just whatever you want.

SPEAKER_01 32:34

Yeah, exactly. That's it. And so, and that's where that following him and answering the call and being uh proactive and really digging in and going and doing whatever it is he's called you to do. And it doesn't matter if he's planted you in a factory, if he's planted you in uh, you know, uh Go Mart or you know, some convenience store somewhere. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter any of that. It uh what really matters is is wherever God puts you, are you gonna blossom and and you know uh I remember it used to be uh there were some people that used to go to GF and was they started a small group at their job on lunch. The whole all of them took lunch together and they had a Bible study, and I'm like, that's awesome! That is awesome, yeah. And uh, you know, you're talking about making a huge impact where you are. That's what that looks like.

SPEAKER_00 33:31

Yeah. And yeah, you blame where you're planted.

SPEAKER_01 33:34

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 33:34

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 33:34

And so that's the challenge, I guess, you know, for whoever's listening, you know, and even us, you know, we'll you know, because sometimes we you know, we're in a bad mood, we don't feel like don't bother me, you know. I'm just that kind of thing. If I'm in traffic, yeah. Yeah, the traffic is yeah, yesterday, you know, uh on my yeah, some of the video stuff they'll hear about it, but you know, it was like I was trying to get here last night because you and I were supposed to meet this morning, yeah. And it was like wildfire, traffic in Columbia. That it took me like you know, an hour and 20 minutes to get from Charlotte to Statesville. I mean, it's just like, and then I ended up having to stay in Whitville last night because I didn't have enough time to get home, and you know, and I'm just like, God, we're trying to do something for you here. What's going on?

SPEAKER_00 34:18

But it rained this morning, yeah. So it worked, you know, we wouldn't have been able to meet anyway.

SPEAKER_01 34:22

Yeah, it worked out, and so it's just like God's like, dude, just yeah, be quiet and listen. It's just follow me, all right? Listen to what I'm trying to tell you.

SPEAKER_00 34:30

My wife tells me all the time because I get so aggravated in the traffic, I'm like, really? And it's for no reason. I don't mind if there's traffic for construction, but around here there's trap, there's traffic for no reason. Yeah, a lot of times, and I'll get past the slow up and I'm like, Where? Why? Yeah, she's like, babe, God's probably protecting you from something. Just calm down and go with it. I know, I know, you're right.

SPEAKER_01 34:50

You know, just thinking about that, I think, you know, that could be a good opportunity.

SPEAKER_02 34:54

Like, hey, Rory, when I you know Jesus.

SPEAKER_01 35:00

That would be awesome. I should do that. Yeah. See, we come together, we get good ideas. We just gave that idea to y'all too. So I think you're welcome. Yes. Um, but um, but yeah, this uh I just think that there's just so many ways I think that we can do that, you know. But I think you truly one of the things we have to do is you know get in his word, learn it, spend time with him. Um you know, James and I are not are planning on doing another one. There's something else if y'all are enjoying this this kind of dialogue, put it in the comments and let us know. Uh, because he and I have gotten several ideas, and we want to do one called my prayer. Uh, you know, because that this my thought was you know, is spending time with God in prayer. You know, God, how can you know I you know be how can I glorify you today? Yeah, if someone needs uh a word of encouragement, put me in the position. Yeah, you know, I was like uh when I first started it, I hadn't been GF very long, and I first I was one of the home groups and and we met at uh I don't know where we I don't remember, I think it was Ron Ron Elstalk's daughters. But um, but we I'd been going there a couple times and then we were going to meet at Mark's. I was like one of my prayers was like, Lord, I know I've been doing this for a little while. Whenever you're ready for me, start praying out loud, uh, put me in a position to do so. The next Tuesday. Anthony, would you open this up in a word of prayer? So, you know, but be willing, you know. If you ask God to do that, you know, really have a willing heart, you know.

SPEAKER_00 36:32

Who I can't think of who was it that said, Here I am, Lord, send me.

SPEAKER_01 36:35

Yeah. Uh was it Samuel? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. And and I think about that, that you know, oh that's one of my favorites, because I've been like, you know, I was like that. You know, he's like, Here I am, Lord, send me. I don't know where you want me to go. And that's kind of what you know been my thought process over these last you know, since I stepped down as youth pastor, and you know, because back then in my mind was I'm gonna be youth pastor till Pastor Mark retires, and then you know, because it used to be a running joke with me and one of our students, Taylor, uh, that I was gonna take Mark's spot and she was gonna take mine.

SPEAKER_02 37:07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 37:08

And so, well, neither one of the of us took either one of those spots. So, but uh, you know, God's got a plan, He's got it, he's He's got it all worked out, and He's not a bit concerned about it, you know, even though we are.

SPEAKER_00 37:23

But we shouldn't be.

SPEAKER_01 37:24

Yeah. I mean, I think too many times we do get just wrapped up in them. Yeah.

unknown 37:28

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 37:29

And uh instead of just drop your nets, tell your dad you'll be back later, and you know, start following the you know, following Jesus. That's right. Uh, and then go make fishers and become fishers and men. That's right. And uh so that's uh again, that's just that's our message for today. I know we've been rambling, we kind of went in some different directions a little bit, but it's really all of it just kind of fits together to that following and and uh you know, and not really um you know, and not doing our own thing. I think that's I think that's key.

SPEAKER_02 38:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 38:02

And uh just do what Jesus wants.

SPEAKER_02 38:04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 38:05

You know, and life will get so much better. You know, it doesn't mean it's gonna be perfect, doesn't mean you're not gonna trip and fall, you know, it doesn't mean you're not gonna, you know, screw up sometimes or have a bad day.

SPEAKER_00 38:17

It doesn't mean any of that, but but it you're always moving forward. But the one that created us, we still want to get in the way. You know what I mean? We don't want to trust his way. Yeah, thinking he created you.

SPEAKER_01 38:28

Yep.

SPEAKER_00 38:28

I mean he created me. Why do I still get in the way?

SPEAKER_01 38:30

Yeah, that's yeah, but it's so silly. It's like that fathers knows best. Yep.

SPEAKER_00 38:35

Yep.

unknown 38:36

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 38:37

You know, I I I always was at the I used to be uh was it dance hills that used to be a song I can see my father or me, you know.

SPEAKER_00 38:46

I think so.

SPEAKER_01 38:46

And uh and so I think about that. I was like, that should be our goal, you know. Yeah, uh, because a lot of time, you know, because me and my dad, everybody swears we're twins, you know. I mean you all look like yeah, and so but I'm like, I want to look like Jesus, you know. It was Ephesians 2, it's like you're created and you know, and by it, you're his masterpiece. Yeah, he created, I mean, he put his hands, I mean, formed you. He knew exactly what his plans was going to be for you when they and so and now that he has your attention and grabbed a hold of you, then now it's just like all right, let's follow dad and learn. Yeah, uh, it's like just like any you know kid does, you know, he always follows her daddy. I mean, you got a couple girls, and I'm sure they're in all kinds of crazy stuff that you're doing, you know, wanting to get out here and fit.

SPEAKER_00 39:29

They're still young enough that they still trust everything I say. Oh, yeah. That's it.

SPEAKER_01 39:32

Yeah, you know, and uh they haven't hit those teenage years yet.

SPEAKER_00 39:35

Yeah, I did. Well, I got this myself. No, you don't.

SPEAKER_01 39:38

Yeah. You said that made me think of uh there was a Christian comedian I was listening to, and he's like, uh, he's like, I think God gave us teenage uh uh teenagers to kind of get back at. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 39:51

Yes, I got to think of it.

SPEAKER_01 39:53

I know who you're talking about, and so but I'm just like, yes, yes. So yeah, it's just uh it's been great uh knowing going through this, and uh you know, one of the things you always ask during these episodes is if you you know, if you're watching this or listening, however you're doing it, you know, and you've heard the the the adage, you know, you know, follow me. I'm like your fisher as a man, and you're like, I really don't know Jesus. You know, uh you know, today could be the day that you you know turn your life over to him because it may be the day that he's going, hey, uh I want you to come follow me. Drop your nets, you know, drop the sin, repent. Uh and it's not just a simple just answer, you know, say a little prayer and that's it. No, it's a repentance, it's the the turn, it's to let go and put your back against who you were, yes, and let him make you who you will become.

SPEAKER_00 40:54

Yeah, out of your old self and a new creation is born.

SPEAKER_01 40:58

Yeah. Uh what is it? Jesus says he says, Behold all things become new. You know, well, that's he takes out your heart of stone and puts it back in with his heart of flesh. And you know, and then get ready for especially if you you know if you like change and you like some challenges, I mean it's it's great.

SPEAKER_00 41:16

Um like change, you better learn to like it.

unknown 41:19

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 41:20

We shouldn't be comfortable.

SPEAKER_01 41:21

Yeah, that's called to be comfortable. And I think that's what too many people want.

SPEAKER_00 41:25

Yeah, yeah. Especially this society.

SPEAKER_01 41:27

Comfort.

SPEAKER_00 41:28

Yeah, yeah. Yep. And uh like that old lazy boy and just be comfortable. Don't mess with me.

SPEAKER_01 41:32

Yeah. Was that one time blind? He used to have a little thing where the lady started going to church and got saved or whatever, and then she's sitting in the recliner, and the next thing she's pulling curtain or blanket up, and then she's getting popcorn. And he's like, I want you to go talk to such and such a well, isn't that really for the pastors? No, no, no, I'm asking you. Yep. And so that's the question today for you all, the challenge. What's God calling you to do? Uh, who's he telling you to go talk to and to share his gospel? And and so that's really the the thrust of uh today's uh message. And so uh I think what I'll do is I'll go ahead and pray, and then uh then we'll go ahead and let you go ahead and tell them again where to find you at. Let's do it. All right, let's go ahead and pray. Father God, Lord, we thank you for just this opportunity to be able to come together and just open your word and uh you have some laughs and just enjoy uh just just company and and be able to share a message with uh so many that's listening. Uh Father, you know, we just ask that you continue to challenge us, continue to move us forward, and and continue to call us and and Lord and ask us that and send us you know places to so we can talk to others and share that gospel message and and help them give them words of encouragement. Because Father, we know this right now that our world and uh just needs you and uh needs a lot of appealing. And so, Father, we just ask that you send us, uh, wherever that may be, however that may look like, and and whatever platform, you know, whether it be digital or in person. So, Father, we just can give you glory and praise for it all. Jesus' name and amen. All right, so go ahead and tell them again, John uh James, where they can find you at.

SPEAKER_00 43:08

Yeah, Kingsman Outfitters, uh just on YouTube for now. Yeah, I might get other podcast uh platforms up later. But um, yeah, we do just outdoor men's ministry mainly, um uh trying to build up men to be more impactful for Christ.

SPEAKER_01 43:24

All right, that sounds awesome. And so, and as always, you know, if this message is encouraging, don't forget again to share it, like it, subscribe, and hit the little notification bell and leave it a five-star review because I think it's different on the actual pack podcast platforms, and you know, because that will really help us uh you know reach other people with the gospel message. And if you would like to stay connected in uh what God is doing through this ministry, uh, I do have all the links down below, and so you can just click on those and and follow them along. And if you feel led to help support the ministry through prayer, uh sharing the episode or you know. Giving, you know, I first I want to thank you just so much. And your prayers mean more than you know. And that goes for both of our channels and both of us, you know, because uh we definitely want to do whatever God is calling us. But uh, but your generosity and prayers just I mean, it just is overwhelming, and I really appreciate it, and it helps us stay on the road sharing the gospel and reaching more lives with hope. So, again, thank you for being along here for this journey, and as always, continue to share Jesus and life one mile at a time, and we'll see you on the next one. That's awesome.