Gone Fishing – 6/19/16
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “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 and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”– Matthew 28:16-20[The Great Commission]
Before we can make disciples, we need to GO FISHING!
Mathew 4:19– Fishers for men – “catching men alive”
2 Timothy 2:26– we catch men alive or the devil will
1 Peter 3:15– Reason / Hope / Prepared to Make a Defense – CHRIST LORD
Are you prepared?
Jesus Came (1 Peter 1:20-21) / Died (1 Peter 2:24) / Rose(1 Peter 1:3)/ He Reigns(1 Peter 3:22)/ He Returns(1 Peter 1:13)/ We are Always with God – in His Presence(1 Peter 3:18) / All things working for good (1 Peter 1:7)
Good fishermen focus on the entire body of water, not just one fish(ex: my crappy experience) – NO LIMITATIONS
1 Timothy 2:3-4– desires all to be saved
Matthew 7:6– Don’t throw pearls to the swine
Good fisherman is patient– sometimes people respond, sometimes they do not – BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
Acts 2:40– with many other words Peter shared the Truth
Philippians 2:14-16, Matthew 5:13-16– we are shining examples
Good fisherman has good instincts– sensitive to leading of the Holy Spirit / to God’s timing AWARENESS OF GOD
Colossians 4:3– Pray for God to open doors
1 Thessalonians 1:5– Not only words, but Power
Good fisherman has good skills– APPROACH OF PEOPLE
- Knows the right bait for the right fish (again RELATIONSHIP)
Share the Gospel, not the Bible – you don’t have to try to shove it all in there.
1 Corinthians 15:3-5– Just 10 words necessary – CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD.
- Knowshow & when to cast line (again RELATIONSHIP)
Rather than, “are you a Christian,” instead “has anyone shown you in the Bible about how to know if you are going to heaven”
Overcomplicating what it means to believe. We have catch phrases:
- Come to God
- Invite Jesus into your heart
- Give your life to Jesus
- Accept Jesus
In Gospel of John, he uses the word “believe” 98 times. This means that we understand & accept that Jesus died for you and rose on the third day, and that the only way for me to get to heaven is trusting in Jesus Christ alone.
It’s simple– Trust that Jesus alone is the only way to heaven
- Knows what they are fishing for (ex: Richard and the puffer fish)
Gospel of John is written for non-Christians (John 20:31).
Good fisherman knows how to work together
Mark 6:7, Luke 10:1– when Jesus sent disciples out, He did it by twos
Romans 12:16– We need to work in harmony together
Galatians 3:26-28– It’s all about unity
Good fisherman recognizes God provides
John 6:44– says only the Father can draw a person to Jesus Christ. He brings people to Christ.
Luke 5:1-11– Peter already knew Jesus was extraordinary. Peter already received his new name (John 1:40-42). Peter already saw Jesus heal his mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39). Peter was already grappling with Jesus’ call on his life. One thing Peter knew was how to fish. But after a night of no fish, Jesus man-fished Peter.
Luke 5:4– “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
Peter didn’t refuse; however, his expectations were low. Still, he obeyed.
Luke 5:5– “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
Luke 5:8– Peter felt conviction for his sin of disbelief when the big catch was made. He said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” All Peter did was net the fish – Jesus brought the fish.
Peter now thought much less of himself and much more of Jesus – that’s being ready to fish!!
Less self – more Jesus!
Luke 5:10– “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
We are called in our weakness. Peter’s nets were empty and he was exhausted after night of no fish. He needed to see that he could do nothing apart from Jesus. He needed to understand Who rules the fish and who fills the nets
John 15:5– Apart from Me you can do nothing
Jesus provides the fish– We must depend on God
What can we do?
Listen to Jesus
Read His Word
Pray
Communicate with God, listen for the Holy Spirit
Faithfully drop the nets
Obey the Father’s commands
Let Him fill them
Don’t get in the way of the process.
We plant seeds of His Word – He grows
Remember the fish are His!
It is a blessing to be used as a vessel but the fish are His
We are helping to build His Kingdom – not our own
It is all about Jesus
Tania Gutekunst 