Fishers Of Men
Part 2
Pastor Adron Wheat
Matthew 4:18-22 ---- Luke 5:1-6
Introduction: Jesus often taught some of the most profound truths using simple illustrations. He used:
* A fig tree --- fruit bearing
* Seed sown in good ground ---- receiving the Gospel
* Vine and Branches ---------- Our relationship to Him
* A Good Samaritan ---------- Our neighbor, kindness, benevolence
* Birds and Flowers --------- Trust and confidence in His provision.
* Rivers, Living Water,Wind, Dove ---------- Tell of the Holy Spirit
* Good and Bad trees ----------- Test of CharacterThe Story Of Fishing Teaches "Evangelism" And Catching Men For The Kingdom
Matthew 4:18 - 19 "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
( If we are not Following, we are not Fishing )( I ) Review The Three Aspects Of Net Fishing ( From Part 1)
A. The Net is nothing but a bunch of "holes" knit together ( We are "nothings" knit together by God's grace)
(B) The "Working" of the net. (1) In unity, knit together, can do nothing in ourselves.(2) Fish "where:" they are and "when" the Master tells us to launch out (3) Let "down" the net, get down where the fish are.Today: We discover the need of "Washing" and "Mending" the net. Having a "Clean Net"
Luke 5: 2 "And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
Matthew 4: 21 "And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.( II ) Look At The Importance Of Having A Functional, Clean Net
(A) Fish escape when the net is torn and has holes in it. ( Same in the Church, tears and holes need mending.)
(B) James and John were "in" the boat, but no "fishing" until the nets were mended.
(C) No matter how hard we fish, there is no results until torn nets are mended.(III ) The Necessity Of "Washing" The Net
(A) A net that is "used" collects mud, leaves, trash of all kinds. (Must continually wash)
(B) Problems arise if the net is not washed regularily.
(C) A dirty net "stinks"! ( Smells up the place everywhere they go -- can't get close to them)
(D) I've evangelized in churches where people hadn't washed the net in years, they stink up the whole church with their "rotten attitude."
A Test: If everything stinks to you, the smell could be coming from under your nose in the mouth region !(E) A dirty net will rot the "cord." The very fiber that holds it together. ( Some are not here today, backslidden, they didn't keep their net washed and cleaned.
(F) A dirty net is hard to pull, increases our labor !
*** I can always tell when your net gets dirty, everything gets to be a real chore for you. Church in your eyes is dead, you go through the motion, complain, find fault.
(G) A dirty net frightens away the fish. ( Many are not here today because those in their own family has a dirty net, frightened them away)(IV) Are We Willing To "Fish" The Way He Ask Us? ( Methods Change, Not The Net )
(A) How many are doing things the same "method" you once did ? ( Home- Travel -Work)
Story: When cars came along, many in the buggy business said it will never work, never catch on and stayed in the buggy business. Others started started servicing the horseless carriage as well. The prospered while others that refused to change went out of business. WHY? They forgot they were really in the "transportation" business ! The method of transportation changed but the real purpose did not.
(B) Our Purpose, is to become Fishers of Men, not Keepers of the Aquarium.
( V ) Our Net is to be Knit -- Worked -- Washed ---Mended -- NOT WORSHIPED !
(A) Some people worship their Net (Church) their Denomination.
(B) God help us to forget the name over the door, set our eyes and hearts on the harvest, mend our torn nets and go fishing where God tells us.Matthew 4: 18 - 20 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
If You Are Not Fishing, You Are Not Following!