Jesus invited his followers to become fishers of men.
For those of you just now dialing into our "Go Fish" series, Jesus invited his first followers to become fishers of men. Up to this point we've been talking about the obvious aspects of fishing for fish, not men.
We have to be willing to get wet. We have to go where the fish are! Half the battle is getting out on the water, braving the elements, and taking risks. It can be uncomfortable getting wet, but this is the essence of our calling. We are called to get wet in the world.
We also have to be willing to smell like fish. When Jesus encountered people far from God, he didn't hold them at arm's length. He celebrated with them, got into their homes, reclined at their tables, ate their food, and did acts of kindness for them. He wasn't afraid to touch, nor be touched, by people who were far from God.
He gladly risked his reputation among the righteous in order to be used mightily of God. And this part is critical. Even though Jesus was in the world, he was never of the world. Even though he smelled like fish, he didn't swim like with the fish. He was without sin, and he prayed that the same would be true of us. So we have before us these two challenges, to get wet and to smell like fish. Will you make it your personal mission to get wet and to smell like fish?
Now, let's swim the bait.
This morning we add a third aspect of fishing-- it's called swimming the bait. Once we find the fish, what do we do? How do we get them in the boat? How do we land the big one?
Obviously, there are some fish that will just jump in the boat. Have you heard about those Asian carp invading the Mississippi river? They'll literally jump right into your boat. I've heard that they have redneck fishing tournaments on the Mississippi where the fishermen wear football helmets and use baseball bats to smash the Asian carp. The winner gets Honey Boo Boo's autograph. I'm not so sure that is the kind of fishing Christ had in mind for his Church! The last thing we want is people getting smashed in church.
This whole idea of fishing for men implies that we need to be strategic.
Not all fish are the same. They respond to different things. Some fish are active and some are lazy. Some are aggressive and some are wary. Some stay shallow while some go deep. Some feed at the surface while others swim in the muck and mire. Some nibble at anything and some are
cautious. Some like cover while others like open water. Some swim alone and others swim in schools. Some hold near structure while some are glad it's no longer in the mall!
Fish are also temperamental. They are affected by the wind, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and lighting. Some fish are affected by the moon, thunder, water levels, and water clarity. Many fishermen keep a journal to log the behavior of fish. When you're fishing, you have to
be strategic. This is why they sell lures in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Of course, there are some things that are true of every fish. Every fish likes a hearty night crawler. (Note to reader: A picture of an earthworm was shown to the congregation.) You can always catch a fish with a worm!
But we're not here to talk about fish. We're here to talk about men. One of the things I have learned about fishing for men is that long before we show up, God is already at work. There are five things God uses to prepare people's hearts to receive the message of Jesus Christ.
God uses a crisis of circumstance to draw people unto himself.
It's a well-documented fact that people are most receptive to God during times of personal crisis or transition.
• A crisis might be health-related-- positive test results, a heart attack, a malignant tumor.
• A crisis might be economic-- loss of job/ income, excessive debt.
• A crisis might be family-related-- teenagers, infidelity, divorce, a family feud.
• A crisis might be addictive in nature-- alcohol, drugs, smoking, an eating disorder, gluttony, greed, materialism, pornography, or sexual addiction.
• A crisis might be emotional in nature-- anger, depression, loneliness, personal loss, grief, anxiety attacks, guilt, self-contempt, fear, suicidal thoughts.
• A crisis might relate to a life transition-- you meet someone, get engaged, newly married, expecting a child, moving to a new city, first-time homeowner, the kids are all off to college, retirement is approaching.
A personal crisis is when we come to the end of ourselves and begin reaping the consequences of our thoughts, attitudes, actions, and behaviors. It's when everything we've ever known and tried has failed us-- and we know that there has to be a better way.
Isn't it true? Life has a way of humbling us. And if this is true for us, its even more true for people who do not know God. People are looking for a refuge in times of trouble. We need to be there to point them to God.
It takes all of us working together to make the most of these opportunities. We need people of all backgrounds who are ready and willing to help people in times of personal crisis and transition. Each of us has something unique to offer. The Bible says we're to comfort people with the comfort that we've received. So what can you offer? How can you serve?
God uses a crisis of conscience to draw people unto himself.
Long before we show up, we can be assured that God's Holy Spirit has gone before us.
John 16:8 (NIV) says,
"When he comes (The Holy Spirit)
, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment..." The reason we don't have to judge people or condemn people is because they are already doing that to themselves. Instead of piling on the guilt and shame, we need to lend a helping hand.
People need to know that in spite of all they feel about themselves, God loves them. They are not a lost cause. They are not damaged beyond repair. They need to know that whatever it is that God is showing them through their circumstances is important to their spiritual growth. The power and hold of their circumstances can be broken once and for all, so that they can be cleansed, and purified, and renewed. This renewal will result in a new attitude of their heart and mind, and the power of the flesh over their lives will be broken. In our relationships, God would have us be messengers of hope, not purveyors of condemnation and doom.
God uses a crisis of truth to draw people unto himself.
In his book "The Universe Next Door," James Sire says that there are six basic questions for which every person seeks answers.
What is ultimate reality? What is really real? Is there a God, a creator? Is there no God?
What is the nature of reality? Is the world material? Spiritual? Chaotic? Controlled by laws and order? What holds everything together? What sustains life?
What is a human being? Who am I? A machine? An Ape 2.0? Ape 3.0? A god? Created in the image of God? Does my life have a purpose? Does human history have a purpose?
What happens at death? Am I no more? Does my spirit live on? Am I reincarnated? Is there a heaven? Is there a hell?
What is knowledge? How can I know what's truly true and truly false? Has God revealed himself? Has he spoken? Is truth relative?
What is right and wrong? What is good and evil, ethical and unethical? Is there an objective standard of morality? Why do we have such a powerful conscience?
The answers provided by our secular universities are inadequate. Despite valiant attempts by atheists to deny God's existence, it remains true that God has set eternity in our hearts. People are hungry for spiritual answers and for spiritual truth.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) says,
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." People are hungry for answers. We just need to initiate the conversation and walk with them in their journey.
God uses a crisis of authenticity to draw people unto himself.
There is a cynicism that pervades culture. We are perpetually disappointed by the people in our lives. We have mother wounds, father wounds, family baggage, physical scars, and sexual brokenness. There is a crisis of confidence in the public sector, private sector, and social sector. Politicians, corporations, business leaders, athletes, entertainers, clergymen, neighbors, friends, our own spouse, our kids, and our parents and relatives all disappoint us. We even disappoint ourselves.
Who do we trust? Who do we look up to? Where have all the good men gone? We've been created to reflect the image of God, but in whose face is the image of God to be seen?
Never underestimate the power of a godly life to draw people to God. In
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) Jesus says,
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Instead of mimicking culture's behavior or echoing her words, let's transform culture by reflecting the image of God in every aspect of our lives. To a limited extent, our faith, our love, and our hope is the bait that God swims before a watching world.
God uses a crisis of salvation to draw people unto himself.
Inevitably, people will experience a crisis of circumstance, conscience, truth, or authenticity. But the major crisis is the crisis of salvation. Inevitably people will ask, "What must I do to be saved?" This isn't our question. This is the question that God has set in the heart of men everywhere since the beginning of time.
Every fishermen dreams about a super-bait. When it comes to fishing for men, the super-bait isn't your life or my life. It's Jesus Christ's life. Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus, God who became man and clothed himself in human flesh. Jesus, the one and only Son of God who became like a
worm, despised by men. Jesus, the one and only who took our sin upon himself, was nailed to a cross, who died, was buried, and who rose from the grave on the third day. Jesus, who offers us the forgiveness of sin, and power through his Holy Spirit. Jesus is the super-bait we must swim before all men.
Jesus became a worm.
What fish, if presented a worm, wouldn't gobble it up? In John 12:32 (NIV) Jesus promised, "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." This was John the Baptist's fishing strategy. Swim the super-bait. Jesus must become greater, and I must become less. It should be our ambition, like John the Baptist, to swim the Christ before the eyes of our watching world. His righteousness has to become our righteousness. His salvation is our peace. His way should become our way. His truth is our truth. His life should be our very life. His words should our words. The only hope for our world is that men might trust Jesus. But will we do our part?