Good morning,
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
I am not a fisherman. Fishing at a river, creek, or lake, the fish see me and flee! This was made quite apparent to me when I went dip net fishing. Everyone was catching their limit and I caught nothing. Was I patient? Oh yes. Staying in the water for hours. Nothing.
Fishing for fish and fishing for men have three things in common. We must prepare, go, and reap.
PREPARE
Fishermen must prepare their flies, lures, and bait.
Fishers of men must prepare their message, know the Scriptures, and anticipate questions unbelievers might ask.
GO
Fishermen need to determine where the fish are biting. Go to that spot. You cannot catch fish sitting at home.
Fishers of men must determine where the unbelievers are. God’s word commands us to “Go…”. (Matthew 28:19) We trust that God will lead us to those who need Christ.
REAP
Fishermen catch fish through patience and technique. You can have the greatest tools, but you must know how to use them. If so, you catch fish. If not, me, you do not catch fish.
Fishers of men present God’s word to unbelievers. Then the Holy Spirit goes to work convicting men of their sin. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” (John 16:7-11) Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit unbelievers are saved.
Fishermen catch fish, eat them, and they are gone. Fishers of men reap the unbelieving for eternity.
Fishers of men are God’s tool to present Jesus to the lost.
Go do some fishing for the Savior.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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