Matthew 4:18-25
DATE: 18 Mar, 2001
PM
PLACE: BBC Blarney
I.
Introduction (Matthew 4:18-25, 19)
A. The Bible teaches that EVERY Christian should endeavour to tell other people how to be saved. We call this "soul-winning." The Bible compares giving the gospel to people to:
1.
winning a soul
2.
shining a light
3.
feeding the
hungry
4.
and fishing for
men
B.
How can you
identify a real fisherman?
1.
You can't
always tell a fisherman by his clothes, although it is unlikely that a man is
going go trout fishing in a three-piece suit.
2.
You can't
always tell a fisherman by his conversation, although it is likely that a man
who never TALKS about fishing never actually GOES fishing.
II.
Message – Marks of a Real Fisherman
Some marks of a REAL fisherman are:
A.
He Plans His
Trips (John 21:3a)
1.
He always has
time to go fishing – it doesn’t “just” happen
a.
A fisherman
doesn't catch them while he is wrapped-up at work. He makes time to BE fishing
even while he is at work – talk about this more in a minute!
b.
He doesn't
catch them on the way to the grocery store.
c.
He sets a time
JUST for FISHING.
2.
He has a
territory to work
a.
Jesus planned
where He was going to preach next.
b.
The apostle
Paul planned his missionary journeys.
c.
Jesus saw an
area as HIS area to work. Like a corner of a field
3.
He has a task
to perform
a.
He is going
fishing, not boating.
b.
He is going
fishing, not picnicking.
c.
There is a
difference between going soul-winning and visiting people.
d.
When we go
fishing, that is, soul-winning, our task is to present the gospel to someone and
press for a decision. It comes when we have PLANNED to say something at least
e.
In other words,
you ain’t ever gonna catch fish unless you keep a plan to fish always as part
of every other plan
B.
He Gets
Pleasure From Fishing (Ps 126:5,6) – not a chore!
1.
It helps him
relax. Although it is work, it gets
his mind off the other pressures of life. This is so important for the
Christian.
2.
It helps him
get refreshed (John 4:31-34)
3.
It helps him
rejoice. You might not be such a grouch, sour-puss or whining complainer if you
would just go soul-winning regularly!
C.
He Prepares
For His Fishing Trips (Mt 4:21) They were mending their nets.
1.
Someone once
said,
a.
Our pole is the
power of God - Acts 1:8
b.
Our line is his
love for souls
c.
The fishing
weight is our walk with God – holds the line steady
d.
Our hook is the
Holy Ghost – not fancy words, or trickery
e.
Our bait is the
bread of life - the gospel of Jesus Christ in this BOOK
You might catch other fish on various types of bait, but there is only
ONE bait that will save a sinner: the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!
f.
Our cork is the
confession of the convert. That cork indicates that you HAVE him!
2.
Are you
anywhere near prepared to go fishing?
a.
You need the
power of God – surrendered life that is clean
b.
You need a
good, strong line – love for souls that people will sense when you are
witnessing
c.
You need a walk
with God that holds your concern steady – not on and off
d.
You need the
Holy Spirit guiding you, and drawing the sinner
e.
You need some
strong bait – King James Bible verses
1)
Romans 3:23
2)
Romans 6:23
3)
Romans 5:8
4)
Titus 3:5
5)
Eph 2:8,9
6)
1Tim 2:5
7)
Heb 9:27
8)
Acts 13:38,39
9)
Romans 10:13
f.
You need a
clear profession of faith – no more of this wimpy “I felt Jesus!” “I
feel I am already saved” That is the lie that stopped New Testament
Christianity in the 2nd century!
D.
He Has A
Partner (Eccl
4:9,10) Although there are times when you will be alone, God's usual plan for
soul-winning is to send TEAMS of TWO. Jesus sent out the disciples by two's.
Ignore the abuse of the JW’s
1.
The partner can
work the boat. He can help with opening conversations.
2.
The partner can
watch the line (pray)
3.
The partner can
ward off problems
a.
When you're
catching "a big one," there might be things that hinder you from
catching him -- snakes, alligators, limbs, snags, stumps.
b.
The
soul-winning partner can help to handle phone calls, dogs, TV, children, and
other interruptions while the soul-winner is presenting the gospel.
E.
He Has
Problems (Luke
5:5)
1.
With the wind
(Eccl 11:4)
a.
Sometimes the
winds are contrary. He didn’t come for the wind
b.
Things are
going to work against you – uphill battle - when you decide to be a
soul-winner.
2.
With the water
a.
Sometimes the
water is rough.
b.
Sometimes the
water is muddy.
c.
Sometimes it is
too high or too low.
d.
But the water
is not the reason to go fishing – that is just WHERE the fish live!
3.
With the warmth
a.
Sometimes it is
too hot to fish and enjoy it.
b.
Sometimes the
same is true of soul- winning. It works against the flesh.
4.
With the will
a.
That is the
main problem.
b.
You must submit
your will to GOD'S will and go soul-winning because HE wants you to go
soul-winning.
c.
Look at Peter
– pressed to witness to a Gentile, ROMAN soldier
d.
Look at Jonah
– preach to his enemy
e.
Look at Jesus
facing the cross!
F.
He Is
Persistent (Acts
20:31)
1.
He thinks about
it all the time
a.
He rejoices in
past trips.
b.
He is thinking
about future trips.
c.
He likes to
hear about other successful fishing stories.
d.
He will attend
conventions about it.
e.
He will buy
books and tapes about it.
2.
He tries it
again and again – never gets really discouraged
a.
He will fish
all day long, from dawn until dusk.
b.
He will go out
fishing next week, even if he caught nothing this week.
c.
He will go out
fishing next week, even if his boat capsized this week!
d.
That’s why
Jesus chose fishing to compare with soul-winning!
3.
He triumphs
eventually
a.
A real
fisherman won't go forever without catching some fish.
b.
He will
eventually catch fish, which brings me to my final point:
G.
He Has Proof
Of His Fishing (John 21:10) Notice the word "doubtless" in the following verse
(Ps 126:6):
1.
Caught fish are
an example
a.
They are
examples of the obedience of the soul-winner.
b.
They are
examples of the power and grace of God. A saved soul is a "trophy of
God’s grace” both on you and on them
2.
Caught fish are
encouraging
a.
They show that
it CAN be done!
b.
They encourage
others to go fishing! You hold up a bunch of fish, and invariably, someone is
going to shout, I WANT TO GO TOO!
3.
Caught fish are
enjoyable
a.
It is enjoyable
to catch a fish!
b.
It is enjoyable
to EAT a fish that you caught!
c.
I'm not saying
that we should devour our new converts, but the church benefits from them. They
are a blessing. They become tithers. They become workers! They become preachers
and soul-winners and Sunday School teachers, and best of all, they become
soul-winners themselves!
III.
Conclusion - Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of
men." (Mt 4:19)
A.
When is the
last time you went fishing for men?
B.
When is the
last time you caught a "trophy of grace"?
C.
Will you get a
partner and go soul-winning this week? We need to get more organised, and get
fishing, every day, and every week!