How to Identify a Fisher of Men
Matthew 4:18-25
I.
Introduction
(Matthew 4:18-25, 19)
A.
The Bible teaches that EVERY
Christian should tell other people how to be saved. We call this "soul-winning."
The Bible compares giving the gospel to people to:
1.
Shining a light
2.
Feeding the hungry
3.
And fishing for men
B.
How can you identify a real
fisherman? I.e., What makes a fisherman, a 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.
C.
So, what are the
characteristics of a Soul-Winner / a Fisher of Men? As we learn this, we will
learn how become fishers of men ourselves!
II.
Message – The
Identifying Marks of a Real Fisherman
Some marks of
a REAL fisherman are:
A.
A Fisher of Men Plans His
Trips (
1.
A fisher of men always makes
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 always 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.
A Fisher of Men 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.
A Fisher of Men Prepares
For His Fishing Trips (Mt 4:21) They were mending
their nets. Are you anywhere near prepared to go fishing?
1.
You need a good, strong line –
a love for souls that people will sense when you are witnessing
2.
You need good concentration –
a walk with God that holds your concern and burden steady – not on and off
3.
You need some strong bait
a.
Tracts - Collect some good
Gospel tracts. Read through them. Use them when witnessing
b.
Testimony - You need a clear
profession of faith – no more of this wimpy “I felt Jesus!” “I feel I am already
saved” “I hope to get to heaven!” You need a clear, simple testimony of your own
salvation! It is part of the proof that the Gospel works!
c.
Key Scriptures – King James
Bible verses
1)
Hebrews 9:27
2)
Romans 3:10
3)
Romans 3:23
4)
Romans 6:23a
5)
Romans 5:8
6)
Romans 6:23b
7)
Titus 3:5
8)
Ephesians 2:8,9
9)
1Timothy 2:5
10)
Acts 13:38,39
11)
Romans 10:13
4.
You need the power of God –
where GOD speaks when you speak – only comes by a surrendered, obedient life
that is clean living
5.
You need the Holy Spirit
guiding you, and drawing the sinner
6.
You need to believe that it
works (Rom 1:17; Isa 55:11)
7.
You need a good pattern to
follow (i.e., “Follow me…”)
a.
Just talk like Jesus talked
b.
Care about souls – don’t just
see people, or customers (THANK GOD MAUREEN SMITH CARED FOR MY SOUL)!
c.
Cast your line where HE says
throw it (
D.
A Fisher of Men 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 (Luke 10:1). Ignore the abuse of the
JW’s
1.
The partner can work the boat.
He can help with opening conversations. He can help when you run out of things
to say.
2.
The partner can 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, KIDS!
b.
The soul-winning partner can
help to handle dogs, TV, children, phone calls, and other interruptions while
the soul-winner is presenting the gospel.
4.
The partner can encourage –
sometimes a hard witness leaves you drained and you walk away from a house, or a
person and you feel like you blew it, or should have had better answers, and
your partne gives you a “shot in the arm” – what a blessing!
E.
But, A Fisher of Men Has
Problems (Luke 5:5)
1.
Sometimes Problems With the
wind (Eccl 11:4)
a.
Sometimes the winds are
contrary.
b.
Things are going to work
against you – uphill battle - when you decide to be a soul-winner.
c.
Like changing cultures, and
bad attitudes
d.
But that’s okay… He didn’t
come for the wind
2.
Sometimes Problems With the
water
a.
Sometimes the water is rough.
Choppy. Can’t get to the point.
b.
Sometimes the water is muddy.
Can’t see through their smokescreens
c.
Sometimes it is too high or
too low. Can’t relate to them
d.
But the water is not the
reason to go fishing – that is just WHERE the fish live!
3.
Sometimes Problems 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.
Usually Problems With the
will
a.
That is the main problem.
b.
Just getting yourself to go
fishing for men is our biggest battle
c.
You must submit your will to
GOD'S will and go soul-winning because HE wants you to go soul-winning (Acts
5:17-20).
d.
Look at Peter – pressed to
witness to a Gentile, a hated ROMAN soldier (Acts 10:9-19,28)
e.
Look at Jonah – forced to
preach to his enemy in
f.
Look at Jesus facing the
cross! “Not my will, but thine!”
5.
Every fisherman has problems.
But that’s part of the challenge!
F.
A Fisher of Men Is
Persistent (Acts 20:31)
1.
He thinks about fishing 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 fishing.
e.
He will buy books and tapes
about it. He will watch people fishing, and read about them fishing, and search
for helps with fishing!
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 to
compare soul-winning with fishing!
3.
It’s not really much of HIM
that’s catching the fish – the bait, and the line, and the hook are – much the
same as with farming (1Cor 3:5-9)
4.
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.
A Fisher of Men Has Proof
of His Fishing (
1.
Caught fish are encouraging
a.
A fisherman loves fishing
because of the FISH he has caught! Not because of the sun-tan, or the
fellowship, or the picnic!
b.
Fish in hand encourage others
to go fishing! You hold up a bunch of fish, and invariably, someone is going to
shout, I WANT TO GO TOO!
2.
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.
d.
Fresh fish are a blessing.
1)
Like a new born baby, they
bring joy to every one
2)
They keep us young at heart
3)
They become workers! They
become tithers. They become Sunday School teachers, and RU workers, and
preachers and soul-winners
4)
And best of all, they become
soul-winners themselves!
3.
Caught fish are an example -
They are examples of the power and grace of God. A saved soul is a "trophy of
God’s grace”
4.
Caught fish are Eternal – they
will be around for ever, and ever!
a.
Someone says, you can’t bring
it with you
b.
Ah, but there ARE some things
you can bring to heaven with you
1)
Your family
2)
Your friends
3)
Your co-workers
4)
Your wife, your husband
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 real trophy catch? A "trophy of God’s 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!
D.
You are just doing what the
Master Fisher of men did – just follow Him