Let's Go Fishing

All my life I have loved to fish. I grew up on farms in SW Iowa, where I had both farm ponds and a river within walking distance. I fished with cane poles and various kinds of rods and reels. I've fished in shallow water and in depths up to 60 feet. I've fished continuously for several consecutive days and I've gone many months without wetting a line. If I go very long without fishing, I really begin to miss it.

It's interesting that when Jesus began His earthly ministry, He went to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and the first four disciples He called were all fishermen. In Mark 1:17, Jesus said, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men". Obviously Jesus knew that these men would make good disciples and soul winners. And it's no accident that He chose fishing as an analogy for reaching people with the gospel. Notice with me four things that apply to fishing in both the physical and spiritual realm in our text (Mark 1:17).

1) The ENJOINDER to Fishing - Jesus said, "Follow Me"...This was a bold challenge and new and higher calling. Like most of humanity, they had been following their parents and their peers in a way of life that was familiar and comfortable. Jesus came along and challenged them to follow Him by faith in a new and different direction. Have you heard and responded to His invitation? Have you decided to follow Jesus?

2) The EXAMPLE of Fishing - Jesus said, "Follow Me". This was an invitation to follow, and Jesus Himself would lead and show the way. They would not wander in doubt and darkness, but walk in the Light. Jesus would not just tell them what to do, but He would show them how to do it.

3) The ENABLEMENT of Fishing - Jesus said, "I will make you become"...Jesus would Tell them what to do, Show them what to do, and even Help them to do it. If they would follow Him, Jesus would mold them into fishers of men. How comforting to know that our success is not based on our powers, but upon His power! (see Acts 1:8, Phil. 4:13).

4) The EXCITEMENT of Fishing - Jesus said, "I will make you become fishers of Men". Up until now, they had caught fish out of the Sea of Galilee. Now, Jesus would enable them to catch men out of their sin and be eternally saved. That's exciting! Fishing can be very enjoyable and sometimes demands lots of endurance when nothing is biting, but it is truly exciting when you feel that unmistakable hit, the line goes tight and then you experience the fun and joy of bringing one into the boat. I've caught fish everywhere from a few ounces up to 13 pounds. But nothing can match the excitement of leading a soul to Christ!

I want to challenge you to truly follow Christ and regularly fish for men. The two go hand in hand. If you are following Christ, you are also fishing for souls. If you aren't fishing, you're not following, according to Christ's words in Mark 1:17. I encourage you to prayerfully participate in our upcoming opportunities to do some fishing and receive training on how to do it better. August 1-5 is Vacation Bible School. During August, our adult Sunday School class is going through an instructional series, "Sharing Jesus Without Fear". Some of us are going to Ames on August 20th to get further training in evangelism. September 17th is our annual Backyard Barbecue outreach.

Ladies and gentlemen, on the authority of the words of Jesus in Mark 1:17, I give you this bold and exciting invitation. "Let's Go Fishing!"

"Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord,
A passion to save the lost.
O that Thy love were by all adored,
And welcomed at any cost.
Jesus I long, I long to be winning,
Men who are lost and constantly sinning.
Oh may this hour be one of beginning,
The story of pardon to tell."