Core Value 2 - Mission Minded Series

Message

Matthew 28:16-20

Mission Minded

In a town near a river which is full of fish there is a fishermen’s club. Week after week the fishermen in this club meet to talk.

They would talk about their responsibility to fish. Their slogan was “We live to Fish”.

They would talk about the many types of fish that could be caught. And how important it was to have different fishing techniques.

They were continually searching for new and better methods of fishing.

They would point to all the stuffed fish on the wall and talk about how great that fisherman was.

These meetings happened for many years as all the fishermen continued to declare that fishing was their primary task. But, in all that time, one thing they never actually did was … go fishing.

They knew all the techniques.

They constantly reminded each other of the importance of fishing.

Their lives revolved around meetings and discussions about fishing.

They had hear stories of fish being caught.

But they never actually tried it.

That raises a significant question doesn’t it?

Can you be a real fisher-person if, year after year, you never go fishing?

Let’s keep that question in mind as we read a few passages from Scripture.

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:16-20)

7 He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ (Acts 1:7-8)

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-20)

Is a person a real fisherman if, year after year, they never go fishing and never catch a fish?

You would have to say no.

Think about the passages we just read, for they raise a more important question.

Is a person fishing for people if, year after year, they never go out as witnesses and fish for new disciples.

We can talk about it.

We can know who needs to be caught.

We can see the results of past witnessing.

We can have all sorts of techniques.

But if we are not witnessing in some way are we really fishing for people?

I raise this question because the passages we read earlier are pretty clear.

Go and make disciples

The way the grammar works is to make this an ongoing action.

In your going

While you are shopping … or working … or in your leisure time.

As you go about your daily tasks … here in Brisbane …

Make … it is a command … make disciples.

This is your calling and lifestyle and purpose.

You will be my witnesses.

When the Holy Spirit come on you I will change your spiritual DNA.

… from being enemies of God.

… to being witnesses powered by God.

Witnessing is not something you catch like a cold.

It is not an action that comes because you get more than 50% on some test.

It is not something you have for a while and then loose and can no longer find.

You will … and you will continue … to be witness as long as you have the Holy Spirit.

And the Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing your eternity.

I will send you out to fish for people

“I’ve got an offer”, says Jesus, “do you want to follow me?”

When we, of our own free will, take up that offer then we get an added vocation to our careers.

Architects … and fishing for people.

Plumbers … and fishing for people.

Domestic Engineers … and fishing for people.

Students … and fishing for people.

You will keep on being sent for the task that Jesus is inviting you into.

Here is what I want us to understand.

We don’t become mission-minded.