Listen 2: "know Your Bait" Series

🎣 Week 2: Know Your Bait

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🧭 Introduction (pass out the outline)

“If you’ve ever gone fishing, you know there are two kinds of folks: those who catch fish... and those who just catch a nap!”

Now, I’m not saying I’ve fallen asleep on a boat — but let’s just say, I’ve come home more than once with an empty cooler, a tangled line, and a great story that wasn’t exactly true. But here’s the thing — I learned really quick: you can’t catch fish using the wrong bait.

You don’t go out into saltwater with a freshwater strategy. You don’t use a Barbie pole and marshmallows and expect to reel in a 40-pound catfish. That might work on YouTube... but not in the real world. In fishing, bait matters.

And guess what? It’s the same in spiritual fishing. Jesus called us to be fishers of men — but some of us are out here trying to reach people with stale bait, old tactics, or worse — no bait at all! We’ve got the greatest message in the world — the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ — but sometimes we’re not presenting it in a way people can understand or relate to.

📖 That’s where the Apostle Paul comes in. In 1 Corinthians 9:22 he said:

“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

Paul understood something powerful: the message never changes — but the method has to reach the people you’re fishing for.

Today’s world is full of all kinds of “fish” — different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and questions. Some are swimming in hurt, some in confusion, some in pride, and others in brokenness. And we’re not going to reach them by throwing the same old bait and hoping for a miracle.

We need to be strategic with love, wise with our witness, and bold with compassion. Because when we use the bait that speaks to the heart, God brings the catch that fills the net.

So today, we’re going to dig into:

• How to identify the right “bait” for the people around us,

• How Paul modeled cultural awareness without compromising holiness,

• And how you can become a better “fisher of men” starting right now — with the people already in your life.

Now grab your spiritual tackle box — we’re about to bait the hook!

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📖 I. The Message Never Changes, But the Method Must

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

🧠 Breakdown & Analysis

? Verse 19 — Paul's Freedom and Servanthood

“For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.”

• Key Point: Paul was free — no one controlled him. Yet he chose to become a servant to all people for the sake of winning souls.

• Modern Interpretation: "I could do my own thing, but I willingly humble myself to meet people where they are so I can lead more to Christ."

• Cross-reference:

o Galatians 5:13 – "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

o Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”.

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? Verse 20 — Adapting to the Jews

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

• Key Point: Paul identified with Jewish customs (like observing the law) to gain credibility and access among Jews, even though he knew Christ fulfilled the Law.

• Modern Interpretation: "When I’m with traditional folks, I respect their ways so I can share the message without unnecessary offense."