Fish Or Cut Bait

Fish or Cut Bait

April 27, 2014 Evening Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must quit riding the fence with our commitment to God.

Focus Passage: 1 Kings 18:17-40

Supplemental Passage: "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

Introduction: The original version of the expression derives from the fishing industry, in which fishermen must literally decide who is to fish, and who is to cut the bait used for fishing. Both the task of fishing, and that of cutting the bait, were considered equally important to the goal of catching fish. It is simply a question of deciding one way or the other. The United States Service Magazine in 1856 contained an early example of the expression in its original form:

"The time had come when, as the mackerel fisherman said to his passengers, they must do one of three things: Fish, cut bait, or go ashore." [Wikipedia]

I. Quit playing footsy with the world

a. Be careful what you watch on TV

b. Be careful what you listen to on the radio or iPod

c. Be careful what you do with your body

d. Be careful who influences you

II. Quit playing church

a. Commit yourself to the support of the church

b. Commit yourself to evangelism

c. Commit yourself to a lifestyle of holiness

d. Commit yourself to being a light in the darkness

III. Stand up for Jesus

a. In your personal life

b. In your family life

c. In your public life

Invitation: