Fisher's Of Men

FISHER’S OF MEN

Believing for BIG things from God!

Psalm 107:23, 24 “Some go down to the sea and travel over it in ships to do business in great waters; 24) these see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep.

The mindset that I want us to have today as I talk about this scripture is that of “fishermen.” Think of yourself as “fishers of men.”

OFF SHORE FISHING…that says to me that this is more than just a little flat bottom boat with a worm and a hook and a cane pole! That sounds a little more out from the bank…a little further out and you maybe have been before…sounds like you might need a net for this!

Recreational Fisherman – stays close to the bank and is satisfied with small occasional catches…the pretty, colorful fish.

Commercial Fisherman – Fish in Deep Water…They get to catch big Trophy Specimens…Marlin, Sailfish, Bonefish, Tuna, Swordfish, Sharks, Wahoo, Barracuda, Tarpon, Mackerel.

That is where God is taking the church…IF we are willing to GO…He is calling us out to the DEEP.

“Deep calls unto deep…” Psalms 42:7

All through out the scripture Jesus compares US, who have the salvation plan, to being “fishermen.”

Jeremiah 16:16… “Behold, I will send for many fishers, says the Lord, and they will fish them out; and after ward I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain and from every hill and out of the clefts of the rocks.

Isaiah 47:1-12….

Vs 1: The guide took him to the DOOR….(you got to go OUT to reach the lost!)

Vs 1: The water (out of your belly shall flow “living waters”) flowed OUT from the temple!! (ye are the TEMPLE of the Holy Ghost!)

Vs 3-5… Took him to the DEEP waters! (Psalms 107:23-24)

Vs 7: Trees – (type of Men in the Bible)

Vs 8 These waters pour OUT toward the DEAD SEA! And as they enter the Dead SEA and those waters shall be HEALED and made fresh!

Stephen Covey says that self-centeredness is like Israel’s Dead Sea, for it welcomes in freshness but grows stagnant because it will not give.

Stagnation comes from the receiving life. Personal growth comes from the giving life.

Vs 9 The DOUBLE RIVER…wherever it goes there is a GREAT number of FISH! Everything shall LIVE wherever the RIVER goes!

Vs 10 FISH of MANY KINDS!

Vs12 Trees with all kinds of FOOD…shall not fail to meet the demand! Because the waters came from out of the Sanctuary!

John 21:7… Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord! Simon Peter, hearing him say that it was the Lord, put (girded) on his upper garment (his fisherman’s coat, his outer tunic)-for he was stripped (for work) – and sprang into the sea! (Amplified)

Oral Roberts says that “if your dreams don’t scare you at night, you’re not dreaming big enough!”

WE need to believe God for something so big that only a miracle could make it happen.

WE need to make the decision to be in a place where we can “see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.”

We must step out of our comfort zone and place ourselves in a position that puts us beyond what we know and understand with our minds…and into a place where we must trust God for a miracle.

The following is interesting facts about fish and how to catch the Trophy fish...when looked at in a spiritual sense too.

Big Trophy Specimen: Marlin; Sailfish; Bonefish; Tuna; Swordfish; Sharks; Wahoo; Barracuda; Tarpon; Mackerel.

Marlin – Spearfish, has a pointed spear measuring up to 2 feet long. Back fin looks like a sickle, tail crescent shaped, leaps high in the air.

Mackerel – One of the most valuable food fishes. Related to the tuna, shape and color is beautiful.

Barracuda – a salt water fish, which looks like the fresh water pickerel, or pike. Grows up to 6 ft long, roams the Atlantic Ocean. This one is called the “tiger of the sea” b/c it is swift, fearless and destructive.. Feeds on other fish but will attack people. Razor sharp teeth up to ¾ inches long. Barracuda flesh can be eaten but spoils quickly.

Bonefish – live in warm ocean waters. Been around 200 years.

Sailfish – these game fighting fish are caught on light rod and reel tackle in the warm waters off both US coasts and Central & South America. Belongs to the Marlin family.

Sharks – meat eating fish, one of the most feared sea animals; live in ocean throughout the world; most common in warm seas. Vary greatly in size and habits. Some kinds of shark live in the depths of the ocean; others are found near the surface. Eat their prey whole or tear off large chunks of flesh at a time. Also feed on dead or dying animals.