Forward In Faith: Time To Go Fishing Series

Forward in Faith: Time to go fishing

We are continuing in our theme of Moving Forward in Faith and as always I start with a question,

Can you remember the very first time you felt the need to ask Jesus into your life?

Let’s take a look at Mark 1:16-20 NLT.

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed Him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed Him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

Like the ones Jesus called that day, you and I also called to follow Him and to become fishers of people.

To become fishers of men, to tell others about the good news we need to share what Jesus has done for us in our lives.

Maybe when you first met Jesus you were full of great aspirations, ideas and hopes of how you would serve Him,

but perhaps somewhere on your journey you let other things take a higher priority in your life.

All of us probably have felt the urgency to bring others into the family of God, before Jesus returns,

but in the modern church there are too many people who have become content with just keeping a seat warm on a Sunday morning,

instead of being active in seeking and saving the lost, instead of being salt and light in a sinful world, we look for what the church can do for us rather than what we are meant to do for others.

The great command of Matthew 28 has become the great suggestion, witnessing, evangelising, sharing the message of Jesus with others, well that’s what the Pastors are for isn’t it?

Actually, no... Jesus calls all of His disciples, all of his followers, all who say they have been saved, all who say they love Him to be actively involved in sharing the message of salvation with others.

Let me remind you of the great commission, the final command Jesus gave to us before He ascended to Heaven, in Matthew 28:18-20:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Are you involved in making disciples? Really?

Do you speak about how God the Father loves you?

Do you share the Love of Jesus with others?

Do you allow the Holy Spirit to use the gifts and talents that God has given you?

Are you teaching others what it is to be a follower of Christ?

Are you proclaiming by the way you live, the way you speak, the way you act, that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Saviour?

Are you involved in making disciples?

Maybe your thinking,

Hold on, I go to church... most of the time.

When the offering bag goes by... I give something.

I pray for others... if I remember to.

That’s good, but when was the last time you told somebody about Jesus?

When was the last time you told someone they needed to accept Jesus as their Saviour?

When was the last time you invited someone to a church service?

Not a church social event, not the coffee morning, not the Games Club or the Art Class an actual church service.

When was the last time you realised, that you have a God given responsibility to tell others about who is supposed to be the most important part of your life?

The one you are meant to love with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind.

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Maybe you identify with what I’ve said so far, or maybe your think I’m being a little harsh.

After all what difference can we really make in this world, what difference can you make, what difference can I make, I’m only one person....

Friend, when you really believe in something, you should be willing to put your all your effort into it.

You should be totally committed to Jesus and your life should reflect your commitment to God.

And God can use everyone of us to bring glory to share the truth of the Gospel.