Series: Rebuild The Gates [#2]
THE FISH GATE
Nehemiah 3:3
Introduction:
As we begin to rebuild that which the enemy has destroyed, we have to remember that will only happen if we get beyond the walls of this building. We saw last week that the 1st gate listed to be rebuilt was the Sheep Gate. If we do not build everything we live for and believe on Jesus we will fail.
Nehemiah 3:3
The next gate to be built was the Fish Gate. The fishermen from Galilee brought their catch through this gate to be sold. We need to see that after we are saved there should be a desire to share Jesus with others.
Mark 1:14-20
1. What are we fishing for?
Jesus tells us that He calls us to fish for people.
If we are going to fish for people…
* We must have good equipment.
The equipment we use must be useful. 5 times in this passage equipment is mentioned. Their boats and their nets were extremely important. As children of God, we are the equipment that God has to bring people to Jesus. Jesus wants us to realize that we must be His witnesses.
If we are going to fish for people…
* We must use the right bait.
In the New Testament times, the fishermen used nets. These men were commercial fishermen. In today’s times, it is illegal to fish with nets, unless you are a licensed commercial fisherman. Most people today fish using either live bait or an artificial lure on a single line. The key to fishing with bait is to use bait that the fish will bite.
If we are going to lead people to Jesus Christ, we must present the right bait to them. In today’s society, there are many types of bait that we see being used.
The World’s bait:
* Entertainment.
* Bribery.
* Guilt.
* Fear
* Promise of an easy road.
We must never allow ourselves to get caught up in the thinking that there is another way. The only bait we better be using is God’s Word that reveals to us that Jesus Christ is the only way.
If we are going to fish for people…
* We must have time and patience.
Everyone that fishes knows that if they will be patient that eventually they will catch some fish. Sometimes when we go witnessing we break ground, at other times we plant a seed, at other times we are watering and cultivating and sometimes we get to see the glorious harvest when someone surrenders their life to Jesus Christ.
If we are going to fish for people…
* We must be where they are.
The weather may be perfect, the water may be just right, we may have all of the right equipment, bait, and patience; but we will never catch any fish until we go to the water. This is the critical point this morning for us as Christians.
Statistics show that only 3% of all lost people come to church on their own. So by doing a little math, that tells us that 97% of lost people are out there, lost, helpless, powerless, condemned, and alienated from God. We must go where they are and share the Good News. We will never see any fish caught for the Lord if we never go fishing.
2. Who will God use as fishers of men?
Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will teach you how to catch People”.
Jesus uses…
* The called person.
I’m not just speaking about a person who is called into full-time ministry. I’m speaking of a person who is called from sin to salvation to service. God has called every born-again believer to be fishers of men.
1 John 1:9
Jesus uses…
* The cleansed people.
2 Timothy 1:7
Jesus uses…
* The courageous person.
Satan has discovered that fear is a choice weapon to use on God’s children.
Jesus uses…
* The concerned person.
Jesus looked upon the multitudes with compassion. The word compassion means to “suffer with”. The Lord saw people as sheep without a shepherd and His compassionate love went out to them. God will use His children when they have a broken, bleeding, burdened heart for lost souls.
