Introduction

Welcome to the last week of our Hooked sermon series. So far we’ve talked about the kingdom net and the invitation to follow Christ. We know the kingdom net represents the gospel and the invitation is meant for all. As fishers of people and followers of Christ we ultimately want everyone to get “hooked.” As the apostle Paul says to his young apprentice Timothy, “(God) wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

And if God wants all people to be saved then what does this mean for all of us fishermen as we follow Christ? How far will the journey take us and how committed are we to spreading the net out to the furthest reaches of humanity?

As we wrap up our series, I’m excited to tackle these questions and leave you with some awesome encouragement straight from the mouth of Jesus.

Let’s dive in today...

And if God wants all people to be saved then what does this mean for all of us fishermen as we follow Christ? How far will the journey take us and how committed are we to spreading the net out to the furthest reaches of humanity?

Main Teaching/Body

Amazingly, Jesus told the first disciples it was better for Him to leave them than to stay and minister with them. In the gospel of John Jesus is recorded as saying; “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7

As we now know, Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit. In our main passage for the day, Jesus elaborates further about this divine helper the disciples were to receive: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Jesus is saying the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses. And that word witness conveys the idea that the disciples will be able to give testimony of Jesus to others. And not just a few people but literally to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

They will minister to others close to them, near to them, and far from them. The kingdom net is well able to stretch to the very ends of the earth where every last person needs to hear the gospel invitation.

Close, Near, Far

For those first disciples, Jerusalem would’ve been their city and included their neighbors, their local bakery, butcher, banker, etc… It was a more personal call to bear witness about Christ and share the good news with those immediately around them.

So, think about your neighbors, your favorite coffee shops, your local grocery store, etc. etc. when you think about those who are close to you. These are the people in your immediate sphere of influence and these are the first places where you can think of spreading the net and extending the gospel invitation.

Judea and Samaria were neighboring cities and people groups ... View this full sermon with PRO Premium