Fishers Of Men

“And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” Matthew 4:19

            This past Saturday, our men’s ministry (Outdoor Connections) had their first event; a fishing tournament.  Not being a fisherman, or the son of a fisherman, I didn’t go with great hopes of winning.  There were promises, if I came, of equipment and tips on how to catch the big one.  My friend Joe has so much fishing gear he could give “Outdoor Man” a run for their money.

            In two hours I caught three bass and one huge frog!  The largest bass was 15.5 inches long.  It was obviously beginners luck and the great advice from a true fisherman.  It was a great time and everyone who came enjoyed themselves. 

            There were some lessons that I learned that I think are applicable to what Jesus said about making us fishers of men.  Five things to remember.

• There are a lot of different fish in the pond.  In this pond there were bass, blue gill, crappie, and frogs (not a fish).  Not every fish is the same.  That is so true of the people we are reaching for Jesus.  People come in all shapes and sizes, economic backgrounds, and racial differences.  No two people have the same family history, emotional baggage, or personality traits.   It is easier to reach people who are most like ourselves, but we must not forget those who are different than us, because they need Jesus to

• Not every fish likes the same lure.  I was setting my eyes on the bass, so I was using a frog lure.  It worked really well, and with the right training I was able to get the lure to hop across the pond scum to attract the bass.  But the frog lure was worthless if tying to catch blue gill or crappie.  Each different fish needed a different lure.  The gospel is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but what we use to draw people to hear the message will be different.  People who are hurting in their marriage may come to a marriage seminar, a musician may come to a concert, someone who needs a friend may come to fun activity, and so forth.  Paul said that he was all things to all people, that some might come to the truth.  Jesus said we are to be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.  In other words we need to above board and honest, but use every opportunity to share the gospel. 

• Patience, Patience, Patience!  Fishing is a lot of waiting; two hours and only three fish!  I am a last minute; want it now, kind of guy.  When reaching people for Jesus we are often in a hurry and when they don’t respond right away, we want to right them off and move on to the next person.  But intentional, relational, evangelism means patiently building relationships, intentionally sharing your faith, and waiting for God to move. Peter puts into perspective in 2Pet. 3:9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

•  Fish fight!  Real fishermen love the fight at the end of the line.  The bigger the fish the harder they are to reel in, but the greater the thrill.  People fight against the gospel.  We shouldn’t be surprised.  We give up too easily because when it comes to relationships we don’t like the struggle.  But it is the struggle that makes the end result so meaningful.  Sometimes people who come to Christ quickly don’t last because they have not struggled with some of the great issues of life, and when they come they fall away.  But those who struggle before coming to Christ understand the depth of God’s love, and how it meets their real needs.

• Fish are slimy.  They are slippery and smelly, and it gets all over you.  It’s funny because the slime isn’t toxic and it washes off.  People are messy too.  They come with all sorts of baggage and problems.  Sometimes we avoid people with problems because we are afraid they will be toxic to us, and our spiritual health, and though we need to be careful not to be carried away into sin, their slime isn’t infectious and has been washed by the blood of Christ.

•  Even one caught fish is an accomplishment.  In two hours I caught three bass.  In the following two hours I caught zero.  But the lack of catch in the afternoon didn’t diminish the joy, thrill, and reward of the three in the morning.  Heaven rejoices over one lost soul found.  If I live my life without any more people coming to faith as a result of my ministry, I have had the great privilege of leading some to Christ.  I want to see more, and I am always thinking of lures and ways to proclaim the gospel.  In the end, however, the catch is in God’s hands.  I just need to be out there fishing.  I’m just saying…

The First Gay President

     That is the headline of Newsweek’s recent addition.  Though President Obama has historically been in opposition to gay marriage, he has recently stated that his views have evolved, and that the golden rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” has convinced him that equal rights should be granted to homosexual couples.  He says this while reiterating that he and his wife are practicing Christians (whatever that means).   Double speak isn’t anything new to politics.  It helps them curry favor with opposing viewpoints.  It amazes me how many politician think that works, that people are that gullible, but then again maybe we are easily manipulated.  Black pastors who are strongly against that Presidents position on this subject, will still vigorously support him in the fall because other social issues trump moral imperatives in the scripture.

     Conservatives do not see any inconstancy with the President’s admission, nor do they see it as a new revelation.  His liberal policies and openly hostile decisions against religious practices (Catholics and contraceptives) are well documented.  Christians should not be surprised about the movement away from a biblical ethic.  In a growing secular, pluralistic society a president who is not firmly rooted in biblical faith, caring more about God’s blessing then the blessing of society, will eventually move away from a biblical ethic to one that provides “freedom” for all beliefs and practices. 

As Christians we know that the happiest place is within the framework of God’s will and blessing.  But those who do not believe, who live lives of lawlessness, God’s will is restrictive, prudish, intolerant, hateful, exclusive, and oppressive.  One of two things will happen, people will either reject God, or form Him in their image.  It is difficult for Christians to argue from moral superiority because throughout history the church has used scripture as a club against anyone who defied, not biblical truth, but cultural Christian views; the Church vs. Science (the world is flat), The Church vs. Islam (the Crusades), The Church vs. Slavery (early American history), and so on.  The failing of God’s people, however, is not the failing of God. 

     There are two ways to accomplish God’s will in American culture, and both are crucial.  The first is the reformation of the heart.  Before true and permanent change can occur in our society, people need to become aware of their sin, that God desires a relationship with them, and has provided a way through His son, Jesus.  As one pastor recently said, “When we come to know Jesus, only then do we truly understand how sinful we are.”  Each of us has an unbelieving family member or friend who needs to hear the transforming message of salvation.  We need to talk to them.  Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God.

     The second way is through political action.  As Christian citizens of the United States we have just as much right to argue our case before the court of public opinion and legislate a morality that we believe is the best for all people.  We will be labeled unloving and insensitive, but that is a manipulative tactic to make us feel guilty and pull back on what we believe.  However, our tone and behavior should exhibit God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness.  Posters declaring God’s eternal judgment on homosexuals may be true, but they shut down dialogue.  Maybe a sign that reads, “God loves homosexuals, and has a better plan for their lives.”  Unbelievers will still be offended, but the sentiment is more positive, the message just as true. 

     If you are a homosexual reading this blog, know that your behavior is of no greater or less offensive to God then an adulterer, a liar, a fornicator, a back biter, or a murderer.  All sin is offensive to God and is deserving of punishment, and I am among the greatest sinners of all.  The good news is that Christ’s death and resurrection has made away for our sins to be forgiven, and our hearts, minds, and behavior to be transformed!  Through faith we can become new creatures and restored to our loving heavenly Father, and then our culture will be renewed and transformed.  I’m just saying…..

Ticks

 The Tick is a fictional character created by cartoonist Ben Edlund in 1986.  It was also made into a sitcom in 2001.  Both the cartoon caricature and sitcom were, to say the least, silly.  Ticks, however, are neither cute nor silly.  They carry disease, they feed off the blood of their hosts, they crawl and connect to the worst of places, and once lodged, they are hard to get rid of.

            I was helping a friend paint an out building, and it was surrounded by thick foliage.  He sent me around the back and I asked,  “are there bugs?”  He responded, “No,” of course there were bugs; it was outside.  But, they were not obvious.

            It wasn’t until that evening, while relaxing in my chair, that I noticed this little bug crawl up my shirt.  After flinching, slightly, I pinched the bug between my fingers and put it in a Kleenex next to the chair (I would throw it away later).  But the little bug wasn’t dead.  When it started crawling on my remote I realized it was a TICK!  Other than roaches there is no other insect that disgusts me more.  To think, it was crawling on me.  I promptly squished it again, in the Kleenex, and flushed it down the toilet.  I had triumphed.

            But where there is one, there are two.  Sure enough, I was sitting on the edge of my bed, getting ready for a comfortable nights sleep; when I reached down to itch my leg, sure enough, there was another parasite.   My muscles tensed as I quickly dug my finger nail into it torso, then reaching for a tissue, I wrapped it and flushed it down the toilet.  I then promptly examined everything to be sure the absence of additional monsters. I went to sleep, assured that my blood supply was safe.

            Parasites (ticks, fleas, tapeworms, etc.) are little things that suck the life out of us.  The Christian life is full of parasites.  They can be attitudes and behaviors that drain believers of their spiritual vitality.   When jealousy, bitterness, envoy, and strife take hold they cause conflict and ruin relationships.  Judgmentalism and unforgiveness drive people to isolation and resentment.    Our attitudes are always reflected in our behavior.  We stop speaking to friends, avoid contact with loved ones, withhold kindness from fellow believers, all because we have let little things attach themselves to our lives, let them fester, and in the end kill our joy.

            Real ticks inject numbing venom as they burrow into the skin.  This way the host is unaware of their existence.  The ‘ticks’ of our soul do the same thing, as we justify them with rational arguments meant to ‘prove’ our positions.  But unless we get rid of them, the host is open to a variety of illnesses and even death.   Eph. 4:31,32 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” 

            Christ is our example and love is our goal.  I think it is a good habit to constantly examine our souls for parasites that will drain the spiritual vitality that is ours in Christ.  I’m just saying…