There's Nothing Worse Than Bad Fish

Introduction

This parable comes on the back of six more parables 5 of which directly mentions the kingdom

The first one is important to appreciating the rest

Jesus begins these series of lessons with one on the “seed” which is the word of God

There are things the word does, that we can’t. We must acknowledge and accept that

#1 God is Seeking

Matt 13:47 ““Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind;”

All are sought by God - the net is indiscriminate in its casting

Jn 6:44 ““No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Jn 12:32 ““And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.””

1 Tim 2:4 “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Am I seeking God

#2 God is Waiting

Matt 13:48 “and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away.”

This was not part of the fishing process, there was usually no waiting period becasue they could not know when the net was full

2 Pet 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.”

Acts 17:30-31 ““Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.””

#3 God is Expecting

Matt 13:48-49 “and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. “So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous,”

God has expectations for those who respond to the gospel

Matt 5:20 ““For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Matt 6:33 ““But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

“bad” - worthless - how do you get to that place? - This emphasizes genuineness

Heb 6:7-8 “For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.”

Tit 1:16 “They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”

1 Pet 1:6-7 “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

Consider Matt 7:15-21.

What kind of fruit do you grow?

There’s nothing worse than bad fish

“wicked” - undesirable condition

The servant that was unforgiving = wicked

The servant who hid his talent = wicked

Heb 3:12 “wicked” unbelieving heart

This word is used of Satan (1 John)

Am I a genuine kingdom citizen

I can fool people but I cannot fool God - Rom 2:16 “on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”

The reality is not all that come to God has that committment, devotion

Chrysostom called this parable “a terrible parable”

It speaks directly to the heart of everyone that professes Christ and challenges if I’m truly genuine

Some signs (of genuine discipleship):

A devotion to God’s kingdom

A mind to please God (in all things)

A love for God and man that stands against the love of the world