Parable 5

The Parable of the Fishing Net

Parable 5

Matthew 13:47–52 NLT

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Do you understand all these things?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.” Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”

Have you ever traveled by air?

I have done it several times.

I’ve always said it’s a miserable way to travel.

Packed in like sardines.

The most recent trip was Denver CO.

My most memorable trip was New Delhi India (Nightmare)

How the process works.

Book your Flight (Receive confirmation and boarding pass)

Pack your bags get your ducks in a role

Arrive early (check in and check your bag)

TSA Screening

Proceed to your Gate. Big screen that tells your gate.

Ready to board the plane.

Listen for the announcement

This is the tricky part.

You don’t want to miss this announcement.

Miss the announcement or are late you miss the plane.

You will notice that there are all kinds of people.

People from all over the world.

Some people are talking – some are staring at their phone – some people may be eating – sleeping.

Here’s the crazy part. If a flight has 150 people 1-5 people will miss the flight.

 I’m sure there are lots of reasons. But missing that boarding announcement has to be one.

With that setup let’s look at our parable and it will make a lot more sense to you.

The Fishing Net

The Casting Net.

This design hasn’t changed in 1000s of years.

Jesus uses the net as an example of the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:47 NLT

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.

Illustration: Think of the airport.

The Net

= the gospel message cast into the world. (announcement)

The Sea

= the world – diverse, vast, full of all kinds of people. (people waiting to board)

All kinds of fish

= people from all nations, backgrounds, responses.

The kingdom invitation is wide and inclusive.

Revelation 7:9 NLT

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.

We are called to be fishers of men, not sorters of men.

Matthew 4:19 ESV

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

How it works.

A cast net isn’t choosy.

It’s thrown and sinks to the bottom.

Pull the rope and the net closes shut.

Matthew 13:48 NLT

When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away.

Today these nets are used to catch bait fish.

But in the first century they were used by fisherman for food and livelihood.

The Fish are Sorted.

Judgement day.

Matthew 13:49 NLT

That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous,

There will come a time when every human will stand before the throne of God.

It’s sorting time.

There are fish that you don’t want. (like the Asian carp)

There are fish you do want. (Catfish dinner)

The Good Fish.

This is obvious – a follower of Christ.

Our response to Christ determines our destiny—not our background, status, or good works.

Rejection of Christ is the unpardonable sin.

The Bad Fish.

Those who reject Christ.

Matthew 7:22–23 NIV

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

These words will break your heart.

The wheat and weeds.

A free gift just for the taking.

Matthew 13:50 NCV

The angels will throw the evil people into the blazing furnace, where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.”

This should stir urgency in us to share the gospel.

Do you understand these things?

The gift of salvation

You have been given a wonderful gift.

Matthew 13:52 GW

So Jesus said to them, “That is why every student of the Scriptures who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a home owner. He brings new and old things out of his treasure chest.” 

The old for the disciples was the Old Testament.

Remember it was the only thing they knew.

The new is the gospel.

Now you are a steward of that gift.

You will be held to account for how you use it.

There are many ways to give your gift away.

Trust me you don’t want to miss your flight!