"The Net is Cast"

August 10, 2025

FBC Baxley

am service

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Vision Statement: FBC Exists to Live & Share the Love of Jesus Christ, through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry & Evangelism.

** I want you to know, GOD LOVES YOU!

*It’s ok however you’ve entered, we are all here seeking God’s will, way and plan.

Some rescued, redeemed, Some Saved….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

Sermon Title: The Net is Cast

Scripture Passage: Matthew 13:47-52

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.

48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.

49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous

50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.”

52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

PRAY-

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Today, I want us to look at this passage under this title: “The Net is Cast.”

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be fishers of men. We are not keepers of the aquarium.

We are not called to polish the boat. We are called to cast the net.

And this passage shows us why that’s urgent—and what’s at stake.

I want to give you three truths from this parable—all beginning with the letter C:

Three Points:

The Casting of the Net– (Evangelism’s Reach)

The Catch of the Net– (Eternity’s Reality)

The Challenge from the Net –( Evangelism’s Responsibility)

Main Idea: The Kingdom of God is like a net—wide in invitation, diverse in gathering, and eternal in consequence.

INTRODUCTION: The Power of a Net

Illustration: In 1986, archaeologists discovered a fishing boat buried in the mud of the Sea of Galilee.

It was dated back to the time of Jesus—a simple wooden vessel likely used for casting dragnets.

It gave the world a glimpse into how fishermen lived, worked, and fished in Jesus’ day.

A dragnet wasn’t a casual tool.

It was a massive operation requiring teamwork, skill, and patience.

The net didn’t discriminate—it caught everything in its path: good fish, bad fish, even sea debris.

The fisherman’s job wasn’t done at the casting; the real work came in the sorting.

Jesus used this vivid picture to show us something eternal: the kingdom of heaven is like that net—it’s being cast out now through the gospel, drawing in people of all kinds, but one day, there will be a divine sorting.

TEXT: Matthew 13:47–52

I. The Casting of the Net v.47

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea…” (v.47a)

Explanation:

The word "dragnet" (Greek: σαγήνη – sagēnē) refers to a large fishing net, often several hundred feet long.

It is not a dip net, it’s a drag net.

It was thrown into the sea and drawn between two boats or dragged to shore.

This net did not discriminate—it was designed to gather everything in its path.

That’s how Jesus describes the gospel, Jesus said the gospel is not selective—it’s expansive.

It must be cast wide to every nation, every people, every language.

Jesus said,

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15

We’re not told to fish only in clean waters or only for the “right kind” of fish.

We’re not spiritual trophy hunters.

We’re to cast the net and trust God with the catch.

Romans 10:13 says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

[Illustration – Billy Graham’s Simplicity]

Billy Graham was once criticized for being too simple in his preaching.

Someone asked him why he kept preaching John 3:16.

He replied, “Because it works.”

What was he doing? Casting the net. He didn’t try to clean the fish before catching them—he just cast the net faithfully.

Illustration:

In the 1800s, missionary Hudson Taylor went to China.

When others said the Chinese weren’t receptive, he replied, “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”

He cast the net wide—and God brought in a harvest.

Application:

We must not narrow the gospel’s reach to people who look like us, live like us, or vote like us.

The dragnet is for all—neighbors and nations, rich and poor, young and old.

Are you casting the net—or holding it?

II. The Catch of the Net vv.47-50

“When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad…”

Here’s the second truth: the catch of the net.

The net gets pulled in. Now it’s time to separate.

This is a picture of the final judgment. Jesus explains it in verse 49:

“So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous…”

The word for “bad” fish here is sapros (σαπρός).

It means rotten, corrupt, or useless. These fish couldn’t be eaten. They were fit only to be discarded.

This is a picture of eternal separation.

The righteous are kept—the wicked are cast away.

“And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” – v. 50

This is not symbolic. This is literal hell.

Jesus doesn’t say the net catches some and others escape.

He says the net gathers all.

Everyone is caught. But only some are saved.

The net brings in "some of every kind"—a phrase echoing Revelation 7:9, where a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language stands before the throne.

The church should reflect the diversity of heaven.

The gospel is not about sameness but about salvation in Christ, who breaks down walls (Eph. 2:14).

The catch is not limited to one ethnicity or class.

It includes the broken, the addicted, the religious, the atheist, the refugee, and the rebel.

[Illustration – The Airplane Analogy]

Imagine you’re boarding an airplane. As you take your seat, the pilot’s voice comes on:

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for flying with us. Once we’re in the air, we’ll evaluate which passengers deserve to make it to the destination. Until then, enjoy the ride.”

You’d get off that plane, wouldn’t you?

But that’s how some people treat eternity. They think they’ll sort things out later.

Jesus says—you must be ready now.

Illustration:

In 1904, during the Welsh Revival, taverns emptied, churches overflowed, and all kinds of people—coal miners, thieves, businessmen, teenagers—came to Christ.

It wasn't a narrow net—it was the Kingdom net.

Application:

Who are you avoiding in your evangelism?

The gospel net gathers all kinds.

Don’t limit your reach—share Christ at school, work, ballfields, and street corners.

Evangelism is inclusive in invitation, even if not all will accept.

III. The Challenge from the Net vv. 51-52

“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” Then He said, “Every scribe trained for the kingdom is like a householder…”

Here’s the third truth: the challenge from the net.

Jesus turns to the disciples and asks, “Do you understand?” They say, “Yes.”

But He doesn't just pat them on the back—He challenges them. He tells them they’re now like scribes trained for the kingdom—teachers of truth.

The Greek word for “trained” is mathēteuō—from which we get “disciple.”

It means someone taught for the purpose of teaching others.

We are not to be consumers of truth only—we are to be carriers of it.

The householder in verse 52 brings out of his treasure both old and new—meaning we must teach the full counsel of God: the Old Testament and the new revelation of the gospel.

2 Timothy 2:2 – “What you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

[Illustration – Spurgeon’s Warning]

Charles Spurgeon once said:

“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”

If you know Christ, you’ve been given treasure.

But it’s not meant to stay buried. It’s meant to be shared.

Illustration:

Imagine a courtroom with no jury, only a perfect Judge. No bribes, no politics, no mistakes. Just pure justice.

That’s what Jesus is describing.

One day, all people will face the sorting Judge—and there’s no appeal process.

Application:

The time to respond to the gospel is now. There is no second net, no second chance after death.

If you haven’t trusted Christ, the sorting day is coming.

If you are saved—warn others! Don’t just talk about the love of Jesus—tell them the truth of eternity.

CONCLUSION: Do You Understand These Things?

Jesus ends with a piercing question in verse 51:

“Have you understood all these things?”

Then He compares the trained disciple to a scribe who brings out treasures old and new (v.52).

In other words, don’t just learn these truths—live them and share them.

THREE LIFE APPLICATIONS:

Let’s bring this home. What do we do with what we’ve heard?

1. Be a Faithful Caster

Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity.

Start where you are. Cast the net—in your home, at your job, in your school, online. God saves, but we must speak.

2. Be a Fearless Clarifier

Don’t water down the message. Hell is real. Judgment is coming.

But so is mercy, grace, and forgiveness—for those who believe.

Romans 1:16 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel…”

3. Be a Fruitful Communicator

If God has taught you truth, don’t keep it to yourself.

Teach your children. Share it in your group. Speak it to your friends.

Proverbs 11:30 – “He who wins souls is wise.”

Call to Response:

Today, the net is being drawn. You're in it.

The question is—not if you're caught—but are you ready?

Have you trusted Christ as your Savior? If not, today is the day.

If you have—are you casting the net? Are you reaching others?

Let’s not waste the time we have. The net is cast. The shore is near. Eternity is real.

-Pray

-Invitation

“Time is running out on you ole skeptic”