Engage Week 4

Engage wk 4 Matthew 4:19(nasb) And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." • I don't think Jesus chose this analogy of fishing by accident. Why? He was talking to fishermen.. • I want to talk about today, How to fish for souls like Jesus... • I think many have lost the way we should does this- • I want to share with you some biblical principles on how to do this.. Matthew 10 and Luke 10 - is where these come from, I am not going to read all of them but through the lesson I will discuss some of the scriptures...( good for you to go read) 1) Know what you fishing for..... a) We need to identify who we are trying to reach b) Real People - Real Lives (struggles of life) Real Change Real God. c) What needs to be determined is what bait are we going to use.. d) One of my focuses for us as a body- "People who don't like church" Jesus had a clear strategy- Matthew 15:24(nasb) But He answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Paul as well-Galatians 2:7(nasb) But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. Jesus sent out His disciples he gave a clear strategy - Matthew 10:5-6(nasb) these twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: "Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. • Jesus was not be exclusive but being effective 2) Learn to Think like a fish........... a) Fishing analogy - Bass- Catfish Colossians 4:5(gnb) be wise in the way you act towards those who are not believers, making good use of every opportunity you have We are trying to reach the unchurched----- and what we have to remember is that they are unchurched- they will not think like us- • One thing that I think is a struggle- the longer we are a believer the less we think like a non believer........ • If a missionary is going to go be successful in a foreign land he needs to learn the language- I believe that resistance to the gospel at times can be attributed to poor communication...... a) So how do we reach to know - Ask Them.. 3) Go where the fish are............. a) Don't expect them to come to you b) Good fisherman will search out those fish- a bad fisherman will sit in the same spot all day- Luke 10:8(gnb) Whenever you go into a town and are made welcome, eat what is set before you a) I believe this is more than dietary advice - b) Adapt to the customs and cultures as long as is does not violate the word of God......... c) Meet them where they are at--- 1 Corinthains 9:20-23(nlt) . 20When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.22When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. Jesus standard approach - He did not have one.............. So how do we accomplish this- 1) We determine the needs of unbelievers Mark 2:17(nlt) When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor-sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." You begin to meet what is called the FELT NEEDS- YOU FIND OUT WHAT A NEED IS AND YOU MEET IT- WE WILL NEVER GROW PAST OUR CAPACITY TO MEET NEEDS................ I READ A STUDY AND IT SADI THE MAJORITY OF NEEDS OF THE UNCHURCHED ARE EMOTIONAL AND RELATIONAL Your strategy - a) Determine the mindset of unbelievers- b) Determine the culture so you know what style you need to have. 4) Find the fish that are hungry Matthew 10:14(nlt) If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. a) Jesus said to leave an unresponsive place. b) There are those who are ready to receive the gospel c) Paul's strategy was t go through open doors and not waste time banging on closed doors 5) Use more than one hook....... The more hooks- more fish-