Anyone Can Fish

We have been talking about how to live a life of passion and meaning the last couple of weeks. The truth is that we are all meant to live this life but the reason many of us do not is because we allow the things of this world to be the measure of our passion and meaning take the place of the things God wants us to be passionate about.

Salt Life 3

Title: Anyone Can Fish

Scripture:

Big Idea: Jesus makes even the novice a Great Fishermen.

Summary of the Salt Life:

We have been talking about how to live a life of passion and meaning the last couple of weeks. The truth is that we are all meant to live this life but the reason many of us do not is because we allow the things of this world to be the measure of our passion and meaning taking the place of the things God wants us to be passionate about.

If we can come to the place where we understand that God is what brings passion and meaning to our lives instead of comfort, fame, money and pride we will not only feel better about life but we will stop this insidious pursuit to achieve meaning in the eyes of the world.

We will also live a life of power that comes only from the creator of the universe.

In order to live this type of life we must first Dive in to it…then we must Ride the Wave of the Holy Spirit…

Finally we must let Jesus Guide us so we can fish effectively and tell others the Greatest fish story of their life…a story that will not only amaze them but change their lives as well.

I really like to fly fish. I am not the best at it but I really do enjoy it. I like the setting of fly-fishing and I enjoy catching fish as well…however early on no matter how much I fished I very rarely caught anything. At first it didn’t bother me too much but after a while I really would get upset to go out for a few hours and return with nothing to prove I had been fishing except wet waders and a lighter fly box.

I had Dr. Larry Fine come to do a revival while I was in Colorado and he loves fishing for trout and we talked about going out together and I promised him not only that we would go out but we would catch the big one…what was I thinking??? As the time got near I studied how to trout fish, I went to several places and still did not have any better luck and was starting to worry about my promise. Then a once in a lifetime opportunity came. A fishing guide in Paonia Colorado who had a show on ESPN offered to take us fishing.

He had a special place and a special way to fish and it lead to a special time.

(Tell about where the fish were, and how he told us to fish and the results.)

Though I was totally convinced that he was crazy the proof was in the catch.

Sometimes for a variety of reasons we fail or even refuse to allow the master fisherman to change us.

We are afraid of looking dumb, We are not sure what God’s will is, we are caught up in work, family or simply do not see it is applicable to our lives.

Lots of reasons but the result is the same....We simply give up than allow God to do His work in us.

This leads to believe that outreach is simply if we have time…but as Jesus shows here by his actions outreach is the priority for a follower of Jesus…

It is not enough to know how to fish or what we are fishing for…we must fish.

Recap story to now

New Living Translation Chapter 5

8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Simon had seen greatness and just knew he was not supposed to be a part of it. He had doubted, he had argued with the Lord, and now he has seen the Power of Jesus in a magnificent way and was overwhelmed with a sense of unworthiness.

9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Everyone was overwhelmed with this. Believers non believers friends relatives and other fishermen.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

I will make you a master fisherman.

In addition to meeting regularly, they organized a board to send out fishermen to other places where there were many fish. A board was formed by those who had great vision and courage to speak about fishing and to promote fishing in far away streams and lakes, where many fish of different colors lived. Also, the board hired staff, appointed committees, and held many meetings to decide what new streams should be considered. But the board, the staff and committee members did not fish. Large, elaborate and expensive training centers were built, whose original and primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Over the years, courses were offered on the needs of fish, the nature of fish, the psychological reaction of fish, as well as how to approach and feed fish. Those who taught had doctorates in fishology, but the teachers did not fish, they only taught fishing. Furthermore, the fishermen built large printing houses to publish fishing guides. Presses were kept busy day and night to produce materials solely devoted to fishing methods, equipment and programs to arrange and encourage meetings to talk about fishing. Seminars, conferences and jubilees were also established to schedule special speakers on the subject of fishing.

After one stirring seminar on the “Necessity of Fishing,” two young fellows left the meeting and went fishing. The next day, the first fellow reported he had caught a hundred fish! It turned out to be just a “fish story.” The other young man actually did catch two outstanding fish! He was honored for his excellent catch and scheduled to visit all the big meetings possible to tell how he did it. So he quit fishing in order to have time to tell the experiences to all other fishermen. He was also placed on the fishermen’s board as a person having considerable experience.

Now it is true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their call to fish and their fishermen’s clubs. They even wondered about those who felt it was of little use to attend meetings and talk about fishing. After all, were they not following the Master who said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men?” Imagine how hurt some were when one day a person suggested that those who don’t fish were not really fishermen, no matter how much they claim to be. Yet it did sound correct. Is a person a fisherman, if year after year he never catches a fish? Is one following, if he is not fishing?*

This has to be an intentional act So in order to actually fish we must engage in the following.

(NLT)

12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Fathe

(ESV)

15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

(NIV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Now it came to pass that a group existed that called themselves fishermen. There were many fish in the waters all around. In fact, the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish. And the fish were hungry. Week after week, month after month and year after year those that called themselves fishermen met in meetings and talked about their call to fish, the abundance of fish, and techniques of fishing. Year after year they carefully defined what fishing means, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared that fishing is to be the primary task of the fisherman. These fishermen built large, beautiful buildings for local fishing headquarters. The plea was that everyone should be a fisherman and that everyone should fish. However, one thing they did not do… They did not fish!

In addition to meeting regularly, they organized a board to send out fishermen to other places where there were many fish. A board was formed by those who had great vision and courage to speak about fishing and to promote fishing in far away streams and lakes, where many fish of different colors lived. Also, the board hired staff, appointed committees, and held many meetings to decide what new streams should be considered. But the board, the staff and committee members did not fish. Large, elaborate and expensive training centers were built, whose original and primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Over the years, courses were offered on the needs of fish, the nature of fish, the psychological reaction of fish, as well as how to approach and feed fish. Those who taught had doctorates in fishology, but the teachers did not fish, they only taught fishing. Furthermore, the fishermen built large printing houses to publish fishing guides. Presses were kept busy day and night to produce materials solely devoted to fishing methods, equipment and programs to arrange and encourage meetings to talk about fishing. Seminars, conferences and jubilees were also established to schedule special speakers on the subject of fishing.

After one stirring seminar on the “Necessity of Fishing,” two young fellows left the meeting and went fishing. The next day, the first fellow reported he had caught a hundred fish! It turned out to be just a “fish story.” The other young man actually did catch two outstanding fish! He was honored for his excellent catch and scheduled to visit all the big meetings possible to tell how he did it. So he quit fishing in order to have time to tell the experiences to all other fishermen. He was also placed on the fishermen’s board as a person having considerable experience.

Now it is true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their call to fish and their fishermen’s clubs. They even wondered about those who felt it was of little use to attend meetings and talk about fishing. After all, were they not following the Master who said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men?” Imagine how hurt some were when one day a person suggested that those who don’t fish were not really fishermen, no matter how much they claim to be. Yet it did sound correct. Is a person a fisherman, if year after year he never catches a fish? Is one following, if he is not fishing?*

What are you doing with the influence God has given you? What is God leading you to do to use that influence?

Are you fishing?

God has given you influence

Who do you need to invite to the Table of God with You?

Anyone Can Fish

When it comes to fishing for men it is important to remember the Jesus has knowledge, he knows where the fish are and He knows the best way to fish and wants to turn us into and expert fisherman

Once Jesus touches you with His Spirit you have power you don’t deserve. You have influence you don’t realize. You have wisdom available to handle any question someone may have about being a Christian.

Jesus turns even the novice into world-class fishermen if we will allow Him to guide us.

Jesus turns even the novice into world-class fishermen if we will allow Him to guide us.

Believe God Wants to fill you with Power

Don’t be afraid to use your Influence

Ask God for Wisdom.

Once Jesus touches you with His Spirit you have power you don’t deserve. You have influence you don’t realize. You have wisdom available to handle any question someone may have about being a Christian.