Leaving the Nets

Leaving Your Nets

Saturday, January 05, 2019

9:12 PM

Matthew 4:20 (KJV)

20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

It is so human, and normal I suppose to just be "status quo" to just do the bare minimum. When the bar is set, to just reach the bar and feel ok that we got the job done. I also understand there are times and places for that type of action. But when it comes to our spiritual walk with God, I find that the bare minimum just doesn't cut it.

I wonder what would have happened if, Jesus had said - Peter and Andrew follow me.

And they would have said, "Ok Lord." and then drug their fishing nets with them. Can you imagine the mess as that fishy water smell would have been with them all the time. They would have got in the way as they tried to minister to people. Just think about when Jesus sent them out two by two to go out and heal and minister. Can you imagine being sick and dying on your bed and these men come in with fish nets wrapped all around them to come and pray with you.

But that is not what happened did it. The Bible said - "they left their nets and followed him."

That word "straightway" in the KJV means "immediately, instantly, as soon as asked." It also implies intentionality. They intended to leave their nets. They didn't want to drag them with them anywhere.

In fact they weren't going to need them where they were going.

They left their nets for something better

These nets were keeping the disciples from their full God given potential.

While the Disciples left their fishing nets - There were other nets the disciples tried to carry in their walk with Christ:

Hardly had the rope burns from their fishing nets wore off till new ones were made from,

The net of importance / prideLuke 9:46-48 (KJV)

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

Hardly had that net been left behind then they pick up another - The net of holier than thou/ self-righteousness - Luke 9:49-56 (KJV)

49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

The net of fear - This happened on many occasionsWhen Jesus taught in about his crucifixion - they were afraid to ask what they meant in Mark 9:31-33When they were out in the storm - they were afraidWhen Jesus was arrested they were so fearful they ran and left. The net of antagonismMatthew 20:20-28 (KJV)

20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Even after Pentecost -

Paul withstood Peter to the face - because he thought Jews were better than Gentiles- he had to let go of the net of prejudice

Its always easier to spot your neighbor carrying a net around - just because they left their fish nets on the Galilee shore the Devil was right there like a peddler marketing his wares with more nets along the way.

There are other nets today as well -

Nets of addictionNets of workaholismNets of worldlinessNets of money, and the deceitfulness of richesNets of care, worry and anxietyNets of past hurts, disappointments, and loss. Nets that drag us down.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

How about it this morning? Look at your spiritual hands, are there rope burns from carrying around old smelly nets? This morning is a great time to drop them. To leave them. Leave them for something better. You don't have to be bogged down any longer. You do not have to drag those old fishy nets out those doors. Jesus is near to help.

Ch