What does fishing for people look like?

Gone Fishing

Anyone like to fish?

I love to fish - don't always have the time.

You have to have the right bait, right spot, and right time

You get smelly and it takes patience

Fish story - tarpon

The truth is sometimes to catch some times you don”t

If it was easy it would be called catching

If ind it fascinating Jesus calls us to be fishers of men

Last week we asked what so good about the good news?

God has a plan and gives us a purpose.

That purpose is to know Him and make Him known

As know Him more - I will want to make Him known - tell everyone

As I make Him known - I will know more of Him - I will grow

Jesus came to make disciples - not church members and believers - disciples - next week we will dive into it

Being obedient - being a fisher - is a huge part of that

We are commanded to go and make disciples

The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed. - Hudson Taylor

Gone Fishing

This is what I want to talk about today.

How did Jesus view and approach people?

How did Jesus confront sin?

As “Disciples” our goal is to look like Him so let’s see how He did it

Mark 2

Let’s pray

I do not think anyone would argue we live in a pretty broken society.

People do whatever they want - no thought

We are divided and divisive

This is not new - Jesus time - Romans, Gentiles and Jews, divisions in the Jews

So how do we function in that environment

1. Jesus sees the person, and not just the problem

Mark 2:13–14 CSB

Jesus went out again beside the sea. The whole crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. Then, passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.

1. Jesus sees the person, and not just the problem

Tax collector - Jew who worked for the Romans - could collect what ever they wanted - many were dishonest - all were hated and ostracized by the religious — they were traitors in the eyes of Jews

Jesus saw the person

1 Samuel 16:7 CSB

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”

1. Jesus sees the person, and not just the problem

Jesus does not look at what you done - who you are

Does not mean I can do what ever I want -

Matthew got up and left

He had everything he would ever want or need - was not enough

None of us are ever too far gone - we just need to get up and go when He calls

Look what happens next:

Mark 2:15–16 CSB

While he was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who were following him. When the scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew threw a party - and invited all his friends to meet Jesus

2. Jesus seeks followers who can reach their world

Every one of us have a circle of influence

God has placed us in jobs, neighborhoods, schools to be a light and a voice

You are the best missionary to your friends

All those guys called earlier - Peter, John, Andrew would of even associated with Matthew's friends let alone reach them

Telling them the good news and why it is good

It is only good news if it gets there on time

The greatest tool - small groups - your living room is the new church

3. Jesus confronts our real condition

Mark 2:17 CSB

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

3. Jesus confronts our real condition

Sin is still sin - no matter how you dress up a pig - still a pig

We preach love and grace - that is true

You cannot have grace without righteousness

You cannot have love - without justness and judgement

Jesus always confronted - go and sin no more

Jesus is that doctor - there 4 types of patients

Those who do not know Him

Those who meet Him, trust Him, and follow

Those who know about Him, but refuse to trust and follow

Those who will not admit that they need Him

Which are you?

Go make Disciples

Jesus meets us right where we are at and loves us enough not to leave us there

If you have never surrendered - we are going to pray and share communion - let this be the day

For the rest of us - are we being obedient - are we fishing or faking

Christians don't tell lies, they just go to church and sing them. How many times have you stood and sang, “Take my life and let it be” when you haven't given Him one ounce? - Leonard Ravenhill

Go make Disciples

Maybe we need to confess and do some repenting also

As the band plays and the elements are passed - let’s get this and our selves right

Let this be our renewal or beginning of a commitment go and be the church

Let’s pray

Communion