Three Significant Insights Into Becoming A Witness For Christ

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Luke 5:1-11

Jesus' last recorded words on earth had to do with being a witness for the Gospel. And here in some of His first recorded words at the beginning of His earthly ministry He is giving the call to become witnesses. 

I find in these key verses three significant insights into becoming a witness for Christ and the Gospel. This morning I will share the first.

Following a powerful preaching session from a fishing boat on the Galilean shore, Jesus invited the boat owner to follow Him. He assured them if they faithfully followed Him they would become fishers of men.

Notice what Jesus didn't say. He didn't say, "Get some education and then you will become a witness."

Nor did He say, "Get some experience and then come follow me." What He did say was, "Follow me and I will give you the education and the experience to fish for men."

What does it mean to follow Jesus? Sounds simple enough but it isn't easy. Let's learn from the disciples. 

Following required a decision. Would they continue to do what they knew best and keep fishing or would they leave the security of what they knew to answer the call of Jesus.

The call of Jesus comes to each of us and each of us must decide if we will leave all and follow Him. 

Following required a direction. It almost seems too obvious but in order to follow they must go in the direction Jesus. It is Jesus Who decides which way they should go not them. He would become their compass, your GPS and tour guide!

If you decide to follow Jesus He will determine the direction of your life from that day forward. Followers follow His direction.

Following Jesus would require discipleship. Deciding to follow Jesus and going in His direction would demand obedience. My favorite definition of discipleship comes from Eugene Peterson who said, "Discipleship is a long obedience in the same direction."

If you make the decision to follow Jesus and change the direction of your life you will be required to life the life of obedience to Him. There is no other way.

Finally, following Jesus leads to a destiny. Faithful followers of Jesus fish for men.

The call of Jesus comes to each of us. It is a call to decide. It is a change of direction. It leads to discipleship. It results in the destiny of fishing for men.

Are you following?

Then you'd best be fishing!

July 20, 2017

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Luke 5:1-11

If you struggle with witnessing for Jesus this thought may help you.

Take notice of the call of Jesus to the fishermen, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

Jesus called them in the area of their strengths! He called them to do what they did best! What they did well was fish and they just needed to follow Him as fishermen.

He didn't say, "Let me change you guys to carpenters and then follow me."

Nor did He say, "Go get training as a Rabbi and then come follow me."

He did not tell them, "Get your ordination and then you can follow me."

Jesus just said, "Follow me as fishermen and I will make you into fishers of men!"

So, here's the exciting news! God can and will use you EXACTLY as you are! You don't have to change you simple need to follow Him faithfully!

God loves you!

God loves you for who you are!

God loves you for what you do!

God doesn't want to change what you do He wants to change your heart and transform your mind so you do what you do better and do it for Him!

God wants you to love Him in response for His love for you!

That only happens as can He use you to reach people,

God wants you to follow Jesus for who you are.

God wants you to follow Jesus for what you can become in Him.

God wants you to follow Jesus for what He can do for him by doing what you do best.

God wants you to follow Jesus so you can reach others who do what you do! 

God CAN use you to fish for men and catch fish starting the moment you begin following Him fully and faithfully. 

Come to Jesus and begin following Him just as you are doing what you do best and keep on following!

As you follow He will use you to fish!

Fishing For Men

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Luke 5:1-11

At first thought I wondered why would Jesus call rough, smelly fishermen to be among His first followers.

The more I thought about it several reasons came into focus. Here's a new insight that came to mind and I want to see what you think.

Fishermen make a living catching aquatic creatures that dwell in a different realm. Fish cannot live out of the water and fishermen cannot survive long under the water. In order to run a successful fishing enterprise Simon, Andrew, James and John had to figure out ways to get large numbers of fish out of their under water world and into the world where they lived.

Jesus knew that would also be the challenge of fishing for men.

Think about it.

People who are far away from God live in a different realm than people who know Jesus as their Savior. Non-believing people operate in a much different value system, world-view and mindset than those who live by faith. And yet the call of Jesus was to fish for men, which requires His followers to learn how to lead unbelievers into the realm of faith.

Who better to do know how to do that than fishermen?

Jesus prayed for His followers to be "in the world but not of the world". This is what He must have meant. Like these fishermen, we need to learn to navigate in and interact with those who exist in a different realm without becoming a part of that realm.

There is not abundant evidence recorded in the gospels that the disciples excelled in the fishing for men assignment but we know they must have because the Gospel message has made it intact to our present generation.

Our human nature is to retreat to comfortable places with people who make us comfortable. Even as Christians we can settle into the security and comfort of our own little "holy hideout" and avoid interacting with those who don't live in our realm. But the call of Jesus is a call out of our realm to "evangelize", to "witness" or "fish" for those in another realm.

The Master was masterful in connecting with those who did not know Him or did not believe in Him. In fact, He was regularly condemned for eating with publicans and sinners. Perhaps that's why He said, "Follow me and I WILL MAKE you fishers of men."

Fishing starts with following.

Are you will to follow so He can teach you to fish?

Will you continue following every day until you learn to fish?

July 18, 2017

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Luke 5:1-11

Yesterday I asked the good people at FredWes this defining question, "Do you want FredWes to become an aquarium or a fishing vessel?"

Perhaps you are thinking, "Explain that statement, Brad."

Okay! You know what an aquarium is and what happens there. Beautiful and exotic fish are kept there, cared for there, put on display there and are admired there. No fish are added to the aquarium unless it replaces one that dies. No fish leave the aquarium unless it dies. Regardless of how large an aquarium is, there is a limited number of fish that can be supported there.

I know of churches like that. I'll bet you could think of a church or two (or three) like that if you think about it.

It doesn't take much effort to have an aquarium. You just need to keep the water warm and clean and feed them occasionally.

By contrast, a fishing boat exists for one purpose and that is to catch fish! Every morning that crew guides the vessel out of safe harbor and out into the open see for the purpose of capturing fish! Every evening they return with their catch!

To keep a church healthy and in "ship shape" requires and ongoing determined effort to go out to catch fish every day. Fish don't jump into the boat, the boat needs to go catch them.

Every church in America can be divided into one of these who categories. A majority of those churches have not taken time to ask themselves that question. No doubt, most of them if confronted would say they are fishing vessels. But no church unintentionally becomes a fishing vessel. It takes a committed and determined effort.

I have been privileged to pastor seven churches. Four of those churches (including FredWes) were healthy and growing. Each of those churches were regularly confronted with this very question. And each time they re-committed to fishing they continued to grow. Those who settled for being an aquarium struggled to grow or maintain growth.

So, Pastor Brad, is this just about growing churches because if it is I'm not sure that's worth my investment?

It is about following Jesus and Jesus promised that if we follow Him we will become fishers of men. And the purpose of fishing is catching isn't it?

If your church is an aquarium and not a fishing vessel something is fishy.

Christ followers fish.

If you're not fishing are you really following?

July 17, 2017

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.' John 14:6'"

Logically, it seems that there should be several ways or even many ways to get to heaven. After all, there are multiple ways to get almost anywhere. You can google or map quest a location and have the option of finding the fastest way or the most direct way. Americans love options. We are used to options because........well, because we're AMERICANS and we can have them!

With that being true, it is not hard to understand why many in our culture are offended by the notion that there is only one way to get to heaven. That doesn't resonate with post-Christian relativist Americans. When you make that claim you will get some resistance.

Maybe you have discovered that. If you haven't you may not be taking a strong enough for the faith.

So, how can you take a reasoned and confident stand on this unpopular position - the truth - that there is only one way to heaven and it is through Jesus?

It is pretty simple, actually. If you believe that Jesus IS the Son of God Who died for the sins of the world. And if you believe that He rose again from the dead. Then obviously you should know and believe what He has to say.

Our last post dealt with the fact that Jesus is "I AM". Today we focus on His second claim, "I am THE WAY....."

Do you want to know the way to heaven? Know Jesus, He is the way to heaven. That is true because He is the way to God and God is in charge of heaven.

Jesus is the way to heaven because He is the way to forgiveness from sins. Sin keeps us from God and therefore, it keeps us from heaven.

Jesus is the way to heaven because He has been there, came here and went back there. Who else can make that claim? If I want directions to a certain place, should I ask someone who has been there before or should I take directions from someone who has not?

Jesus is the way to heaven because He has paid the price of admission. Heaven, like almost every other place, has an admission cost. The price of admission is a righteous relationship with the God of heaven. But since you are morally and spiritually bankrupt you can't pay the price. That is why God sent Jesus to pay the price for your sins. When you trust in Jesus you get access to God which also gets you entrance to heaven.

Jesus is the way because He is the Son of God. Abraham needed a way to get a son. God made a way.

Noah needed a way to save his family from the impending universal destruction of the flood. God made a way.

Israel needed some one to deliver them from captivity in Egypt. God called Moses and Moses became the way.

When Moses was leading God's people through the wilderness to the Promised Land, he ran into a barrier known as the Red Sea. Moses needed a way over or through the Red Sea because Pharaoh's army had trapped them against the sea. God opened the sea and made a way!

So, when Jesus says He is the way, you can believe Him. He has always made a way where there was no way.

Until you can find someone else who is a better "I Am" and who is also "the way", you had better trust Jesus to provide the way to heaven. In the meantime, stand confidently in Jesus, the "I Am" who is the "way"!

July 16, 2017

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

I am fondly remembering a several Summers ago when I got to enjoy some time with my almost (then) 10 year-old granddaughter, Zoey. We spent the day at King's Dominion. She rode every roller-coaster she was tall enough to qualify for. She even rode the drop tower - 172 foot high that free-fall drops over 100 feet. I watched. She was fearless. I rode the Scooby Coaster with her.

I was thinking that it would be nice to be that fearless. Then I realized that one reason she was without fear was because she was with her dad and her granddad. The other reason is that she was 9 and didn't know any better. Plus, she was more focused on fun than she was on fear. Focus matters!

Those of us who have lived a little longer have learned to be fearful because of our failures, our painful experiences, and our losses. We fear the future because we project our past forward.

The Psalmist boasts about his fearlessness. He has chosen to fear no one. How does that happen?

Rather than project his fears forward, he chooses to frame his future with faith. But faith is only as good as its object. Fear is the result of misplaced faith. If I trust in myself or if I trust in a false hope, that faith will fail me.

His faith is in the Lord's light and the Lord's salvation. How does that work?

One of the major fear inducers is darkness. Most of us are afraid of the dark when we are children. Even as adults we are careful about about going into dark areas. Darkness represents a lack of knowledge, a lack of understanding or knowing the wrong things. Darkness indicates a lack of relationship with God.

God is light. He bring us knowledge and wisdom and insight. We are able to see ourselves clearly and understand our need for Him. He exposes our fears so we can replace them with faith. We overcome fear as we walk out of our darkness into His light.

God is our salvation. Saved from what? From ourselves - our self-destructive nature. From our self-will that rebels against God. God's salvation delivers us from our past and secures our future - in time and for eternity.

Is fear an issue in your life? I am not talking about a fear of roller-coasters, I am talking about fear of the future. I am talking about fear that cripples relationships and paralyzes your potential.

These are fearful times. The days ahead look foreboding. How can we not be afraid?

Simple. Make God your Lord! How do you do that? Surrender your darkness to His light. Surrender your self-will and receive His salvation.

All you have to lose is your fear!

July 15, 2017

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ." Philippians 2:5

In real estate they say it is "location, location, location". For believers it is "attitude, attitude, attitude." And, I guess you could say that your attitude has a lot to do with your spiritual location!

This verse is the hinge point of this portion of Scripture. After exhorting us about our attitudes, Paul points to the example of Jesus and says in essence, "Here's your attitude!"

That begs the question, "What IS the attitude of Christ?"

Obviously, there was obedience and there was humility but the BIG attitude here is GRACE.

It was grace that THOUGHT the plan of salvation. When Adam selfishly chose to rebel against God and wreck paradise, God could have been justified in vaporizing them and starting over. But His response was not vindictive or vengeful - it was gracious. He launched a plan to send a Second Adam to redeem the damage of the first Adam.

It was grace that WROUGHT it. God began to unfold His marvelous plan as history became the record of HIS story! Through Abraham, God raised up a nation through whom a Savior would arise. His grace orchestrated all the people and all the events that set the stage for a teen-age Jewish girl to give birth to Jesus in a manger in the stable of Bethlehem.

It was grace that BOUGHT it. Grace is free but it wasn't cheap! It cost God all that He had. Jesus demonstrated the divine attitudes of surrender, sacrifice, selflessness and servant hood. The Sinless One resisted all the temptations of the human experience, especially that which brought down the first Adam - selfish desire. Ultimately, the reward for His perfection was death on a cruel cross. In His sinlessness He was able to assume our sin, our shame, our guilt and our sickness and defeat them on the cross. As the words of the song express, "We'll never know how much it cost to see our sins upon His cross".

And, perhaps most amazing is His grace that SOUGHT us! He pursues you and me with His Spirit. He proclaims His love and grace through His Word. He presents His grace through people who have been touched and transformed by His grace. And that IS the challenge that comes to you and me. Will we surrender to His grace? Will we be saved and sanctified by His grace? Will we become living examples of His grace through our attitudes and actions? Can He use us to seek others? Will others be amazed by the grace they see in us?

If your attitude is like that of Jesus you will grace your world. If not you will dis-grace it.