Effort Patience

Wouldn’t it be nice if this was all there was to fishing?

Sacrifices

• Made sacrifices to fish–Get up early, fish all night, in Winter

–Apostles’ way of life (Luke 5:10, 11)

• Became fishers of men–James & John (Mark 1:20)

–Peter and Andrew (Mark 1:18)

• Will we use our time and energy?

Storms

• Jesus endured storms at sea–These men knew about storms

–Part of their livelihood

• We will have storms–James says to rejoice (James 1:2-4)

–Strengthen us (Romans 5:3-5)

• Devil hinders us (1 Peter 5:8)

Disappointments

• Fish not always caught–Nothing (Luke 5:5; John 21:3-5)

–Limbs, old shoes, and cans

• So it is with fishing for men–Refuse to hear

(Matthew 10:14; 13:15; Acts 7:51-54)

–Those we love (1 Peter 3:1-3)

Disappointments

• What do we do?–Quit?

–No, we “change ponds” (Acts 13:44-46)

Discouragement

• Follows disappointment–Elijah (1 Kings 19:9, 14)

–7,000 other fishermen (1 Kings 19:18)

• Do not grow weary–Work to do (John 3:35)

–Not working in vain (Galatians 6:9)

Discouragement

• Remember the process–We sow the seed

–God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6)

Wisdom and Skill

• Good fishermen know how to fish–When, where, which bait, etc.

–Ensure a good catch

• Learn by looking to Jesus–Invites all (Matthew 11:28-30)

–Humbled Himself (Philippians 2:5-11)

Wisdom and Skill

• We must use wisdom–“Wise as serpents, harmless as

doves” (Mathew 10:16)

–Know how to answer (Colossians 4:6)

–Use the Gospel (Romans 1:16)

A STORY ABOUT FISHERMEN WHO DID NOT FISH

Now it came to pass that there was a body of people who called themselves fishermen. Lo, there were many fish in the waters all around; in fact the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish. Many of the fish were hungry. Every week those who called themselves fisherman met together to talk about their call to be fishermen. Year after year, they talked about the abundance of fish and how they ought to go about fishing.

Time after time, they carefully defined what fishing means, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared that fishing should be the primary task of fishermen, but very few of them ever went fishing. Continuously they searched for new and better methods of fishing and better understanding about the need to fish. They loved nice slogans like: "Fishing is the task of every fisherman", or "Everyone catch one", or "Let's go fishing", or "Everyone is a fisher".

Some groups conducted special fishing campaigns and prepared special fishing equipment by which to catch fish. In all the excitement, however, very few actually went out to fish. Once in a while, they sponsored lectureships and meetings to discuss fishing and promote the work of fishing. Well-known spokesmen were called in as experts to speak on such topics as "The Joy Of Fishing", or "How To Hook More Fish", or "Motivating Fishermen To Fish".

Some of the experts expounded on the new techniques of fishing, new fishing equipment, and new discoveries of fishing, but the plea was that everyone should be a fisherman and every fisherman should fish. One thing they did not do however. Most of them did not fish!

Some of the fishermen soon became alarmed that very few of their number were really fishing. These fishermen agreed that more teachers needed to challenge fishermen to be more faithful in fishing.

Others became more concerned about the need to fish in far away waters where there were many fish of different colors. Some thought fishermen should just fish at home in nearby lakes and streams and let the fishermen of foreign lands catch their own fish once in a while. The dedicated fishermen decided to brave the hardship of a foreign fishing trip, but it was always hard for these men to find the support and encouragement they needed to go fish. Many who would have gone got so discouraged that they quit fishing altogether.

A few fishermen built large printing houses to publish books about fishing. Presses were kept busy day and night to produce materials solely devoted to fishing equipment, methods, and other items designed to promote fishing. Others thought more fish could be caught if better fishing tackle was made available to fishermen. Old simple methods and fishing tackle were quickly abandoned, and, occasionally, a zealous, young, fisherman would say something like "We should not spend all our time on making fishing tackle; we should be catching fish''.

But, for the most part, very few went fishing. Other fishermen felt it was their responsibility to relate to the fish in a good way so that the fish would know the difference between good and bad fishermen. Still others felt that letting them know that they were nice, land-loving neighbors and how loving and kind they were was not enough. A few felt that what was needed were swimming lessons for the fish and better fish food so that the fish would grow bigger.

Some spoke of purifying the waters for the fish, or moving the fish to other waters, or getting rid of the natural enemies the fish had, but what they did not do was fish!

One day after a stirring lesson on the necessity of fishing one young man actually left the meeting and went fishing. The next day he reported that he had caught two outstanding fish. He was honored for his excellent catch and was scheduled to attend all the big meetings to tell how he had done it. So he quit his fishing to have time to tell all of his experience to other fishermen.

At these meetings he and other fishermen were discussing the need for fishing and how one ought to love fish to be a good fisherman. They prayed that many fish might be caught. They waxed eloquently on how others fished wrongly, and bemoaned the fact that fish were not processed properly when they were caught. They analyzed fish to determine how they might be caught, but there was one thing they did not do and that was go fishing! Fish were abundant in the lakes and streams all around them.

A little criticism came from the fact that very few fish were being caught, but, because those who criticized did not catch fish either, the criticism was not taken too seriously. Imagine how hurt they were when one day a fisherman suggested that those who did not try to catch fish were really not fishermen, no matter how much they claimed to be! Yet, it did sound correct. Is a person a fisherman if, year after year, he never fishes?

(Original by John Drakeford; Adapted by Robert Dickey)

Conclusion

• Are you a fisherman?

• Not keepers of the aquarium

• "And He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19)