Mission Fishing

by Loy Clements
(Springhill, LA. United States)

Text: Luke 5:1-10

Introduction: Growing up we must be taught to be faithful in several areas of Faith. First, the teaching of how much God loves man, tithing, stewardship, soul-winning, and the instruction of the Word. The Word of God is the very foundation to life itself!

The thing that is to be the deepest planted into your heart is the call of missions. Missions is not just for those called into the mission field; but it is the call to the church. "How can they believe without a preacher, and how can they preach unless they are sent."

I. We have what it takes for Missions.

Everyone born-again by the Spirit of God has the ability to be a missionary in their world. Not everyone is sent to other nations; but we all have a call to be soul-winners. Peter needed the help of his partners to handle the great load of fish.

It takes two boats to carry all of Jesus' draught. One represents those called to preach the message, and the other represents those that send the messenger. I challenge you today to become mission minded.

Romans 8:3-8 "For what the law could not do, in that it is weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might filled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indded can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."

Enmity: echthra: hostillity; by implying a reason of opposition:- enmity, hatred

Root word echthros: to hate; hateful act, hostile, usually as a noun, an adversary (especially Satan): enemy, foe.

Subject: hupotasso: to obey:- be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be,made), subject (to, unto) be (put) in subjectin (to, under), submit self unto.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
We are to help every ministry God brings into our lives to finish His work and fill their boats (ministry) as fishers of men.

Galatians 6:6-10 "Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opptunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

A mission minded fisherman, that helps their Pastor, will be soul-winners that will touch their cities, families, county, jobs, and go completely around the world with the gospel.

Become a fisherman that changes the entire world by helping with missions! The field is already white for harvest, so get into your mission boat and go catch them. Many are asking how can I become a mission fisherman? How can I help Jesus finish His work?

John 4:34-38 "Jesus said unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His Work. Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gather fruit unto eternal life; that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, one soweth, and another reapeth."

Luke 10:1,2 "And these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them before His face into every city and place; whither He Himself would come. Therefore said He unto them, the harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few, pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest."

II. Mission Minded.

In our text story there is a secret hiding within Peter that explains why more don't mission fish. Peter was not mission minded! In his mind there was only clean these nets, and get home for breakfast. To Peter fishing was just a job.

To many people missions are just something the church does on the first Sunday of every month. The attitude toward God, "let me tip You a small tip; for I am not really concerned about the world going to hell," has stolen from the church the power of witness.

A mission minded Christian gets excited on Mission Sunday. "We are going to help the Pastor and the missions of our church finish God's work in the earth." Too many Christians are cheap when it comes to supporting the local church, and mission projects around the world.

Mission minded people are happy people people that are faithful to their local church. Become like Jesus, Who is always mission minded. Have His attitude and ask where in the world can I be a blessing through missions!

Genesis 12:2,3 "And I will make thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that blesses thee, and curse him that cureth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed."

To be blessed means to be prosperous and successful in everything we do, and every place that we go. This grace promise of God flows freely into mission minded Christians. If you are not now a mission minded person, all it takes is a quality decision of trust in the Lord to become one.

III. Partnership for Missions.

We must never let the Great Commission of Jesus be taken from or weakened in our hearts.

Mark 16:15 "And He said go into all the world, and preach the gospel unto every creature."

Conclusion: Trust and obey the call to missions for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus.

"If you are willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if you refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Isaiah 1:19,20

Note from Mark: Wow! If ALL Christians would realize that Missions is for ALL Christians in some form or fashion, what an unbelievable difference that would make. Thanks for sharing Loy.