Our Calling – Fisherman?
Jesus said Come, follow Me!
We love others by being real and genuine with them. If we are being transparent with God (on the inside), He will enable us to be real and genuine with others (on the outside).
* “…in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.”
2 Corinthians 1:12
Vision, no matter how clear, tends to rust over time. We need to hear it again and again.
‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.'” Matthew 4:19
There is one basic difference between a man who fishes for fish and man who fishes for men. When you fish for men you never throw anyone back. Men who are caught for Jesus do not go back to swim in the cesspool of this world. Once you have been caught by God you are set free to swim forever in the crystal clear water of life!
Our calling has three distinct stages, which we can see in the lives of many called before us, to become mature fishers of men who greatly impact God’s Kingdom.
* First, there is the gestation period. This is the development stage of our lives. It may involve years of normal work experiences. You may be a Christian during this time, or you may be following after worldly success as a non-Christian.
*Paul spent years in religious and political training, persecuting believers most of his early life.
* Moses spent years in the court of Pharaoh and 40 years tending flocks in the desert.
*Jesus spent 30 years living at home and working in His father’s carpentry business.
However, all these years were part of their preparation.
***For you, the gestation period was_______________
*Second is the Crisis Stage.
Sooner or later, God calls you into relationship with Him.
For many, like Paul, it comes through dramatic encounters like being knocked off a horse, blinded and spoken to personally by God.
*Some people are more difficult than others to reach and so require this level of crisis.
*This is a time when God requires major changes so that you follow Him fully. It can be a time in which God harnesses years of experience for a new life purpose.
* Paul’s earthly experiences would be used in his calling to the religious and political leaders of his day.
*For Moses, the burning bush experience would begin his journey in which he would discover his ultimate calling after years of preparation.
* For Peter, it was his denial of Jesus three times that allowed him to face his shallow commitment to Christ.
** For Jesus, it was the garden of Gethsemane.
**These were the benchmark turning points for men who made an impact on their world.
***For you, the Crisis Stage was_______________
**Third is the Fruit-Bearing Stage.
In it, God’s power is manifested in your life like never before.
God takes all your experiences and uses them to build His Kingdom in and through your life.
*Your obedience to this final call results in fruitfulness you could never imagine without the long preparation process. *For Abraham, it resulted in becoming the father of many nations.
* For Paul, it resulted in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles.
* And for Peter, it meant becoming the leader of the Church.
*For Jesus, it was salvation for the entire world.
***For you, the fruit-bearing stage was_______________
What does God want to achieve through your life?
God has a plan that is so incredible you cannot comprehend it. It requires only that you love Him and follow Him. Then you will become fishers of men like the world has never known.
2 Timothy 2: 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
The Lord is enlightening the eyes of your understanding so that you can see beyond your circumstances and temporary issues to view and understand your calling more fully. This light will bring perspective so that you don’t obsess about that which will come to pass. Set your eyes and your faith on the things that matter long-term, and don’t worry.
**Ephesians 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
Lord, You know where we are, You know what to say and You know how to make it ALL work out for Your Purpose and Your Glory. Help me use the giftings you have given me to help Seek & save the lost and Count the cost.
God spark the enthusiasm in my life-help me see today from your perspective. Amen
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. TEACH these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20).
‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.'”