I'd Rather Be Man-Fishing!

An Encouragement to Reach Out to Unbelievers (with Some Ideas of How to Start)

Man-fishing? What is that? Just picture an early morning sunrise with a sleepy guy standing on the edge of a lake with a breakfast burrito in one hand and a fishing pole in the other. He’s just cast his line into the lake with some tasty morsel on the hook. Now he’s waiting to see if he gets a bite. Or picture another man in another part of the world casting a large net off the side of his boat and slowly pulling it in. He too is eagerly waiting to see if he’s caught anything. Now imagine the “fish” being sought after are not fish, but men! Jesus Himself used the picture of fishing to describe seeking to save others through the proclamation of the gospel. It is important to have a biblical perspective on “man-fishing.” (Mark 1:17)

Man-fish aren’t naturally attracted to the gospel truth we are using for bait. The gospel of Jesus Christ is offensive to the natural man because it humbles him, exalts Jesus as Savior and Lord, and gives all the glory to God. (Romans 3:10-18)

Man-fishing is ultimately only something God can make successful. If God doesn’t make our fishing trip successful, no amount of skill and passion on our part will make up for it. God saves men (and women and children!) according to His sovereign mercy. (Romans 9:15-16)

But God has chosen to use His people to save people. Although we are not sufficient to save anyone, we are necessary for the salvation of others because God has designed it that way. (Romans 10:13-17)

The call to follow Christ is the call to become a fisher of men. Jesus calls us to love as He loved and to love others as we love ourselves which requires that we lay down our lives to become fishers of men. (Mark 1:14-18)

As we consider “going fishing” for men, what do we need to think about?

The Gear

· Our “fishing gear” must include love for Christ and wanting others to know Him. (2 Corinthians 5:10-21)

· Our “fishing gear” must include a loving life that backs up our profession. (Philippians 2:14-16)

· Our “fishing gear” must include a clear understanding of the gospel. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

· Our “fishing gear” must include prayer to God for open doors, bold-ness, graciousness, clarity, faithfulness under persecution, and fruit. (Colossians 4:2-6; Acts 4:29-31)

The Lake or Stream

Make a list of all the unbelievers in your life: immediate family, extended family, close friends, co-workers, neighbors, classmates, old high school friends, acquaintances like grocery clerks, mailmen, tax preparers, gardeners, maids, etc. Think of anyone you have had a relationship with or see on some regular basis right now. Write down their names and begin to pray for them. Then ask the Lord how you can begin to love and serve and reach out to them.

The Rod or Net

1. We can fish for men by inviting them to “hear” the truth. (John 1:46)

*Invite unbelievers to church or to a gospel-oriented event.

*Give unbelievers a book to read.

*Give unbelievers an audio to listen to or a DVD to watch.

*Hand someone a tract or put it in a bill payment.

*Invite unbelievers over for coffee/ dinner.

*Have a neighborhood fellowship time or Bible study at your home.

*Leave a thank you note, a tract, and a nice tip for the waitress or waiter.

*Use holidays to give out “goodies” with gospel materials included.

*Do things just to get to know better and to serve the unbelievers in your life.

*Look for opportunities and also seek to create opportunities to serve and share truth with unbelievers.

*Go where unbelievers are and be involved in what they are involved in.

2. We can fish for men by telling them the truth ourselves. (1 Peter 3:15)

*Be prepared to comment on news and events from a biblical perspective.

*Be prepared to share your salvation testimony or what God is doing in your life today in 2 minutes or less.

*Be prepared to present a complete presentation of the gospel in 5 or 10 min-utes.

*Write to an unbeliever and speak the truth in gentleness and love.

*Ask unbelievers how you can pray for them and tell them why you believe God answers your prayers.

*Ask unbelievers if you can pray with them, especially when they are in need.

*Ask unbelievers if you can get together for coffee and read the Bible together.

*Do good to unbelievers and tell them it is because of Jesus.

Resources: Some Suggestions to Get Started

What are some resources to help us in “man-fishing”?

Tracts: Two Ways To Live (Matthias Media); Experiencing God’s Grace (Southern Seminary); Quest for Joy (Desiring God); Simple Simon (Dominica Free Press)

Bibles: ESV Outreach NT (Crossway)

Evangelistic Bible Studies: Matthias Media

Biblical Views on Various Issues: Booklets by the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation

Apologetics: The Case for Christ (Lee Strobel); Evidence That Demands a Verdict (Josh McDowell), Answers in Genesis Ministry

DVDs, Audios: Desiring God Ministries, Ligonier Ministries, Matthias Media

Training: Six Steps to Talking About Jesus (Matthias Media – note: some material in this pamphlet is dependent on this series)

Gospel Logic Applied: Become Fishers of Men

The Text (Romans 8:31-34)

Do you fish?

1. To apply the gospel is to lay down our lives to become fishers of men.

When you think about living the Christian life what kinds of pictures come to mind?

Do you ever think of yourself as a fisherman?

Do you believe that you are called to be a fisher of men?

A. The logic of the gospel says, “If God has saved me through the preaching of the gospel – the good news of what Christ has done for sinners, then love requires that I preach the gospel so that others might be saved.” (Romans 8:34; Romans 10:13-17; 2 Corinthians 4:13)

B. Jesus pictures this preaching of the gospel as fishing for men. (Matthew 4:17-20; Mark 1:14-17; Luke 5:10)

C. All believers are called to participate in the ingathering of fish into the kingdom of God. (Mark 8:34-38; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:45-49; John 20:19-23; Acts 1:6-8; Acts 8:1-5; 1 Peter 3:13-16; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Philippians 1:7, 27-30; Philippians 2:14-16)

2. All faithful fishers of men have in common the heart of the Master Fisherman, the gospel fishing gear, and a humble, prayerful preparation for fishing.

What would you think of a fisherman who didn’t care about catching fish?

What would you think of a fisherman who used a baseball and bat?

What would you think of a fisherman who went as he was at the last moment without any preparation?

A. All believers are to be fishers of men with the same characteristics.

B. God calls us to fish for men with the heart of God and Christ for sinners. (Galatians 5:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:10-21; 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13; John 20:30-31; Revelation 22:17; Acts 2:36-41; Acts 17:22-31; Acts 26:24-29; Mark 10:21-22; Luke 19:41-44; Ezekiel 18:23; Ezekiel 33:11)

C. God calls us to use the truths of the gospel to catch men. (Romans 10:13-17; Ephesians 2:1-10)

D. God calls us to pray so that our fishing will be successful. (Titus 3:3-8; Luke 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 3:5-9; Acts 4:8-31; Colossians 4:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26)

3. But faithful fishers of men differ in giftings, opportunities, fruitfulness and fish attacks.

Do all fishermen look alike?

Do all fishermen have the same skill?

Do all fishermen fish in the same pond?

Do all fishermen catch the same number of fish or the same kind?

Do all fishermen get attacked by sharks?

A. All believers are called to fish for men but each believer’s fishing will look somewhat different.

B. Not every believer is equally gifted to fish or gifted in the same way to fish for men.

(Ephesians 4:11-16)

C. Not every believer lives in the same world of lost men. (3 John 1:5-8; Romans 15:20-25; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11)

D. Not every believer will catch as many lost men as others. (Acts 2:40-41)

E. Not every believer will experience the same kind of hostile responses from men but we all must fight fear in witnessing. (Matthew 10:16-42; 2 Corinthians 11:23-29; 2 Timothy 1:7-12)

4. All faithful fishers of men can begin by identifying the fish in their pond and casting a line with invitations, commentary, testimony, explanation of basic truths of the gospel in the context of ongoing relationships of love and service.

What would you think of a fisherman who fished at a ice skating rink?

What would you think of a fisherman who put an old shoe on his line?

A. Fishers of men need to consider who in their world needs a Savior. (John 4:31-38; 1 Corinthians 9:15-27; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Philippians 2:1-11)

B. Fishers of men need to invite unbelievers to come, read, listen and watch. (John 1:29-46; Luke 14:16-24; Matthew 22:1-14)

C. Fishers of men need to comment on world events and life experiences from God’s perspective. (Luke 13:1-5; Colossians 4:2-6; Ephesians 6:18-20)

D. Fishers of men need to share their testimonies of God’s grace in their lives in clear and brief ways. (Acts 22:1-16; Acts 26:9-18)

E. Fishers of men need to be prepared to explain the gospel in a clear and complete and concise way. (1 Peter 3:15; Philippians 2:14-16)

F. Fishers of men need to serve and have relationships with unbelievers on an ongoing basis even when the gospel is resisted. (Luke 15:1-2; Matthew 9:10-13; Matthew 11:19; Mark 2:15-17; Luke 5:29-32)

G. Fishers of men need to look for opportunities to speak the truth in love to unbelievers and create opportunities to do so. (Colossians 4:2-6)

Are you a fisherman or a fish?

You are one or the other! If you are a fisherman, go fishing! If you are a fish, receive the offer of salvation!

A fisherman is someone who has received Jesus as Lord and Savior and is called to follow Him as a fisher of men.

A fish is someone who needs a Savior from sin and who has never responded to the call to follow Jesus.

Alone, But Not Alone

An Encouragement and Guide to Spending Time Alone with God

Time alone with God? That’s a tough one, isn’t it? If there’s anything that is opposed by the “tyranny of the urgent” (world) and the fatigue of our bodies (flesh) and the spiritual forces that hate us (devil), it is a life given to spending time alone with God. In order for this to become a habit in our lives, it requires 1) strong conviction, 2) vision for what to do, and 3) perseverance in the face of obstacles. In short, it requires the grace of God!

1. The Scripture calls us to spend time alone with God on a daily basis. This is the strong conviction we need to have. The only way we can become convinced of this is to think about what the Bible says: It was the habit of Jesus, the Perfect Man, whom we are to fol-low, to spend time alone with God (Matthew 14:23; 26:36; Mark 1:35; 6:46-47; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:18; 11:1). Jesus also taught us to spend time alone with God (Matthew 6:5-6; Luke 10:38-42). We are taught to ask for what we need daily (Matthew 6:11) and to meditate on God’s Word daily (Psalm 1:1-3). The spirit of all this is to say that we should spend time alone with God according to our desire to fellowship with Him and our need for Him, both of which encourages daily fellowship.

2. This time alone with God is to be shaped and filled with the Word of God and prayer, which can also be supported by other means. This is the vision we need to have. God speaks to us in the Bible. We speak to God in prayer. This is the nature of fellowship with God now, although one day it will be face to face! It helps to have a plan for Bible reading. It helps to have a plan for prayer. A plan gives us a starting point each day and prevents wasting time while providing us with the opportunity to be flexible as needed. So feel free to change what you do on any given day but have a plan in place.

Plan to read through the whole Bible. Every word of God to us is important and profitable. (Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) You can pick up a reading plan or plan your own. A 1 year plan (about 13 months) to read through the whole Bible requires about 3 chapters in the OT and 1 chapter in the NT each day; a 2 year plan about 1 chapter in both the OT and NT each day; a 3 year plan (about 39 months) about 1 chapter a day. Take your pick!

Plan to pray the Lord’s Prayer for yourself and others. This is the instruction of our Lord and we should take it seriously. (Matthew 6:9-13) But praying the Lord’s prayer is not a matter of rote but of submitting our hearts and lives to God’s prayer list! What is on God’s prayer list?

1. A heart for God and His glory

2. A heart for obedience and His kingdom

3. A request for daily, practical needs

4. A request for forgiveness and reconciliation

5. A request for grace in the fight for holiness in trial and temptation.

One of the best things to do is to pray in response to what you read in the Scripture by confessing the sin it exposes, by rejoicing in the comfort and encouragement it gives, and by requesting that God would enable us to believe His Word and to obey what He calls us to be and do, for His glory and the love of others.

But there are also other elements that are rooted in and spring from and apply the principal means of the Word of God and prayer that we can use in our fellowship with God.

1. We can write down our thoughts and questions and insights and plans and prayer re-quests in a journal.

2. We can sing to the Lord (by memory or using a hymnal or song book).

3. We can review our sermon notes and pray for application.

4. We can use devotional materials.

5. We can pray through the Coast prayer request sheet.

6. We can memorize verses that stand out in our reading and meditate on them in more depth.

7. We can read Christian biographies and pray in light of what we learn through it.

8. We can read Bible handbooks and study Bible notes to help us understand what we read.

9. We can simply pray Scripture verses for ourselves and others.

10. We can make action plans for how we will put into practice what we’ve read or how we will seek to help and encourage someone else.

The important thread in all this is to seek to hear God’s Word to us and to respond in appropriate ways: in worship (praise and thanksgiving) and confession (of sin and righteousness in Christ) and petition /intercession (prayer for ourselves and others) and obedience (applying what we see in the Word and seeking to help others).

3. There is no specific amount of time required by Scripture for this kind of personal fellowship with God, although the principle that “he who sows much, will reap much” certainly applies. (Galatians 6:6-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6) Time is not the issue, but rather, fellowship with God and the grace we need to trust and obey Him more in our lives. (1 Corinthians 1:9; Hebrews 4:12) The more needy we sense ourselves to be, the more hopeful that God will meet us during this time, and the more we get into the habit of setting aside time for this, the less of an issue that time will be. But it is good to choose the time you will spend (especially as you are cultivating a habit) and how you will spend it, whether 5 minutes a day, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, etc. Here is one plan that you can use (let’s use 30 minutes as an illustration):

1. Spend time thanking and praising God (2 minutes)

2. Read a passage of Scripture (10 minutes)

3. Pray in light of what you read (2 minutes)

4. Read a devotional passage (5 minutes)

5. Pray in light of what you read (2 minutes)

Ask God for what you and others need and close with praise and thanksgiving (9 minutes).

4. You can expect to have to fight and persevere and guard your time alone with God. So don’t be surprised or discouraged. In due time, you will reap if you don‘t give up! Having a plan is helpful and cultivating a habit is important, but the only thing that will drive us to spend time with God on a regular basis is an acute sense of need and a trust in the promises of God in Christ and the understanding that this time alone with God in the Word and prayer is a necessary means for enjoying all that God has promised to be for us in Jesus. Remember, God is your Father and He wants to fellowship with you and Jesus died so that we could! (1 Corinthians 1:9; Romans 5:1, 10)