Are You Prepared to Fish, or Too Prepared?

Are You Prepared to Fish, or Too Prepared?

Are you, or have you ever known a real fisherman? You know the type; they always have a fishing rod in their trunk. In fact, it probably already has his/her favorite crank bait attached, so if they even see a pond, or stream, they are ready to cast in minutes. These people live to fish. They constantly are looking for an opportunity to cast out a line and see if anything bites. Their preplanning (some would say preoccupation) equips them to take advantage of any opportunities that might arise. They may not always catch fish, but it is satisfying nonetheless.

Wouldn't it be silly if that fisherman had prepared for those situations, but for one reason or another, never took their rod out of the trunk. Many fathers spent enjoyable hours in their youth, teaching their kids how to fish. The point was always to teach the child the basics, so that they could eventually fish by themselves. In fact, many older kids eventually taught their siblings, or other neighborhood kids the secrets of fishing (what bait to use where). Do you remember how easy it was to gets bites, yet how difficult it was to land one, until you got practice?

Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

When Jesus began His ministry, He decided to teach “fisherman” to fish for men. Do you think He picked them because He knew they loved to fish? That they understood about preparation? They were already preoccupied with looking for that next good spot or situation?

We all know that Jesus came to live a sinless life, and die on the cross as our substitute. We deserved death as an atonement for our sins which we commit, and committed; knowing in our hearts that we were transgressing His laws (that is why we had guilt). Yes, that was His main reason for coming: to provide redemption to us through His blood; but, what instructions did He leave for us? He was also preoccupied with fishing; fishing for men! If He wasn't able to teach these men to fish, and pass on that skill to others; the art of fishing for men would cease to exist. We know that faith comes through hearing the Word of God. Fishing for men is simply presenting the gospel as bait to men and women hungry for righteousness. The Holy Spirit must do the rest. If the fish is hungry enough, it will bite on almost any bait you have, but sometimes it takes the right bait, at the right time and place. Jesus taught about bait, and presentation of the bait. He almost always connected personally first, then showed them their sins (pointed them to one or more of the 10 Commandments - check it out) to humble (see Romans 3:19 below) them and leave them wanting and in need of a Savior (Galatians 3:24). When He saw they were seeking, He threw out the perfect bait, the Law.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Psalm 19:7

Imagine having perfect bait? It would be good, for fishing, even if not good for other tasks. That perfect bait leads the soul (fish) to a knowledge that they need a Savior.

But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully. 1 Timothy 1:8

Now we know that whatever the law says, it sayss to those who are under the law, that every moutn may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Romans 3:19

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24

Many churches focus discipleship on making theologians out of those that come to Christ. This is good, but not best (remember Martha and Mary), and we as a church are reaping what we sow. When we focus our training on the deep theological points of the Scriptures, we can get preoccupied on the preparation and loose focus on the ultimate purpose that teaching is supposed to do, namely “teach men to fish for other men.” Shouldn't we just teach them to fish? Has the art of fishing been lost, or is it that we think we can't be taught anything from a dumb fisherman?

Wouldn't it be just like satan to not care how many believers become Theologians, just as long as they never take the rod out of the trunk and fish for men as Jesus taught us to do. What was Jesus’ complicated teaching method that seems to be lost these days? What deep secrets and extensive training did He use? Jesus simply took men along with Him as He fished. They saw the Master fisherman, and did what He did. But remember, He only asked them to come along, they had to decide to follow. Are you willing to follow a fisher of men?

Has anyone ever asked you to go fishing for men? Would you follow? Does your church teach people to fish (have evangelism classes)? What kind of fisherman are those that you call your teachers? When we pay to go out on charter fishing boats, we want to go out with the Captain who knows how to catch fish. It matters little if they are a Marine Biologist, if they don't know how to catch fish. It also matter little that the Captain may not have a proper education, if he has proven to know how to catch fish. Just as a person may have a "green thumb" and be blessed when it comes to growing plants, other are blessed to fish for men and teach others to do so. The Bible calls these "Evangelists."

Any honest Pastor will tell you that the "art of fishing for men is a lost art, and serious matter of prayer. That is why Jesus said that the fields were white for the harvest, but that the laborers were few. He said to pray to the Lord of the Harvest for laborers (ref. Matthew 9:37-38). White fields indicate that the crop is ready to spoil on the stalk and that time is of the essence. All Christians need to be taught to fish for men, but who should teach people to fish? Certainly, those that are fishers of men. If you are a fisher of men, start taking people on fishing trips, if they will go. Teach classes on fishing in your, if your Pastor will permit you. If you don't know how to fish, humble yourself and ask around for someone who knows how to catch fish, and ask them to teach you. Finally, if you are a Pastor/Church Leader and really don't know how to fish that well, humble yourself, and find someone that is fishing for men (an Evangelist), and ask them to take you fishing. Ask them to consider teaching a fishing class, and let them teach what they know. Those of you that won't humble yourselves can see first hand why Jesus didn't go the Pharisees and ask them to follow Him and become fishers of men. Additionally, we can see in Acts how the Pharisees looked down on the disciples as ignorant men, until they actually heard and watched them while they fished. Remember how they were amazed at Peter? Jesus knew these men were not willing to humble themselves. I pray that those truly submitted to Jesus, will be obedient to His Word, before the white fields spoil.

Will you follow a dumb fisherman, like me who is catching fish and learning from other dumb fisherman? Will you stay in school and earn advanced degrees in Marine Biology, or is it time to learn how to fish? How long were the disciples with Jesus before they were sent out fish and teach others to fish? If Jesus' ministry was only about 3 years, these men had only been given training for a short time, and then Jesus trusted them to go out and fish. In Matthew Chapter 10 Jesus empowered His disciples and sent them fishing, without money, bags, change of clothes, or even shoes or a staff. He said a "worker" would be worth his food. As Christians, are we showing Jesus we are worth our food?

Are you prepared to fish? If not, seek a fisherman and be taught. Are you too prepared? If you have all the training and equipment, but are not fishing, why waste all that preparation? This is the only time in your existence for eternity that you can fish. Put that training to the best use. It is not complicated, but gets that way because of man's religion. We are simply to become fishers of men and then train others to fish for men. Be a Nicodemus and ask a fisherman to take you fishing. Jesus loved the lost enough to leave the 99 sheep to find the 1 lost lamb. Please examine yourself and the focus of your church, and see if your focus is for the 99, or the 1 lost lamb. Unfortunately, I suspect most people and churches cater to the 99. Jesus said to follow Him and let the dead bury their own dead in Matthew 8:22. It is time to leave the 99 and seek the lost. Those that follow to help and learn to fish are the true disciples.

Jack Jackson
Founder: Minister Where You Are