“Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
— Mark 1:17
What is the purpose of the church? That’s an important question. If you did a survey of church pastors and members you would get many and varied answers—but to Jesus it appears there was only one, it was to tell His story to the whole world and bring glory to God the Father in the process (John 17:1).
It’s interesting that among the first words Jesus used with his new followers was about fishing, something they understood—in the natural. But they were to soon find out that authentic discipleship would not only be found in following Jesus but in fishing—for men!
I believe the longevity of this truth is borne out by our Lord’s very last words prior to His ascension into heaven. They have been recorded in each one of the Gospels and the Book of Acts. Read them carefully for they are our marching orders!
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:19-20
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” — Mark 16:15-16
He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” — Luke 24:46-49
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”— John 20:21-23
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”— Acts 1:8
Has God called you and me to pursue the unchurched—to fish for them as it were—and allow the Holy Spirit to bring them into His Kingdom wherever they may be found? To obey Jesus’ first and last commands, we must be willing to go to where He sends us to do that.
“But Pastor Don, I can’t just pick up and go to Africa.” Don’t worry, there’s enough Christians who know how to fish for men in Africa to win all of Africa. But how about just going next door or anywhere in your neighborhood and pass out a few tracts—and invite them to church? What a great place to start and you may like winning souls so much you’ll pick up and head out for Africa. If so, I can tell you right where to go!
Evangelism should be ours and our church’s first order of business because no one is beyond the grace of God. We just have to go find them. It’s called fishing. So, dear saints. Are you ready to go? — PD
At once they left their nets and followed Him. — Mark 1:18 — Maranatha!
