Jesus says, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers (Sailors) of people” (Mark 1:17)
There are 3 different kinds of sailors, (navy, merchant & fishers)
Would you like to become a sailor? Jesus was speaking to all his followers, and he used the word “Sailor” to fish for people instead of fish. His view of fishing was to get in a boat on the water, it is typically a little more dangerous than fishing from the bank or coast. Yes, women can be Sailors too! Factually all kinds of people can sail for people, but it takes some faith to follow Jesus in this way. What kind of fishing did these sailors do from their boats?
What kind of “following” does Jesus expect from us? Read Luke 9:23-26
Jesus wants to transition disciples from a physical trade to a divine mission of gathering souls into the Kingdom, this requires using their existing patience, to “catch” hearts through the gospel of the Kingdom, rather than harvesting fish for their profit. God was to teach them how to gather souls to bless the ‘catch’ for their own blessings and salvation. Jesus first used ordinary working-class people rather than religious leaders to prove that being His kind of sailor was a spiritual job any one can achieve, even if they didn’t have specialized knowledge in religious training. Why didn’t they need a formal education in the Scriptures? See 1st Peter 5:7
Four of the 12 disciples were Sailors that knew a lot about fishing for fish, so what did one of them (Peter) say about casting? What was the only thing the apostle Paul worried about? Read and compare both passages in Philippians 4:6 & 2nd Corinthians 11:28.
What kind of essential tool must sailors have in order to fish? Read Matthew 13:47-50.
What is the difference between this parable’s definition of the net, and how Jesus defines the fishermen? (haulers and/or gatherers, not sailors)
It is not coincidental that Jesus performed a miracle by filling nets with fish, twice! Read Luke 5:1-11 & John 21:1-14. Do you think there is any significance to the fact of Jesus doing this at the beginning of his ministry and and also at the end?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christ Came to Search & Save the Lost! ~ Luke 19:10
Christ prayed for people who would believe in the message of the apostles – John 17:20-21.
Memorize two reasons he prayed for us?
1)
2)
Mark 2:17 Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
I came not to call the righteous, but _______________.
Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous but _________________ to repentance.
Do we talk to people about the need for real change or purpose in their life?
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world
might be _____________ through him.
Can we see the need for change in our life, as that which releases us from guilt or vanity?
John 10:10 ….I came that they may have _________ and have it abundantly.
Do we challenge the very definition of what it means to be really alive, really living?
John 18:37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to
the __________. Everyone who is of the ___________ listens to my voice.”
Do we talk about spiritual realities and moral truths?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If any man has ears to hear , let him hear… Take heed what ye hear, Mark 4:23-24
Jesus recognizes that everyone needs to make an effort to listen to the truth, not just hear it. See how he rewards the Queen of Sheba for her efforts to hear God’s wisdom. Now we have someone greater for people to listen to than Solomon. Read Matthew 12:42.
Jesus also recognizes that we must help people listen and give them a message that is true and clear, See Matthew 10:26-27. How can we keep the truth up on the “rooftop” today?
Do we ever share with people that it is imperative for people to listen with intent? What does Jesus mean when he tells his disciples to “Let these words sink into your ears”? Luke 9:44.
Do we as Christians have a responsibility to help people listen with intent to learn? See Matthew 9:37-38.
When do we pray about people getting the message out into the world and into people’s hearts?
The condition of people’s hearts is very important, when they are hearing the message of the cross. This is the reason Jesus tells the parable of the sower, and is recorded in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:1-15. Even if we have evidence of someone being hard-hearted, should we hold back from telling them the truth?
The reason people listen is known by God, and he knows their hearts, and Jesus , pronounced a “blessing”, read Luke 11:28-29 for those who hear with a good heart.
Isn’t this blessing an important promise we should remind our visitors, or friends and family that might hear the good news?
Jesus says, “Whoever then ___________________ me before people, I will
__________________ before my Father in heaven, but whoever ______________
Me before people, I will ___________ him also before my Father in heaven, ~ Mt. 10:32
Epaggelia 