Episode 9: Expert Fishers Of Men
Discussion following the sermon from 7/30/2023
"Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, 'I’m going fishing.' 'We’ll come, too,' they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, 'Fellows, have you caught any fish?' 'No,' they replied. Then he said, 'Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!' So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It’s the Lord!' When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. 'Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,' Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. 'Now come and have some breakfast!' Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, 'Who are you?' They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' Peter replied, 'you know I love you.' 'Then feed my lambs,' Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' 'Yes, Lord,' Peter said, 'you know I love you.' 'Then take care of my sheep,' Jesus said. A third time he asked him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, 'Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Then feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.' Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, 'Follow me.'" John 21:1-19 NLT
Three Steps To Becoming An Expert Fisher Of Men:
1. Commit ALL you have to Christ's service.
"For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen." Romans 11:36 NLT
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT
Discussion: What is your testimony? Work on it. Prepare it. Memorize it. Have it ready for when God gives you the opportunity to share it.
2. Commit to a life of sacrifice.
"A third time he asked him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, 'Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Then feed my sheep.'" John 21:17 NLT
"'If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?'" Matthew 18:12 NLT
Discussion: Think about that person you've almost given up on. Think of ways you can share the love of Christ with them. Invite them to church!
3. Follow Jesus' lead.
"Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, 'Follow me.'" John 21:19 NLT
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Discussion: Pray the Lord will lead you to people that need his love. Pray the Lord will put people in your path so you can share your testimony and help others to Christ.
Episode 8: A Surprising Catch
"When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, 'Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?' He said, 'Yes.' And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, 'What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, 'From strangers.' Jesus said to him, 'Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.'” Matthew 17:24-27
Three Things God Wants Me To Catch Today:
1. He wants me to remember my identity.
"See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him." 1 John 3:1
Discussion: What are some of the benefits of viewing yourself as God views you?
2. He wants me to rest in his faithfulness.
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which
exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his
faithfulness continues to each generation." Psalm 100:4-5
Discussion: What area of your life do you need to trust in God's faithfulness?
3. He wants me to rejoice in his power.
"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!" Philippians 4:4
"Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power." Jeremiah 10:6
Discussion: What are some examples of God's power in your life? Trust that God will show his power again!
Episode 7: A Bigger Boat
"Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' 'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?' And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you and the Son of God.'" Matthew 14:22-32
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." Ephesians 3:20
How Can I Make Sure I Don't Miss God's Miracles?
1. Spend time alone with God.
"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray." Matthew 14:23
Discussion: What are some things that are distracting me from time alone with God?
2. React in faith.
"...then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." Matthew 14:29
Discussion: How are we tempted to react, in ways other than faith, when a crisis comes along?
3. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
"But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" Matthew 14:30
Discussion: What circumstances and distractions are you facing right now?
Episode 6: Fishing Buddies
"The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit...If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, 'The Kingdom of God is near you now.' But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 'We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!...' Then he said to the disciples, 'Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.' When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, 'Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!'" Luke 10:1, 8-11, 16-17
1. Collaborate together.
"The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit." Luke 10:1
Discussion: Who can be your "fishing buddy" as you share the gospel?
2. Communicate together.
"If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, 'The Kingdom of God is near you now.' But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 'We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this —the Kingdom of God is near!'" Luke 10:8-11
Discussion: What are the benefits of partnering with others to share the gospel?
3. Celebrate together.
"Then he said to the disciples, 'Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.' When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, 'Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!'" Luke 10:16-17
Application: Take the time to celebrate some of the great things Christ is doing in your life.
Episode 5: Catch And Release
"Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, 'What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!' For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying, 'What is your name?' And he said, 'Legion,' because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed in his right mind. And they were afraid. They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned. Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 'Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.' And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him." Luke 8:26-39
How To Find Freedom From What's Killing Me:
1. I must search for the one that can truly set me free.
"Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity..." Jeremiah 29:12-14
"So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." John 8:36
Discussion: What does it look like to search for the one who sets us free?
2. I must submit to the authority of his word.
"The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." John 6:63
"...at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11
Discussion: Think of times when you did or didn't submit to the authority of God. How did both work out? How do they compare?
3. I must speak of the great things God has done for me.
"It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony." Revelation 12:10-11
Discussion: What are some good things you can share with others that God has done or is doing in your life? Share them with someone.
Application: Share the great things that God has done for you with someone.
Episode 4: How God Can Use You To Catch Others
"Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, 'Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.' But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, 'That's blasphemy! Does he think he's God?' Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, 'Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up and walk'? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.' Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!' And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for giving humans such authority." Matthew 9:1-8
How To Help The Hopeless:
1. Realize our only hope is Jesus.
"When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door..." Mark 2:1-2
Discussion: What are we tempted to put our hope in besides Jesus?
2. Ask God to burden our hearts for those that need his healing.
"...While he was preaching God's word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat." Mark 2:2-3
3. Create ways to connect people to Jesus.
"They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus." Mark 2:4
Discussion: What are some ways you can connect people in your life that need Jesus?
4. Celebrate the victory of a changed life!
"And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, 'We've never seen anything like this before!'" Mark 2:12
Application: Do something to celebrate what God has done in your life.
Episode 3: Boat Show
"Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!' Jesus responded, 'Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!' Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. 'Who is this man?' they asked. 'Even the winds and waves obey him!'" Matthew 8:23-27
What To Do When Going Through A Storm:
1. Know that God is not surprised by the storm.
"Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping." Matthew 8:24
Discussion: In times of storm in your life, do you let go and know that God is in control?
2. Know that God has a purpose and a plan beyond the storm.
"The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!' Jesus responded, 'Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!'" Matthew 8:25-26
Discussion: Whatever you are going through right now, take a moment and pray to God for perspective and wisdom. Rest in the fact that God will make a way.
3. Grow closer to the one who can control the storm.
"Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. 'Who is this man?' they asked. 'Even the winds and waves obey him!'" Matthew 8:26-27
Episode 2: A Great Catch
"One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.' 'Master,' Simon replied, 'we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again.' And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, 'Oh, Lord, please leave me—I'm such a sinful man.' For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, 'Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!' And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus." Luke 5:1-11
How To Catch A Life With Great Purpose:
1. I must make everything in my life available to God.
"Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.'" Luke 5:3-4
Discussion: What is something you can give back to God so that He can use it as part of the purpose for your life?
2. I must be willing to obey God even when it doesn't make sense.
"'Master,' Simon replied, 'we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say no, I'll let the nets down again.'" Luke 5:5
Discussion: Share or think about a time in your life when you trusted God's leading to a great outcome.
3. I must live each day overwhelmed by the greatness of God.
"When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, 'Oh, Lord, please leave me—I'm such a sinful man.' For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him." Luke 5:8-9
Discussion: Is there a place where God is calling you to lay down everything and go and share the gospel?
Episode 1: An Invitation To Fish
"One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, 'Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!' And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River." Matthew 4:18-25 (NLT)
1. Respond to the invitation.
"One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them. 'Come, follow me...' They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind." Matthew 4:18-19, 22
2. Replicate the call to those around me.
"Jesus called out to them, 'Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!'" Matthew 4:19
"A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too." Matthew 4:21
3. Rededicate myself frequently to the mission.
"Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River." Matthew 4:23-25
Application: Take some time this week to look at your workplace, examine your family, examine your neighborhood. Is there someone whom you can identify that doesn't know Jesus? Tell someone about Jesus this week and about the love He has shared with you.