January 14-15, 2006, Selected

GO FISH!

JESUS DIED FOR ______________________

*** Romans 5:8 "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." [New International Version]
*** Matthew 4:18-20 "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him." [NIV]
*** John 20:19-21 "On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked..., Jesus came and stood among them... The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." [NIV]
*** John 21:1-3 "Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: [2]Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. [3]"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. [NIV]

1. SIMON PETER - I'M NOT WORTHY!
*** Luke 22:60-62 "Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about!" At once, while Peter was still speaking, a rooster crowed. Then the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. And Peter remembered what the Lord had said: "Before the rooster crows this day, you will say three times that you don't know me." Then Peter went outside and cried painfully." [New Century Version]

- "I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH!"
- "I'VE GOT TOO MANY HOLES IN MY SPIRITUAL LIFE!"
- "I NEED TO BE A BETTER CHRISTIAN FIRST!"

*** John 4:28-29, 38 "The woman left her water jar and ran back into town. She said to the people, "Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! Could he be the Messiah?" [39]A lot of Samaritans in that town put their faith in Jesus because the woman had said, "This man told me everything I have ever done." [Contemporary English Version]

YOU ARE NOT WORTHY - GO FISH!

2. THOMAS - I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH!
*** John 20:27-29 "Jesus focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe." Thomas said, "My Master! My God!" Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing." [Message Bible]
- "I WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY!"
- "I MIGHT MAKE A MISTAKE!"
- "I NEED TO KNOW MORE BEFORE I GO MORE!"
*** John 9:25 "I don't know whether he is a sinner," the man replied. "But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!" [New Living Translation]

YOU DON'T KNOW ENOUGH - GO FISH!

3. NATHANAEL - I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS!
*** John 1:46 "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip." [NIV]
- "HOW DO I KNOW THAT MY BELIEF SYSTEM IS THE RIGHT ONE?"
- "IF GOD IS GOOD, HOW COME HE LETS BAD THINGS HAPPEN?"
- "ISN'T THE SECRET JUST TO BE SINCERE IN WHAT YOU BELIEVE?"
*** Mark 9:22-24 "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" [NIV]

YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS - GO FISH!

4. JAMES AND JOHN - I'M AFRAID OF FAILURE!
*** Mark 14:50 "Meanwhile, all his disciples deserted him and ran away." [NLT]
THEY FAILED HIM ONCE, WOULD THEY FAIL HIM AGAIN?
- WHAT IF IN THE MOMENT OF QUESTION WE "CHICKEN" OUT?
- WHAT IF THEY FIND OUT ABOUT OUR SINS?
- WHAT IF WE SAY THE WRONG THING?
*** John 6:8-14 [selected] "Another of his disciples, Andrew...spoke up, "Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two fish, but how far will they go among so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those... as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets. After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." [NIV]

YOU MIGHT BE AFRAID OF FAILURE - GO FISH!

*** John 21:4-7a "Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. [5]He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. [6]He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. [7a]Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" [NIV]
*** John 21:7b-11"As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. [8]The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. [9]When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. [10]Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." [11]Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn." [NIV]
- "153" REPRESENTS ALL THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD!
- "THE NET" REPRESENTS THE CHURCH - BIG & STRONG ENOUGH FOR ALL!

YOU CAN CHOOSE TO GO FISH FOR FISH & CHANGE NOTHING!
YOU CAN CHOOSE TO GO FISH FOR MEN & CHANGE THE WORLD!