Apr 23, 2023
this is the third time trying to get this episode out. Sorry family.
What Are You Fishing For?
What motivates you to do what you do?
I love to fish. If I fish in freshwater, I take a smaller rod and lighter line. I use artificial bait that looks like a bug or edible thing to a fish that might find its way by accident into the water.
In saltwater, I have to go heavier. Anything is possible but I am not capable of anything so I have to moderate.
We are all fishing for something.
Earthly accolades, wealth, something of value, women, men, forgiveness, acceptance, to belong, for love,
- Men pleasers- Ephesians 6:6 Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
- Gold/wealth- Matthew 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
- Treasures-Proverbs 10:2 - Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
- Lust of the flesh- Galatians 5:16 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
What’s in your tackle box?
If all you are catching is hell? You might want to change your bait. You might want to change your tackle. You might want to mend your nets.
Simon Peter, and Andrew had already joined him, now he was asking the sons of Zebadee.
Matthew 4:21 Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.
James and John, quit fishing for the wrong thing. So what are you fishing for?
Nets were used back in this time for everything.
I am fishing for the people with a mind for God. I am fishing for the hurt and the lost people of God. I am fishing for the one. The mini, not the mega. I am not fishing for attention, recognition, accolades, or compliments.
I am fishing to bring families back together. To bring wives back to their husbands, husbands back to Christ. I am fishing to bring parents back to parenting.
I am fishing to let young men, be men. I am fishing to make old men wiser, revered and loved again. I am fishing to put you back in right order with God.
And I will do it by hook or by crook. Fishing hook or shepherds crook.
Only you can bring back your crazy kids. Pastor can’t do it. if you kids have strayed, its your fault, own up to it, and minister there first.
Oops, just lost some folks. You were with me until I went there.
Deuteronomy 32:46
And he said to them, Set your hearts to all the words which I
testify among you this day, which you shall command your children
to observe to do, all the words of this law.
Ephesians 6:4
And, you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring
them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord
So what are you fishing for?
(4 points) Fishing requires patience. It requires the right equipment. It requires commitment. It requires knowledge.
- Patience (Rom 5:4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation
- Equipment -That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim 3:17)
Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12
- Commitment Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
- Knowledge A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. (Proverbs 14:6)
Wisdom and knowledge are granted unto you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like. 2 Chron 1:12
Mark 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
What’s in your tackle box?
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God…” Ephesians 4:11-13
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Rev. Kenn Blanchard
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