Fishing Wisdom

18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

I will make you… fishers of men.

Recap last week… followers fish.

some don’t like these kinds of messages… it’s too hard… it’s private… its...

When you find how to do it the way God wants you to do, you will love it.

Last week, we laid the Biblical foundation for going fishing.

This week is the the more practical installment… simple

Next week - what do we say… what happens if we get questions we can’t answer.

Fishing Wisdom

We want to focus on one word that keeps showing up.

Proverbs 11:30 NKJV

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

When you live for the Lord, you become a tree of life to those around you.

He who leads people to Christ is wise.

Colossians 4:5–6 NIV

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders… think about it.

Let your conversation be full of grace… not arguing over unimportant things… Salt makes food taste good.

Three Areas we all need to be more wise

If you are fishing, you have to be wise. If you make too much noise, or move the boat… yiu won’t catch anything.

1. Our moment.

God is at work on relational intersections… or divine appointments for you and for me to share with people.

Relational Intersections … relationships are not random. Some are God ordained.

Psalm 37:23 NKJV

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

Proverbs 16:9 NIV84

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

We just have to become more aware of God’s relational intersections. Ask God to help you to be more wise in those relationships.

3 Practical ways to be more wise.

Be intentional in relationships

What if God puts you at the right table at a restaurant to share with someone. God will put you in places so you can talk to people.

JM - I keep a list of 10 people I pray for so that when I am with them, I know to be intentional with them. do a FRAN List

F -

R -

A -

N -

Find their spiritual spot

What is that? Every person has a place where they are the most sensitive. It’s that spot where they are the most sensitive… family… relationships… career…

You don’t have to have a discussion of how Noah got all those animals on the Arc… Just ask them about… family… career…

golf illustration - when you say you are a pastor, they get a look on their face… thinking did I say something. They usually stop cussing etc.

Add Value to them

Find their needs and meet them. Everyone has needs… poor… rich… inbetween

Maslow’s Hierachy of needs

Physiological Needs

Stay alive - food, place to live, Physical needs

Love / Affection Needs

Everyone needs to be known, to feel important, to feel appreciated, to be accepted.

Fulfillment Needs

Everyone in here has a need to be significant. This can only come from God, because he has placed a purpose in your life.

There is not enough money to give you this… not enough vacations… not enough accomplishments.

Only the one who gave you the purpose and created you can meet it. You can’t ever be truly fulfilled and leave God out.

1 Corinthians 3:6 The Living Bible

My work was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos’ work was to water it, but it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts.

2. Our manner.

You mama told you to “mind your manners...”

Your manners have a lot to do with whether or not you will be effective in your Christian walk and in leading people to Christ.

Matthew 5:13–14 The Message

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.

Matthew 5:16 NIV

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Make things better and brighter.

Tomorrow, you have an opportunity to make things at work better and brighter…

Do something to brighten the day at work… take some donuts to work… something.

If it’s negative, don’t join in. Bring light.

Understand their world.

Culture is not like that right now, but we need to seek to understand before we seek to be understood.

Ask them about them… their likes, beliefs… What is it like to be you?

You will win people by listening.

Kathy’s conversation with the Muslim from Palestine… Planted seeds…

girl that sat next to Chris. didn’t like Christians. Some Christians are interested in rules and making other people follow those rules while they are not following them themselves. God was not thinking about her drink but was thinking about you. He ended up leading her to Christ.

Show them unconditional love.

What does that mean? It means without conditions. This is the kind of love we all like to receive.

Zacheus - Jesus asked him to dinner… Luke 19 When they came out of lunch, Zacheus was a changed man. Jesus showed love to him.

1 Corinthians 9:22 The Living Bible

When I am with those whose consciences bother them easily, I don’t act as though I know it all and don’t say they are foolish; the result is that they are willing to let me help them. Yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.

We try to find common ground with people so we can get to the place when we can share Jesus with them. We are getting these intersections. Our manner matter.

3. Our Message.

2 Timothy 2:23–25 NLT

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.

Don’t let people pull into foolish arguments.

What should I say

1 Peter 3:15–16 NIV

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Settle it in your heart - Jesus is your LORD.

Then be prepared to say why you became a Christian.

Explain it with gentleness and respect. So those who slander you will be ashamed.

Here is what you share.

Share the Hope we have.

Share why you became a Christian.

Share my Church

Story of a guy who did not think Jesus could forgive him. He forgives and cleanses.... You have no idea what you mean to me because the guilt is off my life…

Each of us needs to bring a totally unchurched person to church with you.

Share Christ

story of the man he played golf with… do you think your God could forgive a person like me? He was carrying shame of a life time. Jesus came into the world to save the chief of sinners.

Are you carrying shame and guilt?

Good news… You don’t have to carry it anymore. Hell is not a place God sends people to that don’t agree with him. Hell is a place where people go because they choose to pay their own bill. God forgives your sins and cleanses the guilt away.

Today - pray a sincere prayer… forgive… live inside… change me… set me free.. I give you my life.

Discussion Questions

Colossians 4:5–6 NLT

5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Why is it so important for you to try to understand the other person’s world and current situation, even if it’s very different from yours?

What are some ways you can intentionally build relationships that enable you to share your faith effectively with others?

2 Timothy 2:23–25 NLT

23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.

What does it say to avoid when you speak with others?

What are the traits we should display when speaking with those who don’t know Jesus?

How can we put these into our daily conversation and life?

Make your list of 10 people who don’t know Jesus or are far away from him and pray for them daily.

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