Gone Fishing
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47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Introduction
Introduction
Welcome back to all those returning.
Paul
Visit to Turkey
Visit to Turkey
It is good to be back with you all after our 8 days in Turkey.
We arrived back home around 2.30am on Friday.
We travelled with a group of 23 people and visited the 7 churches of .
Luka came from the Lowestoft Church.
I would have to say the highlights were Ephesus, Pergamous, Sardis and Laocedia.
It is amazing to thinking only 15-20% has been ex-ca-vated.
Most sites are less than 15-20% unearthed.
We are planning a series on the Seven Churches in the second half of 2020 and that will include afternoon sessions, where Luka, Norma and Myself will share information, photos, and impressions from each site.
Luka, Norma and Myself.
If you were to ask me what was the lowlight of the tour?
It was seeing the absolute dominance of Islam in Turkey.
It is a secular country and has religious freedom, but don’t be fooled by that, Islam dominates and there seems to be a Mosque in walking distance everywhere you go.
Christians can practice their faith, but sharing their faith in public outreach is another matter
The closest SDA church was 200 miles away. We did not go.
Travelling around on the bus I was taken aback and saddened how the landscape is dominated by the tall towers of the Mosques, from which the call to prayer comes forth each day and night.
The people we meet were wonderful, but that does not save a person
Turkey truly is a land which needs the light of the Gospel once again.
To think that this area, after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and the persecution of the early Christians, became a refuge and key area of the early Christian church.
We met some wonderful people. Wonderful Muslims.
But the words of Jesus are clear, He is the only way to the Father!
God will be the final judge.
Thank the Lord for that.
He is the only one qualified, for He knows the heart, our faith and our life story.
And that is what today’s parable is all about.
Parable for Today
Parable for Today
Our Parable today is all about the gathering and then the sorting of people for the Kingdom of God.
Two very distinct phases in the plan and work of the Lord
This will be the final Parable in our 2019 series on the Parables of Jesus.
How appropriate!
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
We have two Scripture readings,
The first is the Parable for today,
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Our second reading is taken from,
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
Mat 13
Luke 5:4-13
The Context
The Context
Holman Bible Atlas Galilee in Jesus’ Days
The Sea of Galilee produced an abundance of fish, especially along the lake’s northern end. Fresh fish was consumed locally, but much of the catch was salted for export.
The region of Galilee was made up of Upper Galilee and Lower Galilee.
In Jesus’ time, the economy was dominated by agricultural and fishing.
Today it still has those, but probably the biggest money earner is Tourism.
Today, probably tourism is the main industry.
Jesus parables reflected the livelihood of his listeners, He made his words contemporary for his hearers
The Sea of Galilee produced an abundance of fish, especially along the lake’s northern end. Fresh fish were consumed locally, but much of the catch was salted for export.
Today it still has those, but probably the biggest money earner is Tourism.
Jesus in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, a had just told the crowds
Jesus had returned to Peter’s house, after telling parables to the multitude from a boat on the Sea of Galilee.
Probably in Capernaum, on the northern shore.
Was it the same boat we read about in our second reading?
Probably in Capernaum, on the northern shore.
Jesus explains the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares to His disciples.
Jesus makes his words so contemporary for his hearers.
Then continues with another 4 parables, including the Parable of the Dragnet.
The Parable
The Parable
The Parable
The Parable
When it comes to the Parable of the Dragnet, it would seem that the principle of the “main is the plain and the plain is the main” is very applicable.
I come today with a very simple message.
No deep theology, if I could even do that.
No amazing diagrams of dates.
Just two simple headings.
The Gathering of the Fish
The Sorting of the Fish.
They are distinct activities.
One is for now.
The other is not for now.
God is involved in both.
But we are only involved in one.
The Gathering of the Fish
The Gathering of the Fish
The Dragnet
The Dragnet
Slide
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind,
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
The Sea
The Sea
We know that in the bible the sea often represents peoples or nations of every kind, the expression Jesus uses here.
The Dragnet
The Dragnet
Slide
How many of you like fishing?
Have you ever used a Dragnet?
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 13
A net with floats on one end and weights on the other. Fishermen cast the net into the sea and allowed the weighted end to sink to a sufficient depth. When they pulled it in, the net scooped up everything in its path.
It is just like it’s name suggests.
It is a net with floats on one end and weights on the other.
It is still used today.
Anyone ever used one?
I believe large commercial dragnets have been banned by some countries for the damage they can cause.
The name gives it away, you have to drag it.
Normally took more than one person.
Shaped like a long wall, held at either end.
It scooped up everything in its path.
Scooped up everything in its path.
It was hard work!
Peter says “they toiled all night”
The Gathering of People for the Kingdom of God
The Gathering of People for the Kingdom of God
And here Jesus is using it to picture the Kingdom of God.
And in particular,
The gathering of people for the Kingdom of God.
The gathering of people for the great sorting at the end of time.
The Disciple will do the great work of Gathering
The Disciple will do the great work of Gathering
He is telling this parable to the very ones who will shortly be the first to fulfil these very words.
Some of those disciple hearing Jesus words, on that day, will travel throughout Asia Minor, including the 7 churches we visited.
It started
As co-workers with Christ.
As co-workers with each other.
To gather as many fish as possible for the Kingdom.
Slide
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”
Do you remember when that dragnet got you?
And there we are again, back to “the Kingdom of Heaven is like”.
Catching Every Kind
Catching Every Kind
And what does it say about the fish?
“gathered some of every kind”
Of at least twenty-four species of fish counted in the Lake of Galilee, many were unclean. They had no scales or fins.
Slide
Slide
9 ‘These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers—that you may eat. 10 But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you.
The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Matthew The Coming Separation (13:47–50)
Of at least twenty-four species of fish counted in the Lake of Galilee, many were unclean or inedible, and the net would not discriminate in its catch.
9 ‘These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers—that you may eat. 10 But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you. 11 They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination. 12 Whatever in the water does not have fins or scales—that shall be an abomination to you.
Lev 11
But the Dragnet caught them all. It does not distinguish between clean and unclean.
Just as the Gospel is to go to all.
The Gospel does not discriminate.
The Gospel is needed by all.
Spreading the Gospel
Spreading the Gospel
Soon these very disciples will spread such a gospel, such a dragnet,
For all have sinned.
Yes , you who just kept the Sabbath and left one of the largest synagogue of the ancient world in Asia Minor in Sardis.
Yes, you who just came from one of the largest libraries of the ancient world in Ephesus.
Yes, you who just watched animals fighting in the theatre on the side of the hill in ancient Pergamos.
Yes, you who just bathed in the Luke warm waters at ancient Hierapolis, near Laodicea.
Yes, you who just came from the Temple of Artemis
Yes, you, who just came from the Brothel opposite the Church in ancient Ephesus.
And Yes, you, who just came from Satan’s throne in ancient Pergamos.
The Dragnet is for all kind and caught every kind
Disciples are to catch as many “fish”, of every kind, as possible.
“Every Kind”
Greek is Pantos (every) Genos (nation. people).
That does not sound like a club to me.
It is a net, trying to gather as many of every kind for Jesus
It sounds more like a messy family!
Fishers of Men
Fishers of Men
Jesus
The work is hard .
The work is messy.
We don’t even know the final outcome of the work, we will talk about that soon.
There is no place for spectators.
Jesus must in the boat and Jesus must be captain of the boat.
Jesus must tell us where to fish.
But He works through folks in the boat with Him.
He needs those willing to keep going even when the nets are empty.
Which they are most times
He needs those willing to help others when the nets are full.
And when those nets are full, what is our response to be?
“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
Yes, that seems like the right response.
For when God works, when his Light shines the brightest, we are all exposed.
How glamorous is Fishing?
It is mostly unrecognised and often misunderstood service.
And It is the role of the Church of Jesus
That does not sound like a club to me.
It is 2 steps forward and 1 step back.
Sometimes 2 steps back and 1 step forward.
It is not the superstar Evangelist, who seem to have the answer to every question.
When I have more questions than answers.
Though they have a role.
Or even this or that glitzy programme.
Though that has its place.
The TV Evangelist or those well known Adventist names.
It is not so much head knowledge as heart knowledge.
It is the ordinary Christian, in their ordinary life, with their every day problems, among ordinary people, day after day, living their lives for an extraordinary Jesus and shinning His wonderful light of the gospel wherever they go.
It is the ordinary Christian, day after day, living their lives for Jesus and shinning His light wherever they go.
It is letting down the net wherever Jesus has planted you.
We are dragging the one end, Jesus is dragging the other end.
It is sharing that burden, because he shares our burdens.
Turkey
Turkey
Slide
For Norma and I that was in Turkey for the last 8 days.
As part of a group of 23.
Once the cradle of the early church, but now it is covered with Mosques.
It was about a lady called Zayna, our guide for the 8 days.
A lovely lady, so warm and welcoming.
He smile lit up the room.
A Muslim by profession
But also a lady who joined in and loved the singing we all did on the bus
We would sing
Oh [Zanya] do you love Jesus?
Oh yes I love Jesus.
Oh yes I love Jesus
And why do you love Jesus?
(person or group) Because he first love me.
Oh yes I love Jesus
Are you sure you love Jesus?
It is a net, trying to catch as many of every kind for Jesus, as possible.
Oh yes I love Jesus
And why do you love Jesus?
Here’s why i love Jesus, Because he first love me.
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus;
Oh! how I love Jesus,
Because he first loved me
All are welcome, if you are sick! Spiritually sick.
It sounds like a Hospital, where all are sick and all need the Great Physician.
Letting down the dragnet
Wherever God puts us.
To catch every kind for the Kingdom.
Spiritually sick.
For Jesus said, “it is not the healthy that need a doctor”
The Sorting of the Fish
The Sorting of the Fish
Slide
48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt 13:48-
Of Every Kind
The New King James Version Chapter 13
which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.
Matt 13:48
48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.
The net was full.
God decides when it is full.
The sorting will only happen when the dragnet is full, which is only known to God.
The criteria is that it is Full.
When probation closes, which is known only to God.
Please remember that the next time someone comes up with some elaborate calculation for the close of things.
Emphasis
If the work of gathering and filling the net is fulfilled through the Great Commission to the church, the same cannot be said about the sorting of the fish in the net!
The same should not be said of the sorting of the fish in the Net!
Emphasis
That is not the job of the church!
Can I repeat that.
Though sometimes it feels our focus is more on that, than the Gathering.
Even if some seem more concerned with that, than catching Fish.
How sad, how misguided, into bypass meadows.
And that is just as well!
How sad.
I wish we would stop sometimes acting like it is our job!
If anything, it should be a weight off our shoulders
It is for me.
The key point is that the final judgement is by God, and the final execution of that judgement, the sorting and the separation, has been given to the Angels.
Which, btw, implies a pre-advent judgement, not for our benefit, but for those who will execute the judgement.
We do get to review it during the 1000 year millennium. But that is a review only.
The sorting will only happen when the dragnet is full, which is only known to God.
When probation closes, which is only known to God.
Simply put, we are not equipped to Judge what will happen to a particular person at the end of time.
That job of discrimination Christ has given to the Angels.
We will get 1000 years to look back at what happened, and that is a review only.
The Separation
The Separation
49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt 13
We will get 1000 years to look back at what happened, and that is a review only.
It is what is commonly known as Heaven and Hell.
The Angels come forth from the pre-advent judgement.
The Wicked are separated from the Just.
God will judge all people on the last day
The sorting will only happen when the dragnet is full, which is only known to God.
The righteous or just are gathered together for eternity for further service and safekeeping
When probation closes, which is only known to God.
The wicked as discarded as worthless, as those who are unredeemed.
50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
The furnace of fire. An expression referring to the fires of the last day.
Wailing and gnashing of teeth. A graphic description of the remorse of the wicked when they awaken to the fact that their evil ways have earned the reward of eternal annihilation.
How very sad. How utterly avoidable!
With such things in mind what sort of people should we be?
Peter, one of those listening on that day in Capernaum to this very Parable, will conclude for us
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
That is letting down the Dragnet.
It is an act of faith
And the “Just shall live by Faith”.
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 5 42. A Furnace of Fire
A furnace of fire. Compare v. 50. An expression referring to the fires of the last day, otherwise spoken of as the fires of Gehenna (see on ch. 5:22).
Wailing and gnashing. A graphic description of the remorse of the wicked when they awaken to the fact that their evil ways have earned the reward of eternal annihilation.
The New American Commentary: Matthew 1. The Polarization Explained: Kingdom Parables (13:1–52)
God will judge all people on the last day, gather together the righteous for further service and safekeeping, and discard as worthless those who are unredeemed.
In the Net and Just
In the Net and Just