Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning and evening, May 21, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

MARKS OF A REAL FISHERMAN

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:18-25

Text: Matthew 4:19

Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Introduction: The Bible teaches that EVERY Christian should endeavor to tell other people how to be saved. We call this “soul-winning.” The Bible compares giving the gospel to people to:

winning a soul
shining a light
feeding the hungry
fishing for men

How can you identify a real fisherman?

You can’t always tell a fisherman by his clothes, although it is unlikely that a man is going go trout fishing in a three-piece suit.

You can’t always tell a fisherman by his conversation, although it is likely that a man who never TALKS about fishing never actually GOES fishing.

Some marks of a REAL fisherman are:

I. HE PLANS HIS TRIPS

John 21:3a Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee.

A. He has a time to go fishing

He doesn’t catch them while he is at work.
He doesn’t catch them on the way to the grocery store.
He sets a time JUST for FISHING.

B. He has a territory to work

Jesus planned where He was going to preach next.
The apostle Paul planned his missionary journeys.

C. He has a task to perform

He is going fishing, not boating.
He is going fishing, not picnicking.
There is a difference between going soul-winning and going visiting.
When we go fishing, that is, soul-winning, our task is to present the gospel to somone and press for a decision.

II. HE GETS PLEASURE FROM FISHING

Psalms 126:5-6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

A. It helps him relax

Although it is work, it gets his mind off the other pressures of life.

B. It helps him get refreshed

C. It helps him rejoice

You might not be such a grouch, sour-puss or whining complainer if you would just go soul-winning regularly!

III. HE PREPARES FOR HIS FISHING TRIPS

Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

They were mending their nets.

A. His pole is the power of God – Acts 1:8

B. His line is his love for souls

C. His weight is his walk with God

D. His hook is the Holy Ghost

E. His bait is the bread of life – Christ and the gospel

You might catch other fish on various types of bait, but there is only ONE bait that will save a sinner: the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!

F. His cork is the confession of the convert

That cork indicates that you HAVE him!

IV. HE HAS A PARTNER

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Although there are times when you will be alone, God’s usual plan for soul-winning is to send TEAMS of TWO. Jesus sent out the disciples by two’s.

A. The partner can work the boat

He can help with opening conversations.

B. The partner can watch the line (pray)

C. The partner can ward off problems

When you’re catching “a big one,” there might be things that hinder you from catching him — snakes, alligators, limbs, snags, stumps.
The soul-winning partner can help to handle phone calls, dogs, TV, children, and other interruptions while the soul-winner is presenting the gospel.

V. HE HAS PROBLEMS

Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

A. With the wind

Sometimes the winds are contrary.
Things are going to work against you when you decide to be a soul-winner.

B. With the water

Sometimes the water is rough.
Sometimes the water is muddy.
Sometimes it is too high or too low.

C. With the warmth

Sometimes it is too hot to fish and enjoy it.
Sometimes the same is true of soul- winning. It works against the flesh.

D. With the will

That is the main problem.
You must submit your will to GOD’S will and go soul-winning because HE wants you to go soul-winning.

VI. HE IS PERSISTENT

Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

A. He thinks about it all the time

He rejoices in past trips.
He is thinking about future trips.
He likes to hear about other successful fishing stories.
He will attend conventions about it.
He will buy books and tapes about it.

B. He tries it again and again

He will fish all day long, from dawn until dusk.
He will go out fishing next week, even if he caught nothing this week.
He will go out fishing next week, even if his boat capsized this week!

C. He triumphs eventually

A real fisherman won’t go forever without catching some fish.
He will eventually catch some fish, which brings me to my final point:

VII. HE HAS PROOF OF HIS FISHING

John 21:10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

Notice the word “doubtless” in the following verse:

Psalms 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

A. Caught fish are an example

They are examples of the obedience of the soul-winner.
They are examples of the power and grace of God. A saved soul is a “trophy of grace.”

B. Caught fish are encouraging

They show that it CAN be done!
They encourage others to go fishing!

C. Caught fish are enjoyable

It is enjoyable to catch a fish!
It is enjoyable to EAT a fish that you caught!
I’m not saying that we should devour our new converts, but the church benefits from them. They are a blessing. They become tithers. They become workers!

Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt. 4:19)

When is the last time you went fishing for men?
When is the last time you caught a “trophy of grace”?
Will you get a partner and go soul-winning this week?