"Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed" - Matthew 4:19-20 (MSG)
There lived a man who had all that anyone needed to be a successful fisherman. The man had poles, nets, bait, hooks and a really nice boat. He was highly respected by everyone around because of the depth of his knowlegde. But despite all the things that he had, this fisherman still had a problem. The problem was, he had never caught any fish. And this was because he never went fishing. He had all the knowledge and all the equipment but he never got into the boat, he never left the dock. The man was an honorary fisherman with many impressive laurels and titles but has no fish in his boat.
"Then Jesus said to them, ‘Go to all people everywhere in the world. Tell God's good news to everyone. The disciples went out everywhere. They told people God's good news. "- Mark 16:15 (EASY)
There are many honorary fishermen in the kingdom today. They are fishermen by words, titles or positions but not by deed or action. They know so many things about fishing yet have never stepped into their boats to go fishing. Unknowingly, they have traded off their precious eternal and earthly fishermen's rewards for the temporary gratifications at the dock of life. What a big error! They have become so entangled with the frivolities of life to the extent that the valedictory message of our Ressurrected Lord, Jesus Christ in Mark 16: 15 does not really make any sense to them again. They have allowed their lucrative jobs, personal agendas, pursuit of success, qualifications, titles and positions to tie them down to the dock of life. They have now become extremely busy or rather too big to leave the dock and step into the boat for a catch. They have won many laurels and people even introduce them with wonderful titles like Ministers, Deacon, Deaconess, Pastor, Prophet, Bishop, Apostle etc but as far as God is concerned, they are a bunch of "Honorary Fishermen" occupying space in His Kingdom.
Hope God will not be disappointed with you and I whenever He comes to inspect our boat on the last day! What excuse are we really going to give God for living like honorary fishermen in His kingdom? Could that excuse make God change His verdict in Ezekiel 33:6 about every believer (honorary fisherman) who refused to leave the dock? If Jesus comes to inspect our boat today, how many people's blood will he require from our hands?
My dear honorary fishermen, where would you have been today if Jesus Christ was an honorary fisherman like you? Remember the death and resurrection story would not have been possible if our Saviour had not left the dock of Heaven in search of small fishes like you and I. Then, what are you still doing in the dock? Why not leave your dock today? Why not leave the dock of your church, community and go into where the fishes are hiding from the hooks of Salvation? If Jesus could leave his own comfort zone and familiar terrain in Heaven above with his nets and boat, you and I should be able do much more in this generation by His grace.
The refrain of an old time Christian hymn, titled "Go!" summarises the valedictory sermon of Jesus Christ to His disciples after His resurrection. Please let the lyrics of this wonderful hymn below challenge you to leave the dock and go a fishing for the Saviour this Easter session. You will never regret that you did.
GO! By Paul Rader
Down from the glories of Heaven,
Down to the world of woe;
When there was no eye to pity,
Jesus said, "I will go".
Refrain:
Go, go, go, go,
Leave what He asks you to leave;
Pray for your part in the harvest,
Give what He asks you to give,
Out in the dark they are dying,
For them His life He gave;
Go, tell the lost of salvation,
Give them a chance to live.
"Uttermost part" is His order,
Dare any answer no?
What will you do when you meet Him,
If you refuse to go?
As we celebrate Easter this year, my prayer is that God will help us to be true fishermen, who will never say "no" to Him for every opportunity we have to go and let down our nets for a catch. May we finish strong and well with our boats full of fishes for God in Jesus name.
May I use this opportunity to invite you to the April 2019 Let's Go A Fishing Program of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Victory Chapel Zone, LP 38. Date: Friday, April 19th, 2019 to Saturday 20th, 2019. Theme: There Is Hope. Time: 5pm daily. Venue: 15/16 Odemuyiwa Street, Seliat Bustop, Idimu Road, Egbeda, Lagos, Nigeria. Ministering: Pastor Adewale Adesola and other anointed Ministers of God.
Good day and wishing you a glorious Easter celebration in advance.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
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