LEARNING TO FISH

I. The right equipment.

If you truly want to fish for men’s souls then you must have the right equipment and know how to use it appropriately. When any man goes out to catch real fish in a stream he must have a fishing pole, hooks, bait, and the experience to use this equipment. Let me use this analogy to explain my point.

A. Your fishing pole is what gives you the ability to fish. Therefore, God gives you the Holy Spirit enable you to speak boldly for Him (Acts 1:8).

B. Your hook is what actually catches a fish. There are many different kinds of hooks. Consequently, your hook will be different with every person. Therefore, your hook in evangelism is the individual need that is paramount in the person. This need is how you will direct this person to Christ. Example: The hook God used to reveal Himself to Pharaoh were two dreams. After waking in the morning, "His spirit was troubled" (Gen. 41:8). God used this situation to cause Pharaoh to seek out Joseph and hear the message of God. The hook Jesus used with the woman at the well was the spiritual thirst she had which resulted in her many marriages (John 4:15-19). Therefore, look for the hook God would use as you share with people.

C. Your bait is what you offer a person that satisfies the hunger and thirst within. That which convinces an individual that God does have the answers. This bait is the Word of God. When Jesus spoke to the disciples they said, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32). As you speak God’s Word that addresses the specific needs that a person has, their hearts with also burn.

D. You need the experience and wisdom to catch men’s souls. There are no instant fishermen. It takes time, lots of fishing attempts, experience to know when to fish, where to fish, what hook to use, and what bait to use that makes you a successful fisherman. Likewise, you need the same to become a fisher of men.

II. Sharing a truly Biblical message.

If you truly desire to lead someone to salvation then you must be absolutely sure that you are sharing a message that will bring a person to repentance and save. What are the key components of a Biblical message?

A. The love of God: The message of the love of God is critical to effectively communicating the true Gospel because this gives men a clear revelation of who God is. God declares His love over and over again throughout Scripture. Study these verses to be absolutely sure this is true (Deut 7:7) (Jer. 31:3) (John 3:16). However, it is also important to remember that the love of God is always represented in Scripture as a perfect balance between mercy and justice (1 John 4:8) (Deut. 32:4) (Ps. 103:6-8) (Hos. 2:19). God applies each according to His foreknowledge and fairness to every person. He also commands us to love in the same manner. "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8).

Therefore, if you love a people you will share with them that God wants to forgive and show His mercy toward them. However, if a person is rejecting God’s love, it is equally loving for you to share that God is just and will punish all those who reject His love. Notice how Jesus did this in one sentence (John 3:16).

Passages to memorize to better enable your sharing: John 3:16, Jer. 31:3, 1 John 4:8

B. What God has done for mankind: God sent His Son to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3-4). Then God raised Jesus from the dead as proof that He was more than just a man; and proof that He had truly paid the price for man’s salvation (Phil. 2:8-11).

What God has done through His Son upon the cross means that Jesus is the only way available for man to be saved (John 14:6) (Acts 4:12).

Passages to memorize to better enable your sharing: John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Phil. 2:8-11

C. Why did God send His Son to the cross: God sent His Son to the cross because man sinned and became separated from God (Rom. 3:23) (Rom. 6:23). This is why the world is so chaotic and divided because man is attempting to live apart from God and His commands.

Passages to memorize to better enable your sharing: Rom. 3:23, Rom. 6:23

D. What should men do: Men must confess their sin and choose to repent and turn and follow Christ. It must be explained that repentance is a choice of the will followed by the prayer of faith to call upon the Lord and then receiving Him personally (Rom. 10:9-13) (John 1:12) (Mark 1:15).

Passages to memorize to better enable your sharing: Rom. 10:9-13, John 1:12, Mark 1:15