Good morning and welcome in everyone. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.
Up in the wooded areas of Alaska is a river that extends approximately 35 miles into the Bristol Bay. Each year this river, known as the Naknek, becomes absolutely packed with sockeye and other salmon. It might be described as being in New York City at rush hour on a Friday afternoon! By the end of June and through the end of July, millions of these fish appear. It’s claimed that an average of 38 million sockeye return to Bristol Bay every year, because of which, numerous commercial fishermen flock to the area. Bristol Bay is home to the world’s largest salmon run. This river is connected to Naknek Lake, near the base of the Alaska Peninsula, which drains West into Bristol Bay. This lake is a fisherman’s dream. People often see moose, wolves and grizzly bears that are famous for scooping sockeye salmon right out of the water with their claws. Beginning in 1951, boats were re-fitted with diesel and gas engines for this incredibly huge harvest. It has been said that some of these rivers flowing into Bristol Bay have an estimated 30,000 salmon traveling on them per hour!
This reminds me of a Christian Life.
Converting people to the the teachings of Jesus is very similar to fishing, except we are fishing for the souls of men, by using God’s Word to convert them through preaching. Just as fishermen are needed in Alaska for the salmon run each year, spiritual fishermen are greatly needed to win souls to Christ, and the laborers are few.
Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few
Luke 5:1-10 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 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.
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Preaching the Word of God is publicly teaching the Scriptures. It is the most important occupation in the entire world, because it has to do with saving people so that they can someday enter into eternal life.
2 Timothy 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Certain fish have certain seasons during which you can catch them, but it is open season when it comes to preaching. Some people think that preaching only happens a half hour, once a week at a church gathering somewhere, but preaching happens when ever and wherever you may be. it doesn’t matter the surroundings you might be in, whether it’s in the car or in the street. Weather it’s camping or swimming at the beach. Preaching is not restricted to a church service, it’s whenever you have an open door to talk about the truth of God’s Word with someone. If the fish aren’t biting on one lake, Minnesota fisherman will move to the next one. There are plenty of fish to catch!
Mark 16:15 – And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Timothy was commanded to keep preaching doctrine, because there would come a time when people were not going to last in the Christian Life, or submit to christian teachings. Instead of developing a love for Jesus and His Word, they will love the teachings and philosophies of the world more. They would surround themselves with ear tickling false teachers who preach the things that they want to hear, rather than the things they need to hear. Instead of continuing in the truth they will begin to love and believe a lie instead. To be eternally saved, one must possess a love for biblical truth. Without this love, a person really doesn’t love Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-13 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
There are many jobs in society where people have been placed in charge of rescuing others, but the Christian life is about rescuing people’s souls. In order to do this, somebody needs to be preaching God’s Word, being a laborer for the Lord.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
The Lord called out to men to preach, as He did by example.
Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Luke 9:59-60 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
God’s fishing season has been open for thousands of years, and I think it’s high time for people to recognize how great the need is for spiritual fishermen. There are so many to catch, and so few laborers. The time is now, to grab the tackle box of scripture, and start casting for men. I guarantee you, that fishing for souls is far more important, than any fish that you will ever catch on………
…………The Naknek.
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.
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