LET’S GO TO THE RIVER

  • July 16th, 2010 | Johnny Bragg | No Comments |

    Each of us have them. Those friends and family members we deeply desire to see come to the Lord. They may unsaved, totally lost, or may have just lost their way. We think about them. Pray for them. And as the Lord opens doors, we minister to them. And month after month, we carry the burden to reach those that need Jesus.

    As we’ve been working through this series on Expanding the Kingdom, I’ve been thinking of what Jesus told those boys on the riverbank, Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. I love this. As we each are following Christ, we, too, should be fishing for men.  Out there working to bring the lost into the fold. Sharing cold water with the thirsty. A kind word with the hurting.

    Funny thing about fishing. Seasons change. Species vary greatly. Water is different from place to place. No two days on the river are ever the same. Successful fishermen change, adapt, and vary their methods accordingly. The goal is always to catch fish, but the how-to changes.

    In fishing for men, we, too, must change. What worked in 1980 will not today. Churches used to rely heavily on home visitation. Knocking on a stranger’s door today is more creepy than friendly. Our goal and calling is to bring folks into the Kingdom. How we do it is in constant flux.

    As you pray and work on the heart of those you are called to minster to, let me give you a word of encouragement. Ask the Lord what method he would have you use. Preaching on the street used to be more effective than what we see today. Now, actions seem to be more powerful. Even more real. You may be called  this week to bake a pie, mow a lawn, or send a kind email. Evangelism always takes effort, but we do know from both the Bible and experience that it works. People are open to the Gospel. Hungry for what you have.

    I encourage you to preach the Gospel today. And only if you must, use words.


Leave a Reply

* Name, Email, and Comment are Required