A Fish Tale - and Fishers of Men

[Cow Poke]

I am absolutely astounded at how offended some Christians get when you ask them if they're a soul winner or not. It's like it's taboo to ask such a thing.

I'm a fisherman - both literally and figuratively. I have NEVER EVER met a fisherman who wasn't proud to talk about the the of rod and reel he uses, the type of bait, his favorite fishing hole, how often he fishes, "the one that got away", what time of day / night is best to catch a specific type of fish..... I actually have friends who study the Farmer's Almanac and plan their fishing adventures accordingly. I have friends with favorite fishing hats or shirts - a WHOLE collection of lures, with a different lure for every kind of fish...

Yet, when it comes to "fishers of men", it seems Satan has done quite an effective job of convincing even Christ's followers this is NOT polite conversation.

I don't know if it's because many Christians believe that the "fishers of men" concept doesn't apply to them, or what. I honestly don't know.

And, usually, when I bring up this topic on Tweb, I get an awful lot of silence.

Not only am I a fisher of men, I try to disciple others to be fishers of men also. It's like a diagnostic question, then, to find out, "are you a fisher of men?" If not, I don't berate them or beat them up - I encourage them to "ease into it".

1) Start by making a list of people who you suspect are lost and need Jesus.
2) Begin to fervently pray for them.
3) Ask God to make you sensitive to the possibility that maybe YOU could be the answer to that prayer.

What good is it to know a bunch of stuff about Christianity if we're not "making Christians".

(And, CLEARLY (lest somebody accuse otherwise) it is in GOD's hands, and subject to His Holy Spirit, and I don't "save" anybody - I simply tell them about Jesus)

Here's the model we use - it's quite simple - "Tell people about Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, leaving the results up to God".

It works, folks - it really really works!

When did it become "gross" to talk about winning people to Jesus?

[Cow Poke]

I have an older lady in my Church who tells me "Pastor, I'm not a soul winner, but I am a prayer warrior, and any time you want to, you can give me the name of somebody you want to win to Jesus, and I will pray for them night and day".

She's a soul winner - she just doesn't know it.

[Scrawly]

Amen.

[Adrift]

When we use it to brag, or to condemn others, then yeah, I can see how some people might be offended. Winning souls, and leading people to Christ is our great commission, but it isn't a contest to see how many we can rack up. If we bring it up to shame people, that isn't right.

[Cow Poke]

The old preacher stepped up to the pulpit, and with a stern look, told the congregation....

I have two statements to make this morning.

#1. Every day tens of thousands of people are dying and going to Hell, and most of you don't give a damn.

(audible gasps from the audience)

#2. Most of you are more concerned about the fact that I said damn than the fact that people are going to Hell.

[Leonhard]

I do my part definitely, usually in conversation. Danes are fairly dour people though who don't really believe in anything with any conviction, and are suspicious of anyone who do... still I've had many people who I can see are thinking about these things, maybe for the first time. So many who seem close. A good friend of mine said that he understood the reasonableness of what I was saying, but he couldn't imagine really changing his life around so drastically... I think he understood more than some Christians.

I've sadly yet to hear back from one who changed their mind, but... I can at least pray for them.

[Leonhard]

There's only one time in Hell, too late...

[Cow Poke]

I do my part definitely, usually in conversation. Danes are fairly dour people though who don't really believe in anything with any conviction, and are suspicious of anyone who do... still I've had many people who I can see are thinking about these things, maybe for the first time. So many who seem close. A good friend of mine said that he understood the reasonableness of what I was saying, but he couldn't imagine really changing his life around so drastically... I think he understood more than some Christians.

I've sadly yet to hear back from one who changed their mind, but... I can at least pray for them.

We have a good friend who is a Missionary in the Czech Republic. (I take that back - he's not a Missionary, he's an English Professor who does evangelism. ) He says, because of all the "Religious wars" in their country's history, MOST of the people there are atheist, and not very open to the Gospel of Christ.

HOWEVER, they happen to be very hungry to learn the English language, so he often hangs around the pubs (not bars, of course, in our context, but meeting places) and engages the locals in English. In the course of teaching them "American English" (which they seem to crave, along with American football) he is teaching them the Bible.

Meanwhile, his oldest son is outside with a group of young Czechs teaching them American football -- and Jesus.

[Leonhard]

And for anyone who wants to question Cow Poke, I have no doubt he rightfully and utterly attributes all the success of what he's doing to God. The same with me, however I'd never use the fact that all the glory belongs to God, as permission to not do my part.

[Cow Poke]

And for anyone who wants to question Cow Poke, I have no doubt he rightfully and utterly attributes all the success of what he's doing to God.

Absolutely, but I was taught soulwinning at an early age, and it seemed to me that was the primary reason I was a Christian! It's like - gee, if the GREAT COMMISSION is about telling people about Christ, then EVERY Christian ought to be doing that!

And, again... "Tell them about Jesus in the Power of the Holy Spirit, leaving the results to God".

The same with me, however I'd never use the fact that all the glory belongs to God, as permission to not do my part.

EGGzackly -- kinda like the "pray like it all depends on God, and work like it all depends on you". (We work BECAUSE we are saved, not so that we CAN be saved. )

[Leonhard]

Absolutely, but I was taught soulwinning at an early age, and it seemed to me that was the primary reason I was a Christian! It's like - gee, if the GREAT COMMISSION is about telling people about Christ, then EVERY Christian ought to be doing that!

Respect!



It should be noted that as a Catholic I see conversion as a lifelong process. We probably part ways on this (among other things). Its not a one-time event. If you've helped a person come to know that Christ is real, and rose from the dead, and gotten them to make a conversion of their life, then that's the start of a journey. Its like starting a race that needs to be run, and it doesn't really get started until you get the sacraments.

That's for a different discussion and a different thread.

EGGzackly -- kinda like the "pray like it all depends on God, and work like it all depends on you".

St. Augustine is the man.

(We work BECAUSE we are saved, not so that we CAN be saved. )

Other way around. You can call yourself saved when you're in Heaven.

Though its pretty much taught in the Catholic Church, that someone who had acted on God's behalf, helped to save even one soul, had ensured that their own would be saved as well.

Gives you that much more reason to go out there and spread the gospel.

[Cow Poke]

It should be noted that as a Catholic I see conversion as a lifelong process.

Technically, I say "I am saved, I am BEING saved and I WILL be saved".

We probably part ways on this (among other things). Its not a one-time event.

The acceptance of Christ as Savior is the beginning of a life of Service.

If you've helped a person come to know that Christ is real, and rose from the dead, and gotten them to make a conversion of their life, then that's the start of a journey. Its like starting a race that needs to be run, and it doesn't really get started until you get the sacraments.

That's for a different discussion and a different thread.

Yeah, if you're trying to pick a fight, it's not working!

St. Augustine is the man.

Other way around. You can call yourself saved when you're in Heaven.

Like I said, I believe I AM saved, am being saved, and WILL be saved - but the important thing is getting on that path.

Though its pretty much taught in the Catholic Church, that someone who had acted on God's behalf, helped to save even one soul, had ensured that their own would be saved as well.

Gives you that much more reason to go out there and spread the gospel.

[Cow Poke]

So, let's see.....

To a liberal Christian, homosexual marriage is acceptable, and questions about soulwinning are "gross".

Does anybody else see a problem here?

[Thoughtful Monk]

When did it become "gross" to talk about winning people to Jesus?

About ten minutes after someone stops believing that a relationship with God is necessary or a vital part of their life.

[thewriteranon]

Interestingly enough today's sermon (and next week's as well will be) was on evangelism.