The NATIONAL PRAYER ALTAR
MARATHON PRAYERS
Monday 28th October - Sunday 3rd November 2024
THE PARABLE OF THE FISHLESS FISHERMEN
by John M. Drescher
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).
Now it came to pass that there was a group that called themselves “fishermen.” And lo, there were many fishes in the waters all around; in the streams and lakes, and the fishes were hungry. Week after week, month after month, and year after year, those fishermen met at meetings and talked about their call to fish, the abundance of fish, and how they might go about fishing. Year after year, they carefully defined what fishing meant, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared that fishing was always to be a primary task of fishermen.
Continually, they searched for new and better methods of fishing, and for new and better definitions of fishing. Further, they said, “The fishing industry exists by fishing, as fire exists by burning.” They loved slogans such as “Fishing is the task of every fisherman,” and “Every fisherman is a fisher,” and “A fisherman’s outpost for every fisherman’s club.” They sponsored special meetings called “Fishermen’s Campaigns” and “The Month for Fishermen to Fish.” They sponsored costly nationwide and worldwide congresses to discuss fishing, to promote fishing, and hear about all the ways of fishing, such as the new fishing equipment, fish calls, and whether some new bait had been discovered.
Those fishermen built large, beautiful buildings called “Fishing Headquarters.” The plea was that everyone should be a fisherman, and every fisherman should fish. One thing they never did, however, was fish.
In addition to meeting regularly, they organized a board to send out fishermen to other places where there were many fish. All the fishermen seemed to agree that what was needed was a board which could challenge fishermen to be faithful in fishing. The board was formed by those who had the great vision and courage to speak about fishing, to define fishing, and to promote the idea of fishing in faraway streams and lakes where many other fish of different colours lived.
Also, the board hired staff and appointed committees and held many meetings to define fishing, to defend fishing, and to decide what new streams should be thought about. But the staff and committee members never fished.
Large, elaborate, and expensive training centers were built whose original and primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Over the years, courses were offered on the needs of fish, the nature of fish, where to find fish, the psychological reactions of fish, and how to approach and feed fish. The teachers had doctorates in fishiology, even though they themselves never fished. They only taught fishing. Year after year, after tedious trainings, many were graduated and given fishing licenses. They were sent out to do full-time fishing, some to distant waters filled with fish.
Some spent much time to study and travel to learn the history of fishing and to see faraway places where the founding fathers did great fishing in centuries past. They lauded the faithful fishermen of years before who handed down the idea of fishing.
Further, the fishermen built large printing houses to publish fishing guides. Presses were kept busy day and night to produce materials solely devoted to fishing methods, equipment, and programs to arrange and to encourage meetings to talk about fishing. A speakers’ bureau was also provided to schedule special speakers on the subject of fishing.
Many who felt the call to be fishermen responded. They were commissioned and sent to fish. But, like fishermen back home, they never fished. Like the fishermen back home, they engaged in all kinds of other occupations. They built power plants to pump water for fish and tractors to plow new waterways. They made all kinds of equipment to travel here and there to look at fish hatcheries. Some also said they wanted to be part of the fishing party, but they felt called to furnish fishing equipment. Others felt that their job was to relate to the fish in a good way so the fish would know the difference between good and bad fishermen. Others felt that simply letting the fish know that they were nice land-loving neighbours was enough.
After one stirring meeting on “The Necessity for Fishing,” one young fellow left the meeting and went fishing. The next day he reported that he had caught two outstanding fish. He was honoured for his excellent catch and scheduled to visit all the big meetings possible to tell how he did it. So, he quit his fishing in order to have time to tell about the experience to the other fishermen. He was also placed on the Fishermen’s General Board as a person of considerable experience.
Now it’s true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish every day. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their fishermen’s clubs and the fact that they claimed to be fishermen yet never fished. They wondered about those who felt it was of little use to attend the weekly meetings to talk about fishing. After all, were they not following the Master who said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men?”
Imagine how hurt some were when one day a person suggested that those who didn’t catch fish were really not fishermen, no matter how much they claimed to be. Yet it did sound correct. Is a person a fisherman if, year after year, he never caught a fish? – Drescher
Many will remember the Sunday School song, “I will make you fishers of men, if you follow Me.” While not all Christians are called into full time missionary work, every Christian is called to soul winning. Unfortunately, the modern-day Church seems to have changed that Sunday School song to, “I will make you richer than men, if you follow Me.”
Can a fisherman be called a fisherman if he does not catch fishes? In like manner, can a Christian be called a Christian if he does not win souls? Could a person be said to be following Jesus, yet he does not win souls? Therefore, we need to highlight the following points:
1. It is imperative for every Christian to participate in soulwinning. It is the command of the Lord.
2. Soulwinning and discipleship should form the core of all the doctrines in the Church.
3. Souls are meant to be won into the Kingdom of God, based on repentance from sins (Matt. 3:2; Matt. 4: 17; Luke 24:46-47). The prevalent doctrine of “gospel of benefits” should be discontinued because it produces “false converts” who claim to be Christians yet are not converted based on “repentance and remission of sins” (Luke 24:47). “False converts” is the reason many churches are filled with people while the fruit of Christianity is not evident on the streets, in offices, and in many homes.
4. Therefore, Christians must consider strategies to win souls into the Kingdom of God. It is a task that must be done. One strategy that should be revived is the distribution of gospel tracts. Christians should form teams of twos and target unsaved groups in their communities. Primary and Secondary Schools are vital target groups.
Those who desire to become active in soul winning, and require gospel tracts for the purpose, could visit www.houseofkaris.net/tracts to obtain tracts. The materials could be copied and given to printers to produce. Those who desire tracts for special groups could contact
Jesus Christ says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). May our hearts be tender to obey the commands of the Lord.
PRAYER POINTS
1. John 1: 9
Ask God’s forgiveness for every missed opportunity to win souls into the Kingdom of God. Also, pray forgiveness for the Church in Nigeria, for neglecting soul winning.
2. Luke 24:46-47
Pray that Church leaders and all soul winners shall shun the “gospel of benefits” and concentrate on preaching repentance and remission of sins in obedience to the command of Jesus Christ.
3. 1 Thes. 2:1-5
Pray for boldness and wisdom for all who desire to win souls into the Kingdom of God.
4. Acts 1:8
Pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon all who desire to win souls.
5. 2 Tim. 1:7
Take authority over the spirit of fear which Satan uses to intimidate and discourage Christians from soul winning.
6. Matt. 15:13
Pray to uproot all false teachers from the Church.
7. 1 Tim. 2:3-4
Intercede for the salvation of all.
