CONFESSING OUR NEED

 

So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.  Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land.  And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.  ‎When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing…”  (Luke 1:1-5a)

These fishermen felt like complete failures.  Despite their best efforts, they didn’t have so much as a minnow to show for it!  How discouraging! 

These weren’t sportsmen in a competition.  This wasn’t a hobby done for relaxation.  It was catch fish or starve to death. 

Folks, when it comes to catching people for Christ in evangelism, it is a matter of life and death.  Churches all over America are dying!  They are failing to reach new people.  I am concerned that a deadly lethargy has gripped us—that our passion for souls is not a priority any more.  Pole Creek is a solid, Bible-believing, mission-minded congregation, but we’ve become complacent.  While giving lip-service to evangelism, when all is said and done, there’s more said than done!

Let us confess our need!  I say US because I need a renewed zeal for the lost also. 

Recently, at the funeral of a fifteen-year old football player, our auditorium was overflowing.   The pews were packed, and folks were lining the walls and even in the foyer.  A fellow told me afterward, “I may visit your church.”  I responded, “Great, and on Sunday morning you can find a seat because it won’t be standing room only!” 

But shouldn’t it be? 

It won’t until we cry out to God, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing!”  (emphasis added)  This is the confession of need—the desperate plea—acknowledging that we have done many good activities, but have failed to, “Go fish!”  The Great Commission too often is “The Great Omission.”