The Soul-Multiplier

Radium your focus is making Christ is providing come check us out at 3045 Oxford Rd. visit us online.org join us for this week's message by Pastor Abbott on shop this morning were going to learn from this last miracle in our series. Miraculous how Jesus came and help his disciples get to the right sweet spot they had lost their focus.

They had lost their mission and he had to do some course correction on them. He had to motivate them to get back in the mission that he had given to them. Jesus has not called us just to be soul winners. He has called us to be sold multipliers is not enough for just one or two fish, one or two souls for the kingdom of God. He wants us to have a multitude of fish he wants us to have a massive catch, so massive that you can even put it in but he promises the net will not break you have your Bibles with you turn to John chapter 21 for a message called the great sold multiplier and let's all stand for the reading of God's word. John chapter 21 starting in verse one after these things Jesus shown himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberius, and in this way, he showed himself Simon Peter, Thomas called the twin Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and to others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, I'm going fishing. They said to him were going with the also they went out and immediately got into the boat and that night they caught nothing, but in the morning, had now come, Jesus stood on the shore. Yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus and he said to them, children have you any food they answered him, no, and he said to them, cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. So they cast and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Therefore, the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, is the Lord now, and Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord. He put on his outer garment, for he had removed it and plunged into the sea, but the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land but about 200 cubits, dragging the net with fish and as soon as they had come to the land they saw a fire of coals.

There and fish laid on it and bring Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish which you have just caught this morning before we understand what it means to be a sold multiplier. The question that all of us need to answer specially if we claim that we are believers, specially if we claim that we are disciples of Jesus and the question is this. Have you caught any fish lately and I talk about fish in the lake or the pond of the ocean. I'm talking about souls. Have you lead anyone to Christ's resume on the circumstances.

My situation might this and that and the other as a disciple of Jesus Christ. My primary goal is to do with the master did seek and save that which was lost. If you are truly being honest. Many of us have never let anybody Christ.

By the way, before you can catch. You have to be caught. You cannot be fishing if you are the fish.

This final miracle in our series on the miracles of Christ from all four Gospels is coming from the Gospel of John again that you heard me repeat throughout the series. When we came to the miracles from John that John the apostle, or the writer of the fourth Gospel uses the word signs for miracles knives you know signs were more than just miracles. Signs were also roofs that Jesus was and is God, signs were proves that what the Old Testament promise Jesus one by one fulfilled water into wine was not about wine walking on the waves was not about just sea of Galilee feeding the 5000 was not just about physical hunger.

See all those were signs and Jesus fulfilled them. Having said that, even though this miracle is also coming from the Gospel of John. It's a different sign. You see all the previous miracles from the Gospel of John were done before Jesus went to the cross almost miracles were Jesus telling the people I am the one, but then Jesus did the ultimate sign was the ultimate sign he died. He was buried on the third day he rose again. In fact, I want you to hear what Jesus what is says in John chapter 20 verse 30 right before the miracle we can look at today. Listen to what he says is on the screen and truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of God and that believing you may have life in his name. In other words, the time for signs was over. Now you have to make a decision.

Will you receive Jesus overly rejected and by the way, let me make a very quick application. Many of y'all been hearing message after message. You have been hearing sermon after sermon not just for me but from church as you been to ministries you follow pastors you listen to Bible teachers.

You are listening to on the podcast. Whatever. Now it's time for decision one of the message will convince you that you need to give your heart to Christ back to our miracle.

If the time for science was over, then why did Jesus do this one more sign in John chapter 21 I mean by 20. John tells us is done so that you may believe that another one this sign that we can look at today.

This is after the resurrection was not done by Jesus to manifest the glory of God. This sign of the miraculous catch was done by Jesus to motivate his disciples to fulfill the mission of God. In other words, this sign was not about the person of Jesus. This sign was about the mission of Jesus before we go any further and start looking at how is the sign in the mission of Jesus coming together and Jesus helping the disciples catch fish. What is the mission of Jesus. What was the mission of Jesus what he gave it to them.

Just a few verses earlier before this sign of catching the big catch of fish. He told them in John chapter 20 verse 21 and 22 and also 23. Listen to what he said is on the screen and one time he came to them and said he Steve as the father has sent me, I also send you. Here's your mission, but right and when he has said this, he breathed on them and said to them, receive the Holy Spirit.

This is not like any other mission before you go on this mission you're going to have heard person of the Godhead in you. You will have the Holy Spirit empowering you, giving you authority okay but we still don't know what the mission is Jesus. Verse 23 if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained. What is that mean it means this your mission is to go out in the power and the authority of the Holy Spirit and you have the gospel in your hand if you bring them the gospel of salvation. They will find forgiveness of sins and their forgiven forever if you don't bring them the power of the gospel is what they are gonna die in their sins. All doesn't take away from the sovereignty of God, you have no idea how much I believe in the sovereignty of God. I'm an extremist when it comes the sovereignty of God. I believe God is extremely sovereign. His will is always done.

And yet in his divine sovereignty. He has allowed human free will that don't make sense. Are you God.

But some things are a mystery but got take care of that. But I know this much. If I don't share the gospel with people to go dog go to hell.

This is my mission to not keep that mission in mind as we go further and listen to what is says in this miracle.

Let's begin. Chapter 21 verse one after these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples of the sea of Tiberius, which is the Lake of Galilee, the Sea of Galilee.

Same thing in this way, he showed himself Simon Peter, Thomas called the twin Nathaniel of canine Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, which were James and John and to others of his disciples were together, and Simon Peter said to them, listen to what he says to them I'm going fishing.

That seems harmless. Doesn't he was a fisherman. They gotta eat the have to pay bills. I'm going fishing. Remember this is a sign. This is not just what were waiting on Jesus and while waiting while we just go fishing while we need to eat less go fishing. We got us into pay bills this book.

This is something very significant. What Simon Peter is really saying is I'm done with this I'm going back to my old life know what is the response of the other disciples were going with you going where going back to the old ways and they left Ludwig Johnson in the immediately got into the boat means what relatives are minds were done what it did do that. Why, after all that had happened 3 1/2 years of walking with Jesus. Hearing him teach watching the miracles and then seeing him crucified bearing but coming back to life after all this, why would they go back to their old ways. You have to think for a moment.

It's only been a week since Jesus rose from the grave.

It's only been about nine days since he was brutally crucified by the Romans. Have you ever been through a traumatic situation alone to take you to get over it.

Some of us it takes years, especially if it's the death of someone you love these disciples had been through a roller coaster of the worst kind. How do you think they were feeling. I believe they were still in shock. They had witnessed with their eyes, their master, their teacher, the one who changed their lives forever taken from them, and then nailed to the cross. There were still in shock. Not only were they still in shock, but they were disheartened because they were hoping that he wouldn't be there. King Messiah and now is over what happened to the sermon on the Mount, what happened to Matthew 24 what happened to all the things he'd taught us. John 15 I'm divine you are the branches abide in me. What happened to all this and all the healings they were discouraged.

Have you ever been discouraged to go. I just don't know. Not only that, they were also confused. I think about what happened if you had to process guilt. I'm sorry grief you're going through a grief process and in you going through this sooner or later, one day you wake up and you go you know I'm over it I'm I'm getting better. People ask you how you doing I'm better I'm better than I was six months ago.

What happened to Jesus three days after he was crucified. What happened, he showed up again. They were confused. It's one thing to say. Yet he is buried and we went by the gravies so sad and knowing I do what I move. He shows up again any doesn't come and stay with them he comes and goes up. I can imagine the disciples going are we losing our minds that this guy, I don't. And Jesus was not exactly like he used to be before I when he was still eat food that he would like walk through walls something else. They were probably feeling unworthy. What was the disciples contribution on the night that Jesus was betrayed, was a contribution they ran they ran they left him as someone said the left him like rats leaving a sinking ship. I imagine if I was in a bad situation. Somebody was trying to hurt me, and you happen to be there right and instead of helping me you deserted me in the next time you and I meet how you think you would respond to be really awkward want to be like hey man, how's it going good.

Good to see you two are you doing better. Thanks for nothing in a these disciples are probably going through this time of feeling unworthy. Our master was killed and we couldn't do anything. Something else. Some of them are feeling embarrassed anything Peter felt when you do on the night of the trial. He denied Jesus three times.

Just the way Jesus had warned him he said I will follow you, even to death is now before the rooster crows, you deny me three times and he does and Jesus looks at him and their eyes meet and you know how Peter was. He was always gung ho to do more and be the greatest and now everybody knew yeah Peter denied Jesus.

He cussed about vaguely like us teases out some of them were embarrassed, some of them even if they understood what was happening. I believe they were wondering, is it worth following Jesus. What did Jesus say to them when he was still with them is if you want to be my disciple. You have to deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me. I believe they were thinking. Does that mean the were next presented on feeling dying on the cross this time. Maybe next year or so, but not today. You see all these questions were running through their minds.

These doubts.

These confusions and Peter did what any of us would've done amount I'm going back to my old life, you know that's what happens.

By the way many of us start following God.

We start walking with God. You start attending church and as a pastor I been pastoring this, my first and only church I've been here 18 years I've seen people do begin to grow the begin to get it to begin to see that God is working in their lives and their problems, and so hanging in there and saying I know that he who is in me is greater than he that is in the world ago is too much.

I even had one person say to me ever since I started following got things got worse as I really don't know what to say to you, but I can tell you you are in a much better place than you were before. Weren't you yeah that's true, but IT is is tough right now. It's tough. I don't have all these problems before you see the temptation is. I would rather go back to my familiar, easy, inconsequential life. Praise God he doesn't leave us a man would Jesus do listen to verse three there went out and immediately got into the boat and the Bible says that night they caught how many fish nothing. It never works out when you run from God.

Some of you are running from God human. I think you are running from God that you are Islam in church and or it doesn't matter location doesn't matter as the heart of the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the show or get the disciples did not know that it was Jesus as amazing to me if I was there master I would've left them out there and said that was a waste of time. That's a lost cause to find some others, but he came back for them, and how did he address them. Listen to verse five he said children means you are still my family here. That's how God is with us.

That's how Christ is with us even if we leave him.

He doesn't leave us.

He still comes for us in his question. Do you have any food that said no that he says to them, cast the net on the right side of the boat that I have seen a boat like this that was taken out of the Sea of Galilee and honestly at the widest part that boat is no wider than from here to the end of that microphone. They were not very mean a really big yachtsman ships. This tiny little boats so casting a net on the left side versus the right side had nothing to do with all the change of direction really brought in the massive catch. It's more about who was telling them to do it. Jesus is telling them is this is not about the fish. This is about your true calling. I have called you and if you obey me you will catch many fish, fish, meaning souls keep in mind this is still assigned.

The structure of this is still like the signs that we looked at prior to the crucifixion. What happens next. So they cast and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish no watch how Peter responded in verse seven there for the disciples of Jesus love said to Peter, it is the Lord means even Peter could not recognize him.

John did but how did Peter respond when he heard that it was the Lord. He put on his outer garment, he plunged and he dove right into the lake and by the way, how far were they only hundred yards, he could've waited 10 minutes we hear something when it comes to following God. I know there are times that you want to learn and grow and understand better and not just jump right in open when you feel the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart respond to Dan. Don't wait. Don't wait because if you wait, you say I need to give my life to Jesus Christ today but I will wait till next week. I need to get baptized that I will await him away for a better time than everybody on the joint Clearview, but I will wait on this.

You wait you deliberate in the feeling the desires to go away know why but it goes away is no longer is imperative. The urgency is lost.

He jumps in against her. Jesus verse nine. Then, as soon as they had come to land the saw a fire of coals and fish laid on it and bread that I don't how did Jesus get those fish amended to catch him did he create them that he likes snap his finger in the fish from the lake jumped into the fire. We don't know we keep in mind this is a sign. What is that mean these are souls what the sign says is this he is catching souls, but in listen to what he says to them in verse 10 Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish which you have caught how it works folks, where God is the one reaching souls and yet he has called me and you to partner with him and bringing more fish into the kingdom. Simon Peter went up Dragon it to land full of large fish now hear something really odd 153 means someone took the time to count them. Now people have come up with a lot of solutions like or what is that number mean is that a code those those numbers have some Old Testament significance.

Honestly, no one really knows. My answer is simple.

It works for me. I believe that every soul has a number and my job is to catch every soul possible in every soul matters. The point is, they were so moved that they had never seen hundred and 53 fish in one net and what is the beauty of this all. And although there were so many that net was, not broken means when you cooperate with God. And when you begin to catch fish catch people for Christ. None are lost and Jesus said that repeatedly throughout the John's Gospel, he said, and the ones the father has given to me.

I have lost none the madrasa and applications no matter our occupation, fishing for souls is our calling people say you know old pastor that you are the sole and know my occupation.

My vocation is being a pastor. My calling is to be a soul winner. That's why every week I leave my office because there are no fishing office.

No matter, occupation, fishing for souls is our calling and every disciple is called to catch souls number two. It never works out when you run from your calling.

I got a promotion.

We went on a vacation over doing so great as a disciple. It will not work out. It never does.

Ultimately, you are empty, there is an efficient unit, you will be empty is number three. This is powerful. Don't miss this, Jesus expects from us on a large-scale what he did on a small scale.

How many disciples did he have 12 one went rogue only live in his brief lifetime he had only 11 true disciples out of them.

Only three Peter, James and John were the ones who really got it. But guess what Jesus said in John 1412. I want all of us to look at this verse. He said most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my father he said look I have one souls but I'm going upstairs, and when I get up there you guys are going to double up you are going to multiply and do things that even I didn't do folks I want to win more souls than Jesus on about you that's not sacrilegious.

That's what he promised you know why we do things differently here folks. You say all working order churches… Snogging to do it. Please tell me what will do it. I'm open to any ideas.

We are so far behind we are losing the culture we have lost the culture even if today every charge will start baptizing 50 were still not going to make it publishing keeps growing lostness continues while you know as long as you get that one sold Jesus. No one soul matters, please stop using that mantra. The culture is getting further and further away and the church are saying as long as we can hold on.

You ask me what is my vision. My vision is not just to reach 10 and 20 and 30 and 40 is to reach thousands upon thousands upon thousands upon thousands with Jesus Christ because that's how far behind we are and not just advanced County, not just in Granville County, not just in this state in this nation in this world. That's what he was telling the disciples using our job is to cast is his job to fill the net what were doing is were sitting back and saying fill the net and Jesus keeps saying casted first as we have sports ministry U music this way. That's why we do all the shows that John and Ryan and they all work together why we doing all this were casting the net. I guess what happens were getting two or three fish waiting for the mother load very quickly when they mess up. He waits for us with breakfast and last you have to be called before we can catch others folks love teaching the Bible.

I love explaining the word of God.

I love seeing people grow, but if you ask me, is that your goal absolutely not, because I can feed you the word of God. But if all you do is sit there and become obese with the word of God. We have missed our calling our calling is to reach the lost are calling us to see people come to Christ. Our calling is to go everywhere with us here or Florida or Texas or across the world hold tell people about Jesus. That's our calling you to do what you gonna do we have to leave the trivial behind I have to leave the trivial behind. I have to stop my foolishness and say God help me.

I'm ready to cast. I want to get back doing what really matters. Thank you so much for joining us for this message. Jesus has called us to go fishing not to be content with getting one or two. Bring a multitude of souls saying Christ. Just remember, before you can catch fish yourself have to be thought, place your faith and trust in Christ today for more information visit us online.org for this sermon's notes. Check out Pastor Shaw's block and I was on shop.com