Tonights question: Can we share the gospel message with just fish verses?
This is the last verse we went over last week. I think it might be significant to our quest.
John 21:9-11
”When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.“
Remember our discussion about the number 153. There are theories, but the only thing we know for sure is there were 153 fish in the net. Maybe it is stated so we can remember it???
Gospel thru Fish?
Can we see the gospel just thru fish? Is the Bible so succinct that we can “get to heaven” thru fish?
Broad steps to get to heaven:
1 God existis
2 I am a sinner
3 All sinners deserve Hell’
4 Jesus paid it all
5 Repent
6 Believe
1 – God Existis:
”Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”“
2 – I am a sinner
Matthew 7:10-11
”“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!“
This is a great verse, and there’s a lot going on. When Jesus asks this question, he is answering a bigger question, is, “does God hear our prayers?“
His answer is, what parent won’t do what’s right for their child when they ask? But then he says even a “good“ parent is evil. They are evil because they’re tainted by sin. So even an evil parent will do what’s right for their child, how much better is God?
Note – look at the child is asking for bread or fish. This is to fulfill basic need. He is not asking for a new mountain bike. Pray to God, and he will fulfill your needs. He is not a Genie though.
3 – All sinners deserve Hell
Matthew 13:47-50
”“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.“
Jesus is using a story that everyone listening would understand very clearly. They’re near the sea of Galilee so every person there knows and understands fishing. Here the net is cast out into the sea sinks to the bottom and collect everything in its path. Then it’s taken on shore, and sorted. The fish they kept, the fish they don’t want or gotten rid of. When the people hear Jesus tell the story, they understand exactly what’s going on with the fish. But then, he will turn this on them.
He says, in the end there will be a judgment. There will be good fish, and Bad fish, or good people, and bad people. Only one thing will make them good, and that is a saving relationship with Jesus. You either have Jesus, or you don’t. You’re either saved from the fiery furnace, or you’re thrown into it.
This particular parable does not explain what it takes to be saved. The point of this is that there will be a separation, and there are only two categories.
4 – Jesus paid it all
”For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.“
Why was Jesus in the heart of the earth for 3 days? He paid it all. You can’t read this verse… and think about it… without asking the question why Jesus ? What does he mean? He is there, because Jesus paid it all.
5 – Repent
”Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.“ ”He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.“
In the story of Jonah, God asked Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and tell them to repent and turn back to God. Jonah doesn’t want to, and he runs away from God by going onto a ship. There’s a terrible storm and the sailors decided to throw Jonah overboard. God sends a giant fish to swallow Jonah and he stays in there for three days and three nights. During this time, Jonah repents as you can see in verse 2:1 Where it says “you listen to my cry.” Jonah is saying this before God responds, which shows us that Jonah both repented and has faith that God heard him.
6 – Believe:
Tie it together: …maybe a stretch???
John 20:30-31 – NIV
30. Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
This verse is immediately before the 153 catch of fish.