SAVED WITH PURPOSE

Are you a believer who has been praying and asking God, “What is your purpose?” Have you been sitting in church and seeing others doing the work of ministry and feeling left out? Well, I am here today to inform you that you do have a purpose. God has the same assignment for every believer. What is this same assignment you ask? The answer is we are all called to be fishers of men; we are all called to evangelize the lost.

Jesus started His ministry at age thirty in Galilee in the land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim by the way of the sea beyond Jordan. Shortly after returning from fasting for forty days and being tempted by Satan, He stood by the lake of Gennesaret while people were surrounding Him to hear His message. He noticed two empty fishing ships that belonged to fishermen who were out of them and washing their nets. Jesus asked Simon Peter, who owned one of the ships, to allow Him to use it. Simon Peter concurred and moved the ship with Jesus in it away from the shore. Jesus then sat down and taught the gathered crowd. When He had finished his message, He told Simon Peter, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Simon Peter responded, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” Following Jesus’s instruction, Simon caught a great multitude of fish, and his net broke. Responding to Simon Peter’s summons, his partners came to help him with another ship, and when both ships were filled to capacity, they began to sink. Overwhelmed by what had happened, Simon Peter fell to his knees and said to Jesus, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Jesus replied, “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” After bringing their ships to land, they left their ships and followed Jesus. This was recorded in Luke 5.

Without the details given by Luke, Matthew 4:18-22 records Jesus walking by the Sea of Galilee, seeing Simon Peter and Andrew, and saying to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” His intent for these and future disciples was expressed within His statement

For three years, Simon Peter, Andrew, and the other disciples were taught, commissioned, and sent forth by Jesus to preach, heal, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils (Matthew 10:5-8). Then, prior to His ascension, He met with His disciples and followers and told them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone. (Matthew 28:16-28, Luke 24:46-48, Mark 16:15-20).

Many years later, Acts 17:6 revealed that the Jews labeled the followers, the ones who had turned the world upside down. So apparently, they did as instructed, for they went and preached everywhere, and under the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word was confirmed with signs following. Their actions disturbed some, but the results were that many souls were brought into the kingdom of God.

For all who evangelize and are fishers of men, there is a reward promised in heaven which is known as the Crown of Rejoicing. This crown will be given tothose who share the gospel and help bring others to salvation (1 Thessalonians 2:19).Hopefully, knowing in heaven we can join with the twenty-four elders in casting our obtained crowns before the throne of God will inspire us and continually remind us that we are saved with purpose (Revelation 4:10).