Intro:  Brian’s new idea of catching shiners.  Rod, reel & tackle wouldn’t work.  Rethink it.

Big Idea: Jesus uses average people to build His kingdom.

Context: Matthew’s goal is to establish that Jesus is the Messiah, fulfilling the promises to Abraham & David.  Jesus gathers disciples to instruct them, train them and send them out to build His kingdom.

A. Jesus calls people to be His followers.  “Hey, after me.”  Finds them at their nets.  Ill. Brian

-         Disciples chose rabbis to study under (upside-down).  Jesus calls them- definitive choice.

-         Simon’s name is Jewish, but Andrew’s is Greek.  Galilee’s a cultural melting pot.

-         Both sets of brothers immediately left their jobs.  Obedience is costly, though it differs.

B. Jesus calls people to go rescue the lost. “I will make you fishers of men.”  He will do it!

-         They think they’ll be agents of destruction (Jeremiah 16:16; Amos 4:2).

-         But Jesus sends them out to save the lost, not condemn them.

-         As Jesus was sent into the world, Jesus sends us into the world (Mt. 28 & John 17:18).

-         Mistake #1: This task is only for church leaders.

-         Mistake #2: We wait for them to come to us.  We need to change, reform, our thinking.

-         Fish because you love Jesus & delight in honoring Him.  Ill. Fishing for Brian’s sake.

Transition: Jesus calls all those who follow to fish for men.  So, how do we do this?

II. Application:  Gospel + Church + Culture = Reformission

A. Repent of everything keeping you from local missions.  The mission is wherever you are.

-         Fear of man, & fear of catching their sin.  Ill. homosexuals

-         Lack of love for God & our neighbors.  Make them come on our terms; don’t seek them.

-         Self-righteousness.  Some people don’t deserve the Great News.

-         Because Jesus died for us, we can be forgiven & empowered.

B. Know where you are fishing- cultural context.  Ill. Fresh vs. Salt Water; lake vs. stream

-         Cultures are a mix of dignity & depravity- just like you!  All have connection points.

-         Jesus entered a particular culture, and worked within that culture, not an ideal one.

-         Paul preached the same gospel in differently to different groups (1 Cor. 9).

-         What worked w/one culture/generation won’t necessarily work with others.  Ill. 4 gospels

-         Understand cultures by experiencing its art: books, magazines, music, & movies.

C. Know what you are fishing for- personal context.  Ill. Bass vs. Speckled Perch

-         There is a variety of experience & belief within a culture.  Ask questions.

-         Discover their needs or interests addressed by the Great News.  Jesus saw they fished!

D. Fish by living an authentic, repentant life of faith.

-         Don’t add more activities- just be a Christian in all you do.  Ill. Driscoll & photographer

-         Extreme #1: Hiding or downplaying your faith.

-         Extreme #2: Exaggerating the role of your faith.  Ill. My parents’ visit