gospel

Putting Pragmatism to Death in Evangelism

/ Richard Bargas / 2 Comments

Simon answered and said, “Master, we labored all night and caught nothing, but at Your word, I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish. And their nets began to break;  (Luke 5:5–6, LSB)

Whenever I have heard a lesson or sermon on this passage in Luke 5:1-11, the emphasis always seems to be on verse 10 and Jesus’ words, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men”  (Luke 5:10, LSB). The application is often about how we need to be witnesses for Christ, engaged in “man-fishing.” I’d agree that this passage marks a turn of focus for Jesus’ disciples from part-time disciples to full time Gospel witnesses.

For a second, I’d like to look at this passage from a slightly different angle and emphasis. Jesus is teaching along the lakeside and sits in a boat to teach. He asks for Simon to push out into deeper water and to cast his nets.

At the end of this section is when we read about Jesus’ transition to the change of vocation, “catching men.” In reflection, how often are we as Christians like Peter in our thinking regarding evangelism (catching men)? We have made all our efforts and yet have been unsuccessful.

I enjoy fishing for fish. This summer, one of my daughters caught 40 fish over a span of about 4 days—outfishing her dad. It was a “proud papa” moment. But the whole modern fishing industry knows that not every fisherman is successful when he throws his line into the water. The possibilities on the shelves offering success (for a price) are endless: stronger fishing line that is more flexible and less visible; more realistic lures and baits that entice fish to bite; stronger, more sensitive poles; reels whose action is as smooth as butter! With all that the modern fisherman can spend in his local sporting goods store, he could have bought a very nice grilled fish dinner for his whole family—for a week! The disciples had far fewer options for their net fishing, but they depended upon their own human experience and ability as the tools that kept food on the table and a roof over their heads.

Unfortunately, the modern day fishing industry isn’t the only place that the gullible fisherman is being sold things he doesn’t need. In the Church, there are a lot of people “selling” all sorts of techniques and tools that are sure to bring in the “big one” with the gospel. Tracts, booklets, videos, coins, prayer cloths, anointing oils, emotional appeals, comic books, and more all claim to be the missing thing in the man-fishing tacklebox. Let’s get back to Jesus there on the shore with his fishermen…

Peter reluctantly obeys. After all, what did Jesus know? He was a carpenter and they had experience on their side. Out of respect for their Master, the fishermen listened. It would be embarrassing, but they had warned Him. He would see that they knew better. But they didn’t. The nets and boats fill with fish to the point of sinking. Peter is astonished and gives glory to God, as they are all filled with fear (vv. 8-10).

The Lord might use our evangelism training classes, our tracts, our Bible studies, or our Gospel magic trick, just as He used the nets to grab those fish. But He doesn’t need the nets, or the fishermen. He chooses to use these means, and we are grateful that He has chosen to use us as His fishers of men. But here is our lesson. It’s not just that we must be fishers of men. It is that the results of our catch are not for us to boast in. And when we fail to catch? We have not failed. We are called to be fishers, not catchers. In our supposed failure, we will be tempted to change our methods, or worse, our message. Instead we need to remember the critical role that God plays in evangelism—He brings the people to Himself.

When Jesus intervenes, and we bear much fruit, how foolish we are to think it was the way we cast our nets, or the depth of the water, or whether it was day or night, or whatever. The amazing harvest is not due to anything we did, but because the Master has commanded and we obeyed. And when we feel reluctant to fish for men in unfavorable conditions, we betray our thinking that it is the conditions that make for the harvest and our success or failure.

More than anything, the Lord honors our efforts when we follow Him in obedience. Whether we have a small pocket New Testament and nothing else, or we have an elaborate ministry program—God can use it. But when we see the results, we must take care not to take credit and if we are faithful, we cannot think we have somehow failed. The Lord drew the fish into the nets, and He is the One who draws the soul to Himself.

Peter’s Response to Criticism: A Lesson in Faith

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“Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” (Acts 11:1–3, LSB)

People were saved, and yet there is criticism.

Note that even in the greatest blessings within the church, there is always at least one person (or two) willing to see the negative side. And notice that the problem they have with this is an unbiblical tradition that was broken. 

How does Peter respond? Here we have a wonderful example! Peter is calm and patient. He explains the situation, brings biblical clarity, and then humbly awaits the church to share its wisdom. In this instance, they concurred with Peter.

Had the majority agreed with the circumcision party, I do not think Peter would have bowed out and remained silent. However, his first response was to trust the Spirit to lead the leaders, and if they were not led by the Spirit, then I think Peter would have continued to passionately reason with them from the Word.

Here is the balance of Spirit and truth; shepherding and yet being shepherded. Let us learn both.

Biblical Truths vs. Ecumenical Unity

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 “And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him to his face and said to King Jehoshaphat, ‘Should you help the wicked and love those who hate Yahweh and so bring wrath on yourself from Yahweh?’”  (2 Chronicles 19:2, LSB)

Working well with others is something we were hopefully taught as small children. Learning to get along with people, even people we don’t often agree with, is a mark of maturity and a necessity in any healthy society.

But when discussing religion, particularly Christianity, do the same ideas of cooperation and friendly interfaith dialogues need to be pursued? If you are ecumenical, you’d probably answer in the affirmative, pointing out that Jesus was a peacemaker and taught His disciples to love all people.

Those, such as myself, who don’t agree with the central ideas of ecumenism would agree that Jesus came to bring peace and that we are to love all people. We should treat all people with care and respect, not just those who believe what we believe or look like we do.

However, Christianity makes truth claims, and those propositional truths often come into direct conflict with the ideas and philosophies of the world and those of all other religions and traditions. Ecumenism seeks to flatten out beliefs in favor of the lowest common denominator so that we can work together in harmony. For instance, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity come from an Abrahamic root. All three religions are also monotheistic. But if you poke just below these surface truths, you will find a lot of disagreement. Enough that wars continue to rage because of these critical underlying differences.

I find it no small matter that God Himself doesn’t embrace this ecumenical spirit that some claim in His name. In the Old Testament, false idols and their altars are repeatedly torn down, and their prophets are put to death. In the New Testament, warnings against idolatry continue (1 John 5:21; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9),  with the result that external idols of wood and stone were still rejected, along with the internal idols of the heart.

In the above passage of 2 Chronicles 19, God rebukes the relatively godly king of Judah for working with the famously wicked king of Israel, Ahab. Ahab and Jehoshaphat partnered to fight a common enemy, which resulted in Ahab’s death in battle (2 Chronicles 18). And even though King Jehoshaphat forced King Ahab to seek out the Lord’s will before going to battle, as we see in the verse above, God was not pleased.

Hanani, the Lord’s prophet (called a “seer” in those days), went out for a face-to-face meeting with the king. God was angry, even though Jehoshaphat had maintained his godly reign, unlike so many other kings. Why? Because in partnering with Ahab to help him defeat an enemy, he showed love to one who hated Yahweh.

Some people justify their cooperation in ecumenical programs and fellowships because they say they will be able to maintain their biblical fidelity. Some even believe that they will be able to influence the ungodly and apostate by showing them what steadfast biblical faithfulness looks like. But let’s be honest, healthiness doesn’t spread like disease. It works the other way around. God knows that. That’s why He forbade the intermingling of the diseased with the healthy in His laws. That’s why it was such a big deal for Jesus to touch the sick and the dead. A rotten apple spoils the whole barrel. It never works the other way.

My biggest concern is not simply whether it works or doesn’t. Our biggest concern as Christians should be what God thinks about it. As we see throughout the Bible, and clearly in His response to Jehoshaphat, we risk bringing the wrath of God for the wicked upon ourselves when we love those who hate Him.

Sometimes Faith Seems Too Simple

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“And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean. But Naaman was furious and went away and said, “Behold, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in wrath. Then his servants approached and spoke to him and said, “My father, had the prophet spoken with you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy and he was clean.  (2 Kings 5:10–14, LSB)

O how we love our religious rituals. The more complex and complicated, the better.

The scene was simple. Naaman wanted to be healed of his leprosy and he had heard that there was a man of God in Israel who could do what no one else could do. So, piling up all the things you think you need, a letter of introduction, lavish gifts to help grease the wheels of the prophet and to motivate a positive response, and a long, arduous trek through arid lands to show that he was serious about being healed. When Namaan finally arrived, he must have been filled with expectation and hope.

But when the man of God didn’t even come out of his house, instead sending his servant with a message, the sick man was disappointed. Then there was the instructions—go and bathe in the Jordan river, washing seven times. In case you don’t know it, the Jordan is brown, not crystal clear. Now, Namaan grew angry. After all, he was an important man back home. Couldn’t the prophet at least come out and speak to him? And bathe in a dirty river? What about the rituals, the odd dances, potions, sparks, incantations, beads, smoke, chants…but nothing? Just take a bath in this muddy river?

Namaan almost left in disgust. We do love our rituals.

But rituals don’t heal. Neither do clear or muddy rivers. And for that matter, neither do prophets or servants of prophets. Only God has the power to heal. And God works on faith.

When his servants saw his anger and frustration, they knew they would soon be heading back home, and Namaan would still be leprous. So, they tried to reason with their master. “If the prophet had come out and made you swing a chicken over your head and then drink water upside down while you sang “Ave Maria,” would you have done it?” “Well, yes of course,” reasoned the soldier. Now that would be a proper ritual!

“Then, since we have come all this way, why wouldn’t you do the simple thing, trust the man of God, and simply wash as he asked in the Jordan river.”

You know, for some people, faith is too simple. Just trusting that Jesus died in your place for the forgiveness of sins is too easy. We need to do something. Self-flagellation or penance of some sort must be necessary. One hundred “Hail Mary’s” or skip chocolate for a month. I mean, I’ve been bad, but not as bad as that guy, we reason. But just believe? Just trust? It’s too easy! Just place my faith in the finished death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus? There’s got to be more. After all, there’s no such thing as a free lunch!

It’s true. The forgiveness of all our sins, which is more complicated than cleansing from leprosy, did cost more. It cost the life of the Son of God, who willingly gave it because of love, by dying on the cross. There’s nothing more you can do other than receiving this free gift.

When Namaan went into the muddy waters of the Jordan, he came out with skin as soft as a baby’s bottom. And when we come to Christ by faith alone in what he has done, trusting in Him, not our own works, our heart will emerge white as snow. It’s that simple.

Restoration Without True Repentance

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“Come, let us return to Yahweh. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has struck us, but He will bandage us.…What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your lovingkindness is like a morning cloud and like the dew which goes away early.” (Hosea 6:1, 4, LSB)

There is a type of emotional response that happens when one is caught in the consequences of one’s sin. The prospect of facing jail time or an imminent divorce will often bring the guilty to their knees. I was surprised to see a young man at the door of my office that I hadn’t seen in many years. His father came to our church, and as a younger teen, he had accompanied him. This man expressed to me that he knew that his life needed to change and that we would begin once again attending church services. His words seemed to be genuine, but I could sense there was more to this sudden devotion that appeared out of thin air.

Following that morning’s service, the young man came with his father to my office gain and once again spoke of the changes he was feeling regarding his desire to “get right with God.” After a few moments of this, the real motivation for his return emerged. He had been caught printing and using counterfeit US bills and was soon going to be facing a judge for his crimes. He and his father wanted to know if I would be willing to write a character letter that stated that this man had frequently attended church (which he had not in many years) and that he had good moral character (which he did not have). After listening to his appeal, I shared with him that if his return to Christ was true and sincere, then he should speak truthfully at this court hearing about his guilt, entrusting himself to the mercy of God. If he was imprisoned, then God would be with him. If God showed mercy and he was given a lesser penalty for his crime, then God’s grace was the source of this reprieve from the consequences he deserved. Whatever the case, if he was sincere, he needed to continue in his profession of faith and walk with the Lord since he claimed his faith was genuine and not simply a ploy to escape the consequences of his sin. I then shared that I would not write the letter he asked for since to do so would be lying. I never saw that man again, and his father soon left our church, angry that I refused to help his son escape prison time for counterfeiting money.

In the above passage from the book of Hosea, God’s people are acting similarly. They are feigning an attitude of repentance from their sin, but there is not much below the surface. Hosea 6:1 says, “Come, let us return to Yahweh. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has struck us, but He will bandage us.” Notice that the people never say what they are guilty of doing. They speak about the consequences of God’s hand upon them, but they do not address their own sin. Like Cain’s response to murdering his brother Abel (Gen 4:13-14), nothing is said about guilt, only the desire to remove the burden of the consequences.

Did God see through their plot and refusal to truly deal with the source of God’s displeasure? Absolutely! In Hosea 6:4, God responded with these words: “What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your lovingkindness is like a morning cloud and like the dew which goes away early.” Like dew that vanishes with the rising sun, so too did the love of Judah. Once the consequences were lifted, the Lord knew that the people would return to their sinful ways.

So what is the solution? True repentance and faith. The words that are spoken by Judah are true. God will heal and bandage what he has torn and damaged, but he will not bring about that restoration if we still conceal our deception and sin. We might be able to play games with people, hiding our intentions and true heart attitudes behind emotional appeals, but God knows the heart (2Chron 6:30; Acts 1:24).