READ PASSAGE: Matthew 13:47
CHALLENGE: Stand Out for Jesus
Vv47-50 – “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 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. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. 52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. And when it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Sat down. Separated out the good fish from the bad fish.
We used to go and seine for minnows in the state of Delaware. It was a long net with a pole on each end. We’d drag it through the salt water and catch shiners which we in turn used to catch flounder. But it was always a process of keeping what you wanted and pitching the rest back into the water. This net was huge.
The lake represents the world and the fish represent the people who populate it. There’s both good and bad! Clearly, you want to be a good fish! A keeper if you will!! But what does it mean? What can we learn from yet another analogy describing what the kingdom of heaven is like?
There Is COMMON GROUND with All People
- We Are All in It Together
All the fish are swimming around in the very same lake. The fish stand for us and that means that we are all in the same lake and we’re swimming around together both good and bad. And since we’re in the same lake and later in the same net, we’ve got some things in common.
It’s not like the good people are on one side of the lake and the bad people are on the other side and they swim next to each other. You can be fishing for one kind of fish but then catch something else. If you fish for perch, there’s a chance you’ll hook a sheep head. If you fish for Walleye, you might tie into a steelhead. Some you’d eat and others you wouldn’t. I’ve never seen carp or suckers on a menu!
We discover that there are no geographical boundaries for this kingdom of heaven. You might have neighbors who believe in Jesus and some who don’t. You work along with believers and unbelievers both. This is life.
And as we swim together, what is our common ground with ALL? We’re ALL human with the same sin nature. We are ALL made in God’s likeness. Even the fall of man did not eradicate the God spark in humanity. Since we’re made in God’s image, we should value all those around us; even people with whom we disagree.
Here’s another share – we are all loved by God. For God so loved the world! The entire world. There’s no one on the planet that he does not love. His atonement is unlimited meaning that anyone who believes can find eternal life.
Paul in talking with those in Athens said that God is not far from us. Acts 17:7 – God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
Acts 14:17 – Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
God loves all and provides all with food and things to be happy about. God’s benevolent touch reaches to every single human. The sun shines and the rain falls on both the good and the bad! Jesus said that so we would know to love all people.
We ALL experience love and heartache as well. I remember a Sunday school teacher telling the class that you cannot experience love if you’re not a Christian. Really? So, unbelievers aren’t upset when the lose a loved one? It’s not like we’re a pod person unless we put our faith in Jesus! We all love our respective families and appreciate being loved.
We all are dealing with whatever the weather is, the higher costs, cheering for our favorite sports teams. The Cleveland Browns are typically a factory of sadness for the faithful fans. We have so much in common with all those around us! Truly, we’re in it together!
- We Co-Exist
The righteous and wicked swim together. This will always be true until we depart this world. Fish do school but they are obviously in proximity to many others.
1 Corinthians 5:9-11 – I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
Paul said don’t hang out with those who claim to be a Christian but don’t live it. However, he says, you can’t leave the world! You’re going to swim around fish who are immoral, greedy, idolaters. We haven’t left the lake!!
Jesus prayed this in John 17:15 – My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Jesus understood that we’re together and in need of protection. However, the intent was never a castle mentality. We’ll have a difficult time reaching the hurting if we’re completely isolated.
Christianity is not about being in a safe fish tank. It’s about being out there with others. It’s a big world so let’s make sure that we share life even with people outside of our circle.
- We’re All Going to Exit This Life
Hebrews 9:27 – Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
That net is going to get pulled to shore and at that time, it’s over. One of the great eveners is death. Your wealth and fame and all that won’t help you there. And every one of us dies and then faces judgment. We all have this similar experience together.
What an opportunity to show the hope that we have! This world is coming to a conclusion. Jesus said over and over again that He’ll return at a time when we least expect him. And the day we always least expect to see him is today. Every knee will bow before him and that’s common ground!
- OUR CHOICES MATTER
What makes the difference between the righteous and the unrighteous? Choices. Jesus invites us to follow Him and we can say yes or no. It’s interesting that we can change our destiny through faith in Jesus Christ. We can cross over from death to life!
In some ways a trout is born a trout, a catfish is a catfish, a bass a bass and you’re not changing that. They’re born edible or inedible! But that’s not how it is with humans. We’re not born endlessly wicked or eternally saved. We have a choice, right?
Repentance would be a ludicrous message if change weren’t possible. Mary Magdalene had seven demons yet she became a follower of Christ. She went from a bad fish to a good fish! The man with a legion of demons became a totally difference person. The slimy tax collectors altered their eternal destinies from faith! Change is possible because choices are possible because we have free will.
Yes, we’re born sinners but that does not erase responsibility. Jesus offers forgiveness and we have a choice to confess and get that slate cleaned. He made a way to deal with it. In the Great White Throne Judgment the books are opened and you’re judged based on good and bad. Your choices matter. And your choices show where you’re at, not your words. Your jabbering about Jesus does not connect you with Jesus.
Let’s start with the choice to believe in Jesus. I remember speaking to a man who wanted to change before believing in Jesus. He wanted to be squeaky clean and worthy. I told him to believe in Jesus and change would follow.
I’ve seen people come out of terrible decisions and right the boat by making good decisions. I’ve seen people be in great situations but capsize their ship by making horrible decisions. How are you using your free will?
I’ve had people make comments like this, “That’s just who I am”. I just get angry and yell and throw things. Well, stop making that choice. I look forward to the day when we cannot blame everyone and their brother. We’ll stand before God someday and excuses will be a flimsy shield.
God’s going to separate out the wicked and the righteous. He said that this is how it is at the end of the age. Were we good or bad? As Jesus said, you’ll know them by their fruit.
- CONTRASTS
- Two Polar Opposite Sides
There are clear sides in this case because there’s the righteous and the wicked. What defines the righteous and the wicked? Both exist. Contrary to public opinion, not every idea is a good one. And not every person is a good person.
Even in the stories of Santa Claus, there was a naughty list and you didn’t want to be on it. There was also a nice list. You better watch out You better not cry You better not pout I’m telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town He’s making a list He’s checking it twice He’s going to find out Who’s naughty and nice, Santa Claus is coming to town He sees you when you’re sleeping He knows when you’re awake He knows when you’ve been bad or good So be good for goodness sake
The church version of Santa included coal for bad children and treats for good. You might get coal. You might get a treat. So, even in the benevolent Christmas story there’s the acknowledgement that some people are good while others, not so much. And there was some incentive to live right.
The synonyms of wicked would be evil, bad, base, worthless, vicious, degenerate. Clearly people not taking God’s Word seriously. The righteous are those who are living by a standard set by God. The Ten Commandments for instance, is a standard of behavior. Be honest and moral and have integrity and don’t kill and covet. These are the values set forth by God.
What about being both righteous and wicked? To attempt to be both would be being fake. Obviously you’re not serious about one or the other. Like Jesus said, you can’t love God and money. You can’t go both ways! You can’t gloss evil with camouflage of church smiles and service but then ignore the truth. A good tree produces good fruit.
Here’s a sampling of what we should watch.
- Belief vs Disbelief
As you look at the book of John, this is how the people were divided. Do you believe or do you not believe?
John 3:36 – Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
You were never out of spiritual harm apart from faith. You’re on a free fall until you believe. You don’t believe, you’re free falling spiritually. Belief and unbelief.
Spurgeon – Unbelief has more phases than the moon and more colors than the chameleon. Common people say of the devil that he is seen sometimes in one shape and sometimes in another. I am sure this is true of Satan’s first born child—unbelief, for its forms are legion.
To get us to doubt that we’re able to be saved. To get us to doubt the way to be saved. To get us to believe in our own good works instead of Jesus. To wrap ourselves in agnosticism. All of these things are huge mistakes.
John 16:8-9 – When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me;
What is sin? Not believing in Jesus. What is salvation? Believing in Jesus. He sent His son to die on the cross for our sins. He’s the payment. He’s the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. He is the sole determiner so I need to make a decision.
God opens a way of salvation because we need to believe it. So righteous and wicked are defined by belief or unbelief.
- Love vs Hate
Loving people is a huge part of what righteousness looks like. When John the Baptist talked about repentance, it was about sharing with others. If you have two coats, share with him who has none. Soldiers, don’t extort more than you should. To tax collectors, don’t take more than you should. It was all about how we treat people.
Do you think that our use of finances shows where our heart is at with God? It certainly can show if we love people or not.
Why was Boaz so righteous? He helped Ruth and Naomi. Jesus talked about sheep and goats and that all depended on how they treated the least of these brothers of mine. Water to the thirsty. Food to the hungry. Clothing to the naked. Visiting the sick and imprisoned. It all swirled around mercy ministries which are ultra important.
When Job was laying out the defense of his own righteousness, he spelled out how he defended the father, the widows, and the poor. His use of resources in regards to others showed where he was at.
What did the rich man do to deserve hell? He ignored the poor man, Lazarus. Do we help others as we are able? This seems to be a huge concern of Scripture.
Over and over again, our treatment of others comes into play. I’m glad we did the Operation Christmas Child. We had over 180 people here packing 1240 boxes! I’m glad that we do The Vine and pack lunches for children and Halo. Do we love or not?
- Obedience vs Disobedience
If we love Jesus we will do what Jesus tells us to do. Clearly allowing God’s word to guide us is part of what qualifies a person as righteous.
God is the highest court there is and we should obey him in all things. Are we choosing to do the right thing or to say the right thing?
Usually right and wrong isn’t a knowledge problem. It’s just a matter of saying no to evil desires and yes to Jesus!
Job spelled out righteousness in Job 31. He didn’t lust, he was faithful to his wife, he helped the less fortunate, he was honest. He was a many of integrity. He did what God wanted him to do. He could have not been considered righteous apart from obedience.
Obviously, we cannot fake all of this. Believe, love others, do right! Those work together to determine who we really are in God’s eyes.
- Two Polar Opposite Destinies
Good fish go into baskets where they would be taken to market and do good for others. The bad fish are pitched out. The one destiny discussed here is a blazing fire and that’s where the wicked go. Those who don’t believe and have never had their sins forgiven.
50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
There’s a contrast in behaviors and a contrast in destinies. Where are you going? We’re all in it together but we’re not all making the same decisions.
When you think of heaven, it’s a no tears place. That’s where I want to be. Put your belief in Jesus Christ.