Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. When the Lord was in the
process of calling His disciples, who would later be known as His
apostles, He told Simon, who He named Peter, and Andrew that
He would make them fishers of men. He used this unusual terminology
to describe to them His purpose for them, since they were fishermen
by trade. He told them that the chief object
of their harvest from that day forward would be men rather than
fish. We see his prophecy fulfilled
on the day of Pentecost, as Peter preached the gospel to the multitude
gathered in Jerusalem. A great harvest of souls was
taken in, as they that gladly received his word were baptized,
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand
souls. And then, continuing forward
from that day, the Lord added to the church daily, such as
should be saved. Now in this passage there is
evidence that the Lord intended for his word to be preached so
that men might hear it and hearing it might believe. He has sent
men into the world with that message for that purpose. He
even uses persecution and adversity to cause those whom he would
send to go forth bearing that precious seed. The preaching
of the gospel is directed by the hand of Almighty God to accomplish
a particular result, and it shall not fail nor in any wise come
short of that purpose. The modern-day concept of soul
winning seems to be devoid of that knowledge. It seems that
the advocates of soul winning today have forgotten, or perhaps
never knew, that there is a difference in men being drawn to Christ
and men being persuaded to acknowledge his work and or follow him. Many
followed him when he walked on the earth, but they only did
so for a season, that is temporarily. Some did so because they were
impressed with miracles, some because he fed them with loaves
and fishes, and still others because they were convinced he
was going to lead them out of earthly oppression and poverty. But the time came when they would
not endure sound doctrine, and practically all of them went
away. Simon Peter gave evidence of his faith when he told the
Lord that there was no one else for him to turn to. Peter confessed
his faith when he told the Lord, Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God. The Lord said unto him, Flesh
and blood, if not revealed it to you, but my Father which is
in heaven. Peter was a recipient of heavenly revelation and gives
evidence of the fact that no man can or will come to faith
unless he is drawn. The emptiness and weakness of
much modern day preaching is because many believe that the
purpose of preaching is to persuade men to do something. Yet the
scripture indicates that our main goal in preaching is to
exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and then he will draw men to himself. Redemption is the work of Christ
from beginning to end. He may be pleased from time to
time to use men as vessels, to bear forth the sweet healing
balm of the gospel. But make no mistake about this,
unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build
it. Modern-day soul winning is built on the same principles
of the flesh that any other sales endeavor is, that of closing
the deal. Most spend more time trying to
get someone to pray the sinner's prayer or make some commitment
than they do in unfolding the unsearchable riches of the redemptive
work of our Lord Jesus Christ. More effort is put into getting
the mood right for the invitation or altar call than in the exaltation
of him who gives eternal life to those who seek him. Nowhere
in the scripture do we find evidence of any preacher asking anyone
to do anything. There is ample evidence, however,
of men being pricked in their hearts by the gospel, asking
what they need to do. Many can be persuaded to pray
a canned prayer, but only God can break a sinner's heart and
cause him to cry out for mercy. God does not need freelance fishermen,
but rather sends his fishermen. They don't fish with an unmended
net. The message they preach is Jesus
Christ and Him crucified. They fish in the spot that they
are directed to fish in. Sometimes the Lord would have
them to fish without apparent result. Even when the fishing
is best, some fish will be netted which are unfit and are destined
to be thrown back. Sadly, all who confess Christ
don't know Him. It is the Lord who sends the
fishermen and guides the fish to the net. He is faithful to
call His sheep by name and He will be satisfied. For a free
CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email to
forthepoor at windstream.net.