The Making of Fishers of Men (Part 3)

Process
Exploration – Growing – Moving Closer – Christ Centered/Others Minded = (Fisher of Men)

We’ve been discussing the process of developing a person, from someone who is just investigating life’s path, into becoming a full-fledged follower of Jesus and a fisher of men.  We looked at the first phase of all of our lives, which we called the exploration phase.  We saw the awesome benefit of making places in our lives where explorers can be invited in, so they can search out Christ with a friend at their side.  We addressed the need to keep moving because there is a destination of becoming fishers of men!

The next phase was identified as the Growing phase.  This is for someone who has made a decision to make Christ his or her savior.   We saw however that the “growing” journey really only begins at the point the person determines to make Jesus Lord and becomes His disciple.

At this phase, personal faith development is often valued above other things; sometimes people get stalled by becoming consumers and never get to the goal of becoming Christ like/others minded.  We know this growth phase should never end as God instructs us to study to know Him. Often these people can’t see the value of the assembly or being part of a group.  So now let’s investigate the next leg of the journey called Moving Closer.

Process
Exploration – Growing – Moving Closer – Christ Centered/Others Minded = (Fisher of Men)

Moving Closer

Closer is a word of comparative proximity.  I’ve chosen it very carefully.  Are you moving closer to God than you were yesterday?  Is prayer something you do to merely get your personal needs met or a moment in time to spend with your heavenly father so you can be closer to Him?  The Growing phase typically focuses on our own faith development but the Moving Closer phase moves toward a focus on God and His family called the church.

Matthew 16:18   … And I tell you that you are Peter,  and on this rock I (Jesus) will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.        

Jesus is building His church not just individual believers.  This Moving Closer phase speaks to the need and desire to be part of what God is involved with in the earth.  He’s not building our church with its programs and activities; He’s building His church, which is the gathering of those who love Him so that they might become others minded.  Those moving closer have grown in love with Him by meeting Him in His word, prayer and worship personally so now they can’t wait to experience Him corporately.

Again remember that we are looking at these phases like building blocks so you are adding each part of the process not neglecting the previous parts.  You don’t forsake the ability to walk just because you learned how to run a marathon and you don’t forsake the exploration side of faith building or the growth aspect just because you are now drawing closer to God and His people.

1 Corinthians 12:27   …Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.     

This moving closer brings us into a very important awareness of the need for the rest of the body of Christ.  We see the great joy of connecting and giving our time, talent and treasure to advance the kingdom of God together.  The overwhelming joy of gathering becomes essential and not just a thing to do.  The benefit of connecting your part with the rest of the parts becomes heightened.  You begin to see that your part or contribution helps to advance God’s mission and you’re excited about offering it.  Nobody has to demand it; you give it freely.

Ephesians 4:15-16   …Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.     

I’m concerned about any church that seeks to be filled with independent people living on their own and for themselves.  Sadly, people who don’t see that they have a part to play in the overall plan of God are often embittered about something someone once did in the church and so now they choose to never contribute anything from their life again.  

You have been blessed with substance in your life because God is trying to get you to add your part to the whole, so His work can be done.  Folks who withhold themselves from the group have yet to experience this phase of development.  They may be growing, but they are clearly not moving closer to God, because He always calls us to be others minded.  People who just show up to get their religious card punched are far from experiencing God’s best.  I’ve stated that at CFC we believe in people starting out by riding in the wagon with little responsibility but those who really benefit are those who help pull the wagon.

A few years back John and Frannie Bohlken walked through our door having been part of one of the largest churches in Mpls.  They were involved in a first class growing faith life but had not invested themselves by adding their part to that churches ministry team, partly because it was an hour drive to church.  When they came to CFC they determined to help pull this wagon and they have become such incredible servants.  John is at the soundboard making the service enjoyable to your ears and Frannie is at the computer making the service pleasant to your eyes.

They also invite guests, participate in a Life Group and influence people in their workplaces as they serve with hearts of gold and God has richly blessed them and us in the process.  They are excellent examples of those who have participated in this phase of development.

I’ve seen a few times when folks who search to get closer forget that the real goal is to become more Christ like and others minded by inviting others to know this Jesus of theirs.  They begin to value the group but solidify the walls of the group and let few new people in.  This is the death of the church.  Walls don’t just keep the bad guys out, they keep you from getting out and affecting those God loves.  The church should always be exploring, growing and moving closer to Jesus and each other so that we begin to fish for men.

Not one person contains all of the gifts needed to reach this lost world.  God has chosen to place them in each of you so that we will need each other in order to fulfill His assignment.   Ask yourself if you are moving closer to God and enjoying His company.  Search to see if you value the rest of the body of Christ more today than last month.  Listen to God’s word.

Hebrews 10:23-25   …Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.     

So Moving closer is two fold; moving closer to God by becoming more Christ-like and also moving closer to His body so we might carry out Jesus plan of rescuing lost humanity.

Process
Exploration – Growing – Moving Closer – Christ Centered/Others Minded = (Fisher of Men)

Next week we will look into the life that God has planned for us all.  We have a goal and this will help you understand His purpose for keeping you on this planet after you have been born again.

Notes from Pastor Pasch’s March 22, 2009 message – to get a free CD of the complete message, contact Christ’s Family Church @ 651-437-2340.