Casting The Net

By: Keith McNeely

             “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:” (Matthew 13:47). What is the work of the kingdom, or the church, and how would you, if given the chance, describe it? Jesus here describes the kingdom and its message which is contained in the Gospel as being like a net.

            Our King came seeking the lost, looking for those that needed a physician (Luke 5:31; 19:10); thus, as His subjects in the kingdom, (synonymous with the church) we also are given the responsibility to continue casting the net. Paul spoke of the preaching the Gospel that he and others did on a continuous basis back in the first century (1 Corinthians 1:18, 21). Titus 1:3 indicates that the word of God was made known through their preaching. One then can reason today that the work of the kingdom would include the proclamation of the Gospel, which like a net will begin to “catch” or take root like a “seed” (Luke 8:11) in the hearts of various individuals in all walks of life.

            Imagine the life of a fisherman. It surely has a fleeting moment of glory when one might return to the dock with a great catch, however, a high percentage of the time it is hard work. Can you picture the fisherman casting the heavy net over the side of the boat and then under great strain bringing it back up out of the water, all the while never knowing how effective each cast of the net will be? Likewise, we are told to go into all the world and to every creature preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15).

            Understand, dear Christian brother or sister that the work of casting the net of the Gospel is not an easy task; however, it is a life changing task. We can picture the changes in the lives of such individuals as Peter, Paul and others in the New Testament. Further, understand that when we take up this task we are working for our King, Jesus, and that He has given us a commodity (the Gospel) which details the message of “the precious” blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19).

True Worship First Pleases God

By: Joe Spangler

The purpose of worship is to show devotion to God. How could something be worship if it ignores what God requests and is done to please the "worshiper" in his desire? Love demands that we not ignore what God wants in worship for our own preferences.

When Cain chose to not make his devotion as God had directed, he sinned and the worship was refused. See Ge. 4:1-7; He.11:4. John says that Cain's works were evil 1Jn.3:12).

When the priests, sons of Aaron, offered devotion to God in a way that God had not authorized, they were devoured by fire (Le. 10:1, 2). Moses reminded his brother that those who would approach God in worship must respect, or sanctify, Him so glorifying Him (Le.10:3). God looks for men and women who will worship Him with true devotion and in the manner He prescribes.

Jesus said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (Jn. 4:23-24)

If worship is made according to man's preference and pleasure, but not as God directs, how can it really glorify or honor Him? It cannot. In truth, Christ warns that following man's teaching in worship and not in true devotion to God is vain or wasted. Read His condemnation of some in Matthew 15:8, 9:

Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

One does not worship God from the heart who exalts the teachings and practices of men over God's. It cannot be in the right spirit or according to truth. One must be concerned more with honoring God and His words than pleasing self or others in worship.

It is possible to know how God desires us to worship Him; by studying and following the teaching and records of worship in the Bible. Acceptable worship must first be pleasing to God.

Put Failure in the Past and Move On

By: Kevin Rutherford

             There is not a person in this world who has not failed at something. There is not a man or woman who has not disappointed themselves at one time or another. Some people allow the failures of the past to eat away at their souls until they give up trying. This is the wrong attitude. Michael Jordan is known for being a six-time NBA champion, five-time NBA MVP, and two-time Olympic gold medalist. He is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. What people sometimes forget is that he failed many times. Jordan once said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

            An even greater example of one who would not allow the failures of the past to keep him from being successful is the apostle Paul. He failed miserably when he persecuted Christians (Acts 8:1-3; Acts 9:1-3; Acts 22:1-5). He thought he was pleasing God, when in fact, he was working against God. When he understood the truth he obeyed the truth and was baptized into Christ (Acts 22:16). Paul did not allow the failures of the past to keep him from continuing to work hard to please the Lord. It was Paul who wrote about, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (Philippians 3:12-14).

            Another Biblical example of one who failed, but recovered from his failures to continue on is Peter. Peter failed the Lord the night Jesus was arrested (Mt. 26:69-75). Peter had promised the Lord he would never deny Him, but when pressed with fear Peter denied the Lord three times. He failed, but he did not give up. Peter is the one who preached the powerful Pentecost sermon which opened the gate to heaven and established the church (Acts 2). Peter would fail again later, but he would not give up (Galatians 2:11-13).

            Perhaps you have been a terrible sinner in the past, but you can move on (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). You can repent, be baptized and receive remission of sins (Acts 2:38). God will forgive you when you come to Him (Luke 15). Maybe you have failed since you became a Christian. Maybe you have given into temptation and have sinned (James 1:12-15). Then you need to repent, confess your sin to God, ask for forgiveness and go on (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9; Hebrews 4:14-16). God will forgive you, and God will help you (1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 8:28, 31; Philippians 4:13).

            Christianity is a lifelong battle for your soul. Don’t give up before you die. Fight the influence of Satan in your life until the day you die. When you get knocked down by Satan and sin, get back up and try again. No matter how he may pound on you, and no matter how many times he may knock you down, get up and try again. God will forgive you and you must forgive yourself and go on. Never let failure keep you down.