DAY 2: FISHERS OF MEN: Passion for the ONE That’s Lost

I love the story of the day when Peter met Jesus. You see, Peter and his brother were commercial fishermen. They knew all things FISHING. Well, they were up on the shores of Lake Gennesaret once cleaning their nets after fishing ALL NIGHT long and not catching so much as a minnow. At this same time that they were cleaning their nets, Jesus was teaching on the shore and the crowds began to really press in and He noticed a couple of boats tied up and asked if He could climb up in the one that belonged to Peter (who was called Simon at that time). Peter pushed the boat out from the shore a bit and let Jesus use his boat as a pulpit to teach from.

Afterwards, Jesus looked at Peter and the boys and basically told them He wanted to go fishin’ and bless their business (Ward’s translation). Peter was like, “Master, I’m telling ya, we know what we’re doing and trust me - there ain’t nothing to be caught out there! We been fishin’ all night man!” At this point, I can just imagine Jesus sort of smiling. Then Peter says, “Nevertheless, because YOU say so, we’re gonna go fishing again”.

The Bible tells us in Luke 5:6 that when they let their nets down again with Jesus that their huge commercial sized fishing nets became so filled up with fish that they began to break the nets and sink the boat. So they had to call the other fishermen around them to come help! I can just see Jesus getting a big kick out of this, laughing and grinning, can’t you!?

After experiencing such a miraculous show of God’s goodness, the Bible says that Peter fell to his knees saying, “Depart from me, Lord! I’m a sinful man!”

I want you to notice something right there in Luke 5:8. It’s so clear that we don’t have to tell people how awful they are to bring about repentance. It was literally the absolute goodness of God on display that brought Simon Peter to his knees. Paul would later say in Romans 2:4 that it is “the goodness of God that leads men to repentance”. THIS is the ministry of Jesus. It’s amazing isn’t it? This Good News Gospel!! It brings change! This is a walk with Jesus y’all! Our ministry as new covenant believers is a ministry that should display the goodness of God!

“He has qualified us [making us sufficient] as ministers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not of the letter [of a written code] but of the Spirit; for the letter [of the Law] kills [by revealing sin and demanding obedience], but the Spirit gives life.”

2 Corinthians 3:6 AMP

“For if the ministry that brings condemnation [the old covenant, the Law] has glory, how much more does glory overflow in the ministry that brings righteousness [the new covenant which declares believers free of guilt and sets them apart for God’s special purpose]!”

2 Corinthians 3:9 AMP

Praise God! So, back to the story. Simon Peter caught a glimpse of who Jesus was by the demonstration of God’s goodness extended towards him and it caused a true reflective state and a repentance that brought Peter to his knees in surrender.

In Luke 5:10, Jesus responds to Peter and says, “You don’t have to be afraid. From now on, you’re gonna be fishing for men & women”.

I love that. Peter fell to his knees and was trembling and what is the first thing that Jesus says to him?? He says, “you don’t have to be afraid!!” Praise God! This is the Good News, family! You don’t have to be afraid! Perfect love really does cast out all fear and once we realize how much Jesus loves us, it MAKES US LOVE HIM (1 John 4:18-19).

It has been the joy of our lives to travel as brothers presenting the GOOD News. We’ve literally spent the majority of our lives telling everybody that would listen that God LOVES THEM and that He’s not mad AT them, but that He is mad ABOUT them. If you’ve ever seen us in the live setting, you’ve probably heard us quote James 1:13 & John 10:10 a time or two. It’s because we’ve found it helpful in presenting the Gospel to let people know that God doesn’t tempt them with evil things (James 1:13). We love sharing the words of Jesus when He said, “the THIEF comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I’ve come that you might have life and have it more abundantly”. It’s amazing how many people are relieved to hear that God is actually FOR them and not against them. It opens their hearts to wanna get to know the real Jesus.

There haven’t always been big crowds of folks at our concerts. There hasn’t been a whole bunch of record sales or accolades or applause. In all fairness, there honestly hasn’t even been what many would consider a “large” evangelistic statistic that we can give you from all of our years on the road. When you look back on about 2,000 “shows” to date for Consumed By Fire, we’ve probably seen upwards of 100,000 precious people at our concerts decide to walk with Jesus. While we are absolutely thrilled that God could use these 3 country boys in any kind of capacity, we understand that in comparison to big evangelistic ministries, that’s not considered a whole lot of “ROI” if you will. Haha! But the Bible tells us that Heaven sure did throw a party every single time that ONE individual sinner repented and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior! So, if it’s good enough for Heaven to stop and rejoice, then we’re gonna stop and rejoice as well! You have to refuse to get caught up in playing the world’s games of what is and isn’t “success” and “worth it”. I believe that being passionate about the ONE will keep our hearts in check over the worldly need for platforms, parades, and publicity.

“Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.”

Luke 15:4-7 MSG

There have been so many times over the years we felt like we were traveling into the wilderness down an old rural dirt road that the GPS didn’t even recognize (especially in the Mapquest days). Haha! But we knew that we were on a mission. We believed that we were being sent (and we still do). We might not always see an immediate “harvest” at every stop, but dad used to always encourage us with these words from the Apostle Paul;

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

1 Corinthians 3:6 KJV

Sometimes you’re the one that God is using to plant a seed, other times you’re watering that seed that somebody else planted; but don’t ever forget that GOD is the one who gives the increase! And boy what a relief that is... The outcome isn’t up to us!

We ended up writing a whole song largely about that truth of not getting caught up in the numbers and metrics of what should or shouldn’t be deemed as “successful.” We named that song “First Things First.”

This new song “Walk With Jesus” is about an all out BELIEF in the message that we preach. It’s also about compassion for the people that we’re speaking to. Dad used to say, “boys, there’s too many preachers out there that love crowds and hate people. Don’t worry about being known for how many that come out, be known for how well you loved the ones that came.”

We really do believe in the faithfulness to “the call.” It is our reason and our “why.” We believe in it and have given our lives to it. We believe in this message and have a love for the Word of God. Our hope is that our belief in Jesus and the written Word of God is contagious and that it doesn’t stop at the end of a night with Consumed by Fire, but that it goes back into the homes and towns of those who’ve heard the message.

To sum it all up, the decision to walk with Jesus won’t always lead you to luxurious destinations, a pampered lifestyle, a lot of money, or even a ton of cheers and celebration… But the hope is that you LOVE so well along the way that the ones you loved “want in” too.

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

John 13:34-35 MSG