Mark Twain loved to go fishing, but he hated to catch fish. The problem was that Twain fishing to relax, but catching fish ruined his relaxation since he had to take the fish off the hook and do something with it. So, Mark Twain came up with the perfect solution. He would take a fishing pole, line, and a bobber, but he would not put a hook on the end. He would cast the bobber in the water and lay back on the bank. He was able to relax while fishing, without having the hassle of catching fish. Mark Twain was a lot like many Christians today. They have their poles in the water, but there is no hook on the end. They are not fishing, they are relaxing! Paul Harvey once said, “Too many Christians are no longer fishers of men but keepers of the aquarium.” I don’t believe this is what Jesus had in mind when he called four fishermen to be His disciples with these words, “Do not be afraid. From now on, you will catch men”, (Luke 5:10). Our Savior was the Master fisherman. In fact, I remember a time when Jesus went fishing. Jesus had already rolled the stone away and been resurrected by power of God the Father Himself. He had approved Thomas’ request for proof by letting him touch His hands and His side. After these things, Jesus showed Himself again to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberius, also known as the …

One Sunday morning, a deacon came before a large congregation and requested volunteers after services who would be willing to do some maintenance work around the building after services. That very same morning, the charismatic and schematic preacher came before the audience in his strapping suit and delivered a strong sermon on the need for workers in the Lord’s Kingdom. At the end of the sermon, a husband looked to his wife and said, “That’s what the church needs! The church needs more men like him.” However, it only appeared to be lip-service. After services, that powerful preacher didn’t answer the humble appeal of the deacon and was nowhere to be found when the work was abounded. Late that night, the couple noticed the lights were still bright in the building. So, they drove by the door and could see that humble deacon mopping the floors of the church building. As they both observed with great clarity his servant’s heart, the wife said to her husband, “That’s what the church needs! The church needs more like him.”  The church has many needs. We need men who can teach, preach, lead singing, lead prayers, serve as deacons, serve as elders, and do personal work. We need women who can teach other ladies, teach children, serve as elder’s wives, serve as deacon’s wives, serve as preacher’s wives, prepare meals, send cards, and make visits.  But, for a moment, I want to suggest some general abilities that we all can and should develop, …