The Importance of Mending Nets

A Lesson on Mending Nets

Matthew 4:18-20 And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. 19. And he saith unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20. And they straightway left the nets, and followed him.

Matthew 4

21. And going on from thence he saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets (cf. Mark 1:19); and he called them. 22. And they straightway left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Fishing Nets

The Tools of the trade

Mending Nets

The Greek word katartizo

is translated here “mending”• Matthew 4:21• Mark 1:19

katartizo

• Defined: to complete thoroughly, i.e. repair (lit. or fig.) or adjust:--fit, frame, mend, (make) perfect (-ly join together), prepare, restore

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

NKJV

Bringing People Together

Restoring the erring

Galatians 6:1

Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trepass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

The church

is portrayed as a fabric or tapestry that has been carefully “knit together”

Another Greek word is used here:

Sumbibazo from G4862 and bibazo (to force; caus. [by redupl.] of the base of G939); to drive together, i.e. unite (in association or affection), (mentally) to infer, show, teach:--compact, assuredly, gather, instruct, knit together, prove.

Ephesians 4:16 from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.

Colossians 2:2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, even Christ,

Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19. and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increasing with the increase of God.

REPAIRING THE CHURCH• Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some to

be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12. for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:

the saints are to be “mended together” like a net... one fabric created to function as a

harmonious whole to do the work of service

“mending” the individual

Luke 6:40

The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher.

For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10. night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, 21. make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.

When the church needs repair

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Acts 4:31-33 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33. And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

CATCHING FISH

• Often churches agonize over “why” they are not catching fish (evangelism)

It may be as simple as some are not “letting down the nets”

Some churches are engaged in evangelism (they are letting down the net) without great success

a) the question is always: “Why are we not having more success?”

b) could it be that our net is ripped, torn... riddled with holes, defective?

c) WHAT is the effect of divisions within the fabric of a local church on their efforts to evangelize?

Division within the church needs to be “mended” before we can expect to be effective in our work of evangelism

to become truly effective in our effort to catch men, our net needs to be washed and mended... and utilized

• Acts 9:20-22 And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. 21. And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests. 22. But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

• Acts 28:22-23 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against. 23. And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.

Pulling it all Together

Mending nets

Knitting things together

Healing the individual

Mending divisions within the church

Effective evangelism

Pulling together OT scripture to prove that Jesus is the Christ