Sermon 2. Net, Hook - Gospel
Isaiah 55:8–13; Matthew 4:18–22; Acts
26:25–29; Romans 10:4
Beloved ones who have come to hear the
truths of the Gospel,
May the blessings of the Gospel reach you today! Today’s message will explain
the difference between the work of the Law and the work of the Gospel. I will
remind you of two simple yet powerful concepts you already know:
1. The Net, and
2. The Hook.
If the Gospel is like a net, then what is in the Law?
The
Law contains a standard of teaching, consisting of commandments and rituals.
The commandments include instructions such as, “You shall not do such and
such.” If anyone disobeys, punishment is the consequence. The curse that
results can even pass on to one’s descendants. The wrath of God is kindled
against disobedience. This shows the strict and fearful nature of the Law.
In
contrast, the responsibility of a Gospel preacher is to proclaim the removal of
punishment and to teach the people to do good. The Gospel message invites
people to rest, removes evil, shows compassion, and extends forgiveness. This
message brings comfort and healing. Both the Law and the Gospel must be
presented from the Bible. If only the Law is preached, people become confused
and discouraged. The Law alone can wound, but the Gospel brings restoration.
Therefore, both must be taught together — one revealing the seriousness of sin,
and the other revealing the mercy of God.
The
Law is like a sharp hook — it injures and causes suffering. But the Gospel is
like a net — it gently surrounds and captures. A fish caught on a hook
struggles and eventually dies. A fish caught in a net may try to escape, but it
cannot. At first, the fish thinks it is in danger and struggles out of fear.
Only later does it realize that there is no harm at all.
In
the same way, those who first hear the Gospel may resist, fearing loss or
judgment. But in time, they understand that the Gospel does not destroy — it
saves, heals, and brings hope. Thus, while the Law is necessary to awaken the
conscience, it is the Gospel that brings true freedom through forgiveness in Christ.
The Lord called the apostles who were
fishermen. When they cast their nets initially, they did not catch any fish.
But when the Lord instructed them to cast the net, they caught so many fish
that the net began to tear. In the same way:
1. When the Gospel is first preached, people may not immediately
respond — that is, they do not accept the Gospel.
2. But when it is preached again and again, the catch becomes
abundant — like the net filling to the point of breaking, or the temple being
filled — meaning, many will come. At that time, many opponents will also rise
up and speak against the Gospel. Even then, the situation may appear like the
net is breaking.
3. But when fellow workers come to help, the Gospel will not
break — that is, all will ultimately be saved.
Who are those that will go to Hades
without being saved in this world?
1. Those who do not hear the Gospel,
2. Those who hear but do not repent,
3. Those who hear the Law and become discouraged,
4. Those who, though desiring to leave sin, lack the power to be
delivered from it.
Where the net should be cast?
1. “Go into all nations and preach the Gospel,” said the Lord,
for all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him.
2. “Launch out into the deep and cast your nets” — this means to
reach those in the depths, that is, those in despair even while still living on
earth, and those deep in the underworld — in Hades.
Example: The prodigal son left his father and went to a far country,
where he became like one among the pigs — meaning he descended into Hades and
became like those there. When he came to repentance and remembered his father,
that act became part of the Gospel's work. Even those who have gone very deep
can be saved. Therefore, the Lord told Peter, “Launch out into the deep and
cast your net.” Did Peter go deep? Did the boat go deep? No one went deep — but
the net went deep. In the same way, the Gospel reaches even into Hades.
How great was the net cast by Peter and
John!
The second net that Peter cast — how far it reached! It didn’t stop with three
thousand souls; it eventually reached all nations. The net they cast was never
taken away. Even today, that net is still at work.
When
the Lord said, "Catch fish," Peter held the net. But when the Lord
said, “I will make you a fisher of men,” he let go of that net. The first net
brought no lasting profit. But the second net is still active. When Peter first
cast the net, he didn’t even eat the sea fish he caught. But when he cast the
net of salvation, he experienced the fruit of salvation. Even those who are in
despair in their pursuit of salvation can still receive the Gospel. When the
net is cast, salvation is inevitable at some point.
Colossians 2:16 – The story of the net
and the wind:
The Lord said to steer the boat into the deep. That means the fish are not at the
surface. They are not in the upper layer, nor in the middle layer— are they at
the bottom, in the sandy depths. Only by casting the net deep did the fish come
into it. This reminds us of one important thing:
Sinners
are sinking into despair — because they are uncertain whether to pray for the
forgiveness of their sins. Some are praying for the power to overcome sin, but
when they don’t receive it, they fall into discouragement and stop praying,
reading the Bible, doing Gospel work, or giving offerings. For such people, the
Lord is able to reach them even at the very end and rescue them.
That
is why the Lord said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was
lost.”
And the Lord Jehovah declared: “Even if you go to the ends of the earth, I will
bring you back from there.”
The
lost sheep left the flock, left the town, and wandered off somewhere. The
shepherd went to that place and brought it back. The prodigal son left his home
and went to a foreign country. There, due to wicked associations, he faced
distress; being unemployed, he became sorrowful and eventually went to eat the
pods meant for pigs. Finally, he returned to his father, moved by the memory of
his father's love.
In
the same way, sinners in this world are rejecting the many opportunities given
to them and are heading toward death — ultimately to Hades. The Lord who told
His disciples to “launch out into the deep” is now going to those who dwell in
the depths — that is, the inhabitants of Hades beneath the earth — and is
leading them into the higher paradise.
A
fish is wounded by the hook and suffers. Likewise, sinners who do not walk
according to the commandments of the Law of Moses experience fear and pain. But
a fish is not harmed by the net. In the same way, the teaching of the Gospel
does not bring harm to people. The Law brings fear, punishment, curses, and
judgments. But the Gospel brings acceptance, joy, rest, instruction, the
blessing of salvation, forgiveness of sins, the power for a renewed life, and
entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. All these are taught to be the inheritance
of those who repent.
Note: In terms of teaching, the Law does not
completely lack the way of salvation — much of it focuses on the renunciation
of sin. The Gospel also includes the message of sin renunciation, but it is
filled with grace and acceptance. If the teaching of the Law is like a hook,
the Gospel is like a net.
The
old net must be cast aside, and a new net — meant to catch men for salvation —
must be used. Peter and others used such a net, and through it, the Lord turned
many to Himself. This is the Gospel net. It is through this net that the
message of salvation has spread to all nations, gathering sinners even today.
That net reaches even those who are in despair, even those who have plunged
into the depths. That same net has extended even into Hades and is at work
there too.
May
the Lord prepare you, through His Word, to take part in such a work. Amen.
Note: This sermon was delivered by Father.
Devadasu on July 3rd, 5th, and 6th in the year 1945 at Rajahmundry.
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